Engineering with a Purpose
Roman Krawczyk, CEO and Chief Engineer for Point 2 Point Communications and nanoFIBER expressed that being the recipient of the ASTOR Award is very meaningful to our company. To be selected by a group of peer judges as the #1 Platinum Award Winner for our “Best Security Wire & Cable Solution category.” is a great honor. Mr. Krawczyk states, “We pride ourselves on American ingenuity, reliability, and trust. Safety being paramount in our solutions.” Roman further explains, “therefore, much research goes into how we engineer products, so that they serve a valuable and practical purpose.
It all starts with a production engineering idea spawned from a client’s needs. Does our engineered solution solve the clients needs? Secondly, is our idea valuable to just our target audience or will it have a universal impact or an industrial change or view of the world?
All our production engineering goes through the process of exploring if our products help with human safety, strategic preservation, and efficiencies. Furthermore, will they last over time and be future proof? We also believe that sustainable productions strategies must be localized. Simply put… the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. It goes against logic to produce products on one continent and ship them to another, it is not efficient. Proximity strategy which is localized and uses the least amount of energy produces a sustainable solution. Therefore, our engineers bear these principles in mind when developing products and solutions for our clients by onshoring in the USA.”
Future of Transit Systems & Goals
Since early 2020, subway systems in urban markets responded with intensified safety protocols to COVID-19. The pandemic heightened the importance of further improvements from the fiber optic driven communication technology throughout the transit industry.
The future of the constantly evolving transit systems is the continual upgrade of the communications network. This includes station upgrades to the adoption of new rider alerting systems, transit apps, security cameras, thermal imagining, and digital advertising platforms are just a few of the reasons for an increase in fiber optic cables.
Transit IT teams can use current mobile 5G internet connectivity and add new experiences to systems, data to devices as well as analytics to infrastructure to help boost riders to the subway.
Challenges of increasing ridership
It is safe to say that the transit system transports millions of riders who rely on the subway as their means of travel. However, many people choose the automobile and cycling in the urban markets as an alternative to subway transit. Therefore, transit authorities must compete for riders by delivering a continually better experience at all points of their journeys in the subway system.
Smart transit and the station of the future
The future of urban transit system relies on converting individual city stations running over fiber via the communications smart transit network into smart hubs for better service and commuter experience. Transit authorities can become the mechanism for creating connected cities by enabling connectivity through multi-use communications network.
Current Transit Challenges & Objectives
The Transit System installs and maintains thousands of miles of cabling throughout the subway lines to support these new infrastructures and multi-use communication networks. However, cables are prone to human interference, vermin attack as well as wear and tear throughout the tunnels. The need for a cable that can offer protection as well as high standards is a necessity. The transit system needs to install a cable that minimizes signal loss and may interfere with transportation system.
Transit Fiber Optic applications
The security, bandwidth and availability of the Transit Wireless fiber optic network make it the ideal delivery system for a range of critical applications:
| Wireless backhauls | Managed private networks | Video transmission | Secure high-speed medical imaging transmission Carrier grade, high-speed Ethernet |
| Internet connectivity | Dark fiber services | Critical fiber applications | Wavelength (Wave Division Multiplexing) transport for applications that demand high bandwidth |
| Data colocation | Network operations | Financial transactions and electronic trades | Enterprise buildings/Wide Area Networks (WAN) |
| Indoor DAS | Outdoor DAS network connectivity | Dark Fiber | Colocation Data Centers |
nanoFIBER Considerations in Plan Development
The subway system’s objective in expansion or reclamation is to utilize the latest technologies in fiber cabling management for network communication regarding security, data centers, DAS, Wi-Fi, dark fiber, and digital signage within the transit infrastructure. Additional features are the multiple UBS ports and standard power outlets for charging phones, tablets, and laptops on subway platforms.
Several key factors are considered in developing a cabling solution and management systems for transit subways. Provide an armored fiber solution with the smallest outer diameter for both antiquated pathways and conduits with limited space. Consider the pulling and tension when installing.
Another consideration is the Norwegian rat population in the subway tunnels eating through the cables. Lastly, the human element of safety by providing an outer LSZH jacket that is not toxic when burned.
nanoFIBER provides the transit system with an armored fiber optic solution that acts as a conduit with the smallest outer diameter. An armored fiber cable the size of a conventional fiber cable minimizes space in conduits and future proof the pathways.
