Advances in Robust, Easy to Install
Fiber Cabling Systems to Support EtherNet/IP
Robert A. Reid
Product Development Manager
Panduit Corp.

Daniel T. McGrath
Industrial Automation Solutions
Mgr
Panduit Corp.

Michael Hines
Energy/Industry Market Manager
OFS Specialty Photonics Division

Presented at the ODVA2012 ODVA Industry Conference & 15th Annual Meeting
October 16-18, 2012
Stone Mountain, Georgia, USA
Abstract
Traditional fiber cabling systems that support high bandwidth enterprise applications are being extended into industrial plant
floor applications. At the machine control level, current needs for easy to deploy, robust fiber solutions that support 100Mb/s
communications exist. For many EtherNet/IP applications requiring fiber, the use of currently available cabling systems
presents unique challenges regarding robustness, support of real-time, low latency communication, and deployment ease byfactory personnel. These challenges tend to inhibit the use of fiber and increase Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Recently, fiber manufacturers have introduced Hard Clad Silica (HCS®) fibers with improved bandwidth. These fibers areenvironmentally and mechanically robust and address difficult installation challenges. Through fundamental fiber design,these industrial fibers enable rapid and simple LC connector field termination with simple hand tools and a short learning
curve. ODVA standards recognize the LC connector in both sealed and unsealed applications and high volume transceiver
manufacturers have standardized the small form factor LC as the Media Device Interface of choice for 1000Mb/s and beyond
channels. This paper addresses current 100Mb/s applications with EtherNet/IP devices as well as the need for easy to deploy
higher-bandwidth links requiring 1Gb/s transmission.

Keywords
Hard Clad Silica Fiber (HCS), Graded-index HCS (GiHCS™), LC Connector, SFF (Small Form Factor), SFP (Small Formfactor Pluggable), Graded Index Multimode Fiber, Bit Error Rate (BER), Structured Cabling System (SCS), SFP Modular
Transceiver, Channel, 1G Ethernet, Power Budget, Return Loss, IEEE 802.3z, Insertion Loss, Structured Cabling System(SCS), Crimp & Cleave (C&C)

Introduction
Enterprise fiber structured cabling solutions are being deployed in Industrial Ethernet applications. Traditionally, thesesolutions fit at the top of the network, i.e., Micro Data Center and Zone solutions. Industrial Ethernet now propagates in thelower tiers of the network, such as control and device layers. In these areas the enterprise structured cabling model does notprovide a strong value proposition. Additionally, the skill of typical personnel implementing control and device-levelnetworks often excludes fiber installation best practices. A “fear of fiber” mentality prevents widespread deployment andacceptance of fiber in such harsh environments.
There exists a need for a rapid deployment, direct-attach cabling system that is “electrician friendly”. At the core of the
proposed solution is a LC compatible crimp/cleave connector coupled with multimode Graded-Index Hard Clad Silica(GiHCS) fiber in industrialized cable form factors. These systems are compatible with mini switch and embedded switch
solutions from vendors.

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HCS® (Hard Clad Silica) Fiber Technology
What is HCS?
Hard-clad silica (HCS, sometimes called Polymer Clad Fiber - PCF) are optical fibers with cores of pure silica glass(diameter: typically 200 µm) and a hard optical cladding made of special plastic (diameter: 230 µm typically). The hard
cladding layer imparts unique properties on these fibers, serving to provide total internal reflection, enhancing thefundamental strength of the fiber, and providing a crimp-worthy thin coating for simple and reliable connectorization in thefield.
HCS fibers have traditionally been “step-index” structures with large silica cores and medium bandwidth, supportingtransmission rates of less than 100 Mb/s. Traditional HCS fibers are suitable for distances at such data rates of several tens ofmeters to several hundred meters and have commonly been used in applications such as ControlNet (see details on
ControlNet 1786-RPFS Repeater Module and ControlNet Fiber Media Planning and Installation Guide for more
information):
http://www.ab.com/en/epub/catalogs/12762/2181376/214372/1809768/3489009/Repeaters.html
http://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/in/cnet-in001-en-p.pdf
By comparison, all-plastic step-index optical fibers (POF) have lower bandwidth and only support transmission rates lessthan 40 Mb/s. They also have relatively high attenuation and are, therefore, power limited and supporting maximum distancesof just several tens of meters.

