Installation Options:Air Blown Fiber

FIBEROPTIC PRODUCT NEWS™ SPECIAL FEATURE

Air blown fiber offers installation advantages in many applications.

by Tom Stammely and Terri Dixon,Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.

Conventional methodol-ogy used in designingand building opticalfiber LAN infrastruc-tures is ill-equipped todeliver the flexibilityto accommodate

ongoing adds, moves, and changescaused by advances in informationtechnology and evolution within theorganization. The more dynamic the orga-nization, the more the organization mustspend to keep its LAN capabilities currentwith user demands.

The bulk of these costs are associatedwith labor-intensive pulling and splicingof new cable to handle, for example,multimedia, to change the location of anetwork hub, or to relocate a departmentwithin the organization. Additional costscan be traced to downtime or disruptionsin the workplace during cable-pullingoperations. LAN managers have attempted toreduce future costs by installing morefiber than required at the outset, therebyhoping to capitalize on a “one-time”installation procedure. They do this bycrystal-balling future needs, hopingtheirguesswork proves correct. More often than not, it proves wrong,and the anticipated savings do notmaterialize.

A relatively new LAN infrastructuretechnology called air blown fiber (ABF)can solve this problem. One of the firstapplications in the United States was atthe University of Utah. Since then, thetechnology has proven

itself, and is being adopted by a widerange of businesses and institutions (seeApplications) to "future proof' theirnetworks. In addition to handling voice,data. and video LAN traffic, ABF is alsoemployed for HVAC and security systems.

ABF blowing equipment consists of bottles of air or dry nitrogen fed throughtubing into the air blowing system. An air-driven motor in the blowing headcontrols the speed at which fiber travels into the tube cells

ABF tube cables, containing up to 19 individual tube cells, are interconnectedin tube distribution units or "junction boxes" by means of push-fit connectors.This provides a splice-free path between the network hub and equipmentthe network supports.

System OverviewABF is manufactured by Sumitomo

Electric Lightwave Corp., ResearchTriangle Park, N.C. Called theFutureFlex4 Air Blown Fiber System, ituses either compressed air or drynitrogen to blow small, lightweight, multi-fiber cables called fiber bundles intopreviously installed tube cables.

Fiber bundles contain from 2 to 18strands of singlemode 50/125 gm or62.5/125 .1m multimode optical fiber.These bundles are typically one-fortieththe size of conventional fiber cable ofcomparable capacity, because nostrength members are required to protectthe fiber from tensile stress duringinstallation.

Tube cable replaces conduit andinnerduct used in conventional systems.Flexible and rugged, it contains from 2to 19 individually marked tube cells, andmeets industry specifications for indoorand outdoor applications.Typically, an ABF backbone is con-structed with tube cables containing morecells than required at the outset. Thisprovides an in-place right-of-way forgrowth or changes. Tube cable cells arejoined in tube distribution units (TDUs or"junction

boxes") by means of simple push-lit con-nectors. This results in a "through route"between the network hub and theworkstation or other sites and functionsbeing suppor ted by the f ibe rinfrastructure. The TDU is also thelocation from which new applications canbe supported simply by extending tubebundles from the new location to theTDU and then connecting the requiredtube cells into the existing backbone.

Fiber termination units provide a junc-ture between the ABF infrastructure andfiber jumpers connected to servers, com-puters, or other network equipment.Once the infrastructure is in place, fiberinstallation commences. Bundles areblown into any route of coupled, emptytube cells at rates up to 150 feet perminute, achieving splice-free runs to6,000 feet, depending on networkconfiguration. Conversely, shouldrequirements change, fiber can be blownout of a tube cell and new fiber blown in.The removed fiber can be usedelsewhere since no damaging stressesare imposed on it during either installationor removal. In most circumstances, onlytwo installers are needed to put an ABFsystem in place.

Key Components

ABF blowing equipment is composedof several components. The pressuresource is industrial grade dry nitrogen(or air), typically in a 3(X) cubic foot bottle,with its regulator allowing control from 0to 200 psi. Through a system of tubingand fittings, pressurized nitrogen isdelivered to the blowing system. This unitconsists of a payoff stand on which reelsof ABF bundles are placed, and a blowinghead used to direct the fiber bundle andnitrogen into the tube. An air-driven motorlocated in the blowing head is used tocontrol the speed at which fiber travelsinto the tube cells.

Tube cable is available in a number ofconfigurations to cover virtually everyapplication and installation environment.It is designed to meet all requirementsfor use in plenum, riser, general-purposeindoor, and outside plant applications.For outdoor applications, the outer jacketis designed to prohibit water intrusionand can be supplied with steel armor fordirect burial. Individual tube cells havean outside diameter of 8 mm and aninside diameter of 6 mm. A typical outside-plant 19cell cable has an outer diameterof 43 mm and can contain as many as342 fibers when fully loaded.

ABF fiber bundles are containedin a special low-density jacket materialwith a textured surface that improves theaerodynamic features of the fiber bundle.During installation, the bundles floatthrough the tube cell with minimumcontact to cell walls. A small plastic endcap is fitted to the end of the fiber bundleto facilitate movement of the bundle endthrough tube connectors. Bundles areprovided in reels up to 4,000 meters inlength, are color coded to identify fibertype, and are ULapproved for use inplenum and riser tube cables. A 6-fiberABF bundle has an outside diameter of2 mm, and an 18-fiber bundle has anoutside diameter of 3 mm.

ApplicationsABF is being employed across aspectrum of applications from educationto public works. If there is a singleprerequisite, it is that the networkundergoes ongoing modifications toaccommodate ongoing moves, adds, andchanges caused by advances in IT andevolution within the organization.

EducationIn 1990, the University of Utahestablished a fiber master plan to bringorder to a communications infrastructurein virtual chaos. In response to a request-for-proposal to 30 vendors, approximately20 responded, and all but one proposedconventional systems. ABF was acceptedby the university because it addressedthree design aspects: long-term flexibility,long-term costs, and long-termexpandability. The technique enabledthe university to install less fiber thaninitially anticipated, in its efforts toaccommodate future growth. It alsoreduced end-to-end attenuation due tothe elimination of field splices, while itsmore direct fiber routing capabilityminimized design issues in several ofthe longer fiber spans.

