Using flat steel wires as strength members in central core ribbon cables

摘要

High fiber count ribbon cables are widely used in Access Networks. They are often laid inside of pre-installed pipes. These pipe resources are very precious in China, and telecommunication carriers are always trying to fill existing pipes with the highest fiber count cables. That means the outer diameter of the cable should be as small as possible. This paper presents a novel cable structure that uses two flat steel wires as strength members of the cable. This cable has a smaller outer diameter when compared to cables with two round steel wires as strength members, and has a lower risk of process upset than cable that are manufactured with four small round steel wires.