Figure 1. Traditional 200/230 HCS® Fiber
Graded Index glass fibers, like those used in enterprise structured cabling systems, have very high bandwidth with the ability
to support Gb/s and multi-Gb/s data rates at significant reach. The attenuation in these fibers is low, therefore such fibers can
extend application distance from several hundred meters to a few kilometers, covering the overwhelming majority ofindustrial networking applications encountered with Ethernet/IP.
Several fiber manufacturers produce high bandwidth multimode “Graded Index” HCS variants (62.5/200/230 OM1compatible and 50/200/230 OM2-compatible). The need for such fibers in industrial automation applications is driven bynumerous factors, namely:•••

Industrial Applications - SI (Step Index) HCS® industrial fibers have been successfully deployed in harsh conditions
for many years, as a result such fibers and quick terminating connectors are familiar within the industrial market
space.
The rise of Industrial Ethernet (Ethernet/IP) - seamless integration of the factory and Enterprise networks withgrowing demand for higher bandwidth (>10 MHz*km) throughout.
Requirements for robust and easily installed fiber systems with the above characteristics.

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Figure 2. 62.5/200/230 Graded-index HCS® FiberHCS and High Strength Optical FiberHCS fibers are designed for and used in applications that demand robust mechanical performance. These fibers are the best
choice for industrial data links, factory automation, and utility applications, often found in harsh environments that require
high mechanical integrity and reliability at the fiber level. The fiber’s HCS coating, while facilitating easy field connections,
makes possible the vision of “electrician friendly” field fiber terminations.
Silica, the glass used to make optical fiber, is a brittle material by itself. Brittle materials are characterized by the dependenceof their mechanical strength on the severity of surface flaws (Griffith flaws), rather than fundamental material strength. Whenbent or under tensile load, these surface flaws act as stress concentrators and grow in size and eventually result in catastrophic
failure of the material or breakage when in the form of optical fiber.
The strength of silica optical fiber is time-dependent and the degradation of fiber strength over time is known as static
fatigue. In the presence of moisture crack propagation accelerates as water molecules act as catalysts to crack growth by
reducing the surface energy of the glass.
HCS coating technology, applied during the draw process on the pristine fiber surface, chemically bonds to the silica
substrate. These chemical bonds significantly improve the mechanical properties of the silica fiber, making the coating
virtually impermeable to moisture ingress.
By isolating the silica surface from moisture in the environment fiber strength is greatly enhanced and static fatigue issignificantly retarded. Managing static fatigue through HCS technology enables the optical fiber to withstand the tight, longterm bends, often found in the confined spaces of industrial installations.

Fiber Connector System
The LC Connector in Fiber Management and Transceivers
Small Form-Factor (SFF) transceivers (GBICs) on LAN equipment have been overshadowed by the Small Form-factor
Pluggable (SFP) (‘pluggable’ versions of the SFF) transceiver in recent years. Industrial Automation equipment vendors are
now offering SFP modular transceivers on their switch lines for Gb/s Ethernet Uplinks. Historically, in industrial automation,
several lower density fiber interfaces have been deployed such as (Straight Tip (ST), Sub Miniature Assembly (SMA),
Subscriber Connector (SC) and ‘propriety’ non-MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) interfaces such as TosLink or Versatile
Link.
The optical receptacle on the SFP for Fibre Channel and Gb/s Ethernet is defined as an LC interface. Most major transceivervendors, including early proponents of “MT-RJ-only” transceivers, now sell SFPs with the LC interface only. The LC is theclear market leader in SFF connectors.

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The LC connector is the natural progression/replacement for the SC, but is also displacing applications traditionally held byother connector systems such as the MT-RJ. The LC is popular as a 10 Gb/s Ethernet connector and is also the standard fiberinterface for 1394B S800 (Firewire/iLink Home and Commercial Video) and for the InfiniBand Trade Association. To
support the trend and seamless integration of readily available SFP transceivers in industrial networks, it is imperative that
we provide a practical LC field-connection solution for harsh environments.

1GBASE-SX SFP Modular Transceiver

FOCIS-10 LC Connector

Figure 4. The SFP Modular transceiver and the accompanying LC connector.