While changes have been made to theuniversity infrastructure, the entire initialproject design utilized 190,000 feet of 6-cell tube cable and 330,000 feet of 6-fiber, 62.5 gm bundles. Since theinstallation began, ABF has proven itselfa viable technology at the university byaddressing expansions, changes andmodifications to the network.At the other end of the education spec-trum is Hilliard Elementary School inNassau County, Fla. The school specifiedfiberoptics to avoid electromagnetic

interference f rom frequentlightning 'Storms. ABF technologywas 'elected for the 10-buildingcampus because the schoolwanted to avoid installing moreliber than required at the outsetto meet initial needs. l-Iilliard'snetwork handles data, energymanagement, and the fire alarmsystem. The data systemaccesses each classroom wiringcloset and is designed to providefiber to individual desktops.According to the school 'sAdministration, flexibility, long-term cost savings, ease ofmaintenance, and ease of trouHeshooting have made the techniquecost effective for the NassauCounty School Board.

The selection was based on ABF'sability to accommodate currentrequirements and provide the flexibilityto add or modify the network in thefuture.

For the West Point plant. copperwas ruled out based on previouslightningrelated experiences. ABF wonover conventional systems becausesections of available conduit at theexisting facility were undersized andunable to accommodate additionalfiber.

According to West Point authorities,install ing conduit in the newlyconstructed facilities in a redundantconfiguration would have cost$550,000, excluding the cost ofinstalling loose tube fiber, innerduct.and repeater stations. Savingsoccasioned by using ABF in eliminatingthe conduit runs were enough to payfor the contract. Engineers alsocalculated that standard technologyof a loose tube fiberoptic installationwould add to the complexity of thenetwork, increase its maintenancecosts, and reduce its reliability.

A Florida electric utility solved thechallenge of interconnecting its first-level data center and IS other locationsdispersed over three levels by usingair blown fiber.

Public WorksThe Metropolitan King

County (Washington) West PointWastewater Treatment Plantselected ABF as its networkinfrastructure when undertakinga modernization program.

The environment consisted of open cabletrays and conduit in extremely difficultworking conditions.

Under a conventional scenario, theproject called for a crew of 8 to install9000 feet of 24-strand multimode fiberby pulling it through conduit and innerduct,then performing splicing and testing. Thisrepresented four times the amount offiber needed to meet requirements at thetime, with the excess fiber proposed forfuture use.

The utility's selection of air blownfiber reduced the installation crew tothree, the multimode strand requirementsto six, and eliminated splicing. It allowedthe utility to reduce its upgrade to consistof installing only 900 feet of 19-cell tubecable, 3600 feet of 7-cell tube cable, andeight tube distribution units. Six-strandmulti-mode fiber bundles were blownthrough to destinations. Since the originalimplementation of the network, everylocation on the LAN has been servedwith additional fiber requirements.

Health Care Like every other 1-IMO, KaiserPermenente was overloaded with data

One of the firstapplications in theUnited States was at theUniversity of Utah

in the early 1990s. Treatment technologieswere advancing fast along with the avail-ability and variety of new services. Severalyears ago, officials determined that theinformation infrastructure in Kaiser'sSouthern California region needed anoverhaul to efficiently serve its 2-million-plus members. The results of a test runproject using air blown fiber at one ofKaiser 's campuses resul ted inincorporating the technology at 15 majorcampuses in the Southern Californiaregion. By the end of 1995, more than1.6 million feet of tube cable had beenrun with less than 10 percent of its totalcapacity in use. Among the benefits Kaiser reapedthrough ABF technology is the fact thatvery few conduits or other cable routinginfrastructures had to be accessed, whichcaused less disruptions than typicallyassociated with conventional systems.

Minimal patching and splicing resultedin lower ongoing maintenance, upgrade,administration and patching costs. Thecabling structure also improved signalquality and reduced the number ofoutages and network downtime.

Military Applications The Naval Air Systems Command inArlington, Virginia, selected air blownfiber to enable consolidation of 39separate organizations using 19 differente-mail systems along with four networkoperating systems into a single, state-of-the-art pervasive and expandablenetwork. These networks extendedacross 40 floors in 6 buildings in theCrystal City area. According to NASCofficials, air blown fiber labor costs werebetween 60 and 70 percent lower thanestimates for a conventional pulledfibersystem. Moreover, while some 27,000feet of optical fiber were blown,

Conversely, shouldrequirements change,fiber can be blown outof a tube cell and newfiber blown in.

through 7,000 feet of tube cable, nobreakage occurred during installation.The command's standard operat ingprocedure of incorporating a 15%performance margin to accommodatefiber degradation from installation-caused damage proved unnecessarywith air blown fiber. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the site of the

U.S. Army's telecommunic ationstraining faci lity. Estimates to install aconventional fiberoptic campus-wide LANbackbone serving 52 terminals in 11 of24 buildings reached $226,000, most ofwhich represented labor costs.Technicians at Ft. Gordon were trainedin ABF technology, result ing inaccommodating all 24 buildings being"wired" at a cost of only $60,000. Acontinuing benefit is that thesetechnicians now handle on-going mainte-nance. Similar ABF success stories havebeen recorded at the Naval Air WarfareCenter in Patuxent River, Maryland, andthe Naval Command, Control and OceanSurveillance Center's research, develop-ment, test and evaluation division in SanDiego, California.

ManufacturingAmerican Axle and Manufacturing a

Detroit-based manufacturer of front, rear,and four-wheel-drive axles operating 10major facilities at six locations. Thecompany set a 1000-day deadline tomigrate from a closed, mainframe-basedsystem to an open, client/server network-ing environment with a completely newcable topology. ABF was selected as thebackbone architecture because it canspan more than 6000 feet withoutsplicing. This is an important feature forthe heart of the AAM system, whichrequires runs of about 1500 feet betweenbuildings plus approximately 2000 feetof fiber for connections within each facility. Slotted TDUs allow adding ABF distrib-ution units anywhere along a cable runwithout cutting adjacent tube bundles

housing on-line fibers. This feature sup-ports a modular design allowing crewsto install ABF in phases that fit into produc-tion schedules in an industry where down-time costs can exceed $20,000 perminute.

The combined features of ABF haveyielded cost savings of 20% when com-pared to conventional fiber installations,according to the installer.

ConclusionAir blown fiber is a technology that

overcomes the uncertainty of changeencountered in today's data and telecom-munications networks. Guesswork aboutfuture network requirements is eliminateddue to the fact that the fiber can be quick-ly added to a network when needed. Anetwork can be changed in a matter ofhours due to the speed and simplicity ofblowing fiber units into the existing tubenetwork. As a result, users haveexperienced the reduced costs, ease ofinstallation, and total flexibility ofmanaging a "future proof' network.

SUMITOMO ELECTRICLightwave Corp.

Member of the Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Group www.futureflex.com

78 Alexander DriveResearch Triangle Park, NC 27709

1-877-356-FLEX (3539)Fax: (919) 541-8265

Email: fflex@sumitomoelectric.com

Installation Options:Air Blown Fiber

FIBEROPTIC PRODUCT NEWS™ SPECIAL FEATURE

Air blown fiber offers installation advantages in many applications.

by Tom Stammely and Terri Dixon,Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.

