Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1472963
52 I ICT TODAY Lower cost per connector with no fusion splicer required remains the primary benefit of mechanical connectors. Arguments for each aligning with EFA can be made, but splicing to pre-assembled connectors is the best answer if this were a multiple-choice question. The common term in the industry is cassette. Industry standards refer to this component as a module; the terms module and cassette are synonymous. These cassette options offer clear expandability, flexibility, and accessibility features for enabling smart infrastructure success. The LGX-118 is an industry standard form factor for optical fiber enclosure adapter panels and cassettes. It is also a bulky form factor, consuming greater rack real-estate when compared to the high-density form factors. The density translates to future expandability with the same or less space used in an LGX-118 footprint, which may have only met the needs of the present. The housing and cassette design are modular, meaning future changes to the network can be handled by swapping FIGURE 3: Proprietary form factor cassettes. individual cassettes or inserting new cassettes if the housing was ordered partially populated. Tap, xWDM, patch, fanout, conversion, splice, as well as other methods are available cassette options. The swappable nature of the cassettes within the housings reduces housing obsolescence risk. Future cassette designs for changing or introducing new network applications maintain backwards compatibility with the housing. The cassette exchange or addition is completed from the housing in most cases, providing accessibility. Pre-terminated, plug-and-play, and fusion spliced cassettes appear to be favored based on current industry adoption. Multiple vendors have published time study data touting these benefits from a labor time-savings cost perspective. The main con of the cassette system is the requirement of rack and panel space. This solution is not yet adapted for wall or din-rail mounted termination, but these developments may come with further adoption of this technology as fiber counts rise. Figure 3 shows various proprietary form factor cassettes/modules.