The LC Connector is an industry standard FOCIS-10 (TIA Fiber Optic Connector Intermateability
Standard) compatible plug interface that provides a dependable, repeatable means of mating the
precision ferrule used to align and secure the fiber.
The LC connector, due to its reduced footprint, provides twice the interconnect density in cabling
system patching bays. The LC also provides advantage on electronics (hubs, switches, etc.) through its
reduced size.
10/100M & 1G Ethernet Physical Layer Considerations
IEEE 802.3u - 100BASE-FX
The Fast Ethernet over Fiber-Optic at 100 Mb/s application (100BASE-FX - 12.5MB/s withautonegotiation) is a version of Fast Ethernet over optical fiber. It uses a 1300 nm near-infrared (NIR)
light wavelength transmitted via two strands of optical fiber, one for receive (RX) and the other fortransmit (TX). The standard specifies a maximum distance capability of 2 kilometers (6,600 ft) for fullduplex over FDDI-grade (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) multi-mode optical fiber. The optical powerbudget for a channel built with these transceivers is several dB for OM1 fiber (1.5dB maximum ofconnector insertion loss allocation within this budget).
IEEE 802.3z - 1000BASE-SX
Gb/s Ethernet over Fiber-Optic at 1 Gb/s (1000BASE-SX - 125 MB/s) is a fiber optic gigabit Ethernet
standard for operation over multi-mode fiber. The standard calls for a near infrared (NIR) light operating
wavelength between 770 and 860 nm but is typically referred to as 850 nm. The standard specifies adistance capability between 220 meters (62.5/125 µm fiber with low modal bandwidth) and 550 meters(50/125 µm fiber with high modal bandwidth).

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The channel is designed, and commonly described,
around connector Insertion Loss (IL) of 1.5dB max. We
can see from the chart in Figure 5 that the reach of
OM2 50/125 micron multimode fiber channel with
1.5dB of IL is 550 meters. It is possible (and desirable)
to allow for higher levels of insertion loss in the
1000BASE-SX channel.
This may be required as higher numbers of connectors
are desired in the channel or if a tradeoff is made toallow for simpler (and higher loss) connectors to be
used in such channels.
If we model higher IL in the channel (for example,
4dB) channel reach must be de-rated to compensate (inthis case from 550 meters to 300 meters).
Figure 5. Reach vs. Connector Loss

A simple use case for the two types of fiber transceiver technology (100BASE-FX and 1000BASE-SX)
is shown in Figure 6. A 1GBASE-SX channel is running over a fiber Structured Cabling System
connecting an edge/workgroup switch to a SFP transceiver uplink in a DIN railed mounted automationstyle switch. A fiber switch port in the Stratix is “direct attach” connected to a ControlLogix
Communications module, supporting 10/100 Ethernet over LC connector-based multimode fiber.
A - LC Jumpers
B - Backbone Multimodecabling SCS terminatedwith LC connectors
C - “Direct Attach”
Multimode Cablingterminated with LC
connectors

Figure 6. Example of two types cabling models

A “direct attach” fiber cabling model for device-level Ethernet with easy to install LC fiber connectors ispreferred for these reasons:
•
•
•
•
•

Installation is ‘static’ - low or no MACs (Moves, Adds and Changes)
Local labor skill level with fiber is low - e.g., factory maintenance
Uncontrolled environment not suitable for Cam or polish connectors (cleanliness)
Cost/time - Conventional SCS are precluded
Installation is temporary and will not change - e.g., Manufacturers product life cycle

It is also preferred that the same termination and fiber technology can be deployed in the Structured
Cabling model between the zone switch uplinks and the closet/micro-data center switch (in the case
depicted above the Cisco C3750X). The performance of such links is evaluated further in this paper.
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HCS® LC Connector
The design goals of this connector include:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Ability to terminate OM1 & OM2-compatible HCS fiber in the field
Terminates like a CATV 'F' connector - less than a minute termination
Shortest field termination learning curve of LC connector in the industry
Ability to perform connector end-face finishing operation (fiber cleaving) in seconds
Ability to support aramid yarn-less cable constructions in both Zip and Break-out formats“Push-Pull” functionality - De-mate function similar to SC-style connector

Figure 7. Exploded View of the HCS® LC Connector.

This LC connector is a two-piece “Optical Disconnect” style connector that comes assembled and readyfor fiber insertion and crimping. The “Push Pull” backshell must be pre-mounted on the cable prior totermination and docks into the back of the connector assembly after the crimping and cleaving
operation, thus completing the connector.
This connector is a FOCIS-10 LC connector that can be used to terminate OM1 & OM2-compatible
HCS fiber onto standard “aramid yarn-less” HCS zip cord and breakout cables (described in this paper)in less than a minute. This connector is not intended for singlemode fiber use.
The termination process consists of simple fiber preparation (stripping), crimping and cleaving to finish
the fiber end. Cleaving is performed in a tool designed to accept the connector (process steps below).

