This document discusses the history and advancements in optical communication using fiber optics. It covers:
- The introduction and commercialization of fiber optic communication systems from the 1970s to the 1990s for telecommunications networks.
- Key elements of fiber optic transmission systems including optical fibers, sources/detectors, and components like connectors, splices, and optical amplifiers.
- Advantages of fiber optics like small size, large bandwidth, and low loss over long distances.
- Emerging applications including fiber to the home, wavelength division multiplexing, and coherent optical transmission techniques.
- Components used in fiber optic systems like lasers, LEDs, photodiodes, and multiplexers.