Fiber Optic Cable Materials: What to Choose?

The composition of fiber optic cables, crucial for modern data transmission, hinges on several key material choices. Specifically, the refractive index of the glass core, a primary component, directly influences signal propagation efficiency. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) sets standards regulating material purity and performance benchmarks within these cables. Protective jacketing, often constructed from polyethylene, shields the delicate optical fibers from environmental stressors. Understanding what materials are fiber optic cables made of is paramount for selecting appropriate cables for diverse applications, impacting bandwidth capacity and longevity, especially when deploying advanced communication infrastructure.

Fiber optic technology represents a cornerstone of modern communication and data transmission. Its impact extends far beyond simple connectivity, permeating fields from telecommunications and data networking to advanced medical diagnostics and industrial automation.

At its core, fiber optics relies on the principle of transmitting light pulses through thin strands of glass or plastic, enabling the rapid and efficient transfer of information across vast distances. This introduction will explore the fundamental aspects of this technology, highlight its diverse applications, and underscore the critical importance of material selection in achieving optimal performance.

Defining Fiber Optic Technology and Its Applications

Fiber optics is a technology that utilizes light to transmit data through thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic fibers. Unlike traditional copper cables that transmit electrical signals, fiber optic cables transmit light signals, enabling significantly higher bandwidth and faster data transfer rates.

This transformative technology has revolutionized various sectors:

• Telecommunications: Backbone of internet infrastructure, long-distance telephone networks.
• Data Networking: High-speed data transfer in local area networks (LANs) and data centers.
• Medical Diagnostics: Endoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for high-resolution imaging.
• Industrial Automation: Sensors, control systems, and data communication in harsh environments.
• Defense and Aerospace: Secure communication systems, precision guidance, and sensing applications.

The versatility of fiber optics stems from its ability to deliver high bandwidth, low signal loss, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.

The Paramount Importance of Material Selection

The performance of a fiber optic cable is intrinsically linked to the materials used in its construction. Material selection directly influences key performance characteristics, such as signal attenuation (loss), bandwidth capacity, and overall durability.

The choice of materials is not arbitrary but rather a carefully considered engineering decision, balancing cost, performance, and application-specific requirements.

Signal Loss (Attenuation):

The extent to which the optical signal weakens as it travels through the fiber. Materials with high transparency and low absorption are crucial for minimizing signal loss, particularly over long distances.

Bandwidth:

The range of frequencies or data rates that the fiber can transmit. Materials with specific refractive index properties and minimal dispersion are necessary for maximizing bandwidth capacity.

Durability:

The ability of the fiber to withstand environmental factors, mechanical stress, and temperature variations. Robust materials are essential for ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

Selecting the appropriate materials is vital for optimizing these performance characteristics and tailoring the fiber optic cable to its intended application.

Key Components of a Fiber Optic Cable: A Layered Approach

A fiber optic cable is a complex assembly of several key components, each serving a specific function:

• Core: The central region of the fiber where light is transmitted. The core material is typically made of ultra-pure glass or plastic.
• Cladding: A layer of material surrounding the core, with a lower refractive index, which causes light to be reflected back into the core (total internal reflection).
• Coating (Buffer): A protective layer applied to the cladding to shield the fiber from moisture, abrasion, and other environmental factors.
• Jacketing: The outermost layer of the cable, providing overall mechanical protection and environmental resistance.
• Strengthening Members: Materials like Kevlar or aramid yarn that provide tensile strength and prevent the cable from stretching or breaking during installation and use.

Each component plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity and performance of the fiber optic cable. The subsequent sections will delve into the specific materials used in each of these components, providing a detailed analysis of their properties, applications, and impact on overall performance.

Core Materials: The Heart of Light Transmission

Fiber optic technology represents a cornerstone of modern communication and data transmission. Its impact extends far beyond simple connectivity, permeating fields from telecommunications and data networking to advanced medical diagnostics and industrial automation.

At its core, fiber optics relies on the principle of transmitting light pulses through thin strands of glass or plastic.

The core material forms the very conduit for this light, making its selection paramount to the overall performance of the fiber. This section will explore the range of materials employed in crafting fiber optic cores, examining their unique properties and their contribution to signal fidelity and transmission range.