Conventional methodol-ogy used in designingand building opticalfiber LAN infrastruc-tures is ill-equipped todeliver the flexibilityto accommodate

ongoing adds, moves, and changescaused by advances in informationtechnology and evolution within theorganization. The more dynamic the orga-nization, the more the organization mustspend to keep its LAN capabilities currentwith user demands.

The bulk of these costs are associatedwith labor-intensive pulling and splicingof new cable to handle, for example,multimedia, to change the location of anetwork hub, or to relocate a departmentwithin the organization. Additional costscan be traced to downtime or disruptionsin the workplace during cable-pullingoperations. LAN managers have attempted toreduce future costs by installing morefiber than required at the outset, therebyhoping to capitalize on a “one-time”installation procedure. They do this bycrystal-balling future needs, hopingtheirguesswork proves correct. More often than not, it proves wrong,and the anticipated savings do notmaterialize.

A relatively new LAN infrastructuretechnology called air blown fiber (ABF)can solve this problem. One of the firstapplications in the United States was atthe University of Utah. Since then, thetechnology has proven

itself, and is being adopted by a widerange of businesses and institutions (seeApplications) to "future proof' theirnetworks. In addition to handling voice,data. and video LAN traffic, ABF is alsoemployed for HVAC and security systems.

ABF blowing equipment consists of bottles of air or dry nitrogen fed throughtubing into the air blowing system. An air-driven motor in the blowing headcontrols the speed at which fiber travels into the tube cells

ABF tube cables, containing up to 19 individual tube cells, are interconnectedin tube distribution units or "junction boxes" by means of push-fit connectors.This provides a splice-free path between the network hub and equipmentthe network supports.

System OverviewABF is manufactured by Sumitomo

Electric Lightwave Corp., ResearchTriangle Park, N.C. Called theFutureFlex4 Air Blown Fiber System, ituses either compressed air or drynitrogen to blow small, lightweight, multi-fiber cables called fiber bundles intopreviously installed tube cables.

Fiber bundles contain from 2 to 18strands of singlemode 50/125 gm or62.5/125 .1m multimode optical fiber.These bundles are typically one-fortieththe size of conventional fiber cable ofcomparable capacity, because nostrength members are required to protectthe fiber from tensile stress duringinstallation.

Tube cable replaces conduit andinnerduct used in conventional systems.Flexible and rugged, it contains from 2to 19 individually marked tube cells, andmeets industry specifications for indoorand outdoor applications.Typically, an ABF backbone is con-structed with tube cables containing morecells than required at the outset. Thisprovides an in-place right-of-way forgrowth or changes. Tube cable cells arejoined in tube distribution units (TDUs or"junction

boxes") by means of simple push-lit con-nectors. This results in a "through route"between the network hub and theworkstation or other sites and functionsbeing suppor ted by the f ibe rinfrastructure. The TDU is also thelocation from which new applications canbe supported simply by extending tubebundles from the new location to theTDU and then connecting the requiredtube cells into the existing backbone.

Fiber termination units provide a junc-ture between the ABF infrastructure andfiber jumpers connected to servers, com-puters, or other network equipment.Once the infrastructure is in place, fiberinstallation commences. Bundles areblown into any route of coupled, emptytube cells at rates up to 150 feet perminute, achieving splice-free runs to6,000 feet, depending on networkconfiguration. Conversely, shouldrequirements change, fiber can be blownout of a tube cell and new fiber blown in.The removed fiber can be usedelsewhere since no damaging stressesare imposed on it during either installationor removal. In most circumstances, onlytwo installers are needed to put an ABFsystem in place.

Key Components

ABF blowing equipment is composedof several components. The pressuresource is industrial grade dry nitrogen(or air), typically in a 3(X) cubic foot bottle,with its regulator allowing control from 0to 200 psi. Through a system of tubingand fittings, pressurized nitrogen isdelivered to the blowing system. This unitconsists of a payoff stand on which reelsof ABF bundles are placed, and a blowinghead used to direct the fiber bundle andnitrogen into the tube. An air-driven motorlocated in the blowing head is used tocontrol the speed at which fiber travelsinto the tube cells.

Tube cable is available in a number ofconfigurations to cover virtually everyapplication and installation environment.It is designed to meet all requirementsfor use in plenum, riser, general-purposeindoor, and outside plant applications.For outdoor applications, the outer jacketis designed to prohibit water intrusionand can be supplied with steel armor fordirect burial. Individual tube cells havean outside diameter of 8 mm and aninside diameter of 6 mm. A typical outside-plant 19cell cable has an outer diameterof 43 mm and can contain as many as342 fibers when fully loaded.

ABF fiber bundles are containedin a special low-density jacket materialwith a textured surface that improves theaerodynamic features of the fiber bundle.During installation, the bundles floatthrough the tube cell with minimumcontact to cell walls. A small plastic endcap is fitted to the end of the fiber bundleto facilitate movement of the bundle endthrough tube connectors. Bundles areprovided in reels up to 4,000 meters inlength, are color coded to identify fibertype, and are ULapproved for use inplenum and riser tube cables. A 6-fiberABF bundle has an outside diameter of2 mm, and an 18-fiber bundle has anoutside diameter of 3 mm.

ApplicationsABF is being employed across aspectrum of applications from educationto public works. If there is a singleprerequisite, it is that the networkundergoes ongoing modifications toaccommodate ongoing moves, adds, andchanges caused by advances in IT andevolution within the organization.

EducationIn 1990, the University of Utahestablished a fiber master plan to bringorder to a communications infrastructurein virtual chaos. In response to a request-for-proposal to 30 vendors, approximately20 responded, and all but one proposedconventional systems. ABF was acceptedby the university because it addressedthree design aspects: long-term flexibility,long-term costs, and long-termexpandability. The technique enabledthe university to install less fiber thaninitially anticipated, in its efforts toaccommodate future growth. It alsoreduced end-to-end attenuation due tothe elimination of field splices, while itsmore direct fiber routing capabilityminimized design issues in several ofthe longer fiber spans.

