How DSM Desotech’s UV Curing Coatings Tackle Fiber Optic Microbending

Bandwidth Tsunami, have you heard of it? I received an email which said this recently from a close relative. Heard of it I answered, sure – telepresence, YouTube, video conferencing HD video streaming, p2p sharing networks, 3D TV, yep, one of the brightest spots in tech is finding ways to monetize this trend. The Backhaul market is just one example. It is apparent that this trend is not going to slow down anytime soon and equipment providers are tripping over each other to provide solutions which in turn deliver more bandwidth. Even companies supplying chemical coatings for fiber optic cables are optimizing their products to serve the insatiable global bandwidth appetite.

One company, DSM Desotech, a leading supplier of UV-curable optical fiber coatings has even focused on ensuring the frequencies which transmit video are optimized on optical cables which carry their coatings.  Wondering what UV curing is? Well I am glad you asked. You see, my father started TMC back in 1972 as he saw an opportunity to educate the world on chemical coatings by launching the first magazines in the world in this space. You see there was an energy crisis and the world was switching from coatings which were cured (dryed) in huge money-wasting heat ovens to coatings which contained chemicals which would react to ultra violet light and dry rapidly without the need for wasted heat. TMC was likely the first publisher in the green technology space.

In 1982 he launched the first magazine in the world on the contact center and from there the company gradually shifted to communications and technology and we left our chemistry roots behind as we grew to be the world’s leading media company focusing on communications and technology.

So it was with fond memories I got to discuss how DSM Desotech has a UV coating they call DesoLite which maximizes signal reliability and performance from -60 degrees to 85 degrees Celsius.

Of special importance is the coating’s resistance to microbending which is best described as random bends in the cable which cause small deformations in the cable axis which results in signal degradation. Microbending can take place when there is a non-uniform external force on a cable such as fiber being forced on cabling materials or pressed on a rough surface.

Some of the benefits of DesoLite are power and money savings associated with purchasing less repeaters as well as decreased repair costs.

To further the market, DSM Desotech recently partnered with Telcordia to drive standardization for the characterization of microbending performance in optical fiber and cable products. Some of my contacts in the optical industry think this is a smart move as it allows the company to effectively combat competition from Asian manufacturers. I tend to agree.

To learn more, watch this video which contains an interview with Robert Crowell, VP of Fiber Optic Materials and Steven Schmid, Research and Development Director, Fiber Optic Materials.

  • Coatings
    January 5, 2010 at 10:05 am

    coatings – extensive surface coating solutions for lasting protection of sensitive
    surfaces, looks and applying special characteristics to a surface. multiple layer
    solutions available to apply compound characteristics to a surface.

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