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Cornerstone

System Technology Group

New technologies and applications that are driving the need for Category 6A cabling

1. Next-gen wireless Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax)
2. In-building call systems
3. Audio Video / IT Convergence
4. 100W Power over Ethernet (PoE++)
5. Increased data size

Let Cornerstone handle your structured cabling upgrade.

Call today for more information

Cornerstone
System Technology Group
9052 East 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46229
(317) 862-0622
www.cornerstonestg.com

Just a few years ago, most organizations had a single network that carried voice and data. Today, that network is being tasked to support those systems, and many more.

Next-gen wireless access points, call systems, video surveillance, access control systems, digital signage, IIoT devices, and even LED area lighting systems are being connected to enterprise networks.

In addition to the increase in the number of connected devices:

• Some of these systems require a longer reach at higher bit rates than Category 6 cabling provides.
• Devices are coming to market that call for higher Power over Ethernet levels of up to 100W (PoE++).
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings new insights to critical assets and processes. These condition monitoring solutions require extreme reliability.

Behind all this equipment there is another important component that underlies it all; the cabling infrastructure. It needs to be able to handle the performance demands these systems being connected require.

Solutions are demanding higher performance, requiring more bandwidth, and driving higher data rates. That is why Category 6A cabling is now being recommended where Category 6 was previously recommended. Primarily due to higher bandwidth and distance capabilities, but also to support 100W PoE that can be used with data rates of up to 10GBase-T.

Next-gen wireless

Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) technology continues to build on the performance of previous Wi-Fi deployments and delivers greater speed and capacity than the prior generation. Wi-Fi 6 devices will bring better user experiences in densely populated environments such as stadiums and shopping malls.

The future - Wi-Fi 6E

On April 23, 2020 the FCC voted to make 1200 megahertz of spectrum available for unlicensed Wi-Fi operation in the 6 GHz frequency. As proposed by the FCC, this would "effectively increase the amount of spectrum available by a factor of five." Consumer products using the 6 GHz band could hit the market by the second half of this year. Imagine getting 2 Gbps on your phone or laptop with a Wi-Fi connection.

In-building call systems

Customers crave, and building owners need, reliable in-building cellular that reaches every corner of the premises. CommScope, Dali Wireless, and other providers offer Distributed Antenna System (DAS) infrastructures. Running on Category 6A cabling or fiber, they can be used over IT cabling infrastructure carrying IP traffic from Wi-Fi, surveillance cameras, and other IP-based equipment.

Audio Video / IT Convergence

Software Defined Video over Ethernet (SDVoE), Audio Video Bridging and other technologies like HDBaseT, have large bandwidth requirements.

With 4K UHD content consuming 10Gbps bandwidth, reliable deployment requires Category 6A cabling. While Category 6 cabling is suitable for HD signaling at 1080p, there is a value to future-proofing.

100W Power over Ethernet (PoE++)

100W PoE delivers up to 100W to a load over all four pairs simultaneously. Without the correct Ethernet cabling, increased temperature within the cable bundles can cause failures. Only Category 6A cables stayed within the recommended maximum temperature rise during testing. Category 6A cabling is recommended for running PoE++.

Increased data size

HD streaming video, Medical imaging, high-end graphics and surveillance video are all good examples of the need to support increasing data size. In each one of these situations, the best solution to support these emerging technologies and applications is Category 6A cabling.

Both Belden and CommScope offer newer lightweight cabling options that allow you to easily upgrade to Category 6A. Learn more about recent changes with Category 6A cabling, and how to choose the right cable for you.