FIBER OPTIC CABLE COURSE

1.Overview of communication medias.

2.Refraction&reflection of light.
3. Fiber optic communication system.
4.Optical fiber source & detector.
5.Definition & type of F.O.
6.Fiber optic structure.
7.Installation of F.O.C.
8.Optical fiber connections.
9.Definition & types of attenuation.
10. Measurement methods.
11. Attachment photos.
12. Practical parts(O&M,splicing, testing……
etc.
FIBER OPTIC CABLE COURSE
 Over view of communication medias:-
 Introduction:-
 There are four types of media that can be used in
transmitting information in telecommunications
system, which are:
1. Copper wire
2. Coaxial cable (actually an adaptation of copper
wire)
3. Wireless
4. Fiber optic
 Disadvantages of Copper cable
 Too expensive with respect to fiber optic cable.
 need many pipes to be installed for pulling in
the cable.
 Always exposed to be theft due to its high
commercial price.
 Need to install in short distances as a
communication system.
 Low carrying capacity (small bandwidth).
 Can be affected with interference , crosstalk &
other neighboring circuit (as happened in
wireless medias).
 Advantages of fiber optic cables:
 SPEED: Fiber optic networks operate at high
speeds - up into the gigabits.
 BANDWIDTH: large carrying capacity.
 DISTANCE: Signals can be transmitted further .

 RESISTANCE: Greater resistance to

electromagnetic noise such as radios, motors or
other nearby cables.
 Small size & weight(many KM’s can be delivered)
 MAINTENANCE: Fiber optic cables costs much
less to maintain.
Refraction & reflection of light

 As a light ray passes from one transparent medium

to another, it changes direction; this phenomenon is
called refraction of light.
 How much that light ray changes its direction
depends on the refractive index of the mediums.
:Total internal reflection
Light pulses move easily down the fiber-optic line because of a principle known as
total internal reflection. "This principle of total internal reflection states that when
the angle of incidence exceeds a critical value, light cannot get out of the glass;
instead, the light bounces back in. When this principle is applied to the
construction of the fiber-optic strand, it is possible to transmit information down
.fiber lines in the form of light pulses
- :Refractive index (n) of the medium
This can be define as, is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (air)
(Cn=1) to the speed of light in the medium) (e.g. glass, for the glass
n=1.5).
n=C/V
WHERE: C= is the velocity of light in the vacuum, which is
constant(300000 km/s).
V= is the velocity of light in glass, which depends on the density
of the glass.
Snells law:
C1/C2= n2/n1
C1= first medium( AIR), C2 = second medium GLASS).
n2=second medium(1.5), n1= first medium(1).THERE FOR C for the glass
is:
Cg= 300000 km/s X 1/ 1.5=200000 km/s.
Also there is basic relation between C , f & λ which is:
C= f x λ.
WHERE : C= is the speed of propagation.
f= frequency.
λ = wave length. (windows wavelengths for the for the light in
fiber optic which is in the range of 800 nm – 1700 nm).
Refraction Index
 The index of refraction (n) is the ratio of the speed
of light in a vacuum (c) to its velocity in a material
(v)
 n=c/v
 Light changes speed (and bends) as it passes
through different mediums
Material Index (n) Light speed (km/s)
Vacuum 1.0 300 000
Water 1.33 225 000
Glass 1.5 200 000
Diamond 2.0 150 000
Optical communication system
Optical source and detectors: -
 (1) Optical source:
 Optical sources (transmitters) are an electronic components
used to convert the electrical signal to optical signal and send
it through optical fibers after certain modulation to the signal.
The most optical sources used in modern fiber optic system
are laser diode (LD) and light emitting diode (LED), the
advantages of these two diode are so small and more suitable
for simple electronic energy.
 But generally we use light emitting diode for short distances
and laser diode long distances. The word LASER stands for,
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation.
 The LDs and LEDs are operated infrared portion of
electromagnetic spectrum, so their light out put usually
invisible to the human being eye. Their operating wavelengths
are chosen to be compatible with the lowest transmission loss
and high sensitivity ranges of photodiodes. These
wavelengths are 850 nm, 1310 nm and 1550 nm.
(2)Optical detectors:-
 The optical detectors (receivers) convert the
optical signal back into original electrical
signal.
 The detector of the optical signal is either PIN-
type photo diode or avalanche type photo
diode. The photo diode demodulates an
optical signal by generating a current
proportional to the intensity of electrical signal.
 For the area of operation in fiber optic
transmission system where long distances
transmission (greater than 100km), we use
avalanche photo diode because it is designed
for applications requiring greater sensitivity.
• Definition of O.F: -
Physically optical fiber is a very thin flexible medium having solid
:cylindrical waveguide consisting of three layers, which are
1. The core.
2. The cladding.
3. The coating or jacket.