The stainless-steel armoring deploys a patent pending coiling technology that wraps around the inner jacket of the fiber optic cable. This protects the bend radius, pull tension, and poor installation practices, as well as handling that can impede the performance and cause signal loss of the fiber optic cable.
The outer jackets meet all required specifications and external conditions from Riser, Plenum, Indoor/Outdoor, Direct Burial, Industrial and Harsh Environments as well as added water block for underground conduits when necessary. For the subway system, nanoFIBER cables can be buried, covered with concrete, aerial and used underwater.
The Norwegian rats may be the worst of the intruders as they have taste for the cables. They have been menacing subway systems and gnawed through all types of cables for decades causing tremendous damage and interrupting the signal throughout the transit system. The stainless-steel armor is impenetrable to these attacks and has protected fiber optic from signal loss.
Human Safety Protocols
nanoFIBER UL listed highest-level EU B2 certification for low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) armored fiber optic cable that provides the best solution to protect human life in case of a fire in the subway system.
EuroClass rating nanoFIBER™: B2ca-s1,d1,al. Fiber Optic Cables has been tested in accordance with EU UL CPR and based on smoke production, flaming droplets, and acidity. Europe has set the highest standard for installation of fiber and nanoFIBER™ can be specified in any transit project with this certification.
The new European Construction Products Regulations (CPR) is a unique turning point to enhance the level of safety in relation to their fire performances. Being the forward thinking Point 2 Point
nanoFIBER Armored Fiber Optic Cabling Solutions
nanoFIBER optic armored cables provide the transit system with the smallest outer diameter (OD) cable that is crush, rodent, weather, kinking and tamper resistant. Maximizes tensile and lateral strength that adds toughness when pushing or pulling the cable through conduits. Can be installed wherever conventional or armored fiber optics are used.
nanoFIBER is 65% smaller in size and 75% lighter than standard Aluminum Interlock Armor (AIA) and easy to install as a one-man project. A standard 1000-foot 12 strand spool of AIA can weigh 395lbs and has a 13.9mm outer diameter versus nanoFIBER that weighs 99lbs and has only a 5.5mm outer diameter.
The armored fiber cables can be housed as a single strand for broadband 5G to DAS, digital signage, building management systems (BMS) as well as multiple strands of up to 144 strands or more to support all data center and security needs.
nanoFIBER is designed to protect the Corning ClearCurve™ & InfiniCore™ Glass as a standard with universal usage. The fibers include OS2, OM1, OM3, OM4, OM5, and (250u/900u/Ribbon) to meet all needs of the transit system. The Multi-strand pre-termination is available with MTP/MPO, LC, SC, ST, MU, etc. to meet all transit needs.
Power Over Fiber and Security Protocols
nanoFIBER stainless-steel armored Power Over Fiber SingleMode cables provides the transit camera systems with protection from intruders. Available in a variety of glass types and strand counts, the fiber component is designed as needed. The “Power Cables” can be 2, 3, or 4 conductors with 12 AWG to 22 AWG options. The basic construction is two (2) strands of Singlemode Fiber with 18 AWG/2 conductors all under one (1) outdoor jacket. The plenum-rated power over fiber optic cable is designed for an all-in-one cable solution for the subway security camera connectivity.
nanoFIBER™ armored optics provides low loss, high bandwidth, and immunity to electrical interference for surveillance cameras. As crime has become transit concern, a major deterrent has been continuous monitoring of subways looking for suspicious behavior and recording actions to deter or capture perpetrators. nanoFIBER™ stainless-steel armor solution protects the cable from most harsh environments, slows cable cutting and infinitely beneficial versus non armored fiber cables.
Custom Assembly Solutions
nanoFIBER custom assembly division engineers the cabling solutions to meet all specifications and requirements for transit networking. This includes the outer Jackets, type of armored fiber optic cables, specialized strand counts to 288 strands, all types of connectors and all custom lengths. nanoFIBER’s expertise on blue printing the solution ensures efficiencies with nominal loss in final assemblies.
Localized Production Solutions
The United States, Mexico, and Canada updated NAFTA to create the new USMCA. The new Agreement, which entered into force on July 1, 2020, will create a more localized distribution to the United States.
