Induced losses in strained loose-tube fiber cables

Measurements of induced losses on primary coated single-mode fibers strained against the inner wall of loose tube cable materials are reported. Fibers have been chosen from current types such as match and depressed clad with mode field diameters (MFD) and cut-off wavelengths spanning the expected range of production tolerances. The loss dependence on MFD and cut-off is characterized, and the combination high MFD/low cut-off turns out to be the most bend sensitive parameter combination while the opposite case with low MFD/high cut-off gives the best performance. Different tube materials provide different bend loss performance depending on the microstructure of the tube and the amount and type of filling jelly.     

Incomplete-penetration hysteresis losses in transmission line cables

At 77 K, the resistivity of ceramic, high-temperature superconductors grows gradually rather than sharply with increasing current. The critical-state theory of hysteresis losses therefore needs to be modified. This has been done for slab conductors whose resistivity can be taken proportional to a power of the current density. Simple formulas have been derived in the limiting cases of incomplete penetration and full penetration when the losses are driven either by a sinusoidal transport current or a sinusoidal external magnetic field. These formulas can be applied to multilayer transmission line cables once the current distribution within and among the layers has been determined. This distribution has been calculated (in the incomplete penetration limit) by solving Maxwell's field equations. A formula is presented for the dependence of the hysteresis loss on winding angle. The formula is used to determine the optimum winding angle.     

Numerical minimization of AC losses in coaxial coated conductor cables

Power cables are one of the most promising applications for the superconducting coated conductors. In the AC use, only small resistive loss is generated, but the removal of the dissipated heat from the cryostat is inefficient due to the large temperature difference. The aim of this work is to minimize the AC losses in a multilayer coaxial cable, in which the tapes form current carrying cylinders. The optimized parameters are the tape numbers and lay angles in these cylinders. This work shows how to cope with the mechanical constraints for the lay angles and discrete tape number in optimization. Three common types of coaxial cables are studied here to demonstrate the feasibility of optimization, in which the AC losses were computed with a circuit analysis model formulated here for arbitrary phase currents, number of phases, and layers. Because the current sharing is practically determined by the inductances of the layers, the optima were obtained much faster by neglecting the nonlinear resistances caused by the AC losses. In addition, the example calculations show that the optimal cable structure do not usually depend on the AC loss model for the individual tapes. On the other hand, depending on the cable type, the losses of the optimized cables may be sensitive to the lay angles, and therefore, we recommend to study the sensitivity for the new cable designs individually.     

Optical fiber cables using V-grooved cylindrical units: High performance cables

Some practical and theoretical aspects of a V-grooved cylindrical cable (high performance optical fiber cable) are now being developed in several countries. Design of cables is important, because bendings may cause distortions. In order to limit micro-bending losses in an optical fiber cable, it is possible to modify parameters relating to the fiber or the cable. Some of the possibilities are: to decrease the core diameter in order to decrease the attenuation coefficient; to increase the diameter of the cladding so as to increase the tension above which micro-bendings occur; to increase the continuous bending radius due to cabling; to decrease the effects of roughness (μ); to integrate the effects of roughness as much as possible by decreasing the Young modulus of the coating and of the cable material and by increasing the cladding thickness; and to suppress the tension T of the fiber in the cable. The cabling element is made of a V-grooved cylindrical core, in which the fiber with an outside diameter d_e (outside diameter or primary coating) are laid without tension, with a slight excess length. The slots with a depth h are helical or alternated helical, providing the possibility of additional excess length, and the fiber can be “cabled” directly without stresses. A central strength member with a diameter Dp reinforces the cylindrical rod, ensuring the mechanical and thermal qualities.     

Optical fiber cables using V-grooved cylindrical units: High performance cables

Some practical and theoretical aspects of a V-grooved cylindrical cable (high performance optical fiber cable) are now being developed in several countries. Design of cables is important, because bendings may cause distortions. In order to limit micro-bending losses in an optical fiber cable, it is possible to modify parameters relating to the fiber or the cable. Some of the possibilities are: to decrease the core diameter in order to decrease the attenuation coefficient; to increase the diameter of the cladding so as to increase the tension above which micro-bendings occur; to increase the continuous bending radius due to cabling; to decrease the effects of roughness (μ); to integrate the effects of roughness as much as possible by decreasing the Young modulus of the coating and of the cable material and by increasing the cladding thickness; and to suppress the tension T of the fiber in the cable. The cabling element is made of a V-grooved cylindrical core, in which the fiber with an outside diameter d_e (outside diameter or primary coating) are laid without tension, with a slight excess length. The slots with a depth h are helical or alternated helical, providing the possibility of additional excess length, and the fiber can be “cabled” directly without stresses. A central strength member with a diameter Dp reinforces the cylindrical rod, ensuring the mechanical and thermal qualities.     

