Fiber Optic Fundamentals

Prepared for
The Handbook of Fiber Optic Data Communication
Third Edition
Dr. Casimer DeCusatis
IBM Corporation

Key Concepts
Brief History of Optical Fiber Technology
Multimode and Single-mode Fiber
Basic Fiber Optic Link Concepts and
Applications to the Computer Industry

Optical fiber vs Copper

Challenges: Connectivity and

Interoperability
Newer technologies involving higher datarates, smaller form
factors, higher port densities, pluggability, and parallel links are
showing an increased need to focus on connectivity and
interoperability issues
Transceiver

Fiber Optic Cable

Transceiver

Electrical
Connector

Optical
Port

Optical
Connector

Optical
Connector

Optical
Port

Electrical
Connector

A failure anywhere along this link will cause the entire link to fail

Conclusions
Historically, the fundamental concepts of fiber optics date
back to 1927
Multimode fibers use a core diameter of either 50 or 62.5
microns
Short wavelength lasers
Shorter distances (few hundred meters)

Single-mode fibers use a core diameter of 9-10 microns

Long wavelength lasers
Longer distances (several kilometers)

A basic link is composed of optical transceivers, cables,

and connectors
Fiber optics is widely used for both voice and data
communication, and is gradually becoming a more
fundamental part of future computer architectures