Each of the fibers are tested 100% to ensure they exceed the industry requirements and quality standards including Telcordia GR-20, Telcordia GR-409, and IEC 60794 Compliant. Quality raw materials are manufactured in North America. The production processes follow the Telcordia and RUS. American standards, which allows us to offer a high-quality cable and short production schedule with sound fuel efficiencies.
Cabling Management Systems
nanoFIBER designs centralized patching and armored nanoFIBER trunk cables, cassettes, trays, brackets, cabinets, and patch panels to create an “easy-to-maintain” and install network environment for transit IT and data centers. In terms of cable management, we offer patent pending brackets and racks that organize the transit system’s IT & data center cables and support wires in way that alleviates tension on the connectors, improving cable integrity and preventing the loss of data packets.
The “Plug-and-play” Modular solutions are made here in America with nanoFIBER armored trunk cables and hydra configurations that are pre-tested, pre-labeled, and pre-terminated to simplify maintenance and installation. Sustainable production designed products result in easier, cleaner, and more efficient IT, DAS, broadband, security, and digital signage within the transit system.
The new plastic modular design makes the cassette a lighter & easier assembly versus metal cassettes. Easier to assemble in our patent pending distribution trays. The plastic designed cassette modules have higher density and more ports per tray versus metal cassettes. Plus, there is no conductive heat from the plastic cassettes.
The sustainable repurposing of Black ABS plastic adds renewal efficiencies to the modular plastic cassettes that are made in U.S. 1U Tray and Rack system fits virtually all standard size cabinets. This includes four 12-fiber cassettes making 144 fiber port 1U solution and is designed for easy installation and live service.
The rear of the rack is designed to allow for easy access to connections. Meanwhile, each of the three cassette trays slide forward and back to help manage connectivity tasks from the front. One rack with three trays of cassettes would help manage and organize up to 144 fiber connectors. Many variations of wire management brackets and supports are available to fit into any cabinet or rack. Din Rail solutions are also available as well as NEMA waterproof boxes.
nanoFIBER Game Changing Application Solution
nanoFIBER engineers have identified another option for deploying their fiber optic cables. A partner company has invented a new method of “painting” fiber cables on paved surfaces. Called FiberTRAX, armored nanoFIBER can be permanently adhered to the surface using this innovative surface-mounted fiber installation technique.
This new Rapid Deployment Fiber Installation System provides strategic preservation, product longevity, future proofing, sustainable distribution that is localized and will be a new method of applying fiber to many surfaces from roadways, outdoor plants, stadiums, buildings, malls etc. Transit systems can use this application process and will drastically reduce cost, faster to apply over long distances without the need of conduits or pathways or trenching.
The Problem: Optical fiber installations often face prolonged lead times, permitting, disruptions, and risks to existing utilities, especially when demolition and trenching are the only options.
The Solution: nanoFIBER quickly delivers a rapid, on-demand network connection that makes once daunting fiber installations simple and cost-effective, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas. It is a Rapdily Deplyed Minimally Disruptive installation (RDMD), but it’s certainly disrupting the way fiber is currently installed, which is Pole to Pole or trenching.
Faster Deployment - At 1,000 ft/hr, projects measure in hours and days, not weeks and months, enabling “on-demand” fiber access.
Lower Costs - Installation eliminates trenching, simplifies permitting, easements, insurance, inspections, and repairs, reducing construction costs by up to 90%.
Advanced Knowhow - Get all the tools and training required so you can quickly install the fiber your customers desperately need fast.
Enhanced Reliability - Create redundancy and diversity of routes, building mesh networks easily and cost-effectively.
Improved Performance- Networks built using our solution can handle today’s extreme bandwidth demands, even for remote work, virtual learning, and telehealth applications.
Summary
“This award is a clear indication that nanoFIBER’s strategic & sustainable engineering efficiencies enable security leaders to protect the fiber from harsh conditions and difficult to cut,” said Roman Krawczyk, CEO and Chief Engineer. “nanoFIBER is a trusted partner to government, enterprise-class, commercial, Pro A/V, DAS, broadband, data center and security organizations across the globe. The company is dedicated to cabling management and security systems to those who cannot afford downtime due to faulty cables, vermin attacks, crimping, and breaking, etc. The opportunities to use nanoFIBER systems in projects are almost infinite. The cost/value proposition is enormous and adds features and benefits to all projects for the end-user. How valuable is your data? We armor ours!”
To learn more about nanoFIBER solutions for indoor and outdoor usage, please visit www.nanofiber.com