Clearfield Announces the Modular and Scalable FieldSmart Fiber Crossover Distribution System (FxDS)

Reducing the cost of deployment by aligning protection to environmental requirements and offering the industry's highest configurability of any fiber management platform

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD) announced the addition of the FieldSmart Crossover Fiber Distribution System (FxDS), a custom-configured system of fiber management components that reduces the cost of fiber deployment while maximizing ease of use and system density. Centered around Clearfield's Clearview Cassette, which provides fully integrated fiber management within a 12-port footprint, the FieldSmart FxDS provides a modular and scalable solution, requiring only four SKUs to support hundreds of configurations. Users get the ultimate in fiber protection, where it is needed, without the added cost of unnecessary components. Scalable from 12 to 1728 ports across the network, the FxDS supports any application, anywhere.

The modular approach of the FxDS, which following the Clearview Cassette principles of fiber management, brings flexibility to network design. Fiber protection elements are added or removed depending on the network environment and the configuration desired.

Configuring the FieldSmart FxDS is Simple

Supporting on or off-frame splicing, the FieldSmart FxDS can be deployed anywhere from the inside plant through the outside plant of the network. The FxDS component can be configured for deployment as a stand-alone panel into an existing fiber frame, data cabinet or active outside plant cabinet. For the ultimate in inside plant density, at the lowest price point per port, the FxDS can be deployed as a dedicated frame. The building block elements of the FxDS include the Clearview Cassette, a frame kit, crossover bulkhead, front fiber protection block, and rear fiber protection block. Each element provides modularity of physical fiber protection into the environment that it is deployed.

Users have the option of purchasing this system fully-loaded or may utilize the grow-as-you-go approach, in which different building block elements are added as the number of homes served increases or take rates improve. Costs are contained because only the essential protection elements are added based upon the environment served.

"The FxDS reduces the cost of broadband deployments by removing unnecessary fiber protection elements without putting the physical fiber at risk," said Johnny Hill, chief operating officer of Clearfield. "Because the FxDs is a modular platform, and is deployed as a common architecture throughout multiple environments, cost savings are multiplied throughout the network."

Availability

The FxDS is currently shipping. Please contact your Clearfield representative for more information on ordering for your deployment needs.

About Clearview Cassette

As an "Any Application, Anywhere Multiplier," the Clearview Cassette ensures that all the basic principles of fiber management are satisfied without exposure to environmental hazards or human interaction. Integrated cassette components fully nest into the cassette's main housing to support any application or fiber type desired. Within the cassette, all fibers from the sub-assembly are slack-stored, bend radius protected, and secured against accidental physical damage from handling. Designed to handle the toughest operating environments, the Clearview Cassette provides flexibility and reliable performance in the access network, the central office and in the field.

The Clearview Cassette utilizes a clear outer housing allowing for quick and easy first step troubleshooting of unacceptable light conditions. Tool-less snap-together nesting covers and a removable 12-pack adapter plate allow for easy access to terminated sub-assemblies for maintenance and cleaning.

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. designs and manufactures the WaveSmart Platform of Powered Optical Signal products, including the WaveSmart PowerNode 1550 EDFA, and the FieldSmart Fiber Management Platform, which includes its latest generation FieldSmart Fiber Distribution System (FxDS), FieldSmart Fiber Scalability Center (FSC) and FieldSmart Fiber Delivery Point (FDP) series. The FxDS, FSC and FDP product lines support a wide range of panel configurations, densities, connectors and adapter options, and are offered alongside an assortment of passive optical components. Clearfield provides a complete line of fiber and copper assemblies for inside plant, outside plant and access networks. Clearfield is a public company, traded on NASDAQ: CLFD.

More information about Clearfield, Inc., its products and its people can be found at www.ClearfieldConnection.com.

    Source: Clearfield, Inc.

Released October 21, 2009