Definition
Unlike copper which makes use of electrical impulses, Fiber Optics is a medium for carrying information inform of light from one point to the other. A fiber-optic system will consist of a transmitting device that generates a light signal, an optical fiber cable that acts as the medium for carrying the light, and a receiver on the other end to accept and convert the light signal. The fiber is usually passive without any generative properties.
Optical Fiber was invented in the 1970s and since then, its use has grown tremendously and it is used in numerous ways. Telecommunications, industrial, and medicine are the main fields where optical fiber is most used. In telecommunication, fiber optics use ranges from Global networks to home computers through the transmission of data, video, and data over few meters to thousands of kilometers. Leading telecommunication companies like AT&T and US Sprint use optical fiber in the provision of telephone services while Companies like IBM, Honeywell, Banks, and Universities have their own private network for data transmission. Cable Television companies also use fiber in video transmission. Intelligent transportation system is the new entrant in the use of Fiber optics leading to Smart highways complete with intelligent lights and changeable message signs to inform motorists on various issues including emergencies and delays.
Types of Fiber Cables
There are two main types of fiber optic cables namely:
- Single Mode Cable
- Multi-mode cable
Single-mode cable is usually a single strand, and in some cases double, glass fiber with a diameter of between 8.3 and 10 microns. This cable has a higher transmission rate as it carries higher bandwidth than multimode fiber. It is more costly than multi-mode cable and has a smaller core than a multimode cable. The single light waves backed up by the small core eliminate distortion as they are no overlapping of light.
Multi-mode cable has a slightly bigger diameter than Single-mode cable and they are very effective over a shorter distance. Light waves are dispersed and made to travel into numerous paths within the fiber cable. Over a long distance, the multiple paths of lights overlap resulting in distortion on the receiving end.
Benefits of Fiber Optic
- The optical fiber systems have low attenuation and high signal integrity hence allowing for longer signal transmission intervals than copper-based systems.
- With increased demands for large bandwidth, the light and small diameter fiber cables rule over the copper cables.
- It is easier to install fiber optic cables and in most cases, a simple modification is all that is required when replacing the copper cable with fiber cables.
- The Dielectric nature of fiber optics makes it possible to install it in areas with Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) without any worry about interference.
- The Dielectric nature of fiber Optical fiber results in increased security as it is impossible to remotely detect the signal being transmitted like in the copper cable.
Conclusion
Fiber Optics has greatly reduced the cost of communication and data transmission as higher bandwidth of data can be carried over a long distance in a far much shorter time than copper-based transmission. The dielectric nature of optical fiber increase data security and make it possible to install cable without much worrying about interference Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
Reference
Basics of Fiber Optics Transmission, Web.
Basic principles of Fiber Optics, Web.
John Crisp, Barry Elliott (2005) Introduction to Fiber Optics, Elsevier Publishers, New York.
Stewart D. Personick (1985) Fiber Optics: Technology and Applications, Springer Publishers, United Kingdom.