带有屏蔽层的BSCCO电缆的交流损耗特性研究

为了研究在HTS电缆导体层和屏蔽层的交流损耗,我们准备了5米长22.9KV/50MVA的BSCCO HTS电缆,在导体层和屏蔽层都附上电压引线,并在几毫秒到几分钟内给导体层和屏蔽层通大小相等、方向相反的电流,以测试通电时间对于交流损耗的影响。实验表明,从屏蔽层引线上测出的交流损耗和通电时间无关,但从导体层引线上测量出的损耗值却很大程度依赖于通电时间,这是因为导体层周围很厚的绝缘层导致热传输很难到达周围的冷却剂。当通电周期变长时,导体层的温度升高,通过导体引线测出的交流损耗增加,尤其在通电若干周期后,导体层引线测出的损耗值比在屏蔽层引线测出的损耗值大1.5倍。     

AC coupling losses in superconducting multistage cables with and without additional co-twisted copper strands

A simple technique is proposed to evaluate interstrand AC coupling losses deposed in superconducting multistage cables under low excitation of the transverse homogeneous time-varying magnetic field. The technique uses the superposition of the solutions for the induced coupling currents and interstrand or intersubcable AC losses in pairs of strands or subcables, constituting a multistage cable. The technique is valid under assumption of no resistance offered by strands and subcables for the longitudinal currents. The method allows one also to take into account the effect of additional co-twisted pure copper strands or subcables.     

电磁脉冲作用下自由空间线缆的感应开路电压

 运用时域有限差分法结合基于Kirchhoff积分的近／远场变换,计算了高功率微波（HPM）和超宽带（UWB）电磁脉冲作用下自由空间不同长度线缆上感应的开路电压,分析了感应电压峰值和线缆长度之间的变化关系以及入射波波形参数对其影响。计算结果表明,辐射场电场强度为50 kV·m^-1的HPM和UWB作用在线缆上可以感应出几百V到数十kV的脉冲电压;感应电压的峰值与线缆长度之间并不是单调线性增加的关系;HPM的载频越高,感应电压峰值越小;UWB的脉冲宽度越宽,感应电压峰值越大。     

电磁脉冲作用下自由空间线缆的感应开路电压

运用时域有限差分法结合基于Kirchhoff积分的近／远场变换,计算了高功率微波（HPM）和超宽带（UWB）电磁脉冲作用下自由空间不同长度线缆上感应的开路电压,分析了感应电压峰值和线缆长度之间的变化关系以及入射波波形参数对其影响。计算结果表明,辐射场电场强度为50 kV·m-1的HPM和UWB作用在线缆上可以感应出几百V到数十kV的脉冲电压;感应电压的峰值与线缆长度之间并不是单调线性增加的关系;HPM的载频越高,感应电压峰值越小;UWB的脉冲宽度越宽,感应电压峰值越大。     

Origin of temperature dependence of microbending attenuation in fiber optic cables

Abstract

Temperature-induced changes in the attenuation of multimode optical fiber cables are shown to be caused by mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficients of the fiber and the cabling materials. A quantitative theoretical model of low temperature loss, based on the formation of fiber microbends by microvariations in the jacket concentricity, is described. This model applies to tightly jacketed, soft buffered cable designs. An equation relating the low temperature optical attenuation to cable parameters is derived using this model. Good agreement is obtained between this theoretical prediction and experimental results. The theoretical model is used to compare the effectiveness of different cable designs on reducing excess loss at low temperature.     

Brillouin power spectrum analysis for partially uniformly strained optical fiber

Due to the restriction of the spatial resolution, about 1 m for current commercially available system, strain distribution measured by Brillouin optical time domain reflectometer (BOTDR) is slightly different from the actual one. In this paper, the equation of the Brillouin power spectrum for partially uniformly strained fiber within the spatial resolution is theoretically derived. Based on the derived results, investigation has been made on the shape characteristics of the superposed Brillouin power spectrum, as well as the dependence of the calculated strain of BOTDR on the actual strain of the fiber. It was found that the difference between the calculated strain and the actual strain depends mainly on the strain value of the fiber and the strained length within the spatial resolution for the given distributed sensing system.     

