FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIA/EIA-785 Short Wavelength Fast Ethernet Standard Updated

Addendum Enables Lower Cost Horizontal Cabling Solutions

 
Arlington, VA, May 7, 2003: A recently completed addendum to TIA/EIA-785 Short Wavelength Fast Ethernet Standard makes it possible to further reduce horizontal cabling costs for multimode fiber networks. Addendum #1 to the standard removes the receiver bandwidth specification, eliminating unwarranted limitations in transceiver designs and potentially expanding available transceiver and manufacturer choices. Since transceivers are one of the most expensive components in a fiber port, this addendum should enable network managers to lower the costs of their fiber based systems. The standard is available from Global Engineering by calling 1-800-854-7179 (U.S. and Canada), outside the U.S. at 1-303-397-7956 or from their website at http://global.ihs.com.  
 
The bandwidth specification was removed after the F.O. 4.2 working group (formerly F.O. 2.2) performed extensive simulation and link testing and determined that the receiver bandwidth specification was technically redundant with the specification for stressed receive sensitivity.  
 
Originally ratified in May 2001, TIA/EIA-785 marked an important development for network planners seeking a cost-effective migration path from 10 Mbps Ethernet to 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet. "This was a trend-setting fiber standard," said John Struhar, Chair of the TIA Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS). "It provides a cost-effective migration path for network managers by supporting data communications between legacy 10 Mbps fiber LAN optoelectronics and a new generation of less expensive short wavelength 10/100 Mbps-capable products (parallel detection) or between two link endpoints comprising 100BASE-SX capable products (auto-negotiation)."  
 
Previously, the only operating wavelength for 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet (100BASE-FX) was 1300 nm, making it incompatible with 10 Mbps Ethernet Systems (10BASE FL), which operates at 850 nm. When 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet was first developed it was considered a backbone technology, so the discrepancy in wavelengths was not an issue. However, as 100 Mbps fiber Ethernet began to be deployed to the desktop, the lack of interoperability and migration path slowed the deployment of fiber networks.  
 
Struhar also explained that the standard supports a minimum 300-meter link length which means that conforming products also support horizontal cabling subsystems as specified in the TIA/EIA-568-B.1, building cabling standard, whether using the traditional hierarchical star architecture or the newer centralized fiber optic cabling systems.  
 
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The FOLS focuses on educating end users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include 3M/Volition, AMP/Tyco Electronics, Corning, Leviton Voice & Data, Micro Linear Corporation, OFS, Optek Technology, Panduit, Ortronics, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave and Transition Networks. Visit the FOLS at http://www.fols.org.  
 
TIA is the leading trade association serving the communications and information technology industry, with proven strengths in market development, trade shows, domestic and international advocacy, standards development and enabling e-business. Through its worldwide activities, the association facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a market-focused forum for its more than 1,000 member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit us at http://www.tiaonline.org.  
 
Note: The opinions expressed in this release are those of the Fiber Optics LAN Section of the Telecommunications Industry Association and are not necessarily those of the entire TIA membership.