Development of a gigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic Media Converter module to meet European trend in FTTH architectures

This paper will describe the development of a versatile two-fibers full-duplex 1.25 Gb/s Ethernet fiber optic media converter module where a novel method to couple or extract light into a multimode optical fiber (MMF) avoiding expensive fiber-optic connectors is applied. The coupling principle, based on unusual use of bending loss, is described. Finally the packaging activity for fitting the media converter in standard electrical outlet boxes is also reported.