Clearfield FieldSmart Fiber Active Cabinets target multi-access edge compute applications

Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD) says the newly unveiled FieldSmart Fiber Active Cabinet (FAC) line of outdoor enclosures offer fiber optimization and capacity for what the company asserts can be “any active components.” The Telcordia GR-487 compliant outdoor enclosures will address both existing active cabinet requirements as well as such emerging needs as support of multi-access edge compute (MEC) roll outs.

The FieldSmart FAC line was engineered for flexibility, modularity and maximum active equipment cooling, Clearfield says. The line will be available next month and includes:

• FieldSmart FAC 400, with a 19-inch vertical frame that accommodates up to 4RU of active electronics and 192 internal fiber distribution ports.
• FieldSmart FAC 900, with a 19-inch vertical frame that accommodates up to 9RU of active electronics and up to 576 internal fiber distribution ports.
• FieldSmart FAC 3200, which combines two front and rear 16RU 23-inch frames that can accommodate up to 32RU of active electronics while providing up to 432 internal fiber distribution ports.
• FieldSmart FAC 5400, which offers two swing-frame front and rear 27RU 23-inch frames that can accommodate up to 54RU of active electronics and provides up to 960 internal fiber distribution ports.

Clearfield adds that the four FieldSmart FACs accommodate the variety of standard options expected in remote cabinets, such as the rectifier system, battery warmers, and field upgradeable fiber bulkheads. “Current and future broadband technologies require active equipment be placed deeper in the network. These same technologies require that fiber be placed right there alongside them to quickly transport and backhaul content with the lowest latency possible,” commented Johnny Hill, Clearfield’s chief operating officer. “Our customers are expanding their fiber networks, preparing to meet the insatiable bandwidth demands from new technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). So, having one partner that’s able to work with them on any deployment is a benefit.”

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