Corning Incorporated has announced its latest single-mode optical fibre innovation, Corning SMF-28 Ultra fibre. This premium single-mode optical fibre combines the benefits of attenuation and improved macrobend performance in one fibre.

Designed for high performance across the range of long-haul, metro, access, and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network applications, this new optical fibre is fully backward compatible with the installed base of legacy single-mode optical fibres.

“Previously, network operators had to choose whether to improve the attenuation or macrobend performance but now they can have both,” Corning Optical Fibre worldwide marketing division vice president and director Barry Linchuck says.

“This combination is made possible through process innovations developed by Corning that deliver lower attenuation and improved macrobend performance with no design trade-offs.”

The improved attenuation of SMF-28 ultra fibre provides additional margin that can be used to extend spans, lengthen the distance between regenerators, increase the allowable number of cable-cuts, or allow for the broader use of pre-connectorised solutions.

The improved macrobend performance provides greater margins for bends that regularly occur in the field during installation and maintenance, and allows for the design and deployment of smaller and lighter cables which can improve duct utilisation, enable smaller enclosures, or reduce pole/tower loading in aerial deployments. The macrobend performance is delivered with a 9.2µm mode-field diameter, which is equivalent to the majority of standard single-mode fibres on the market today and allows for seamless integration into existing networks.