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1

3

Load Connector into Crimper

2

Insert

4

Fiber

5

Prepare Cable
Subunit

Crimp

Fiber

Cleave Fiber

6

Mount
Backshell/Boot

Figure 8. The termination process for HCS® fiber.

HCS LC Connector Cleaving Tool
Integral to this system is the cleaving tool which performs the fiber end finishing operation as shown
above. Shown immediately below (left) is the cleave tool.

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This tool incorporates a tensioning mechanism thatgrips the fiber exiting the connector and applies aknown strain. A diamond cleaving blade is indexed on
the nose of the ceramic ferrule and scores the fiber,cleaving it and producing the finish shown in the
micrograph of the connector end-face shown below(left) and the detail image below that.

LC Connector Cleaving Tool

Since the fiber is under load when cleaved, the fiber
will slightly recess into the nose of the ferrule(typically about 10 microns).

LC Connector Ferrule after Cleaving

Fiber Recession after Cleaving
Fiber Endface Detail after Cleaving

Photomicrograph of typical cleaved 50/200/230 micron
HCS® fiber looking end on into the ceramic ferrule.
Note cleaving vestige at 11 o’clock and near mirror
surface present over majority of fiber endface.

Figure 9. HCS LC connector cleaving tool and Typical Termination Results

Fiber Cable Styles
Industrial networks operating at 1Gb/s max. require either a graded index OM1 or OM2-grade fiber.
Several manufacturers produce a version of their HCS fiber with optional OM1 or OM2-compatible
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fiber in the core. We foresee the need for these fibers to be supplied in a duplex zip cord cable and a 2fiber and 4-fiber breakout cable. Cabling systems are intended for open pathway and zone/control panelbuilds and are hence dual rated LSZH and Riser.
These cables eliminate the aramid yarn that exists in standard 50/125µm zip and distribution cables.
This new system relies only on the optical fiber as a crimp substrate and strength member, significantly
simplifying the termination process. These cables are described below.

Description

Cable Section

MICE

Application

Device Cable (Duplex Zip)

In Control Panel or
Telecommunications
Enclosure (zone box)
deployments of 10/100M and1G Ethernet where the needfor field installable custom
made-to-length fiber patch
cables is a requirement. If run
outside enclosures, aprotected pathway is required.

®

For indoor use, GiHCS zip cord cables(GI 50/200/230 or GI 62.5/200/230) arebuilt around two, 2.2mm ‘aramid yarnless’ fiber units. Taking advantage ofthe durability and toughness of newsmaller-core GiHCS optical fibers, thesetight-buffer cables are protected with atough Riser/Low Smoke Zero Halogen
rated jacket.
2-Fiber Breakout Cable

10/100M and 1G Ethernet
deployments between Control
Panels and/or Telecom
Enclosures (zone boxes) where
the cable penetrates a bulkhead
gland and field terminates tostructured cabling or directly
to electronics. Can be
deployed in an open pathway.

For indoor/outdoor use, these GiHCS
fiber breakout cables(GI 50/200/230 or
GI 62.5/200/230) are built around two,
2.2mm ‘aramid yarn-less’ fiber units
with two plastic filler rods and have a
Riser/Low Smoke Zero Halogen rated
jacket, glass central strength member
and ripcord for fiber element access.

4-Fiber Breakout Cable

10/100M and 1G Ethernet
deployments between Control
Panels and/or Telecom
Enclosures (zone boxes) where
the cable penetrates a bulkhead
gland and field terminates tostructured cabling or directly
to electronics. Can be
deployed in an open pathway.

For indoor/outdoor use, these GiHCS
fiber breakout cables(GI 50/200/230 or
GI 62.5/200/230) are built around four,
2.2mm ‘aramid yarn-less’ fiber units
and have a Riser/Low Smoke Zero
Halogen jacket, glass central strength
member and ripcord for fiber element
access.
Table 1. Standard OM1 & OM2 Zip and Breakout Cables

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Topologies/Use Cases for EtherNet/IP HCS Fiber
EtherNet/IP applications can involve both direct attach, point-to-point cabling as well as structured
cabling approaches. Structured cabling is often used for uplinks and switch-to-switch connections toallow for link verification and testing. Direct attach provides flexibility for point-to-point connections
between devices, embedded switches, 3 port switches or converters.