Alternating-current losses in two-layer superconducting cables consisting of second-generation superconductors coated by U-shaped ferromagnetic materials

Alternating-current losses in a two-layer superconducting cable, each layer being composed of 15 closely-spaced rectangular wires made up of second-generation superconductors when the ends of wires are coated by either a non-magnetic or strong ferromagnetic material having a U profile is numerically investigated. Computations are carried out through the finite-element method. The alternating-current losses do not increase significantly if the relative permeability of the coating is increased three orders of magnitude, provided that the current amplitude is less than half of the critical current in a superconducting wire. However, the losses are much higher for ferromagnetic coating if the amplitude of the applied current oscillating at 50 Hz is close to the critical current. The ferromagnetic coating is seen to accumulate the magnetic field lines normally on its surfaces, while the field lines are parallel to the long axes of the wires, leading to more significant flux penetration in the coated regions. This facilitates a uniform low-loss current flow in the uncoated regions of the wires. In contrast, coating with a non-magnetic material gives rise to a considerably smaller current flow in the uncoated regions, whereas the low-loss flow is maintained in the coated regions. Moreover, the current flows in opposite directions in the coated and uncoated regions, where the direction in each region is converse for the two materials.     

Practical considerations in determining the installed cost of LAN optical fiber cables

The development and introduction of fiber-optical-based local area networks (LANs) has required system designers and end users to seriously evaluate their cost-effectiveness. The installed optical fiber cable represents a significant part of the system cost. This article reviews current and future costs of the media.     

Practical considerations in determining the installed cost of LAN optical fiber cables

The development and introduction of fiber-optical-based local area networks (LANs) has required system designers and end users to seriously evaluate their cost-effectiveness. The installed optical fiber cable represents a significant part of the system cost. This article reviews current and future costs of the media.     

Coupling losses in pigtailed optoelectronic modules due to fiber stresses

In pigtailed optoelectronic modules, a major source of optical coupling loss due to thermal or mechanical deformations of the assemblies is the stress exerted on the fiber in the package between its holding points. The stresses exerted on the fiber, the resulting strains on the holding points, and the risk of fiber fracture are examined using analytical models on the deformations undergone by the fiber. Optimization of fabrication assembly technology with regard to the risks of fiber fracture and optical coupling losses represents a tradeoff between these two risks.     

Coupling losses in pigtailed optoelectronic modules due to fiber stresses

In pigtailed optoelectronic modules, a major source of optical coupling loss due to thermal or mechanical deformations of the assemblies is the stress exerted on the fiber in the package between its holding points. The stresses exerted on the fiber, the resulting strains on the holding points, and the risk of fiber fracture are examined using analytical models on the deformations undergone by the fiber. Optimization of fabrication assembly technology with regard to the risks of fiber fracture and optical coupling losses represents a tradeoff between these two risks.     

A new solution of reducing polymer optical fiber losses

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is one of the most commonly used optical materials. However, the application of it in the area of optical communication is strongly limited by the intrinsic absorption loss of carbon-hydrogen stretching vibration. In this paper, we present a method to solve the problem by adopting the hollow-core fibers with cobweb cladding structure. The fibers use a single dielectric material and may solve the problem of structural support. Thus the feasibility of the “OmniGuide” fibers is improved, while a series of advantages of the “OmniGuide” hollow-core fiber are retained. It is promising that a fiber with low transmission loss, high bandwidth, large-core, and low costs can be designed and fabricated using PMMA. At the same time, a very broad range of the wavelengths (from visible to near infrared region, for instance, wavelengths at 0.65-1.12 μm, and even 1.30 μm, 1.54 μm and their neighbors) may be adopted for signal wavelength.     

Investigation of all-solid photonic bandgap fiber with low losses in low-order bandgaps

We report synoptically an investigation of design, fabrication and characterization of a new all-solid photonic bandgap fiber. By introducing an index depressed layer around a high index core in every unit cell of photonic crystal cladding, a novel all-solid bandgap fiber is predicted to obtain low confinement and bend losses within low-order bandgaps. After optimizing the structure parameters, we fabricate a batch of rods used for cladding cells, select a pure-silica rod for core cell and an inner-hexagonal jacket tube. We demonstrate an all-solid bandgap fiber with the transmission loss as low as 2 dB/km at 1,310 nm and a bandwidth of over 700 nm within the first bandgap. The guiding properties are also measured, respectively, such as transmission spectrum, attenuation spectrum, bend loss, mode field intensity profile, and chromatic dispersion.     

Combined effects of bending and elongation on polymer optical fiber losses

The combined effects of bending and elongation on fiber losses as rays propagate along deformed polymer optical fibers (POFs) are investigated. The variations in power attenuation for various curvature radii and elongations are studied. The experimental results indicate that the combination of bending and elongation significantly affects the power loss of POF. From the results an equation is proposed to predict the power losses for different bent radii and elongations. The maximum difference between the proposed equation and the experimental results is less than 5%.