Silica (SiO2): The Workhorse of Fiber Optics

Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), stands as the dominant material in the realm of fiber optic cores. Its widespread use stems from a convergence of desirable characteristics.

These include exceptional purity, remarkable transparency across a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, and inherently low optical loss.

The combination of these properties enables silica fibers to transmit signals over considerable distances with minimal degradation, making them ideal for long-haul telecommunications.

Manufacturing High-Quality Silica Cores

The fabrication of high-quality silica cores demands stringent manufacturing processes.

Techniques like Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD), Vapor Axial Deposition (VAD), and Outside Vapor Deposition (OVD) are commonly employed.

These methods involve precisely depositing layers of ultra-pure silica onto a substrate, carefully controlling the composition and refractive index profile of the core.

The resulting preform is then drawn into thin fibers, maintaining the desired optical characteristics.

These methods ensure the final fiber is free from impurities and structural defects that could scatter or absorb light, hindering performance.

Germanium Dioxide (GeO2): Fine-Tuning Refractive Index

While silica provides the fundamental building block for fiber optic cores, other materials are often introduced as dopants to modify its optical properties.

Germanium dioxide (GeO2) serves as a key dopant, primarily employed to increase the refractive index of the silica core.

By incorporating GeO2 into the silica matrix, manufacturers can precisely tailor the refractive index profile of the fiber.

This control is crucial for optimizing light confinement within the core and minimizing signal loss.

Impact of GeO2 Concentration on Fiber Properties

The concentration of GeO2 directly influences the refractive index of the core.

Higher concentrations generally lead to a greater refractive index, which in turn affects the fiber's numerical aperture (NA).

The NA dictates the light-gathering ability of the fiber. Careful control over GeO2 concentration allows engineers to design fibers with specific NA values to meet the requirements of diverse applications.

Furthermore, excessive GeO2 concentration can increase scattering losses, necessitating a delicate balance to achieve optimal performance.

Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5): Specialized Fiber Applications

Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) represents another important dopant in silica-based fiber optics, offering distinct advantages in certain specialized applications.

Like GeO2, P2O5 can be used to modify the refractive index of silica. However, it also influences other fiber characteristics.

Applications of P2O5 in Specialized Fiber Designs

P2O5 is particularly useful in creating fibers with enhanced radiation resistance.

This makes them suitable for deployment in harsh environments, such as nuclear facilities or space applications, where exposure to radiation can degrade the performance of standard silica fibers.

Additionally, P2O5 can improve the fiber's resistance to bending losses, a critical factor in compact cabling and demanding routing scenarios.

Plastic Optical Fiber (POF): A Flexible Alternative

While silica fibers dominate long-distance and high-bandwidth applications, Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) presents a viable alternative for shorter-distance communication links.

POF offers several advantages, including greater flexibility, ease of termination, and lower installation costs.

Primary Materials Used in POF

The most common materials used in POF are Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and perfluorinated polymers.

PMMA offers good transparency in the visible light spectrum and is relatively inexpensive.

Perfluorinated polymers, such as CYTOP, exhibit even lower attenuation, making them suitable for higher-bandwidth applications, albeit at a higher cost.

Advantages and Disadvantages of POF Compared to Silica Fibers

POF boasts advantages such as:

• Greater flexibility and ease of handling.
• Larger core diameters, simplifying alignment and connection.
• Lower installation costs, due to simpler termination procedures.

However, POF also has limitations:

• Higher attenuation than silica fibers, limiting transmission distance.
• Lower bandwidth capacity, restricting its use in high-speed applications.
• Lower operating temperature, limiting use in high-temperature environments.

Therefore, POF finds its niche in applications such as in-home networking, automotive communication, and industrial control systems.

Glass Compositions: Beyond Pure Silica

Beyond pure silica and doped silica, other glass compositions are employed in fiber optics to achieve specific performance characteristics.

These alternative glass compositions offer unique advantages in terms of refractive index, optical loss, and wavelength transmission range.