While changes have been made to theuniversity infrastructure, the entire initialproject design utilized 190,000 feet of 6-cell tube cable and 330,000 feet of 6-fiber, 62.5 gm bundles. Since theinstallation began, ABF has proven itselfa viable technology at the university byaddressing expansions, changes andmodifications to the network.At the other end of the education spec-trum is Hilliard Elementary School inNassau County, Fla. The school specifiedfiberoptics to avoid electromagnetic

interference f rom frequentlightning 'Storms. ABF technologywas 'elected for the 10-buildingcampus because the schoolwanted to avoid installing moreliber than required at the outsetto meet initial needs. l-Iilliard'snetwork handles data, energymanagement, and the fire alarmsystem. The data systemaccesses each classroom wiringcloset and is designed to providefiber to individual desktops.According to the school 'sAdministration, flexibility, long-term cost savings, ease ofmaintenance, and ease of trouHeshooting have made the techniquecost effective for the NassauCounty School Board.

The selection was based on ABF'sability to accommodate currentrequirements and provide the flexibilityto add or modify the network in thefuture.

For the West Point plant. copperwas ruled out based on previouslightningrelated experiences. ABF wonover conventional systems becausesections of available conduit at theexisting facility were undersized andunable to accommodate additionalfiber.

According to West Point authorities,install ing conduit in the newlyconstructed facilities in a redundantconfiguration would have cost$550,000, excluding the cost ofinstalling loose tube fiber, innerduct.and repeater stations. Savingsoccasioned by using ABF in eliminatingthe conduit runs were enough to payfor the contract. Engineers alsocalculated that standard technologyof a loose tube fiberoptic installationwould add to the complexity of thenetwork, increase its maintenancecosts, and reduce its reliability.

A Florida electric utility solved thechallenge of interconnecting its first-level data center and IS other locationsdispersed over three levels by usingair blown fiber.

Public WorksThe Metropolitan King

County (Washington) West PointWastewater Treatment Plantselected ABF as its networkinfrastructure when undertakinga modernization program.

The environment consisted of open cabletrays and conduit in extremely difficultworking conditions.

Under a conventional scenario, theproject called for a crew of 8 to install9000 feet of 24-strand multimode fiberby pulling it through conduit and innerduct,then performing splicing and testing. Thisrepresented four times the amount offiber needed to meet requirements at thetime, with the excess fiber proposed forfuture use.

The utility's selection of air blownfiber reduced the installation crew tothree, the multimode strand requirementsto six, and eliminated splicing. It allowedthe utility to reduce its upgrade to consistof installing only 900 feet of 19-cell tubecable, 3600 feet of 7-cell tube cable, andeight tube distribution units. Six-strandmulti-mode fiber bundles were blownthrough to destinations. Since the originalimplementation of the network, everylocation on the LAN has been servedwith additional fiber requirements.

Health Care Like every other 1-IMO, KaiserPermenente was overloaded with data

One of the firstapplications in theUnited States was at theUniversity of Utah

in the early 1990s. Treatment technologieswere advancing fast along with the avail-ability and variety of new services. Severalyears ago, officials determined that theinformation infrastructure in Kaiser'sSouthern California region needed anoverhaul to efficiently serve its 2-million-plus members. The results of a test runproject using air blown fiber at one ofKaiser 's campuses resul ted inincorporating the technology at 15 majorcampuses in the Southern Californiaregion. By the end of 1995, more than1.6 million feet of tube cable had beenrun with less than 10 percent of its totalcapacity in use. Among the benefits Kaiser reapedthrough ABF technology is the fact thatvery few conduits or other cable routinginfrastructures had to be accessed, whichcaused less disruptions than typicallyassociated with conventional systems.

Minimal patching and splicing resultedin lower ongoing maintenance, upgrade,administration and patching costs. Thecabling structure also improved signalquality and reduced the number ofoutages and network downtime.

Military Applications The Naval Air Systems Command inArlington, Virginia, selected air blownfiber to enable consolidation of 39separate organizations using 19 differente-mail systems along with four networkoperating systems into a single, state-of-the-art pervasive and expandablenetwork. These networks extendedacross 40 floors in 6 buildings in theCrystal City area. According to NASCofficials, air blown fiber labor costs werebetween 60 and 70 percent lower thanestimates for a conventional pulledfibersystem. Moreover, while some 27,000feet of optical fiber were blown,

Conversely, shouldrequirements change,fiber can be blown outof a tube cell and newfiber blown in.

through 7,000 feet of tube cable, nobreakage occurred during installation.The command's standard operat ingprocedure of incorporating a 15%performance margin to accommodatefiber degradation from installation-caused damage proved unnecessarywith air blown fiber. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the site of the

U.S. Army's telecommunic ationstraining faci lity. Estimates to install aconventional fiberoptic campus-wide LANbackbone serving 52 terminals in 11 of24 buildings reached $226,000, most ofwhich represented labor costs.Technicians at Ft. Gordon were trainedin ABF technology, result ing inaccommodating all 24 buildings being"wired" at a cost of only $60,000. Acontinuing benefit is that thesetechnicians now handle on-going mainte-nance. Similar ABF success stories havebeen recorded at the Naval Air WarfareCenter in Patuxent River, Maryland, andthe Naval Command, Control and OceanSurveillance Center's research, develop-ment, test and evaluation division in SanDiego, California.

ManufacturingAmerican Axle and Manufacturing a

Detroit-based manufacturer of front, rear,and four-wheel-drive axles operating 10major facilities at six locations. Thecompany set a 1000-day deadline tomigrate from a closed, mainframe-basedsystem to an open, client/server network-ing environment with a completely newcable topology. ABF was selected as thebackbone architecture because it canspan more than 6000 feet withoutsplicing. This is an important feature forthe heart of the AAM system, whichrequires runs of about 1500 feet betweenbuildings plus approximately 2000 feetof fiber for connections within each facility. Slotted TDUs allow adding ABF distrib-ution units anywhere along a cable runwithout cutting adjacent tube bundles

housing on-line fibers. This feature sup-ports a modular design allowing crewsto install ABF in phases that fit into produc-tion schedules in an industry where down-time costs can exceed $20,000 perminute.

The combined features of ABF haveyielded cost savings of 20% when com-pared to conventional fiber installations,according to the installer.

ConclusionAir blown fiber is a technology that

overcomes the uncertainty of changeencountered in today's data and telecom-munications networks. Guesswork aboutfuture network requirements is eliminateddue to the fact that the fiber can be quick-ly added to a network when needed. Anetwork can be changed in a matter ofhours due to the speed and simplicity ofblowing fiber units into the existing tubenetwork. As a result, users haveexperienced the reduced costs, ease ofinstallation, and total flexibility ofmanaging a "future proof' network.

SUMITOMO ELECTRICLightwave Corp.

Member of the Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Group www.futureflex.com

78 Alexander DriveResearch Triangle Park, NC 27709

1-877-356-FLEX (3539)Fax: (919) 541-8265

Email: fflex@sumitomoelectric.com

Installation Options:Air Blown Fiber

FIBEROPTIC PRODUCT NEWS™ SPECIAL FEATURE

Air blown fiber offers installation advantages in many applications.

by Tom Stammely and Terri Dixon,Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.

