Fiber Optics Technology

Outline
Fiber Optics What is it? Research Questions History What it does today Types of Cables The Future

Fiber Optics What Is It?

Fiber Optics are cables that are made of optical fibers that can transmit large amounts of information at the speed of light. (www.dictionary.com)

Introduction to Optical Fibers.

Fibers of glass Usually 120 micrometers in diameter Used to carry signals in the form of light over distances up to 50 km. No repeaters needed.

Introduction (Cont)
Core thin glass center of the fiber where light travels. Cladding outer optical material surrounding the core Buffer Coating plastic coating that protects the fiber.

History
1961- Industry researchers Elias Snitzer and Will Hicks demonstrate a laser beam directed through a thin glass fiber. The fiber s core is small enough that the light follows a single path, but most scientists still consider fibers unsuitable for communications because of the high loss of light across long distances. (www.greatachievements.com.) 1970- Researchers find a way to super purify glass fibers. 1980- At&t installs first set of fiber optic cables in major cities.

History
1988- First transatlantic cable 1996- First transpacific cable 1997- First Fiber Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG)

Evolution of Fiber
1880 Alexander Graham Bell 1930 Patents on tubing 1950 Patent for two-layer glass wave-guide 1960 Laser first used as light source 1965 High loss of light discovered 1970s Refining of manufacturing process 1980s OF technology becomes backbone of long distance telephone networks in NA.

How Does Optical Fibre Transmit Light??

Total Internal Reflection. Fibre Optics Relay Systems has -Transmitter -Optical Fibre -Optical Regenerator -Optical Receiver

Total Internal Reflection in Fiber

How are Optical Fibres made??

Three Steps are Involved -Making a Preform Glass Cylinder -Drawing the Fibre s from the preform -Testing the Fibre

Type of Fibers
Optical fibers come in two types: Single-mode fibers used to transmit one signal per fiber (used in telephone and cable TV). They have small cores(9 microns in diameter) and transmit infra-red light from laser. Multi-mode fibers used to transmit many signals per fiber (used in computer networks). They have larger cores(62.5 microns in diameter) and transmit infra-red light from LED.

Areas of Application
Telecommunications Local Area Networks Cable TV CCTV Optical Fiber Sensors

Advantages of Optical Fibre

Thinner Less Expensive Higher Carrying Capacity Less Signal Degradation& Digital Signals Light Signals Non-Flammable Light Weight

Protecting Fibers
Tougher than copper wires Designed in three concentric layers Core Cladding Buffer
Two basic buffer types
Tight buffer Loose tubes

Fiber Distributed Data Interface

Stations are connected in a dual ring Transmission rate is 100 mbps Total ring length up to 100s of kms.

Conclusion
This concludes our study of Fiber Optics. We have looked at how they work and how they are made. We have examined the properties of fibers, and how fibers are joined together. Although this presentation does not cover all the aspects of optical fiber work it will have equipped you knowledge and skills essential to the fiber optic industry.