Fiber Optic Center Glossary

A method of data encapsulation over the G-PON network, similar to ATM, that uses variable length frames to transport up to an encapsulated payload of 1500 bytes. Capable of sending ATM cells or Ethernet packets over the network.

Zero potential with respect to the ground or earth.

The physical size of a wire, as in American Wire Gage (AEG). Can also be used in reference to determining connector interface critical dimensions.

The increase of voltage, current or power over a standard or previous reading. Usually expressed in decibels. Increased backscatter inherent within OTDR. Fiber measurements due to different core sizes or core mismatch. A gainer refers to an OTDR signature that shows splice loss in one direction and “gain” of the reflected signal in the opposite direction.

Due to nonlinearities in the amplitude, GFFs are used to restore wavelengths to their approximate intensities after they have been amplified by erbium-doped fiber amplifiers. Also known as a gain equalization filter or dynamic gain equalizer.

To coat with zinc to protect against corrosion

Rope made of galvanized wire

Steel wire coated with zinc.

Strand made of galvanized wire

Wire coated with zinc

An instrument for detecting or measuring small electrical current.

A connector that permits the rapid and simultaneous connection and disconnection of two or more electrical circuits. (MIL-STD)

Simultaneous stripping of all conductors in a flat or ribbon cable.

Ability of an adhesive to fill the space between substrates and hold the substrates in place.

An adhesive capable of forming and maintaining a bond between surfaces that are not close-fitting. Discussion—Close-fitting is relative to a given material and industry; for example, standards in construction differ from standards in electronics. Some adhesives will bond by bridging without completely filling the gap, others by filling the gap completely.

A self-contained pressure cable in which the pressure medium is an inert gas having access to the insulation.

The characteristic of a contact which is impervious to ingress by corrosive gasses.

The characteristic of a contact that is impervious to ingress by corrosive gases. The common area between mated-metal surfaces from which gas vapours and impuities are excluded.

A component made from an elastomer, such as rubber, to provide an environmental seal in the interface of a connector pair. Also called a "grommet".

1) A node common to two or more networks through which data flows from network to network. The gateway may reformat the data as necessary and also may participate in error and flow control protocols. Used to connect LANs employing different protocols and to connect LANs to public data networks. See also Port.  2) A function designed to facilitate electronic access by users to remote services. Gateways provide a single source where users can locate and gain access to a wide variety of services.

A term used to denote the physical size of a wire.

A semisolid system consisting of a network of solid aggregates in which liquid is held.

A separation technique in which separation mainly according to the hydrodynamic volume of the molecules or particles takes place in porous non-adsorbing material with pores of approximately the same size as the effective dimensions in solution of the molecules to be separated. (IUPAC)

Formation of a gel.

A structured telecommunications cabling system, capable of supporting a wide range of applications. Generic cabling can be installed without prior knowledge of the required applications. Application-specific hardware is not a part of generic cabling.

One process of timing and phasing a local television signal to a remote signal.

Cable used in exploring for underground oil deposits.

A satellite whose speed is synchronized with the speed of the earth’s rotation so that it is always in the same spot over the earth (geo-synchronous orbit). Most geo-synchronous satellites operate 22,300 miles above the equator.

An OTDR signature caused by an optical echo that occurs when light reflects off two reflective surfaces, creating a false image at double the distance from the initial event.

See Gigahertz.

A prefix meaning one billion.

One billion bits of information.

IEEE 802.3z. A standard for a high-speed Ethernet, capable of transmitting data at one billion bits per second. It provides increased network bandwidth and interoperability, and can be used in backbone environments to interconnect multiple lower-speed Ethernet systems.

Standardized in ITU-T G.984, G-PON handles data rates up to 2.5 Gb/s and allows split ratios up to 1:64. The standard features the G-PON encapsulation method (GEM), which allows for the transmission of Ethernet packets and ATM cells.

A unit of frequency equal to one billion hertz.

A short length of wire soldered onto a circuit component and used as a small adjustable capacitor.

The pure, solid glass mass formed after sintering an oxide preform. This glass blank undergoes a drawing process to become optical fiber.

The temperature at which an adhesive will become markedly less elastic and flexible.

A network of satellites developed by the US Department of Defense that provides precise location determination to special receivers.

The European digital cellular transmission standard which has been adopted by several other countries around the world for cellular and personal communications services. It was originally called the Groupe SpecialeMobile.

Originally, a hard gelatin obtained from hides, tendons, cartilage, bones, etc. of animals. Also, an adhesive prepared from this substance by heating with water. Through general use the term is now synonymous with the term “adhesive.”

A hard gelatin obtained from hides, tendons, cartilage, bones, etc., of animals, and also an adhesive prepared from this substance by heating with water.

The layer of adhesive that attaches two substrates. Same as bond line.

A series cold clamps arranged and used like a Ferris wheel. This permits a large number of panels to be clamped and stored within a small area.

The standard coating for contacts over a base of either nickel or copper. Used primarily as a coating or plating material because of its electrical properties.

