Fiber optic technology has been used commercially for around 25 years, though the concept is over a century old. It is now used for virtually all long distance telecommunications networks and many other applications due to its ability to transmit more data over longer distances with less interference than copper wire. While initially seen as expensive and difficult to work with, fiber optic cable has become cheaper than alternatives like copper and easier to install and test with equipment costs under $1000. It is now the dominant cable for most telecommunications uses both inside and outside of buildings.

1. FIBER OPTIC BASICS
PART 1
On-Line Course

2. FIBER OPTIC BASICS
Before starting, you should have a copy of
the 2008 NEC and have downloaded a copy
of the fiber handout PDF from LERC. Some
of the answers asked in this course are
found only in those documents.

3. Fiber Optics
Transmitting communications signals over hair thin strands of
glass or plastic is not a "new" technology.
The concept is over a century old but has been used commercially
for only about 25 years
The first long distance networks were operational in the
early 1980s. By 1985, most of today's basic technology
was developed and being installed in the fiber optic
networks that now handle virtually all long distance
telecommunications.
The first commercial fiber optic
installation was in for telephone
signals in Chicago, installed in 1976.

4. Applications include
– Telecom - telephones and the Internet
– LANs - local area networks
– CATV - for video, voice and Internet
connections
– Utilities - management of power grid
– Security - CCTV and intrusion
sensors
– Military - everywhere!
These are but a few of the applications of fiber optics, as we
concentrate on communications. Fiber optics are also used for
lighting, signs, sensors and visual inspection (medicine and non-
destructive testing).

5. Why use Fiber Optics?
The biggest advantage of optical fiber is the fact it
can transport more information longer distances in
less time than any other communications medium.
In addition, it is unaffected by the interference of
electromagnetic radiation which makes it possible to
transmit information and data with less noise and
less error. Fiber is lighter than copper wires which
makes it popular for aircraft and automotive
applications. These advantages open up the doors
for many other advantages that make the use of
optical fiber the most logical choice in data
transmission.

6. Fiber Optic Myths!!!
1. Light from the fiber will harm eyes
2. Fiber is extremely hard to work with
3. Fiber is fragile
4. Fiber is expensive
5. You need expensive installation and
test equipment

7. Fiber Optic Myths!!!
1. Fiber optic sources, especially LEDs used
with multimode fiber are generally too low in
power to cause any eye damage. Some laser
transmitters used in telecom and CATV
systems have very high power and they
could be harmful, so better safe than sorry.
NEVER LOOK INTO THE END OF THE FIBER
ANYWAY. And it’s infrared light, so you eye
can’t see it under any circumstances!
2. Fiber is no harder to install, splice or
terminate than copper wire. It takes some
training, practice and patience, but so does
copper.

8. Fiber Optic Myths!!!
3. Fragile? What is a fiberglass boat reinforced
with?
4. Today, fiber is cheaper than kite string or
fishing line. Connectors are getting cheaper
too. And all the while, copper components
are getting more expensive as they try to
keep up with fiber for new high bitrate
networks.
5. And a good fiber test set is under $1000
while a copper tester will run $6000 or more.

9. Fiber Optic Applications
About the only place fiber has not become the
dominant cable is desktop connections for
LANs. Priced to just replace copper, it is
more expensive, but using a centralized fiber
architecture, fiber allows the removal of
electronics from the telecom room and ends
up being less expensive!
Fiber is already used in:
– > 90% of all long distance telephony
– > 50% of all local telephony
– Most CATV networks
– Most LAN backbones
– Many video surveillance links

10. Fiber Optic
Applications
Singlemode fiber has a
bandwidth of greater than a
terahertz. Systems today
carry up to 64 channels of 10
gigabit signals - each at a
unique wavelength.
Fiber is the least expensive,
most reliable method for
high speed and/or long
distance communications
While we already transmit
signals at GB/s speeds, we
have only started to utilize
the potential bandwidth of
fiber

11. Fiber Optic
Applications
“Fiber optics” is not all the same. “Outside plant” refers
to fiber optics as used outdoors in telephone
networks or CATV. “Premises” fiber optics is used in
buildings and on campuses.
Outside Plant: Telephone companies, CATV and the
Internet all use lots of fiber optics, most of which is
outside buildings. It hangs from poles, is buried
underground, pulled through conduit or is even
submerged underwater. Most of it goes relatively long
distances, from a few thousand feet to hundreds of
miles, over what we call “singlemode” fiber.

12. Fiber Optic
Applications
Premises Cabling: By contrast, premises cabling
involves cables installed in buildings for LANs or
security systems. It involves short lengths, rarely
longer than a few hundred to two thousand feet, of
mostly “multimode” fiber.
Both these applications are unique in the components
they use, the installation methods and the testing
procedures, but they share many of the basic
principles we learn in this course.