Fiber Optic Communications

Darwin L. Orallo, ECE,MIT

darwin.orallo@caloocan.sti.edu
 What Is Fiber Optics ?

• Transmitting
communications
signals over hair thin
strands of glass or
plastic
• Not a "new" technology
• Concept a century old
• Used commercially for
last 25 years
 Fiber Has More Capacity

This single fiber

can carry more
communications
than the giant
copper cable!
 Fiber Optic Communications

• Applications include
– Telephones
– Internet
– LANs - local area networks
– CATV - for video, voice and Internet connections
– Utilities - management of power grid
– Security - closed-circuit TV and intrusion sensors
– Military - everywhere!
 Why Use Fiber Optics?

• Economics
• Speed
• Distance
• Weight/size
• Freedom from interference
• Electrical isolation
• Security
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Fiber is already used in:

– > 90% of all long distance telephony
– > 50% of all local telephony
– Most CATV networks
– Most LAN (computer network) backbones
– Many video surveillance links
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Fiber is the least expensive, most reliable

method for high speed and/or long distance
communications
• While we already transmit signals at Gigabits
per second speeds, we have only started to
utilize the potential bandwidth of fiber
 Fiber Optic Applications

• Outside Plant vs Premises Installations

Fiber Technology
 Fiber Technology

• buffer is one type of component used to encapsulate

one or more optical fibers for the purpose of providing
such functions as mechanical isolation, protection
from physical damage and fiber identification.
• Cladding is one or more layers of material of lower
refractive index, in intimate contact with a core
material of higher refractive index.
• Core is the signal-carrying portion of an optical fiber
Fiber Technology
Fiber Optic Data Links
 Laser Diodes
• A laser diode is a laser where the active medium is a
semiconductor similar to that found in a
light-emitting diode.

• The most common and practical type of laser diode is

formed from a p-n junction and powered by injected
electrical current.

• These devices are sometimes referred to as injection

laser diodes to distinguish them from (optically)
pumped laser diodes, which are more easily
produced in the laboratory.
• A packaged laser diode with penny for scale
• Image of the actual laser diode chip (shown on the
eye of a needle for scale) contained within the
package shown in the above image
• Image of the actual laser diode chip clearly displaying various
thin-film deposited layers (metals and insulators) and a gold
wirebond for electrical contact to one electrode.
• This laser diode was taken from a CD-ROM drive.
 Applications of laser diodes

• Laser diodes can be arrayed to produce very high power

(continuous wave or pulsed) outputs. Such arrays may be used to
efficiently pump solid state lasers for inertial confinement fusion or
high average power drilling or burning applications.
 Photodiode
• A photodiode is a type of photodetector capable of
converting light into either current or voltage, depending
upon the mode of operation.

• Photodiodes are similar to regular semiconductor diodes

except that they may be either exposed (to detect vacuum
UV or X-rays) or packaged with a window or optical fibre
connection to allow light to reach the sensitive part of the
device.

• Many diodes designed for use specifically as a

photodiode will also use a PIN junction rather than the
typical PN junction.
• Photodetector from a CD-ROM Drive. Visible are 3
photodiodes
• Some photodiodes will look like the
picture to the right, that is, similar to a
light emitting diode.

• They will have two leads, or wires,

coming from the bottom. The shorter
end of the two is the cathode, while
the longer end is the anode.

• Current will pass from the anode to the

cathode, basically following the arrow.
 Light Used In Fiber Optics

• Fiber optic systems transmit using

infrared light, invisible to the human
eye, because it goes further in the
optical fiber at those wavelengths.
Wavelength-Division Multiplexing
 Fiber Optic Cable

• Protects the fibers

wherever they are
installed
• May have 1 to over
1000 fibers
 Fiber Optic Connectors

• Terminates the fibers

• Connects to other fibers or transmission
equipment
 Jobs In Fiber Optics

• Designing components
• Manufacturing fiber, lasers, etc.
• Designing systems
• Installing networks
• Training and teaching
Fiber Optic Manufacturing
Fiber Optic Installation - Outside Plant
Fiber Optic Installation -Premises
Teaching Fiber Optics
Two Good Textbooks
 Assignment

• Read 1.Fiber Optic Communications

2. Optical Fiber
3. Optics
4. WDM
www.wikipedia.com