Introduction
Fiber or optical fiber technology is widely used in wide area networks (WAN), telecommunications, and data communication systems due to its many advantages. The capabilities of efficient data transfer, power isolation, and noise immunity are the main features that have led to the widespread use of this technology. Today, fiber cables are used to transmit all kinds of data, including images, voice, and data.
This technology is based on the concept of light conversion and was successfully tested by Narinder Singh Kampany and Harold Hopkins in 1953. Narinder Singh Kampany coined the term fiber optics and introduced the concept to the audience through his writing in the 1960s. Many commercial fiber-optic connections were built and deployed in the 1970s. They can transfer data at a speed of 45 MB/s. Due to further technological developments, a single strand of optical fiber can transmit speeds of over 100 terabits per second. This shows the ability of fiber cables to meet the increasing demands for bandwidth and speed in the future.
Overview of Optical Fiber Technology
Optical fiber, or optical fiber, is a flexible fiber of glass or plastic that transmits light from one end to the other. These optical fibers have been widely used in fiber communications, allowing long distances to be transmitted with high-bandwidth (data transfer speed) cables. Optical fibers (optical fiber technology) are used instead of metal cables because fewer signals are lost when traveling over optical fibers. In addition, fiber is not subject to electrical interference, which is a problem with metal cables.
Importance of Optical Fiber Technology in Modern Telecommunications
Lightning speeds: Fiber optic networks offer extremely high download and upload speeds, far greater than traditional copper networks. Speeds range from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps for fast data transfer, streaming, and browsing. Ensure a smooth internet experience even during internet-intensive activities such as video conferencing, online gaming, and large file transfers.
Greater bandwidth: Fiber cables have a higher bandwidth than copper cables. This means that more devices and users can connect to the network at the same time without significant slowdowns. Fiber optic networks can meet the growing demand for smart homes, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and other connected technologies.
Reliable and stable connection: Unlike copper cables, fiber cables are not subject to electromagnetic interference, which can damage or degrade signal quality; therefore, fiber optic networks provide reliable and stable connections, reducing delays and packet loss. This is important for businesses that depend on an uninterrupted network connection for their operations.
Longer transmission distance: Fiber cables can transmit data over longer distances than copper cables. While copper cables experience signal degradation over long distances, fiber optic signals remain strong regardless of distance. This makes fiber-optic networks ideal for connecting geographically dispersed locations, such as branch offices or homes in remote locations.
Increased security: Fiber optic networks offer more security than traditional copper cable networks. Because optical cables do not transmit electrical signals, they are very difficult to intercept, making it difficult for hackers and unauthorized persons to access sensitive information transmitted over the network.
Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Technology
Fiber optics are a unique and amazing medium for communication and transmission. Compared to traditional communication media such as copper wire, microwave, and coaxial cable, optical fiber has many advantages.
What is optical fiber?
Fiber optics in telecommunications is the science of transmitting data, sound, and images by transmitting light through thin, transparent fibers. It has replaced copper cables on long-distance telephone lines and is used to connect computers to local networks.
Optical fiber is basically a hair-thin optical fiber, usually made of plastic but usually made of glass. A typical glass fiber is 125 micrometers (μm) or 0.125 mm (0.005 inch) in diameter. This is exactly the diameter of the outer shade, or reflector. The diameter of the transmission core in the cylinder can be as small as 10 μm. Through a process called total internal reflection, light entering an optical fiber can travel long distances through the core with little attenuation or loss of power.
How Optical Fibers Transmit Data
Light travels along a fiber-optic cable, repeatedly reflecting off walls. Each tiny photon (a particle of light) bounces around the tube like a bobsleigh down an ice rink. Now, one might expect that a ray of light traveling through a transparent glass tube would only exit at the end. However, when light hits the glass at a very shallow angle (less than 42 degrees), the light reflects into the glass, as if the glass were a mirror. This is a total internal reflection. It’s one of the things that keeps the light inside the tube.
Another element that keeps the light within the tube is the construction of the cable, which is made up of two separate parts. The main part of the cable (the center) is called the core and is the part through which light passes. Another layer of glass, called the cladding, is wrapped around the outside of the core. The role of the cladding is to keep the optical signal within the core. This is possible because it is made of a different type of glass than the core. (Technically, the cladding has a lower refractive index.)
Types of Optical Fibers
There are three types of standard cable optical fibers, which are:
A. Single Mode Fiber Optic Cable:
A single-mode fiber optic cable has a diameter of 9 microns and provides a single mode (single wavelength) for light propagation, which reduces internal reflections and minimizes attenuation. Single-mode fiber-optic cables are generally used for long-distance network connections and are more expensive than multimode fiber-optic cables.
B. Multimode Fiber Optic Cable:
Multimode fiber optic cable has a larger core diameter than SMF, meaning that more wavelengths can be accommodated. MMF comes in two sizes: one is 50 microns and the other is 62.5 microns, and it provides multiple paths for light transmission. Multimode fiber optic cables are used to transmit data over short distances in various connections within a local area network, or LAN.
C. Plastic Optical Fiber (POF):
A typical plastic fiber optic cable has a diameter of 1 mm. Because of their larger diameter, POFs can transmit more wavelengths of light through relatively inexpensive and less precise connectors. In a typical scenario using POF, the total cost of the connector is only about 10–20% of what would be required for fiber optics and associated precision terminations. POF is used for small desktop LANs and short distances that do not require greater bandwidth.
Conclusion: Optical Fiber Technology
Fiber optic cables are mainly used to transmit data quickly and stably over long distances. To date, no data transmission technology is as robust and flexible as fiber optics, and they come in a variety of types and jacket configurations, allowing you to choose the right cable depending on your needs. Plastic fiber optic cables are suitable for residential fiber optic Ethernet connections and are much more cost-effective than fiber optics.