Conventional methodol-ogy used in designingand building opticalfiber LAN infrastruc-tures is ill-equipped todeliver the flexibilityto accommodate

ongoing adds, moves, and changescaused by advances in informationtechnology and evolution within theorganization. The more dynamic the orga-nization, the more the organization mustspend to keep its LAN capabilities currentwith user demands.

The bulk of these costs are associatedwith labor-intensive pulling and splicingof new cable to handle, for example,multimedia, to change the location of anetwork hub, or to relocate a departmentwithin the organization. Additional costscan be traced to downtime or disruptionsin the workplace during cable-pullingoperations. LAN managers have attempted toreduce future costs by installing morefiber than required at the outset, therebyhoping to capitalize on a “one-time”installation procedure. They do this bycrystal-balling future needs, hopingtheirguesswork proves correct. More often than not, it proves wrong,and the anticipated savings do notmaterialize.

A relatively new LAN infrastructuretechnology called air blown fiber (ABF)can solve this problem. One of the firstapplications in the United States was atthe University of Utah. Since then, thetechnology has proven

itself, and is being adopted by a widerange of businesses and institutions (seeApplications) to "future proof' theirnetworks. In addition to handling voice,data. and video LAN traffic, ABF is alsoemployed for HVAC and security systems.

ABF blowing equipment consists of bottles of air or dry nitrogen fed throughtubing into the air blowing system. An air-driven motor in the blowing headcontrols the speed at which fiber travels into the tube cells

ABF tube cables, containing up to 19 individual tube cells, are interconnectedin tube distribution units or "junction boxes" by means of push-fit connectors.This provides a splice-free path between the network hub and equipmentthe network supports.

System OverviewABF is manufactured by Sumitomo

Electric Lightwave Corp., ResearchTriangle Park, N.C. Called theFutureFlex4 Air Blown Fiber System, ituses either compressed air or drynitrogen to blow small, lightweight, multi-fiber cables called fiber bundles intopreviously installed tube cables.

Fiber bundles contain from 2 to 18strands of singlemode 50/125 gm or62.5/125 .1m multimode optical fiber.These bundles are typically one-fortieththe size of conventional fiber cable ofcomparable capacity, because nostrength members are required to protectthe fiber from tensile stress duringinstallation.

Tube cable replaces conduit andinnerduct used in conventional systems.Flexible and rugged, it contains from 2to 19 individually marked tube cells, andmeets industry specifications for indoorand outdoor applications.Typically, an ABF backbone is con-structed with tube cables containing morecells than required at the outset. Thisprovides an in-place right-of-way forgrowth or changes. Tube cable cells arejoined in tube distribution units (TDUs or"junction

boxes") by means of simple push-lit con-nectors. This results in a "through route"between the network hub and theworkstation or other sites and functionsbeing suppor ted by the f ibe rinfrastructure. The TDU is also thelocation from which new applications canbe supported simply by extending tubebundles from the new location to theTDU and then connecting the requiredtube cells into the existing backbone.

Fiber termination units provide a junc-ture between the ABF infrastructure andfiber jumpers connected to servers, com-puters, or other network equipment .Once the infrastructure is in place, fiberinstallation commences. Bundles areblown into any route of coupled, emptytube cells at rates up to 150 feet perminute, achieving splice-free runs to6,000 feet, depending on networkconfiguration. Conversely, shouldrequirements change, fiber can be blownout of a tube cell and new fiber blown in.The removed fiber can be usedelsewhere since no damaging stressesare imposed on it during either installationor removal. In most circumstances, onlytwo installers are needed to put an ABFsystem in place.

Key Components

ABF blowing equipment is composedof several components. The pressuresource is industrial grade dry nitrogen(or air), typically in a 3(X) cubic foot bottle,with its regulator allowing control from 0to 200 psi. Through a system of tubingand fittings, pressurized nitrogen isdelivered to the blowing system. This unitconsists of a payoff stand on which reelsof ABF bundles are placed, and a blowinghead used to direct the fiber bundle andnitrogen into the tube. An air-driven motorlocated in the blowing head is used tocontrol the speed at which fiber travelsinto the tube cells.

Tube cable is available in a number ofconfigurations to cover virtually everyapplication and installation environment.It is designed to meet all requirementsfor use in plenum, riser, general-purposeindoor, and outside plant applications.For outdoor applications, the outer jacketis designed to prohibit water intrusionand can be supplied with steel armor fordirect burial. Individual tube cells havean outside diameter of 8 mm and aninside diameter of 6 mm. A typical outside-plant 19cell cable has an outer diameterof 43 mm and can contain as many as342 fibers when fully loaded.

ABF fiber bundles are containedin a special low-density jacket materialwith a textured surface that improves theaerodynamic features of the fiber bundle.During installation, the bundles floatthrough the tube cell with minimumcontact to cell walls. A small plastic endcap is fitted to the end of the fiber bundleto facilitate movement of the bundle endthrough tube connectors. Bundles areprovided in reels up to 4,000 meters inlength, are color coded to identify fibertype, and are ULapproved for use inplenum and riser tube cables. A 6-fiberABF bundle has an outside diameter of2 mm, and an 18-fiber bundle has anoutside diameter of 3 mm.

ApplicationsABF is being employed across aspectrum of applications from educationto public works. If there is a singleprerequisite, it is that the networkundergoes ongoing modifications toaccommodate ongoing moves, adds, andchanges caused by advances in IT andevolution within the organization.

EducationIn 1990, the University of Utahestablished a fiber master plan to bringorder to a communications infrastructurein virtual chaos. In response to a request-for-proposal to 30 vendors, approximately20 responded, and all but one proposedconventional systems. ABF was acceptedby the university because it addressedthree design aspects: long-term flexibility,long-term costs, and long-termexpandability. The technique enabledthe university to install less fiber thaninitially anticipated, in its efforts toaccommodate future growth. It alsoreduced end-to-end attenuation due tothe elimination of field splices, while itsmore direct fiber routing capabilityminimized design issues in several ofthe longer fiber spans.

