2. Page 2FO-DIV/GLFO_BASICS_1c.PPT
Fiber Optic General Basics Part I
Fiber Optic Transmission
Fiber Optic Systems
Principle of Lightwave Propagation
Fiber Parameters
Guide through Optical Components
Measurement Parameters and
Applications
3. Page 3FO-DIV/GLFO_BASICS_1c.PPT
Fiber Optics Basic
this booklet is an
excellent reference for
UNDERSTANDING
FIBER OPTICS
it covers:
fundamental
informations
measurements
system design
considerations
applications
(long-haul,
subscriber,LAN)
ISBN 0-672-27066-8ISBN 0-672-27066-8
4. Page 4FO-DIV/GLFO_BASICS_1c.PPT
Principal F.O. Transmission
the electrical signal processing is according to international
standards
the convertion into the "optical frequency band" enables to
use the advantages coming up with F.O. transmission
electrical
signal
processing
Electrical
Transmission
E / O -
Conversion
Electrical
Transmission
O / E -
Conversion
electrical
signal
processing
Optical
Transmission
Fiber as transmission medium
Fiber optic based transmission uses "fiber" as the transmission medium, so it is only specifying the physical layer. Fiber optic measurement technology is mostly concentrating on the evaluation of this layer, most often physical parameters. The protocols and bitrates used are "electrically" based. However fiber optic is the only transmission medium, that allows to use highest bitrates over long distance, where the copper-layer would already be at its limits (bandwith and attenuation vice!).
Fiber Optic Transmission is just an electromagnetic wave ! However the frequencies/ wavelengths used are just ultra high" frequency ollowing
Table shows the performance criteria for different media. Fiber Optic media starts with the "cheap" "plastic" fiber (large core, easy to manufacture) and pefformance grows with the "glass" fibers. The utmost media is the Single-mode fiber, with nearly "unlimited bandwith".
Fiber Optic is not only being used by the classic Telecoms, but also by new service providers, e.g. former power companies and railway companies, who are using their infrastructure (low costs) to compete with the Telcos. Computer networks (Local area networks) today are based on fiber optic backbones only, while the "floor cabeling" still uses copper cable. But with increasing datarates fiber to the desk is no longer utopia. Control and communication within any transportation media (ship, train, airplanes) are most often fiber based, and nearly any aotomobile manufacturer is looking to integrate fiber optic rings into their future car-concepts. (Reasons: interference free, leight-weight !)
Fiber optic transmission started in the 1970-1980 with multimode fibers. Today the most popular, because "upgradeable (nearly unlimited bandwith)" fiber is the SM-fiber used with SM-lasers (1310 / 1550 nm). Since a few years the maket for plastic optical fiber is rising due to most interesting new applications, even highest bitrates over small distances ( a few meter only: e.g. helmets for pilots (air-force).
