FEATURE

Fiber Optics

Wavelengths & Connector Types

Optical Fibers
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6 different wavelength bands what dispersion is doing to a signal the advantages of Laser diodes finding the lowest attenuation

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FEATURE

Fiber Optics

Connecting the Light

Jacek Pawlowski
Optical fibers introduced enormous improvement in data transmission. Anybody who is even moderately interested in technology knows that the most important reason for that was the very low signal attenuation of fiber optic cables. The first cables manufactured in 1970 had an attenuation of 20 dB/ km. Today, we can achieve even 0.16 dB per kilometer. It is almost nothing when compared to the classical electrical cables. However, there is yet another factor influencing the maximum useful length of a fiber optic cable. This is chromatic dispersion. To explain it in simple terms various light rays in a fiber have a different propagation time what distorts the shape of the impulses carrying digital data. Dispersion puts a limit on the maximum useful bit rate that can be transmitted in a given cable. Dispersion is less painful in single mode fiber optic cable (i.e. those with a diameter less than 12 m) but even such cables are not quite free from this phenomenon due to material structure nonhomogeneity. Attenuation and dispersion depend on the light wavelength and optical fiber material. The first generation of optical fiber worked with wavelengths of around 850 nm, the second generation with 1300 nm and the third one with 1550 nm. Theoretically, the lowest attenuation is achievable for 1550 nm while the lowest dispersion (= the highest bit rate) for 1300 nm. The wavelength used in optical fiber based systems have been standardized. There are six transmission windows named: O, E, S, C, L and U-band. The corresponding wavelength ranges are listed in the table 1. For your comparison, the visible range for humans is: 380-780 nm. So, the light used in fiber optics, no matter what band, lies in the deep infrared and you cannot see it. The optical transmitter generates (usually) modulated light in one of the bands specified above. The transmitter designs are based either on LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or laser diodes. LEDs made from gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) generate light at about 1300 nm while older types made from GaAs worked at 810-870 nm. Thats why we still sometimes meet installations using these wavelengths. LEDs produce incoherent light the signal peak is about Band O band E band S band C band L band U band Wavelength Range 1260 to 1360 nm 1360 to 1460 nm 1460 to 1530 nm 1530 to 1565 nm 1565 to 1625 nm 1625 to 1675 nm

Table 1.

30-60 nm wide. Laser diodes that produce coherent light are not only much sharper in spectral view but also more efficient (50% vs. 1%) and ensuring higher bit rates. Modern laser diodes are not that much expensive anymore and they started superseding LEDs in many applications. To receive a signal at the other end of a fiber optic cable, one needs an optical receiver. Its main component is a photo detector converting light into electri-

cal current. It is usually a photodiode. Depending on the elements and compounds used to create a p-n junction, we achieve maximum sensitivity for a different wavelength. For example, to build a receiver for 1300 nm, one needs either germanium (Ge), indium phosphide (InP), or indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodiode. Detailed information on standardized optical connectors can be found in IEC 61754 norm.

A number of connectors for fiber optic cables have been developed and standardized over the years. Here are the most popular connectors: FC Connector

The FC (Fixed Connector) is a screw on type connector. A threaded barrel is used to fix the connection. This connector type is used with GlobalInvacoms optical LNBs and distribution products.

FC Connector

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SC Connector

ST Connector

LC Connector

MT-RJ Connector

SMA Connector

CLICK!

SC (Subscriber Connector) is a snap-in connector. It is frequently used for newer network installations.

SC Connector

LC (Lucent Connector) is a smaller version of SC connector (the ferrule is half the size).

LC Connector

SMA (SubMiniature version A) was the first standardized connector for optical fibers. It uses a threaded connection to keep the plug intact in the socket

SMA Connector

ST (Straight Tip) is a slotted bayonet style connector very popular in late 80s and early 90s.

ST Connector

MT-RJ (Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack) is a small size connector commonly used for networking applications.

MT-RJ Connector

This is a proprietary design a push-pull low profile connector dedicated for the miniature H+S fiber optic distribution system.

CLICK!

154 TELE-satellite International The Worlds Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 09-10/2012 www.TELE-satellite.com