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Evolution of Fiber

1880 – Alexander Graham Bell
1930 – Patents on tubing
1950 – Patent for two-layer glass wave-guide
1960 – Laser first used as light source
1965 – High loss of light discovered
1970s – Refining of manufacturing process
1980s – OF technology becomes backbone of long distance telephone networks in NA.

Fiber-optic communication
is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending light through an optical fiber.
The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information.

Optical Detectors

There are two types of Detectors
1. P-I-N Photodiodes
2. AVALANCHE Photodiodes

Splicing

Splices are the permanent between two fibers.

Splicing Methods
1. Adhesive bonding or Glue splicing
2. Mechanical splicing
3. Fusion splicing

Fiber Optic Advantages

Large bandwidth ( >5.0 GHz for 1km length
smaller size and lighter weight
lower attenuation
immunity to environmental interference
highly secure due to tap difficulty and lack of signal radiation
Universal medium

DisAdvantages of fiber optics 

Disadvantages include the cost of interfacing equipment necessary to convert electrical signals to optical signals. (optical transmitters, receivers) Splicing fiber optic cable is also more difficult.

Fiber Optic Disadvantages
expensive over short distance
requires highly skilled installers
adding additional nodes is difficult

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