Definition of Fiber Optic Technology

Fiber Optic Technology is the type of technology that uses plastic or glass fibers to transmit data.  The Fibers are tightly contained in a wire cable and each optical fiber has the ability to transmit data in form of light waves.  The fiber optics has bigger or greater bandwidth as compared to the metal cables.

Description of Fiber Optic Technology

Fiber-optic communications are based on the principle that light in a glass medium can carry more information over longer distances than electrical signals can carry in a copper or coaxial medium or radio frequencies through a wireless medium. The purity of today’s glass fiber, combined with improved system electronics, enables fiber to transmit digitized light signals hundreds of kilometers without amplification. With few transmission losses, low interference, and high bandwidth potential, optical fiber is an almost ideal transmission medium. The use of fiber optics in telecommunications and wide area networking has been common for many years, but more recently fiber optics have become increasingly prevalent in industrial data communications systems as well. High data rate capabilities, noise rejection and electrical isolation are just a few of the important characteristics that make fiber optic technology ideal for use in industrial and commercial systems.

Most often used for point-to-point connections, fiber optic links are being used to extend the distance limitations of RS-232, RS-422/485 and Ethernet systems while ensuring high data rates and minimizing electrical interference. Conventional electrical data signals are converted into a modulated light beam, introduced into the fiber and transported via a very small diameter glass or plastic fiber to a receiver that converts the light back into electrical signals. Fiber's ability to carry the light signal, with very low losses, is based on some fundamental physics associated with the refraction and reflection of light.

Characteristics of Fiber Optic Technology 

Optical fibers allow data signals to propagate through them by ensuring that the light signal enters the fiber at an angle greater than the critical angle of the interface between two types of glass. Optical fiber is actually made up of three parts. The center core is composed of very pure glass, with a refractive index of 1.5. Core dimensions are usually in the range of 50 to 125 um. The surrounding glass, called cladding, is a slightly less pure glass with a refractive index of 1.45. The diameter of the core and cladding together is in the range of 125 to 440 um. Surrounding the cladding is a protective layer of flexible silicone called the sheath.

Multi-mode graded-index fiber (b) is constructed in such a way that the refractive index between the core and cladding changes gradually. This causes the light rays to bend gradually, as well. The resulting pattern of reflections tends to be more uniform and dispersion is reduced. This provides improved performance for a moderate increase in cost. Graded index fibers provide wider bandwidth than step-index fibers.

Conclusion

Fiber Optic Technology uses the fibers to transmit data between two points. The information is carried in form of light waves and can be transmitted over a long distance within the shortest time possible. Indeed, Fiber Optic Technology has enhanced great development of communication industry.