Grade of Service

Government OIS Procurement

“Government;” one of the top-level Internet domain names

General purpose interface bus. Also known as the IEEE-488 bus. One method of providing communication between various test equipment and controllers .

A type of multimode fiber which used a graded profile of refractive index in the core material to correct for dispersion.

A multimode fiber whose core refractive index increases in controlled fashion outward from the axis and matches the cladding refractive index at the core-clad interface. Has greater bandwidth than step index fiber, but less bandwidth than single mode fiber.

A type of optical fiber in which the refractive index of the core is in the form of a parabolic curve, decreasing toward the cladding. This type of fiber provides high bandwidth capabilities.

An optical fiber core that has a non-uniform index of refraction. The core is composed on concentric rings of glass, which have refractive indices that decrease from the center axis. The refractive index is changed in a systematic way from the center to t

A type of multimode fiber where the refractive index of the fiber core decreases radically towards the outside of the fiber. Four types of GI-MMF have been specified in IEC 60793-2: legacy OM1 (62.5/125) and OM2 (50/125) fibers and the newer, high bandwidth, laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 fiber (both 50/125), designed for VCSEL lasers and Gigabit data rates.

A plastic multimode fiber with a bandwidth of up to 3 GHz per 100 meters.

Classification of wire rope by its breaking strength. In order of increasing breaking strengths they are Iron, Traction, Mild Plow Steel. Plow Steel, Improved Plow Steel, Extra Improved Plow Steel

Classification of strand by its breaking strength. In order of increasing breaking strengths they are Common, Siemens Martin, High Strength and Extra-high Strength. A Utilities grade strand is also made to meet special requirements

A copolymer that is a graft polymer. In a graft copolymer, adjacent blocks are constitutionally different, i.e., each of these blocks comprises constitutional units derived from different characteristic species of monomer or with different composition or sequence distribution of constitutional units. (IUPAC)

A macromolecule with one or more species of block connected to the main chain as side chains, these side chains having constitutional or configurational features that differ from those in the main chain. (IUPAC)

A substance composed of graft macromolecules. (IUPAC)

This refers to the relative cohesive strength an adhesive, glue, or mastic has in the wet state. Same as green grab or initial tack. See also tack.

Network deployment in an area under development. Since everything is being built for the first time, network construction can be done with few obstructions and installation can be accomplished parallel to other utilities.

When contacts in a multiple contact connector are spaced in a geometric pattern. (MIL-STD)

A rubber seal used on the cable side of multiple contact connector to seal the connector against moisture, dirt or air.

An elastomeric seal used on the cable side of a connector to seal the connector against moisture, dirt and air. (MIL-STD)

Drum with grooved surface to accommodate and guide the rope

Depressions in the periphery of a sheave or drum for positioning and supporting a rope

The Ship Measurement Convention of 1969 has been in force for new tonnage since 1984, and was made mandatory for all vessels from 18th July 1994. This means a transition from the terms gross register tons (grt)and net register tons (nrt) to gross tons (GT) and net tons (NT). The gross tonnage forms the basis for manning regulations, safety rules and registration fees. Both gross and net tonnage are used to calculate port dues. GT is the vessel's enclosed spaces, while NT is the volume of a vessel's cargo holds.

1) The connection between an electrical circuit and the earth or other large conducting body to serve as an earth thus making a complete electrical circuit.  2) A conducting connection between an electrical circuit and the earth or other large conducting body to serve as an earth, making a complete electrical circuit.  3) A common voltage reference point, such as chassis or earth.

A conductor in a transmission cable or line that is grounded. An electrical conductor for the connection to the earth, making a complete electrical circuit.

A failure of transmission involving insulation-to-shield or insulation-to-ground wire.

The insulation used between a winding and the magnetic core or other structural parts, usually at ground potential.

A completed circuit between shielded pairs of a multiple pair created by random contact between shields. An undesirable circuit condition in which interference is created by ground currents when grounds are connected at more than one point.

Expanded copper mesh which is laminated onto some flat cable constructions as a shield.

Zero potential with respect to the ground or earth.

A cable assembly fitted with appropriate terminations to supply power to an aircraft from ground power unit.

GFCI – Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter. An electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral conductor. Such an imbalance is sometimes caused by current leakage through the body of a person who is grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit.

A conductor which provides a current return path from an electrical device to ground.

A set of spring ingers provided in the connector to allow shell to shell grounding, before contacts mate and after they separate.

The difference in arrival time between wavelengths.

A galvanized wire rope or strand erected along a highway

Pronounced "gooey", it�s the abbreviation for Graphical User Interface.

A pin or rod extending beyond the mating faces of a connector designed to guide the closing or mating of the connector to ensure proper engagement of contacts. (MIL-STD)

Any of a class of colloidal substances, exuded by or prepared from plants, sticky when moist, composed of complex carbohydrates and organic acids, which are soluble or swell in water.

Strand or rope, usually galvanized, for holding a structure in position