While changes have been made to theuniversity infrastructure, the entire initialproject design utilized 190,000 feet of 6-cell tube cable and 330,000 feet of 6-fiber, 62.5 gm bundles. Since theinstallation began, ABF has proven itselfa viable technology at the university byaddressing expansions, changes andmodifications to the network.At the other end of the education spec-trum is Hilliard Elementary School inNassau County, Fla. The school specifiedfiberoptics to avoid electromagnetic

interference f rom frequentlightning 'Storms. ABF technologywas 'elected for the 10-buildingcampus because the schoolwanted to avoid installing moreliber than required at the outsetto meet initial needs. l-Iilliard'snetwork handles data, energymanagement, and the fire alarmsystem. The data systemaccesses each classroom wiringcloset and is designed to providefiber to individual desktops.According to the school 'sAdministration, flexibility, long-term cost savings, ease ofmaintenance, and ease of trouHeshooting have made the techniquecost effective for the NassauCounty School Board.

The selection was based on ABF'sability to accommodate currentrequirements and provide the flexibilityto add or modify the network in thefuture.

For the West Point plant. copperwas ruled out based on previouslightningrelated experiences. ABF wonover conventional systems becausesections of available conduit at theexisting facility were undersized andunable to accommodate additionalfiber.

According to West Point authorities,install ing conduit in the newlyconstructed facilities in a redundantconfiguration would have cost$550,000, excluding the cost ofinstalling loose tube fiber, innerduct.and repeater stations. Savingsoccasioned by using ABF in eliminatingthe conduit runs were enough to payfor the contract. Engineers alsocalculated that standard technologyof a loose tube fiberoptic installationwould add to the complexity of thenetwork, increase its maintenancecosts, and reduce its reliability.

A Florida electric utility solved thechallenge of interconnecting its first-level data center and IS other locationsdispersed over three levels by usingair blown fiber.

Public WorksThe Metropolitan King

County (Washington) West PointWastewater Treatment Plantselected ABF as its networkinfrastructure when undertakinga modernization program.

The environment consisted of open cabletrays and conduit in extremely difficultworking conditions.

Under a conventional scenario, theproject called for a crew of 8 to install9000 feet of 24-strand multimode fiberby pulling it through conduit and innerduct,then performing splicing and testing. Thisrepresented four times the amount offiber needed to meet requirements at thetime, with the excess fiber proposed forfuture use.

The utility's selection of air blownfiber reduced the installation crew tothree, the multimode strand requirementsto six, and eliminated splicing. It allowedthe utility to reduce its upgrade to consistof installing only 900 feet of 19-cell tubecable, 3600 feet of 7-cell tube cable, andeight tube distribution units. Six-strandmulti-mode fiber bundles were blownthrough to destinations. Since the originalimplementation of the network, everylocation on the LAN has been servedwith additional fiber requirements.

Health Care Like every other 1-IMO, KaiserPermenente was overloaded with data

One of the firstapplications in theUnited States was at theUniversity of Utah

in the early 1990s. Treatment technologieswere advancing fast along with the avail-ability and variety of new services. Severalyears ago, officials determined that theinformation infrastructure in Kaiser'sSouthern California region needed anoverhaul to efficiently serve its 2-million-plus members. The results of a test runproject using air blown fiber at one ofKaiser 's campuses resul ted inincorporating the technology at 15 majorcampuses in the Southern Californiaregion. By the end of 1995, more than1.6 million feet of tube cable had beenrun with less than 10 percent of its totalcapacity in use. Among the benefits Kaiser reapedthrough ABF technology is the fact thatvery few conduits or other cable routinginfrastructures had to be accessed, whichcaused less disruptions than typicallyassociated with conventional systems.

Minimal patching and splicing resultedin lower ongoing maintenance, upgrade,administration and patching costs. Thecabling structure also improved signalquality and reduced the number ofoutages and network downtime.

Military Applications The Naval Air Systems Command inArlington, Virginia, selected air blownfiber to enable consolidation of 39separate organizations using 19 differente-mail systems along with four networkoperating systems into a single, state-of-the-art pervasive and expandablenetwork. These networks extendedacross 40 floors in 6 buildings in theCrystal City area. According to NASCofficials, air blown fiber labor costs werebetween 60 and 70 percent lower thanestimates for a conventional pulledfibersystem. Moreover, while some 27,000feet of optical fiber were blown,

Conversely, shouldrequirements change,fiber can be blown outof a tube cell and newfiber blown in.

through 7,000 feet of tube cable, nobreakage occurred during installation.The command's standard operat ingprocedure of incorporating a 15%performance margin to accommodatefiber degradation from installation-caused damage proved unnecessarywith air blown fiber. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the site of the

U.S. Army's telecommunic ationstraining faci lity. Estimates to install aconventional fiberoptic campus-wide LANbackbone serving 52 terminals in 11 of24 buildings reached $226,000, most ofwhich represented labor costs.Technicians at Ft. Gordon were trainedin ABF technology, result ing inaccommodating all 24 buildings being"wired" at a cost of only $60,000. Acontinuing benefit is that thesetechnicians now handle on-going mainte-nance. Similar ABF success stories havebeen recorded at the Naval Air WarfareCenter in Patuxent River, Maryland, andthe Naval Command, Control and OceanSurveillance Center's research, develop-ment, test and evaluation division in SanDiego, California.

ManufacturingAmerican Axle and Manufacturing a

Detroit-based manufacturer of front, rear,and four-wheel-drive axles operating 10major facilities at six locations. Thecompany set a 1000-day deadline tomigrate from a closed, mainframe-basedsystem to an open, client/server network-ing environment with a completely newcable topology. ABF was selected as thebackbone architecture because it canspan more than 6000 feet withoutsplicing. This is an important feature forthe heart of the AAM system, whichrequires runs of about 1500 feet betweenbuildings plus approximately 2000 feetof fiber for connections within each facility. Slotted TDUs allow adding ABF distrib-ution units anywhere along a cable runwithout cutting adjacent tube bundles

housing on-line fibers. This feature sup-ports a modular design allowing crewsto install ABF in phases that fit into produc-tion schedules in an industry where down-time costs can exceed $20,000 perminute.

The combined features of ABF haveyielded cost savings of 20% when com-pared to conventional fiber installations,according to the installer.

ConclusionAir blown fiber is a technology that

overcomes the uncertainty of changeencountered in today's data and telecom-munications networks. Guesswork aboutfuture network requirements is eliminateddue to the fact that the fiber can be quick-ly added to a network when needed. Anetwork can be changed in a matter ofhours due to the speed and simplicity ofblowing fiber units into the existing tubenetwork. As a result, users haveexperienced the reduced costs, ease ofinstallation, and total flexibility ofmanaging a "future proof' network.

SUMITOMO ELECTRICLightwave Corp.

Member of the Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Group www.futureflex.com

78 Alexander DriveResearch Triangle Park, NC 27709

1-877-356-FLEX (3539)Fax: (919) 541-8265

Email: fflex@sumitomoelectric.com

Installation Options:Air Blown Fiber

FIBEROPTIC PRODUCT NEWS™ SPECIAL FEATURE

Air blown fiber offers installation advantages in many applications.

by Tom Stammely and Terri Dixon,Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.