Variations in Glass Composition and their Applications

Examples of alternative glass compositions include:

• Chalcogenide glasses: These glasses transmit light in the mid-infrared region, making them suitable for infrared sensing and thermal imaging applications.
• Fluoride glasses: These glasses exhibit ultra-low optical losses in the near-infrared region, enabling long-distance transmission at wavelengths beyond the capabilities of silica fibers.

Performance Comparison

Compared to silica fibers, these specialized glass compositions often exhibit:

• Different transmission windows, enabling operation at specific wavelengths.
• Higher material costs, limiting their use to niche applications.
• Potentially lower mechanical strength, requiring careful handling and cable design.

The selection of the appropriate glass composition hinges on the specific requirements of the application, balancing performance with cost and practicality.

Cladding Materials: Confining the Light

Following the core, which serves as the conduit for light transmission, the cladding layer plays an equally critical role in fiber optic cable performance. The cladding material, surrounding the core, is engineered to ensure that light remains confined within the core through a phenomenon known as total internal reflection. This section delves into the materials science behind cladding, examining the properties and applications of key materials such as silica, fluoropolymers, and acrylic polymers. Understanding the specific characteristics of these materials is crucial for optimizing fiber optic cable design and performance.

Silica (SiO2): A Versatile Cladding Material

Silica, in addition to its widespread use in fiber optic cores, serves as a common and versatile cladding material. The key to its functionality in cladding lies in the ability to manipulate its refractive index.

This is often achieved through doping silica with different materials, creating a slight difference in refractive index between the core and cladding.

This refractive index differential is the driving force behind total internal reflection, ensuring that light rays propagating through the core are reflected back into it upon reaching the core-cladding interface. The precise control over the refractive index is critical for optimizing light confinement and minimizing signal loss.

The Importance of Refractive Index Differential

The efficiency of light confinement within the fiber core is directly related to the magnitude of the refractive index difference between the core and cladding.

A larger refractive index difference results in stronger confinement, allowing for a higher numerical aperture and greater acceptance of light rays entering the fiber. However, excessively high differences can lead to increased scattering losses. Therefore, a delicate balance is necessary in selecting appropriate dopants and concentrations to achieve optimal performance.

Fluoropolymers: Achieving Lower Refractive Index

Fluoropolymers represent an important class of materials for cladding applications, particularly when a lower refractive index is required compared to what can be easily achieved with doped silica.

These polymers, characterized by the presence of fluorine atoms in their molecular structure, exhibit inherently low refractive indices.

This property makes them well-suited for creating large numerical apertures in optical fibers, enhancing light-gathering capabilities. Furthermore, the use of fluoropolymers can improve the efficiency of light confinement within the core, reducing signal leakage and improving overall fiber performance.

Benefits for Numerical Aperture and Light Confinement

The lower refractive index of fluoropolymers offers distinct advantages in fiber optic design. A lower index contrast between the core and cladding can lead to increased light acceptance, allowing for easier coupling of light into the fiber.

This is particularly important in applications where light sources have a wide divergence angle. Moreover, the improved light confinement reduces signal loss due to scattering and bending, leading to enhanced transmission distances and data rates.

Acrylic Polymers: Cladding for Specific Fiber Types

Acrylic polymers find application as cladding materials in specific fiber types, most notably in conjunction with plastic optical fibers (POF).

These polymers offer excellent compatibility with the plastic materials used in POF cores, providing a seamless interface that minimizes optical losses.

The refractive index of acrylic polymers can be tailored to match the requirements of the specific POF core material, ensuring efficient light guidance.

Compatibility with Plastic Cores in POF Applications

The chemical and physical compatibility of acrylic polymers with plastic cores is a key advantage in POF applications. This compatibility minimizes interfacial reflections and scattering, which are common sources of signal loss in optical fibers.

The ability to tailor the refractive index of the acrylic cladding to closely match that of the plastic core further enhances light confinement and improves the overall performance of POF cables. This makes acrylic polymers a crucial component in the development and application of POF technology.

Coating/Buffer Materials: Protecting the Fiber's Integrity

Following the core and cladding, the coating, often called the buffer layer, is the next critical element in a fiber optic cable. This section details the materials used for this primary coating, focusing on their role in shielding the delicate optical fiber from environmental factors and potential mechanical damage.

The coating directly encapsulates the cladding, forming the first line of defense against external forces that could compromise the fiber's performance and longevity.

