Evolution of Micro Cables

Fiber optic cables have evolved over the years as the demand for bandwidth to support communication needs has increased exponentially. In particular, the fiber density—the ratio of the number of optical fibers to the cable outer area—has continued to increase. Today, ultra-high density, micro-cables are commonly used in applications where space is limited. This can include micro-cables that are blown into ducts or routed through data centers. In each case, cables are designed to be compact, yet provide the robustness required to protect the optical fibers. This paper will review the evolution of, and assess the performance of micro-cables, and look ahead to future designs.