Enabling Next Generation Industrial Control Networks with Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) Solutions

摘要

The market for low cost fiber optic links using plastic optical fiber (POF) is experiencing rapid growth due to renewed market acceptance in the automotive, industrial networking and consumer markets. POF has always been known for low cost, easy to install, EMI resistant data links, but has been limited in distance and data rate compared to glass fiber optics (GOF). It has been limited by cost and familiarity compared to copper data links. Advances in step index (SI-POF), graded index plastic optical fiber (GI-POF) and low cost optical transceivers have provided the technology for higher data rates and longer distances at lower cost. In industrial control networking applications there is rapid movement to Industrial Ethernet at 10/100 Mb/s. The major standards organizations and trade associations such as ProfiNet, Interbus, IOANA and ControlNet International are working together to bring interoperable solutions to market. The movement to higher data rates and longer distances coupled with product improvements are providing growth to this traditional POF market segment.