Acrylate: The First Line of Defense

Acrylate-based materials are widely employed as primary coatings for fiber optic cables. Their prevalence stems from their excellent balance of mechanical properties, adhesion, and environmental resistance.

They are specifically designed to protect the pristine surface of the glass fiber from handling stresses, micro-bending, and other external pressures that could lead to signal degradation.

Mechanisms of Protection

Acrylate coatings protect the fiber through several mechanisms. Firstly, they act as a moisture barrier, preventing water molecules from reaching the glass surface, which can lead to stress corrosion and weakening of the fiber.

Secondly, they provide abrasion resistance, guarding against scratches and surface damage during handling, cabling, and installation.

Finally, acrylate coatings offer mechanical cushioning, absorbing minor impacts and vibrations that could otherwise induce micro-bending losses within the fiber.

The controlled application of these coatings is a critical step in the fiber manufacturing process, and meticulous quality control ensures uniform thickness and consistent properties.

UV-Curable Acrylates: Rapid and Reliable Application

Among the various types of acrylate coatings, UV-curable acrylates have emerged as the dominant choice for fiber optic applications.

This is largely due to their rapid curing speed, excellent mechanical characteristics, and ease of processing.

The UV Curing Process

UV-curable acrylates are applied in liquid form and then exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.

This exposure triggers a rapid polymerization reaction, causing the liquid coating to solidify into a durable, protective layer.

The entire curing process can be completed in a matter of seconds, enabling high-speed manufacturing and efficient production of fiber optic cables.

Advantages of UV Curing

The use of UV-curable acrylates offers several significant advantages in fiber optic cable manufacturing.

The fast curing time significantly increases production throughput. The process is easily automated, ensuring consistent coating quality and minimizing variations.

UV-curable acrylates typically exhibit low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly option compared to some alternative coating materials.

Furthermore, these coatings can be precisely formulated to achieve specific mechanical and optical properties, allowing manufacturers to tailor the coating characteristics to the intended application of the fiber optic cable.

[Coating/Buffer Materials: Protecting the Fiber's Integrity Following the core and cladding, the coating, often called the buffer layer, is the next critical element in a fiber optic cable. This section details the materials used for this primary coating, focusing on their role in shielding the delicate optical fiber from environmental factors and p...]

Jacketing Materials: Cable Durability and Environmental Protection

The outermost layer of a fiber optic cable, the jacketing, is paramount in providing robust protection against a wide array of environmental and mechanical stresses. The choice of jacketing material significantly influences the cable's durability, longevity, and suitability for specific applications. Jacketing materials must be selected based on the operating environment, regulatory requirements, and desired lifespan of the fiber optic cable infrastructure.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): A Cost-Effective Solution

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) remains a frequently employed jacketing material due to its cost-effectiveness and versatility. PVC offers satisfactory protection against abrasion, moisture, and general wear and tear, making it suitable for many indoor and general-purpose applications.

However, PVC presents certain limitations, notably its inflexibility in colder temperatures and its environmental impact due to the release of toxic fumes when burned.

Properties and Applications of PVC Jacketing

PVC jacketing exhibits adequate resistance to chemicals and solvents, making it suitable for environments where exposure to such substances is limited. Its electrical insulation properties are also beneficial in minimizing interference and ensuring signal integrity.

Typical applications for PVC-jacketed fiber optic cables include:

• Indoor installations within office buildings
• General-purpose cabling in controlled environments
• Short-distance connections where flexibility is not a primary concern

Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH): Safety in Enclosed Spaces

In environments where fire safety is a paramount concern, Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) jacketing provides a significantly enhanced level of protection. LSZH materials are specifically formulated to emit minimal smoke and no toxic halogenated gases when exposed to flame. This characteristic is crucial in enclosed spaces where smoke inhalation and corrosive gas exposure can pose severe health risks.

Benefits of LSZH in Fire Safety

The primary advantage of LSZH jacketing lies in its ability to significantly reduce the hazards associated with cable fires. Unlike PVC, which releases dense, black smoke and corrosive hydrochloric acid gas, LSZH materials produce little to no smoke and emit non-toxic fumes, improving visibility and reducing the risk of respiratory damage.