1. Direct Attach with Field Installed Connectors

Example of Direct Attach Application

2. Structured Cabling with Permanent Link andEquipment Cords

Structured Cabling example with patching (DIN rail
mounted patch box is shown)

Figure 10. Cabling Models for DLR & 1Gb/s Backbone EtherNet/IP applications.
Bulkhead “Pass Through” for HCS® Breakout Cable

An environmentally sealed pass-through gland allows
multiple fiber cables to be routed internally to the zone
enclosure (or control panel) to allow patching for astructured cabling system or to facilitate a direct attach
application as shown in Figure 10 with breakout style
cables.

Figure 11. Multiple fiber cables being routed to a Zone Enclosure for patching in a structured cabling system.
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Pathways
HCS Cable Value Analysis

For most applications, breakout cable constructions using the
HCS® cables described previously do not require a closed pathway
such as conduit.
Deployment of HCS breakout cables in an open pathway systemsuch as the Panduit J-Mod that are terminated with Crimp andCleave style connectors provide a cost saving compared tostandard non-HCS cables pulled into conduit and terminated withstandard Cam-style or field polish connectors.
Figure 12. J-Hook Open Pathway System

A cost model to compare the Total Installed Cost (TIC) of the two cabling systems mentioned above isshown below. The assumptions made in developing this model follow:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Conventional cabling is 4-fiber distribution cable deployed in 1.5” dia., 1/8” wall HDPE conduit
HCS cabling is 4-fiber LSZH, Breakout style cable (as shown in Table 1)
Conventional cabling is a 4-fiber enterprise, distribution style, tight buffered cable
Both fibers are OM1-compatible(62.5/125 vs. 62.5/200/230)
Both cables are installed on the J-Hook system and penetrate enclosures on each end. They arealso terminated inside each enclosure
Cam-style connectors are installed on the conventional cabling system, while the HCS
crimp/cleave system is installed on the HCS cabling

The cost model graphic on the left shows how
the TIC of HCS cabling is less expensive thanconventional cabling installation in the following
general instances:
A. When the link length between control panels
or TEs served by the cabling is less than 250
feet
B. When the installation labor rate is higher
than~ $55/hr.
In general, for longer runs with a low labor rate,
conventional fiber cabling systems present lower
TIC. Also, the 1Gb/s Ethernet channel reach for
HCS systems with higher insertion loss and low
return loss connectors will not approach theapplication standards-based reach of the 1G
channel because the channel must be de-rated inreach.
Figure 13. Cost model of HCS cabling vs. conventional cabling.
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Performance Data
1000BASE-SX Channel Performance
One drawback of a crimp/cleave connector system is the mated fibers are not in physical contact.
Therefore, a small air gap exists between the fiber end faces. As a result, there will be a small insertion
loss penalty due to the separation of the fiber ends (air gap):

Where ‘x’ is the air gap length, ‘NA’ is the numerical aperture of the fiber and ‘a’ is the core radius. For
a 50 micron core fiber with 0.20 NA and a 20 micron gap, the calculated gap loss is about 0.18dB. For a62.5 micron core fiber with 0.27 NA the calculated gap loss is about 0.19dB.
When light encounters a discontinuity in optical media, such as a glass-to-air boundary, a portion of the
optical power known as a Fresnel Reflection - ‘R’ is reflected. The magnitude of the loss due to thisreflection depends on the difference in refractive indices of the two media and is expressed as:

where ngap is the index of refraction of the gap (air, n=1) and ncore is the effective index of refraction of
the core (≅ 1.47 for GI MM fibers). For a GI MM fiber, the reflection loss is about 0.33dB.
The sum of these two effects creates excess loss in mated pairs of connectors that is incremental loss incomparison to that of a standard physical contact LC connector with conventional fibers. The minimum
incremental loss for such a ‘gapped’ connector would be equal to the Fresnel loss alone (fibers almost
touching). Both of these effects create channel impairments that must be considered when specifying
HCS® connectors into 1000BASE-SX links. The net result will be that the ultimate channel length per
the 802.3u standard will have to be de-rated as in the graph of Reach vs. Connector shown in Figure 5.
The reflected power is typically described in terms of return loss (RL), where a high RL means little
power is reflected. In optical transmission systems, a low RL, i.e., high power reflections can interferewith the transmitted signal causing signal amplitude noise which degrades channel performance.