Types of F.O.:-
There are three types of fiber optic commonly used:
single mode, multimode and plastic optical fiber (POF).
Transparent glass or plastic fibers which allow light to be
guided from one end to the other with minimal loss.
:Types of fiber optic
 Single Mode cable is a single stand of glass
fiber with a diameter of 8.3 to 10 microns that has
one mode of transmission.  Single Mode Fiber
with a relatively narrow diameter, through which
only one mode will propagate typically 1310 or
1550nm. Carries higher bandwidth than
multimode fiber, but requires a light source with a
narrow spectral width. Also single mode can be
called as mono-mode optical fiber, single-mode
fiber, single-mode optical waveguide, uni-mode
fiber. Has a cladding diameter of 125 microns &
coating or jacket diameter of 250 microns.
 Single mode fiber:
 Means only one single united beam running
or passing through the core and taking the
center of it from first to end.
 Used for long distance
applications(according to Tx equipment
type).
1. STEP-INDEX MULTIMODE FIBER has a large core, up
to 100 microns in diameter. As a result, some of the
light rays that make up the digital pulse may travel a
direct route, whereas others zigzag as they bounce off
the cladding. These alternative pathways cause the
different groupings of light rays, referred to as modes,
to arrive separately at a receiving point. The pulse, an
aggregate of different modes, begins to spread out,
losing its well-defined shape. The need to leave
spacing between pulses to prevent overlapping limits
bandwidth that is, the amount of information that can
be sent. Consequently, this type of fiber is best suited
for transmission over short distances, in an endoscope,
for instance.
2. GRADED-INDEX MULTIMODE FIBER contains a core in
which the refractive index diminishes gradually from the
center axis out toward the cladding. The higher refractive
index at the center makes the light rays moving down the
axis advance more slowly than those near the cladding.
Also, rather than zigzagging off the cladding, light in the
core curves helically because of the graded index, reducing
its travel distance. The shortened path and the higher
speed allow light at the periphery to arrive at a receiver at
about the same time as the slow but straight rays in the
core axis. The result: a digital pulse suffers less
dispersion. 
Fiber cable structure
 Definitions:
 Cabling is the process of packaging optical fibers in a
solid tube (called sheath) for ease of working
activities ,handling & protection.
 From point of usage ,fiber cable had been classified in
two categories, one for external plant covered with the
sheath called polythene(PE) & other for internal
installation covered with flexible sheath called polyvinyl
chloride (PVC).
 Also according to the type of the fiber, the cable can be
classified to single & multi mode cable.
Fiber cable manufacturing:
 Fiber cable normally manufacturing in
different style structure:
1. One called maxi-tube cable, in which all
fibers were inserted inside one tube situated
in the middle of the cable.
2. Another type called loose buffered tube
cable , in which all fibers were divided in to
many colored tubes in the cable, situated in
circular shape , in addition to another
elements called fillers to keep the circularity
shape of the cable.
 Maxi-tube cable

P.E sheath fibers

corrugated
sheath
Jelly filling Maxi-tube
compound

Ripcord
Buffer tube cable
Samples of fiber cables
 Direct buried cable  Submarine cable
.Do not exceed the cable bend radius
 Fiber is stronger than steel when pulled
straight, but it breaks easily when bent too
tightly.
 These will harm the fibers, maybe
immediately, maybe not for a few years, but
they may be harmed and the cable must be
removed and thrown away!
-:Optical fibers connections
:Definition
 The purpose of fiber termination is to provide easy ways for
fiber cross connection and light wave signal distribution.
There are two types of fiber terminations:
connectors and splicing.
 Splicing:
 Splicing is the process of connecting two bare fibers directly
without any connectors. There are two methods of fiber optic
splicing:
mechanical splicing and fusion splicing.
-:Fusion splicing techniques
This type of connection is done by a certain machine
called fusion splicer , this splicer is the microprocessor
machine used to produce a fixed low loss connection
between the two fibers. This splicing is done, in the
manner as heating, melting and then two fiber fused
together. When the two fibers are totally fused, the
machine displays a certain value of attenuation for this
fused point. This fusion process is shown in the figure
below:-
fusion splicer
 Mechanical connections: - In this type the two fibers are
mechanically connected together, this can be done by two
methods:
1. Sleeves method: In this method the two fibers coatings
are stripped out of the fiber and cleared with ALCOHOL
and then cleaved (cut) with certain cleaving lengths, and
then the two end of the fiber are inserted in one sleeve
and then pressed with the certain tool.
2. Connector method: The two fibers are already prepared
in screw connector or any other form and then
approached together in female connector and then tightly
closed.
 Closures:-
 Are solid tubes or containers used to protect the fibers
at the point of connection of two cables, manufactured
from solid plastic material.
Definition & causes of attenuation
 is the decrease (loss) in magnitude of the signal power
in transmission between points.
 Attenuation usually measured in decibel (dB) at specific
wavelength.
 As light is guided through the core of a fiber, four
properties can cause attenuation:
1.Absorption:
 Occurs when light strikes impurities in core glass and is
absorbed.
2.Scattering:
 Occurs when light strikes an area where the material
density changes.
3.Macrobending:
 Is large scale bending of the fiber bend which exceeds
the fiber bend radius and causes light to leave the core
and travel in the cladding (usually an installation
problem).
4.Micro bending:
Is microscopic distortion of the fiber, which
causes light to leave the core and travel in the cladding
(created during manufacturing).
Measurements methods:
:1. transmission method
 The simplest and most accurate method of
measuring the end-to-end loss of an optical
fiber is done by light source and power meter.
Shown here above is the proper method for
storing reference and then measuring loss.
 Multimode and single mode optical
measurements can be done perfectly by this
method .
Link Loss measurements
Back scattering method.2
Coupler/
CONTROLLER LCD splitter

