Multi-core optical fiber in a passive optical local area network

This paper describes cases where the new technology of multi-core fibers and passive optical networks is used to solve the problem of a lack of space in duct pipes for a computer local area network (LAN). A solution to the congestion problems in computer LANs that involves increasing the number of users per single trunk with a passive optical network technology is suggested, together with replacing the standard single-mode optical fibers that have a single core, with novel single-mode optical fiber that has several cores in the same cladding. The expected benefits are an increased data capacity and space saving. In this paper the design and fabrication of multi-core fiber is also addressed for the example of a 7-core fiber that can be easily manufactured using a stack-and-draw procedure.