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U Tennessee Upgrades Outdoor Wi-Fi without Adding Power Lines

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has added more outdoor wireless access points and security cameras without adding new power lines by using a powered fiber cable system.

The university had been looking for a way to expand the range of its wireless network and security cameras. After completing a joint trial of CommScope's Powered Fiber Cable System with the company, the university's Office of Information Technology felt confident that the system could "deliver data and power over Ethernet across long distances," said Ben Rayfield, IT specialist at the university, in a prepared statement.

According to information from the company, the Powered Fiber Cable System can "deliver power over Ethernet (PoE) at distances of 30 times traditional PoE systems." The system has two main components: a hybrid copper and fiber cable and a PoE extender, a sealed enclosure with one PoE+ output port. Additional components include cable and fiber management, power transmission management, safety and overload protection and a universal power supply.

The powered nature of the fiber cable system enabled the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to deploy the new wireless access points and security cameras "without electricians, using a centralized architecture that is concealable in lampposts and existing street works," reducing the time and cost of the implementation, according to a news release.

For campuses considering an upgrade or expansion with CommScope's Powered FIber Cable System, the company offers an online PoE Distance and Voltage Calculator tool on its site.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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