By Steven Stark April 15, 2021
nanoFIBER projects include:
Encore Productions Dreamforce Salesforce Convention
Superbowl LIV NFL
NCAA Champion Basketball 2020
NFL Draft 2019
SoFi Stadium 2020
The combination of light and fiber optic glass presents some unique properties that give AV professionals powerful tools in common AV applications. A nanoFIBER armored fiber optic cable can be used to send high resolution video, audio, and control signals on a single fiber over 30 km (18.75 miles), and avoids the risk of signal loss or degradation, ground loop hums, and electrical interference. Because transmission of content is fundamentally secure and immune to outside interference, fiber applications are favored in government, military, and medical environments. The nanoFIBER stainless steel armored fiber optic cables protects the integrity of the cabling jacket from crimping, cracking and stresses as well as protected bend radius, tough to cut the steel coil, rodent resistant, weather resistant and harsh environments that are inherent to non-armored fiber cables.
QUICK FACTS
Since nanoFIBER armored fiber optic cables are non-conductive, it is completely immune to EMI, RFI, noise, ground loops, lightning strikes, and other sources of electrical interference. The highest possible fidelity is achieved by digitizing analog signals close to the source and then transmitting those signals over fiber. Forget about transformer balancing, impedance issues, fluorescent lights, dimmers, signal loss vs. distance, etc.
The type of nanoFIBER armored cabling to use in a fiber optic AV system depends on a variety of factors, including the number of fibers needed, termination options, where the cable is being installed, and how the cable is being used within the infrastructure. For example, the fiber optic AV system shown in the image below uses a centralized switching and distribution system with a single equipment room and multiple work areas. Since the equipment room and work areas are located on a single level, a telecom room is not required. Each fiber optic cable extends from the equipment room to a transmitter or receiver in a work area.
nanoFIBER armored fiber optic cables provide the signal connection from the work areas to the telecom or equipment rooms in the horizontal space. Since sources and displays can be in different work areas, a separate cable is run from each transmitter or receiver location to a telecom or equipment room. nanoFIBER armored fiber cables are durable enough to withstand pulling and handling and meet all required building and safety codes with our CPR EU Certified jackets. A patch panel within the telecom room provides a convenient termination point for horizontal cabling, enabling easy reconfiguration and future expansion, as shown in the below image. Horizontal cabling may be pre-terminated to simplify installation or terminated in the field.
A nanoFIBER armored breakout kit includes aramid yarn and 2 mm or 3 mm outer jackets to mimic the protection of a breakout cable as shown below. A 900 μm buffer tube covers the fiber, and it is surrounded by aramid yarn and an outer jacket. With a breakout kit installed, the fiber can be terminated into a patch panel or directly into equipment, such as a matrix switcher. Using breakout kit with nanoFIBER armor helps avoid damaging the fragile 250 μm fibers from rough handling, bending, or breaking.
Benefits of stainless-steel armored fiber optic cables versus copper wire for AV projects
Dramatically increased data density. One 12-fiber cable can carry as much data as 160 individual cat6 (twisted pair) cables. This results in easier systems integration (fewer connections), weight and bulk savings. 40 pounds for fiber cabling versus 1,000 pounds for equivalent twisted pair cabling and for analog audio, the ratio is even further in fiber’s favor. Often, overall cost savings versus copper wire.
Emergent Systems: As technology advances, it seems new systems are being adapted to the network daily. Some of these systems are specific to an industry, such as nurse call systems in hospitals or smart whiteboards and learning tools in schools. Still others, like A/V, point of sale, and digital signage, are seeing widespread adoption across a variety of markets. 93% of Educators say video improves the learning experience.
Benefits of stainless-steel armored HDMI fiber optic cables versus copper wire HDMI
nanoFIBER armored HDMI cables are super strong, non-crushable, high flex delivers better color depth, brightness, and contrast, a more faithful copy of the original signal. Copper wire allows for data loss, even though the picture is there, it is not accurate.
Copper is prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Stray EMI in our homes is rampant from all our wireless devices and copper cables pick it up like an antenna. This interference is seen as noise in the picture, a grainy effect that is not present in the original content. When you see a side-by-side comparison of copper versus fiber at as little as five feet of distance, the effects of resistance and noise are clearly distinguishable. If you are fussy about things like this like I am, you want to get it right.
At 16-20 feet on today’s highest speed-rated 4K HDMI copper cable the native 4K picture fails completely; it shows 50 percent attenuation and grain at eight to 10 feet, and 25-percent attenuation and grain at five feet.
HDMI is the most popular way to move A/V signals to TVs, digital signage, and 4K Broadcast. HDMI over fiber follow the optical fiber principle that helps to transmit the signal from the transmitter to receive. Here the beam of rays is focused on the optical fiber that helps them to pass through it with almost zero hindrance.