Core Technology: Fiber Optic Products and PoE Products

What is Fiber Optics?

Fiber optic communications is different from any other data transmission method, in that it does not use electricity through a conductor to transmit information. Instead of electrical signals, modulated light is used to quickly transmit data over long distances through an insulated glass fiber-type material. Fiber optics is currently the best long distance communications method because it provides much faster data transfer speeds when compared to traditional interconnection media such as copper wire.

Benefits of Fiber Optics

High data rate and wide bandwidth
Immunity to EMI/RFI and lighting damage
No ground loops
Low attenuation (data loss)
Longer distance - 2 and 5 km with Multimode fiber or over 20 km with Single Mode fiber
Small cable diameter fits anywhere
Light weight
No sparks if cut
No shock hazard
Secure communications
Low system cost
Longer life expectancy than copper or coaxial cable
Cabling of the future

Fiber Optic Media Converter:

In today's business environment, flexible and cost-effective solutions are a necessity. The implementation of a fiber media converter can provide you with that cost-effective, flexible solution. With a fiber media converter you can connect different types of media seamlessly and effectively. A fiber media converter provides a cost-effective alternative to replacement.

Network configurations that use a combination of twisted pair and fiber optic media will require a Fiber Optic Media Converter. The converter allows a network segment to make the transition from UTP to fiber or from fiber to UTP.

What is the PoE?

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) eliminates the need to run 110/220 VAC power to Wireless Access Points and other devices on a wired LAN. Using Power-over-Ethernet system installers need to run only a single CAT5 Ethernet cable that carries both power and data to each device. This allows greater flexibility in the locating of AP's and network devices and significantly decreasing installation costs in many cases.

Power-over-Ethernet begins with a CAT5 "Injector" that inserts a DC Voltage onto the CAT5 cable. The Injector is typically installed in the "wiring closet" near the Ethernet switch or hub.

Some Wireless Access Points and other network accept the injected DC power directly from the CAT5 cable through their RJ45 jack. These devices are considered to be "PoE-Compatible".

Devices that are not "PoE Compatible" can be converted to Power-over-Ethernet by way of a DC "Picker" or "Tap". These are sometimes called Active Ethernet "Splitters". This device picks-off the DC Voltage that has been injected into the CAT5 cable by the Injector and makes it available to the equipment through the regular DC power jack.

Therefore in order to use Power-over-Ethernet you need:

(Injector) + (PoE compatible device)

- or –
(Injector) + (non-PoE compatible device) + (Splitter)