Conventional methodol-ogy used in designingand building opticalfiber LAN infrastruc-tures is ill-equipped todeliver the flexibilityto accommodate

ongoing adds, moves, and changescaused by advances in informationtechnology and evolution within theorganization. The more dynamic the orga-nization, the more the organization mustspend to keep its LAN capabilities currentwith user demands.

The bulk of these costs are associatedwith labor-intensive pulling and splicingof new cable to handle, for example,multimedia, to change the location of anetwork hub, or to relocate a departmentwithin the organization. Additional costscan be traced to downtime or disruptionsin the workplace during cable-pullingoperations. LAN managers have attempted toreduce future costs by installing morefiber than required at the outset, therebyhoping to capitalize on a “one-time”installation procedure. They do this bycrystal-balling future needs, hopingtheirguesswork proves correct. More often than not, it proves wrong,and the anticipated savings do notmaterialize.

A relatively new LAN infrastructuretechnology called air blown fiber (ABF)can solve this problem. One of the firstapplications in the United States was atthe University of Utah. Since then, thetechnology has proven

itself, and is being adopted by a widerange of businesses and institutions (seeApplications) to "future proof' theirnetworks. In addition to handling voice,data. and video LAN traffic, ABF is alsoemployed for HVAC and security systems.

ABF blowing equipment consists of bottles of air or dry nitrogen fed throughtubing into the air blowing system. An air-driven motor in the blowing headcontrols the speed at which fiber travels into the tube cells

ABF tube cables, containing up to 19 individual tube cells, are interconnectedin tube distribution units or "junction boxes" by means of push-fit connectors.This provides a splice-free path between the network hub and equipmentthe network supports.

System OverviewABF is manufactured by Sumitomo

Electric Lightwave Corp., ResearchTriangle Park, N.C. Called theFutureFlex4 Air Blown Fiber System, ituses either compressed air or drynitrogen to blow small, lightweight, multi-fiber cables called fiber bundles intopreviously installed tube cables.

Fiber bundles contain from 2 to 18strands of singlemode 50/125 gm or62.5/125 .1m multimode optical fiber.These bundles are typically one-fortieththe size of conventional fiber cable ofcomparable capacity, because nostrength members are required to protectthe fiber from tensile stress duringinstallation.

Tube cable replaces conduit andinnerduct used in conventional systems.Flexible and rugged, it contains from 2to 19 individually marked tube cells, andmeets industry specifications for indoorand outdoor applications.Typically, an ABF backbone is con-structed with tube cables containing morecells than required at the outset. Thisprovides an in-place right-of-way forgrowth or changes. Tube cable cells arejoined in tube distribution units (TDUs or"junction

boxes") by means of simple push-lit con-nectors. This results in a "through route"between the network hub and theworkstation or other sites and functionsbeing suppor ted by the f ibe rinfrastructure. The TDU is also thelocation from which new applications canbe supported simply by extending tubebundles from the new location to theTDU and then connecting the requiredtube cells into the existing backbone.

Fiber termination units provide a junc-ture between the ABF infrastructure andfiber jumpers connected to servers, com-puters, or other network equipment.Once the infrastructure is in place, fiberinstallation commences. Bundles areblown into any route of coupled, emptytube cells at rates up to 150 feet perminute, achieving splice-free runs to6,000 feet, depending on networkconfiguration. Conversely, shouldrequirements change, fiber can be blownout of a tube cell and new fiber blown in.The removed fiber can be usedelsewhere since no damaging stressesare imposed on it during either installationor removal. In most circumstances, onlytwo installers are needed to put an ABFsystem in place.

Key Components

ABF blowing equipment is composedof several components. The pressuresource is industrial grade dry nitrogen(or air), typically in a 3(X) cubic foot bottle,with its regulator allowing control from 0to 200 psi. Through a system of tubingand fittings, pressurized nitrogen isdelivered to the blowing system. This unitconsists of a payoff stand on which reelsof ABF bundles are placed, and a blowinghead used to direct the fiber bundle andnitrogen into the tube. An air-driven motorlocated in the blowing head is used tocontrol the speed at which fiber travelsinto the tube cells.

Tube cable is available in a number ofconfigurations to cover virtually everyapplication and installation environment.It is designed to meet all requirementsfor use in plenum, riser, general-purposeindoor, and outside plant applications.For outdoor applications, the outer jacketis designed to prohibit water intrusionand can be supplied with steel armor fordirect burial. Individual tube cells havean outside diameter of 8 mm and aninside diameter of 6 mm. A typical outside-plant 19cell cable has an outer diameterof 43 mm and can contain as many as342 fibers when fully loaded.

ABF fiber bundles are containedin a special low-density jacket materialwith a textured surface that improves theaerodynamic features of the fiber bundle.During installation, the bundles floatthrough the tube cell with minimumcontact to cell walls. A small plastic endcap is fitted to the end of the fiber bundleto facilitate movement of the bundle endthrough tube connectors. Bundles areprovided in reels up to 4,000 meters inlength, are color coded to identify fibertype, and are ULapproved for use inplenum and riser tube cables. A 6-fiberABF bundle has an outside diameter of2 mm, and an 18-fiber bundle has anoutside diameter of 3 mm.

ApplicationsABF is being employed across aspectrum of applications from educationto public works. If there is a singleprerequisite, it is that the networkundergoes ongoing modifications toaccommodate ongoing moves, adds, andchanges caused by advances in IT andevolution within the organization.

EducationIn 1990, the University of Utahestablished a fiber master plan to bringorder to a communications infrastructurein virtual chaos. In response to a request-for-proposal to 30 vendors, approximately20 responded, and all but one proposedconventional systems. ABF was acceptedby the university because it addressedthree design aspects: long-term flexibility,long-term costs, and long-termexpandability. The technique enabledthe university to install less fiber thaninitially anticipated, in its efforts toaccommodate future growth. It alsoreduced end-to-end attenuation due tothe elimination of field splices, while itsmore direct fiber routing capabilityminimized design issues in several ofthe longer fiber spans.

