Clearfield, Inc. announced that it is reducing the cost of fiber delivery in a multitude of application scenarios with the introduction of three new configurations of the FieldShield SmarTerminal. These above-grade or below-grade solutions provide the quickest and least intrusive placement method to deploy fiber to the network access point (NAP). The FieldShield SmarTerminal is a compact, environmentally sealed enclosure providing maximum reliability and durability in the harshest of outdoor environments.

Round in circumference at only 4.5 inches in diameter and 6 inches in height, the SmarTerminal can be easily mounted above grade or below-grade within a pedestal, flower pot or vault using its Snap-on Toggle Head or universal L-Bracket or Z-Bracket. With up to one meter of internal slack storage and virtually unlimited external slack storage dependent on SmarTerminal placement, the FieldShield Multiport SmarTerminal is easily configured for a wide variety of fiber to the (x) scenarios, including active, centralized split, distributed split, business class services or cell backhaul. Providing up to 16 ports of feeder and drop cable connectivity, the SmarTerminal is optimized for use with FieldShield optical cable and microduct.

For customers who are experiencing fiber constraints or prefer a distributed splitter application, optical splitters with pre-terminated drop ports can now be deployed within the SmarTerminal to split the signal and maximize network performance with a single fiber deeper into the serving area. Minimizing fiber count requirements and maximizing the efficiency of the splitter, the physical architecture and placement of pathways remain largely the same when using the SmarTerminal to service active as well as distributed-split services.