Finding a Category 6A System to Support Emerging Wireless Technology

Over the past decade, advances in wireless technology have enhanced connectivity, reliability and bandwidth. All types of devices across virtually all industries are being connected to networks for enhanced control and communication as well as process automation.

From cameras and wireless access points to nurse-call systems and lighting fixtures, the number of devices that rely on networks grows every day. In fact, wireless access points in enterprise environments that require Category 6A solutions are projected to grow by more than 30% through 2022.

As more devices are installed in areas above the ceiling or on the wall, modular plug terminated link (MPTL) topology allows a horizontal cable to be terminated to an RJ45 plug connecting directly to a device. This supports efficient power delivery with low channel insertion loss while eliminating the need for a jack and cord to connect devices.

Small cells, designed to enable data transmission to and from wireless devices, are also gaining traction as they improve wireless coverage and add targeted capacity both indoors or outdoors. 4G LTE AdvancedPro and 5G licensed protocols require increasing numbers of small cells to provide wireless coverage via Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Beneath any wireless system however, is a wired infrastructure that must support emerging wireless technology and the wireless access points, small cells and devices that connect to it. An enterprise wireless network is only as good as its cabling infrastructure (Layer 0). As installation of access points and small cells increase to improve wireless coverage, the amount of pathway cabling required to support increased network capacity must keep pace.

What type of cabling system foundation is required to support emerging wireless technology?

Consider the following—

• Will the system support emerging wireless technology & wireless access points (specifically 802.11ac Wave 2 & Wi-Fi 6 devices)? Next-generation wireless access points have Ethernet demands that exceed 1000BASE-T & require a Category 6A system.
  
  
• Will in-building small cells be deployed (mobile RAN)? If so, these applications require systems designed to support high-bandwidth wireless coverage & PoE.
  
  
• Will there be several MPTL endpoint connections? End-to-end system reliability & simplicity are key to connecting network devices.
  
  
• What if the Wi-Fi goes down due to a cable or connectivity issue or if a network-connected security system fails? Most wireless applications can accommodate little—if any—downtime requiring cable & connectivity to ensure 24/7 reliability.
  
  
• Is PoE involved in the application (e.g., will the system support power-hungry endpoint devices like security cameras, access control and building sensors)? If so, PoE requires Category 6A four-pair, balanced, twisted-pair cabling for best performance given its ability to minimize resistance & power waste.
  
  
• Are channel lengths beyond 100 m required (e.g., will devices be more than 100 m from a switch)? For application-specific needs that call for extended reach beyond the 100 m standard,  Category 6A cabling & connectivity that perform beyond standard are the best choice.

If you answered “yes” to these use cases, a Category 6A system to support emerging wireless technology and in-building wireless while protecting against failure, extending across long distances and efficiently supporting PoE is the best route. 

What type of cable performs well in this type of environment?

Small Diameter

Look for a cable with a small diameter. This size reduction makes the cable lighter, resulting in faster, easier installation (especially in tight spaces, plenum spaces and workstations requiring a smaller bend radius). A small-diameter cable also takes up less room in conduit and cable trays.

Outstanding Cable Balance

Cable “balance” ensures appropriate electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance and reduces interference, directly related to alien crosstalk.

To ensure well-balanced voltage and current for each conductor of the pair must be equal in magnitude and phase. The two insulated conductors must be physically identical in terms of diameter, concentricity and dielectric material, and must also be uniformly twisted, requiring precise design and manufacturing. A cable with proper balance protects networks from the damaging effects of external noise, which is essential to ensure data signals reach endpoint devices without slow speeds or downtime.

Simplified Connectivity

With more MPTL deployments connecting devices directly to enterprise networks, it pays to look for an end-to-end solution that simplifies connections and wireless infrastructure—even in above-ceiling applications. The more you can streamline the entire installation process from start to finish, the more time and money you’ll save.

Superior Crosstalk Performance

Look for a Category 6A system that offers superior crosstalk performance compared to other options. (Simple crosstalk is caused by the electromagnetic fields of one signal affecting a signal in an adjacent circuit.) Enhanced crosstalk performance means maximum uptime and ensures less data packet loss due to internal noise. You can identify systems with better crosstalk performance by looking at the system’s guaranteed performance for electrical parameters, such as NEXT and ACRF.

NEXT (near-end crosstalk) measures (in dB) the signal from one pair to another within a single link or channel. This measurement is taken at the end where the signal is sourced. The higher the NEXT, the less crosstalk received by the link or channel.

An acronym for attenuation crosstalk ratio far-end, ACRF is a calculation that subtracts insertion loss of the disturbing pair from the far-end crosstalk (FEXT) it induces in an adjacent pair. Look for a system and cable with a higher ACRF; the higher the calculation, the better the system performance.

Excellent Alien Crosstalk Performance

Alien crosstalk occurs when one cable is surrounded by many others (in a cable bundle, for example). As bandwidth increases, so does the importance of controlling this type of interference to ensure proper data transmission. Noise sensitivity increases at higher frequencies, such as 500 MHz (the highest frequency of Category 6A cabling). In other words, alien crosstalk performance is extremely important in Category 6A systems.

Alien crosstalk is measured between each pair within the “disturber” cable to each pair within the “disturbed” cable (the one being impacted). Choose a system that offers high power sum alien near-end crosstalk (PSANEXT) and power sum alien attenuation crosstalk ratio far-end (PSAACRF) performance to reduce crosstalk and channel noise.

Superior Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Your Category 6A system should offer an increased signal-to-noise ratio that can be identified by the previously mentioned parameters. Select a system that maintains signal power (excellent insertion loss performance) and minimizes noise (superior crosstalk performance), which combines to increase information capacity. During transmission, this ensures that the signal remains intact without being impacted by noise: The receiving end receives the same signal sent from the transmitting end.

Introducing the REVConnect 10GXW System

Combining the Category 6A performance you need with Belden quality and reliability, the REVConnect 10GXW System offers best-in-class noise immunity with 4 dB of PSANEXT and 10 dB of PSAACRF headroom. Superior product design and manufacturing capabilities guarantee performance, speed and uptime in wireless environments.

Combining the smallest and lightest horizontal Category 6A Cable available with REVConnect Connectivity—with a single termination process for all components—REVConnect 10GXW System installations are reliable, easy and versatile. Its small diameter also maximizes the number of cables you can install within a conduit. The system supports high-density, high-bandwidth applications and can exceed 100 m channel requirements in certain applications (maximum channel length of up to 140 m).

Common applications ideal for REVConnect 10GXW Category 6A Cabling and Connectivity include—

• In-building Wi-Fi
• Indoor small cell deployment
• Network-connected devices for smart building applications
• Multi-gigabit applications of the future (up to 10 Gb/s)