While changes have been made to theuniversity infrastructure, the entire initialproject design utilized 190,000 feet of 6-cell tube cable and 330,000 feet of 6-fiber, 62.5 gm bundles. Since theinstallation began, ABF has proven itselfa viable technology at the university byaddressing expansions, changes andmodifications to the network.At the other end of the education spec-trum is Hilliard Elementary School inNassau County, Fla. The school specifiedfiberoptics to avoid electromagnetic

interference f rom frequentlightning 'Storms. ABF technologywas 'elected for the 10-buildingcampus because the schoolwanted to avoid installing moreliber than required at the outsetto meet initial needs. l-Iilliard'snetwork handles data, energymanagement, and the fire alarmsystem. The data systemaccesses each classroom wiringcloset and is designed to providefiber to individual desktops.According to the school 'sAdministration, flexibility, long-term cost savings, ease ofmaintenance, and ease of trouHeshooting have made the techniquecost effective for the NassauCounty School Board.

The selection was based on ABF'sability to accommodate currentrequirements and provide the flexibilityto add or modify the network in thefuture.

For the West Point plant. copperwas ruled out based on previouslightningrelated experiences. ABF wonover conventional systems becausesections of available conduit at theexisting facility were undersized andunable to accommodate additionalfiber.

According to West Point authorities,install ing conduit in the newlyconstructed facilities in a redundantconfiguration would have cost$550,000, excluding the cost ofinstalling loose tube fiber, innerduct.and repeater stations. Savingsoccasioned by using ABF in eliminatingthe conduit runs were enough to payfor the contract. Engineers alsocalculated that standard technologyof a loose tube fiberoptic installationwould add to the complexity of thenetwork, increase its maintenancecosts, and reduce its reliability.

A Florida electric utility solved thechallenge of interconnecting its first-level data center and IS other locationsdispersed over three levels by usingair blown fiber.

Public WorksThe Metropolitan King

County (Washington) West PointWastewater Treatment Plantselected ABF as its networkinfrastructure when undertakinga modernization program.

The environment consisted of open cabletrays and conduit in extremely difficultworking conditions.

Under a conventional scenario, theproject called for a crew of 8 to install9000 feet of 24-strand multimode fiberby pulling it through conduit and innerduct,then performing splicing and testing. Thisrepresented four times the amount offiber needed to meet requirements at thetime, with the excess fiber proposed forfuture use.

The utility's selection of air blownfiber reduced the installation crew tothree, the multimode strand requirementsto six, and eliminated splicing. It allowedthe utility to reduce its upgrade to consistof installing only 900 feet of 19-cell tubecable, 3600 feet of 7-cell tube cable, andeight tube distribution units. Six-strandmulti-mode fiber bundles were blownthrough to destinations. Since the originalimplementation of the network, everylocation on the LAN has been servedwith additional fiber requirements.

Health Care Like every other 1-IMO, KaiserPermenente was overloaded with data

One of the firstapplications in theUnited States was at theUniversity of Utah

in the early 1990s. Treatment technologieswere advancing fast along with the avail-ability and variety of new services. Severalyears ago, officials determined that theinformation infrastructure in Kaiser'sSouthern California region needed anoverhaul to efficiently serve its 2-million-plus members. The results of a test runproject using air blown fiber at one ofKaiser 's campuses resul ted inincorporating the technology at 15 majorcampuses in the Southern Californiaregion. By the end of 1995, more than1.6 million feet of tube cable had beenrun with less than 10 percent of its totalcapacity in use. Among the benefits Kaiser reapedthrough ABF technology is the fact thatvery few conduits or other cable routinginfrastructures had to be accessed, whichcaused less disruptions than typicallyassociated with conventional systems.

Minimal patching and splicing resultedin lower ongoing maintenance, upgrade,administration and patching costs. Thecabling structure also improved signalquality and reduced the number ofoutages and network downtime.

Military Applications The Naval Air Systems Command inArlington, Virginia, selected air blownfiber to enable consolidation of 39separate organizations using 19 differente-mail systems along with four networkoperating systems into a single, state-of-the-art pervasive and expandablenetwork. These networks extendedacross 40 floors in 6 buildings in theCrystal City area. According to NASCofficials, air blown fiber labor costs werebetween 60 and 70 percent lower thanestimates for a conventional pulledfibersystem. Moreover, while some 27,000feet of optical fiber were blown,

Conversely, shouldrequirements change,fiber can be blown outof a tube cell and newfiber blown in.

through 7,000 feet of tube cable, nobreakage occurred during installation.The command's standard operatingprocedure of incorporating a 15%performance margin to accommodatefiber degradation from installation-caused damage proved unnecessarywith air blown fiber. Fort Gordon, Georgia, is the site of the

U.S. Army's telecommunicationstraining facility. Estimates to install aconventional fiberoptic campus-wide LANbackbone serving 52 terminals in 11 of24 buildings reached $226,000, most ofwhich represented labor costs.Technicians at Ft. Gordon were trainedin ABF technology, result ing inaccommodating all 24 buildings being"wired" at a cost of only $60,000. Acontinuing benefit is that thesetechnicians now handle on-going mainte-nance. Similar ABF success stories havebeen recorded at the Naval Air WarfareCenter in Patuxent River, Maryland, andthe Naval Command, Control and OceanSurveillance Center's research, develop-ment, test and evaluation division in SanDiego, California.

ManufacturingAmerican Axle and Manufacturing a

Detroit-based manufacturer of front, rear,and four-wheel-drive axles operating 10major facilities at six locations. Thecompany set a 1000-day deadline tomigrate from a closed, mainframe-basedsystem to an open, client/server network-ing environment with a completely newcable topology. ABF was selected as thebackbone architecture because it canspan more than 6000 feet withoutsplicing. This is an important feature forthe heart of the AAM system, whichrequires runs of about 1500 feet betweenbuildings plus approximately 2000 feetof fiber for connections within each facility. Slotted TDUs allow adding ABF distrib-ution units anywhere along a cable runwithout cutting adjacent tube bundles

housing on-line fibers. This feature sup-ports a modular design allowing crewsto install ABF in phases that fit into produc-tion schedules in an industry where down-time costs can exceed $20,000 perminute.

The combined features of ABF haveyielded cost savings of 20% when com-pared to conventional fiber installations,according to the installer.

ConclusionAir blown fiber is a technology that

overcomes the uncertainty of changeencountered in today's data and telecom-munications networks. Guesswork aboutfuture network requirements is eliminateddue to the fact that the fiber can be quick-ly added to a network when needed. Anetwork can be changed in a matter ofhours due to the speed and simplicity ofblowing fiber units into the existing tubenetwork. As a result, users haveexperienced the reduced costs, ease ofinstallation, and total flexibility ofmanaging a "future proof' network.

SUMITOMO ELECTRICLightwave Corp.

Member of the Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Group www.futureflex.com

78 Alexander DriveResearch Triangle Park, NC 27709

1-877-356-FLEX (3539)Fax: (919) 541-8265

Email: fflex@sumitomoelectric.com