Applications of LSZH Jacketing

Due to its superior fire safety characteristics, LSZH jacketing is mandated in various environments, including:

• Data centers and server rooms
• Tunnels and underground transportation systems
• Public buildings, such as hospitals, schools, and airports
• Marine and offshore installations

The selection of LSZH jacketing reflects a commitment to prioritizing human safety and minimizing property damage in the event of a fire. The additional cost associated with LSZH materials is often justified by the enhanced safety and compliance with stringent fire safety regulations.

Strengthening Members: Ensuring Cable Tensile Strength

Following the protective coatings, the inclusion of strengthening members within a fiber optic cable is paramount to ensuring its long-term reliability and structural integrity. These components bear the brunt of mechanical stresses during installation and operation. This section focuses on the materials used as these critical reinforcing elements, particularly highlighting their ability to provide tensile strength and prevent damage.

The Role of Strengthening Members

Fiber optic cables, while efficient in transmitting data, are inherently delicate. The glass fibers within are susceptible to breakage if subjected to excessive tension, bending, or crushing forces. Strengthening members are strategically integrated into the cable design to mitigate these risks. They function as the primary load-bearing components, absorbing stress and strain during installation and use. This protects the fragile optical fibers from damage.

Kevlar (Aramid Yarn): The Gold Standard in Reinforcement

Aramid yarn, commonly known by the brand name Kevlar, has become the most prevalent material choice for strengthening members in fiber optic cables. Its exceptional tensile strength-to-weight ratio, coupled with its flexibility and resistance to degradation, make it ideally suited for this application.

Understanding Kevlar's Properties

Kevlar is a synthetic para-aramid fiber characterized by its tightly packed molecular chains. These chains are highly oriented along the fiber axis, resulting in exceptional tensile strength. This high strength allows Kevlar to withstand significant pulling forces without stretching or breaking. Kevlar also exhibits good resistance to heat, chemicals, and abrasion, further enhancing its suitability for harsh environments.

Placement and Function within the Cable

Kevlar yarns are typically arranged around the core of the fiber optic cable, either in a distributed layer or as concentrated strands. This strategic placement ensures that tensile forces are distributed evenly across the strengthening members, preventing localized stress concentrations on the optical fibers.

During installation, when the cable is pulled through conduits or suspended aerially, the Kevlar fibers bear the majority of the tensile load. Similarly, in deployed cables, these fibers protect against stresses induced by bending, vibrations, and environmental factors. The amount of Kevlar used in a cable design is carefully calculated based on the anticipated tensile loads and the desired safety margin.

Benefits of Aramid Yarn

Kevlar offers several advantages as a strengthening member:

• High Tensile Strength: Provides substantial resistance to pulling forces.
• Lightweight: Minimizes the overall weight of the cable.
• Flexible: Allows for easy bending and routing of the cable.
• Chemical Resistance: Protects against degradation in harsh environments.
• Non-Conductive: Eliminates the risk of electrical interference.

Dopants: The Alchemists of Optical Fiber

Following the structural components of a fiber optic cable, we turn our attention to the dopants—substances intentionally added in small quantities to modify the optical characteristics of the core and cladding materials. These additives are the alchemists of optical fiber, enabling precise control over refractive index, light propagation, and ultimately, the overall performance of the cable.

Germanium Dioxide (GeO2): Precision Refraction in the Core

Germanium dioxide (GeO2) stands as a cornerstone dopant, primarily employed to increase the refractive index of the silica core. This increase is critical for creating the necessary refractive index differential between the core and cladding, a fundamental requirement for total internal reflection.

Concentration and Performance

The concentration of GeO2 directly correlates with the increase in refractive index.

However, this relationship is not without nuance. Higher concentrations of GeO2 can lead to increased Rayleigh scattering, a phenomenon that contributes to signal loss, particularly at shorter wavelengths.

Therefore, precise control over GeO2 concentration is paramount to optimizing fiber performance, balancing refractive index enhancement with minimizing signal degradation.

Impact on Numerical Aperture

The addition of GeO2 to the core directly influences the numerical aperture (NA) of the optical fiber.

