Siemon Plug and Play Fibre Optic Cabling Passes Key Independent Performance Testing

April 2011 – Siemon, a leading global manufacturer of IT network cabling and infrastructure systems, today announced that its MTP-based OM4 and OM3 plug and play fibre optic cable assembly products have passed key IEC and TIA/EIA performance testing.

The results, based on the latest Encircled Flux test methods, showed strong performance margins to the 10Gb/s and 40/100Gb/s limits currently covered by the standards. Performed by Experior Laboratories, a leading independent, third party testing facility, these tests confirm that Siemon’s 40 Gb/s and 100Gb/s-ready plug and play assemblies exceed the standards’ strict insertion loss and endface geometry requirements with margins up to 60%.

“Extended performance margins are particularly important in high-bandwidth multi-fibre array systems like Siemon’s 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s-ready MTP plug and play line,” explained Charlie Maynard, Siemon fibre optic product manager. Contamination introduced in the field as well as testing inconsistencies due to varied test equipment and reference cord quality can make it difficult to ensure that the consistent performance levels of factory-terminated fibre assemblies are maintained when installed in the field. Siemon’s plug and play margins help ensure compliant performance levels, even in light of field cleanliness issues and test uncertainty.”

The independent testing was performed across multiple channel configurations that included Siemon MTP-to-MTP cable assemblies in both OM4 and OM3 fibre grades; MTP-to-LC plug and play modules; MTP-to-LC fibre jumpers; LC fibre jumpers and MTP-to-MTP adapter plates. All Siemon product and channel configurations passed their respective insertion and return loss tests, which were performed according to the latest IEC 61280-4-1 Edition 2 and TIA/EIA-455-171A testing standards.

These latest IEC and TIA/EIA testing procedures use new encircled flux methods, which limit the negative impact of variable launch conditions on the accuracy of multimode fibre insertion and return loss test results. Encircled flux compliance reduces test variability by up to 75% versus the previous test methods, ensuring more accurate results and helping eliminate false pass results that can degrade overall network performance. The more accurate encircled flux methods indicated significant performance margins for all Siemon product tested.

In addition, all Siemon MTP connectors passed IEC 61300-3-30 Ed 1.0 testing for performance critical fibre endface geometry.

“Along with extensive testing at Siemon Labs, this independent confirmation of our plug and play fibre system’s performance margins further strengthens Siemon’s leadership in high performance, data centre-ready cabling solutions,” explained Robert Carlson, Siemon’s VP of global marketing. “Our comprehensive line allows us to offer our data centre customers the cabling solution that best fits their needs, from 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s-ready Plug and Play fibre systems, to 10Gb/s UTP, F/UTP and fully shielded twisted-pair copper systems to our SFP+, QSFP+ copper and fibre high-speed interconnect assemblies – all of which have been independently tested to exceed the standards.”

For more information on Siemon’s plug and play fibre optic cabling solutions, or to request test report summaries, please visit: www.siemon.com .

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Notes to Editors

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance copper and optical fibre network cabling solutions. With offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers a global service and has a reputation for delivering market leading performance with systems that maximise efficiency and return on investment.

Siemon’s products include the most comprehensive suite of copper available, in both unshielded and shielded twisted-pair, for category 5e, category 6 (Class E), category 6A (Class E_A) and category 7/7_A (Class F/F_A) standards performance. The company’s optical fibre range includes both multimode and singlemode cabling systems. In addition to cabling systems, the company has developed specific and specialised products for network provision in both enterprise and hosted data centre environments, often partnering with other global industry leaders in delivery of complete solutions for these markets. With over 400 patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.