Adding connectors in a channel incrementally increases the reflected power, reducing the total RL.
There is no specified limit to the maximum number of connectors one can deploy in optical channels
supporting industrial Ethernet applications; practical implementations in Industrial Automation typicallylimit the maximum number of connectors to two mated pairs. For a channel containing two Crimp andCleave connector pairs, twice the optical power will be reflected. Neglecting optical attenuation andconnector insertion loss, the maximum reflected power is 14% which corresponds to an RL of 8.5dB.
Panduit simulated a 1Gbps optical channel link comprising multiple Crimp and Cleave connectors tomeasure the effect of low return loss on channel performance. The channel performance is characterized
in terms of bit error rate (BER) and the performance for high and low RL is compared and evaluated.
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1Gb/s Ethernet Channel Compliance Experiment
As previously discussed, the RL for multiple HCS® Crimp and Cleave connectors in most cabling
systems is typically greater than 8.5dB. Therefore, to evaluate the lowest possible RL it is necessary todesign an optical channel that can simulate the worst–case RL of 8.5dB or less. The experimental setup
is shown in Figure 14 below:

Figure 14. Experimental setup for generating low return loss channel measurement
Two 3dB couplers used to simulate high reflected power (low return loss.

Using the measured values, the return loss for the optical test channel shown above is roughly 8dB. Thisis worse than expected results when using two mated pairs of Crimp and Cleave connectors in a channel.
To measure the effect of RL on 1Gbps channel performance, the test channel (Figure 14) was configured
using standards compliant Ethernet SPF+ transceiver and a multimode optical attenuator. The signal
return path connecting the output ports of the two optical couplers was then repeatedly disconnected andreconnected to simulate a high and low channel RL, respectively. Inspection of the data reveals a small
increase in Bit Error Rate (BER) when the RL is reduced from a high > 20dB to a low of 8.0dB when
the couplers are present in the channel. The average BER increases from 3.6x10e-8 to 6.8x10e-8 in thepresence of worst case reflection.
It is common practice to quantify a decrease in channel performance due to noise or dispersive effects interms of an optical power penalty. The optical power penalty is the extra optical power required thatcompensates for the channel degradation due to impairments, such as reflections.
To determine the power penalty, we must relate
the BER to optical power. This can be done byplotting the BER of the channel as a function of
optical attenuation (Figure 15).
The power penalty is derived by the change in
BER (horizontal lines intersecting with BER
curve) and the associated equivalent power on
the horizontal axis resulting from the change in
RL, which in this case is 0.10dB.
Based on the worst-case 1Gbps Ethernet link
power budget, a 0.10dB RL penalty is wellwithin the specified budget and therefore, theworst case RL is an acceptable attribute for
Crimp and Cleave connectors.
Figure 15.
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Mechanical, Optical and Environmental Testing
The HCS® Crimp and Cleave LC connector was tested to TIA/EIA-568-C specifications for multimodeconnector performance. (See Table below).
Table 2. Testing Results
TEST

REQUIREMENTMETHODRESULT

Insertion Loss

Maximum IL: 0.75dB.

EIA/TIA-455-171(FOTP-171); Method
D

See IL distribution (below)

Return Loss

Minimum RL: 20dB (MM)EIA/TIA-455-107(FOTP-107)

NA

Cable Retention*> 11.24 pounds for each jacketed cable channel> 0.5 lbs. for each buffered fiber

EIA/TIA-455-6B(FOTP-6)

See data (below)

Low Temperature

0°C temperature for 4 days
(mated connector pair)

EIA/TIA-455-188(FOTP-188)

Complies

Temperature Life

60°C for 4 days
(mated connector pair)

EIA/TIA-455-4(FOTP-4)

Complies

Impact Test

Drop of 1.8 meters(mated connector pair)

EIA/TIA-455-2(FOTP-2)

Complies

Cable Flexing

Flex cycles (90 to -90 degrees for 100 cycles)
Mated connectors weighted with:a) 1.1 pounds for jacketed cableb) 0.5 lbs. for buffered fiber

EIA/TIA-455-1(FOTP-1)

Exceeds Requirement

Coupling Strength

7.4 lbs of force at a 0°angle applied at a rate of
1 inch/minute; must remain mated for 5
seconds (mated connector pair)

EIA/TIA-455-185(FOTP-185)

Complies

Durability

500 mating cycles

EIA/TIA-455-21(FOTP-21)