A higher GeO2 concentration leads to a larger NA, which, in turn, allows the fiber to accept light from a wider range of angles. This is advantageous in certain applications where efficient light coupling is essential.

However, an excessively high NA can also result in increased modal dispersion, further underscoring the need for careful optimization.

Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5): Beyond Refractive Index Modulation

While also capable of influencing refractive index, phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) offers a broader spectrum of functionality in tailoring fiber characteristics. Its inclusion introduces complexities in glass network formation, leading to alterations in the fiber's mechanical and optical properties.

Bend Resistance Enhancement

One of the significant benefits of P2O5 doping is its ability to improve the bend resistance of optical fibers. By modifying the glass network structure, P2O5 increases the fiber's flexibility and reduces its susceptibility to bending-induced losses.

This is particularly valuable in applications where fibers are subjected to tight bends or complex routing.

Impact on Viscosity and Processing

P2O5 also influences the viscosity of the glass melt during fiber manufacturing.

Higher P2O5 concentrations can lower the glass transition temperature, facilitating easier fiber drawing. This can lead to improved manufacturing efficiency and potentially reduce production costs.

Fluorine (F): Lowering Refraction in the Cladding

In contrast to GeO2, Fluorine (F) is primarily used to decrease the refractive index of the cladding material. This reduction is critical for maximizing the refractive index differential between the core and cladding, contributing to more effective light confinement.

Enhancing Optical Confinement

By lowering the cladding's refractive index, Fluorine ensures a greater proportion of light remains trapped within the core, minimizing signal leakage and improving overall transmission efficiency.

This is particularly important in long-distance communication systems where minimizing signal attenuation is crucial.

Role in Single-Mode Fiber Design

Fluorine plays a vital role in the design of single-mode fibers, where precise control over the refractive index profile is essential for achieving optimal performance.

By carefully doping the cladding with Fluorine, manufacturers can fine-tune the fiber's dispersion characteristics and ensure reliable signal transmission over extended distances.

Key Optical Concepts: Refractive Index and Light Propagation

Dopants: The Alchemists of Optical Fiber Following the structural components of a fiber optic cable, we turn our attention to the dopants—substances intentionally added in small quantities to modify the optical characteristics of the core and cladding materials. These additives are the alchemists of optical fiber, enabling precise control over refractive index and other optical properties. Understanding these modifications necessitates a firm grasp of the underlying optical concepts that govern light behavior within the fiber.

Refractive Index: The Guiding Principle

The refractive index is a fundamental property of a material that dictates how light propagates through it. More specifically, it is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in the material. Mathematically, it is represented as:

n = c / v

where:

• n = refractive index
• c = speed of light in a vacuum
• v = speed of light in the material

A higher refractive index indicates that light travels slower in that medium.

This seemingly simple concept is the linchpin of fiber optic technology.

The Role of Refractive Index in Total Internal Reflection

The functionality of optical fibers hinges on a phenomenon known as total internal reflection (TIR). TIR occurs when light traveling in a medium with a higher refractive index (the core) strikes an interface with a medium of lower refractive index (the cladding) at an angle of incidence greater than the critical angle.

When this condition is met, instead of refracting (passing through) into the cladding, the light is entirely reflected back into the core.

This confinement of light within the core allows signals to be transmitted over long distances with minimal loss.

Refractive Index Contrast: Optimizing Light Confinement

The difference in refractive index between the core (n1) and cladding (n2), known as the refractive index contrast, is a crucial parameter in fiber optic design. A sufficient contrast is essential to ensure efficient TIR and minimize light leakage from the core.

The numerical aperture (NA) of an optical fiber is directly related to the refractive index contrast and quantifies the light-gathering ability of the fiber. A higher NA implies a greater acceptance angle for incoming light to be guided through the fiber.

The relationship is expressed as:

NA = √(n1² - n2²)

Optimizing refractive index contrast involves carefully selecting and doping the core and cladding materials to achieve the desired light-guiding characteristics.

So, when you're diving into the world of fiber optic cable materials, remember to weigh the pros and cons of glass (silica) versus plastic. Both have their place, depending on what you need the fiber optic cables made of to do. Ultimately, the best choice comes down to your specific application and budget. Happy connecting!