Furukawa Electric and Lightera Develop Industry-Leading Technology for Fusion Splicing Multi-core and Hollow Core Fibers

COLOGNE, Germany, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ANGACOM, Hall 8 F39 -- Furukawa Electric and Lightera continue to innovate and expand their fusion splicing offerings to support growth in new optical fiber technologies. The FITEL S185-ROF range of splicers offers rapid and precise rotational alignment for both multi-core and hollow core ecosystems, in a compact package that is ideal for field deployment.

At the core of the S185-ROF range is the proven three-electrode Ring of Fire® arc discharge system, that uniformly heats the fiber surface to enable strong and low-loss splices. New STA2D (Sequential Triangular Asymmetric Arc Discharging) capabilities build upon this technology, firing pairs of electrodes in a rotational sequence around the fiber. This provides exceptional heat control for splicing modern anti-resonant hollow core fibers; the cladding is gradually fused to create a strong splice without disturbing the delicate internal microstructure of the hollow-core fiber.

At ANGA 2025, Lightera and Furukawa will showcase the FITEL S185EVROF, an industry-first fusion splicer that seamlessly integrates end-view technology into the same compact splicer package. The End View System (EDV) adds Composite Image Technology where end-view images of both fibers are overlaid to ensure precise alignment and validate correct polarity of multi-core splices. The system also enables operators to analyze intricate fiber structures before splicing, which is beneficial for both MCF and HCF where minor cleave irregularities can affect performance.

Key Features of the FITEL S185EVROF:

• Compact, portable design, optimized for MCF and HCF splicing.
• Three-electrode Ring of Fire (3SAE Technologies Inc.) arc discharge, ensuring uniform heating.
• Additional STA2D technology, fine-tuned for hollow-core and small-cladding fibers.
• Dual Mirror System, providing simultaneous views of both fiber ends.
• Composite Image Technology, merging end-view fiber images for unmatched alignment accuracy and polarity validation in MCF.
• Highly accurate rotational alignment (0.1-degree precision).
• Side view mode for traditional fiber splicing.

David Knight, Product Line Manager for Hollow Core Solutions said: "The Fitel S185-ROF splicer range plays a key role in our comprehensive hollow core and multi-core ecosystems. By continually integrating improvements born from our own deployment experience, we can offer the premier splicing solution for these new technologies."

Join Lightera at ANGACOM, Hall 8 F39, Cologne, Germany, 3 - 5 June 2025 for a live demonstration of the FITEL S185EVROF and discover its revolutionary capabilities firsthand.

Furukawa Electric Group's Efforts Towards the SDGs
Based on the "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" adopted by the United Nations, Furukawa Electric Group has formulated the "Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030" which sets the year 2030 as its target and is advancing efforts to build a sustainable world and make people's life safe, peaceful and rewarding, by creating solutions for the new generation of global infrastructure combining information, energy and mobility." Toward the achievement of our Vision 2030, we will take open, agile, and innovative approaches to promote ESG management that aims to increase corporate value over the medium to long term and will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

The Furukawa Electric Group's approach to the SDGs:
https://furukawaelectric.disclosure.site/en/themes/182

About Lightera
Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

SOURCE Lightera