Exceeds Requirement>1000 cycles

Humidity

4 days at 90-95% humidity at 40°C.
(mated connector pair)

EIA/TIA-455-5(FOTP-5)Complies

5 twist rotations in both clockwise andcounterclockwise directions for 10 cycles:
EIA/TIA-455-36
Exceeds Requirement(FOTP-36)a) 3.5 lbs. for jacketed cableb) 5 lbs. for buffered fiber (mated pair)* - Target for Industrial automation applications in a static environment (zone box permanent link or direct attach cabling) is>0.5lbs (expecting 4 to 8 lbs as a design target). The higher value specified in 568 is based on a use case of duplex patch
field jumpers that see a higher level of MACs (Moves, Adds and Changes).
Jacket Cable
Twist

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Insertion Loss Statistics (OM1 @ 850nm)
IL(ave.) = 0.55dB
IL (max.) = 1.22dB
N= 28
Gap LossMin.

Failure Load Statistics (lb’s to failure)

Insertion Loss Statistics (OM2 @ 850nm)

Gap LossMin.

IL(ave.) = 0.80dB
IL (max.) = 1.34dB
N= 36

Failure Load to Mechanical Failure (lbF)

Cable Failure Load @ Optical Failure (lbF)
Defined as the load at which there is a inflection pointin the optical loss (the point at which the optical loss is
unrecoverable).
••

Average = 9.6 lbs
Min = 5.1 lbs

Cable Failure Load to Mechanical Failure (lbF)(See traces at right) - Linear limit of fiber extension
under stress (the point at which the fiber/crimp insert
become detached from the connector body).
••

Average = 15.9 lbs
Min = 12.1 lbs

Note: Results based on simplex HCS® fiber cable
Figure 15. Insertion loss, cable retention and failure load statistics.

Conclusion/Summary
Hard Clad Silica fiber media has been proven reliable in many vertical applications spanning harshenvironment (Military, Oil/Gas, utility, factory automation, Industrial Fieldbus and in-vivo Medical)
applications. This new GiHCS fiber variant presents a Multimode graded-index, high bandwidth, longreach fiber core in the same Hard Clad, large diameter footprint as the traditional HCS® solutions.
This paper has shown the benefits of HCS LC connectivity and fiber media solutions in EtherNet/IParchitectures for both Structured Cabling and Point to Point cable plant deployments. An examination of2012 ODVA Industry Conference

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performance metrics (Bit Error Rate) for such channels and ultimate channel reach vs. cable plant design
has shown the viability of using GiHCS fiber media and field deployable “Electrician Friendly” HCS
LC connector systems into 1000BASE-SX SCS-based cable plant (with limited restrictions).
GiHCS fiber technology enables widespread field installation of fiber EtherNet/IP networks byproviding a termination means similar to Plastic Optical fiber connectivity (with low TCO) whileprovisioning longer reach, high bandwidth channels (which POF does not).
This easy to install fiber solution opens the door to new high bandwidth applications at all levels of theindustrial network by building on ODVA recognized components. It also provides an immediate benefit
for existing 100Mb/sec EtherNet/IP networks that are “direct attach”.
******************************************************************************The ideas, opinions, and recommendations expressed herein are intended to describe concepts of the author(s) for the possible use of CIP Networks and do
not reflect the ideas, opinions, and recommendation of ODVA per se. Because CIP Networks may be applied in many diverse situations and in conjunction
with products and systems from multiple vendors, the reader and those responsible for specifying CIP
Networks must determine for themselves the suitability of ideas, opinions, and recommendations expressed herein for intended use. Copyright ©2012
ODVA, Inc. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce excerpts of this material, with appropriate attribution to the author(s), please contact ODVA on:
TEL +1 734-975-8840 FAX +1 734-922-0027 EMAIL odva@odva.org WEB www.odva.org.
CIP, Common Industrial Protocol, CIP Motion, CIP Safety, CIP Sync, CompoNet, CompoNet CONFORMANCE TESTED, ControlNet, ControlNet
CONFORMANCE TESTED, DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, EtherNet/IP CONFORMANCE TESTED are trademarks of ODVA, Inc. DeviceNet
CONFORMANCE TESTED is a registered trademark of ODVA, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
HCS is a registered trademark in the USA of OFS Fitel, LLC
GiHCS is a trademark of OFS Fitel, LLC.

2012 ODVA Industry Conference

16©2012 ODVA, Inc.