Corning Incorporated has announced the expansion of its MiniXtend cable portfolio, with the introduction of MiniXtend HD cables for 12 to 72 fibres enabling use in microducts with 6mm inner diameter and MiniXtend XD cables for 192 and 288 fibres.
The company introduced its MiniXtend cable family to help solve rising demand for unlimited bandwidth capacity and address escalating network duct congestion and convergence as fibre is pushed ever deeper into the network. Designed for installation in microduct systems using air-assisted installation methods, MiniXtend micro cables are up to 50% smaller than standard loose tube cables and offer high fibre counts in a small cable diameter footprint.
The introduction of the MiniXtend HD cables for 12 to 72 fibres and MiniXtend XD cables for 192 and 288 fibres represents the next step in Corning’s ongoing mission to provide solutions that are smaller, denser, easier, and faster to use.
The new cables, soon to be showcased at the annual ANGA COM exhibition in Cologne on May 10-12, also reflect Corning’s commitment to deliver innovations that have the power to drive growth and benefit the environment. In 2021, Corning began to use life cycle assessments performed by third parties to provide industry-recognised calculations of embodied carbon. The reduced diameter cables deliver up to a 20% decreased carbon footprint compared with legacy cables.
- MiniXtend HD cables deliver a 17% reduction in cable outer diameter, increasing fibre density by 44% and enabling up to 72 fibres in a 6mm ID microduct. The carbon footprint of MiniXtend HD cables is up to 20% lower compared to that of standard MiniXtend cables.
- The MiniXtend XD cables deliver a 15% reduction in cable outer diameter, increasing headroom in 10 and 12mm ID ducts, as well as enabling up to 192 fibres in 8mm ID and 288 fibres in 10mm ID microducts. The carbon footprint of MiniXtend XD cables is up to 12% lower compared to that of MiniXtend HD cables.
Both cables include Corning’s binderless FastAccess Technology, providing up to 70% faster end- and mid-span cable access without the need to use a sharp blade. Uniquely, the MiniXtend HD and XD cables use small grooves to indicate the location of the tear feature, supporting densification.
“Global demand for bandwidth is showing no signs of slowing down, and with more fibres being deployed along more pathways, duct space is becoming more and more congested,” said Dr. Merrion Edwards, director, market & technology development, Corning Optical Fibre and Cable. “With high-density cables now an absolute necessity to support convergence and maximise installation efficiency, the new additions to our MiniXtend family will give Corning customers the tools they need for a smaller footprint today and the simplest path to future growth tomorrow.”
Visitors can experience Corning’s products and demos and find out more at Booth E12 – Hall 8 at ANGA COM 2022. Corning will also showcase its products at the Fiber Connect Council MENA in Dubai on May 16-17 and at the FTTH Conference in Vienna on May 23-25.