LASER SOURCE

DETECTOR Fiber under test

 The optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR),

sends out a pulse of light and measures the
level of light that is reflected back. An optical
coupler allows both optical source and optical
receiver to be connected to the same fiber.
Pulse width
 O.T.D.R
TYPICAL BACKSCATTERED TRACE 

Mechanical Fibre
Connector Fusion splice splice end

O.T.D.R
O.T.D.R
connector
Att (dB )

Rayleigh
scattering

Fresnel
reflection

Noise

Dist (Km )
Visual fault locator
 A "visual fault locator". It injects a bright red laser
light into the fiber to find faults. If there is a high
loss, such as a bad splice, connector or tight bend
stressing the fiber, the light lost may be visible to the
naked eye. This will find events close to the OTDR
or close to another event that are not resolvable to
the OTDR. It's limitation is distance too, it only
works over a range of about 2.5 miles or 4 km.
  The visual fault locator is so valuable a tool that
many OTDRs now have one built into them.
 Attenuation & Dispersion
Input pulse Output pulse


W0 W0 T

.Attenuation () : the signal received is less than the transmitted 

Attenuation: the loss of signal in the fibre (e.g., 0.2 dB/km)

Modal dispersion (Bandwidth limitation) : the signal is widen 
due to different propagation times (T)

Transmitted pulse fiber Received pulse

-:Dispersion
 Dispersion: is the spread and broadening pulse of light as it is guided through
the fiber.
 There are four types of dispersion:-
 Modal dispersion: occurs when various modes of light follow different paths
through the fiber and arrive at the far end at different times. It occurs only in
multimode fibers.
 Material (or chromatic ) dispersion: occurs because different wave lengths
(colors) of light travel at different velocities through the fiber.
 Wave guide dispersion: occurs because light travels in both the core and
cladding at slight different speeds. It is most significant in single-mode fibers.
 Polarization mode dispersion: occurs when the X and Y polarization states of a
light signal travel at different speeds through a fiber. This is similar to MODAL
dispersion except that it can be significant in single – mode fiber.
 The unit of dispersion for single mode step index fiber is
 Ps/ km.nm
 While the unit of dispersion for multimode step index and graded index is the
MHz.
 MULTIMODE GRADED INDEX
µm (Core / Cladding) 125 / 62.5

Input pulse
Source Cladding

Ray of light Core

Output pulse

Gradient Index Glass slows down the faster light modes and speeds up the slower ones
Multimode Step-Index
 Dispersion
 Modus dispersion or Modal Delay
(4000 different modes)

µm 140

µm 100
 SINGLEMODE STEP INDEX

µm (Core / Cladding) 125 / 9

No dispersion

Input pulse
Laser Cladding

Ray of light Core

Output pulse
 :Patch cords

SC-SC UPC 9/125µm Single mode

SC-SC UPC 9/125µm Single mode
Duplex Patch Cord
Simplex Patch Cord

LC-LC UPC 9/125µm Single mode

LC-LC UPC 9/125µm Single Duplex Patch Cord
mode Simplex Patch Cord
 :Single mode adapters

SC Single mode Simplex Adapter SC Single mode Duplex Adapter

LC Single mode Simplex Adapter LC Single mode Duplex Adapter

 Fiber optic closure

• Fiber color code

system
1. Blue

2. Orange
3. Green
4. Brown

5. Gray
6. White
7. Red
8. Black

9. Yellow
10. Violet
11. Pink

12. Aqua
:Pigtails & Patch cords
FSM-50S –Fujikura FUSION SPLICER
TOOL KIT: tools used for cable preparation
 :Fiber optic maintenance workshop tools & equipments
.No item quantity
1 Human resources At least 3 persons(one Eng.
&two Technicians)
2 (closed environment) 4-wheel drive car 1
3 Optical time domain reflectometer 1
4 Splicing machines 2
5 Cable preparation tool kit for cable jointing 1
6 Closures 4
7 Fiber optic cable (required capacity) At least 300m
8 Generator(3kw) 1
9 Electric cable(reel of 25 m) 1
10 Electric lamp(for light during night) 2
11 Optical set(light source &power meter 1
12 Pig tails & patch cord 2 (for each)
13 Movable flash light 2