Skip to main content

What is an Optical Fiber?

Image
by

 Optical fiber is the technology associated with data transmission using light pulses traveling along with a long fiber which is usually made of plastic or glass. Metal wires are preferred for transmission in optical fiber communication as signals travel with fewer damages. Optical fibers are also unaffected by electromagnetic interference. The fiber optical cable uses the application of total internal reflection of light. The fibbers are designed such that they facilitate the propagation of light along with the optical fiber depending on the requirement of power and distance of transmission. Single-mode fiber is used for long-distance transmission while multimode fiber is used for shorter distances. The outer cladding of these fibbers needs better protection than metal wires.

 

                                                  THIS IMAGE IS TAKEN FROM BIJUS WEBSITE

Types of Optical Fiber

The types of optical fibers depend on the refractive index, materials used, and mode of propagation of light.

The classification based on the refractive index is as follows:

  • Step Index Fibbers: It consists of a core surrounded by the cladding which has a single uniform index of refraction.
  • Graded Index Fibres: The refractive index of the optical fiber decreases as the radial distance from the fiber axis increases.

The classification based on the materials used is as follows:

  • Plastic Optical Fibres: The polymethylmethacrylate is used as a core material for the transmission of light.
  • Glass Fibers: It consists of extremely fine glass fibers.

The classification based on the mode of propagation of light is as follows:

  • Single-Mode Fibers: These fibers are used for long-distance transmission of signals.
  • Multimode Fibers: These fibers are used for short-distance transmission of signals.

The mode of propagation and refractive index of the core is used to form four combination types of optic fibers as follows:

  • Step index-single mode fibers
  • Graded index-Single mode fibers
  • Step index-Multimode fibers
  • Graded index-Multimode fibers

How Does an Optical Fibre Work?

The optical fiber works on the principle of total internal reflection. Light rays can be used to transmit a huge amount of data but there is a problem here – the light rays travel in straight lines. So unless we have a straight long wire without any bends at all, harnessing this advantage will be very tedious. Instead, the optical cables are designed such that they bend all the light rays’ inwards (using TIR). Light rays travel continuously, bouncing off the optical fiber walls and transmitting end to end data. Although light signals do degrade over progressing distances, depending on the purity of the material used, the loss is much less compared to using metal cables. A Fibre Optic Relay System consists of the following components:

  • The Transmitter – It produces the light signals and encodes them to fit to transmit.
  • The Optical Fibre – The medium for transmitting the light pulse (signal).
  • The Optical Receiver – It receives the transmitted light pulse (signal) and decodes them to be fit to use.
  • The Optical Regenerator – Necessary for long-distance data transmission.

Advantages of Optical Fibre Communication

  • Economical and cost-effective
  • Thin and non-flammable
  • Less power consumption
  • Less signal degradation
  • Flexible and lightweight

 

Tags

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

What Is VFX

by
'' VFX" redirects here. For the 196p8 US Navy fighter program, see VFX. Visual effects  are the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live-action shot in filmmaking. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage (special effects) and generated imagery (digital or optical effects) to create environments, inanimate objects, animals or creatures which look realistic but would be dangerous, expensive, impractical, time-consuming or impossible to capture on film. Visual effects using computer-generated imagery (CGI) have recently become accessible to the independent filmmaker with the introduction of affordable and relatively easy-to-use animation and compositing software. Timing Visual effects are often integral to a movie's story and appeal. Although most visual effects work is completed during post-production, it usually must be carefully planned and choreographed in pre-production and production. Wh
Post a Comment
Read more

How Does Internet Work? Who Own The Internet?

by
Whole world is connected with the Internet but have you ever thought about how the internet works. You may have thought that it works with satellite or network spread all over the world but you won’t know that 99% of the internet works with optical fibercable. Optical Fiber Cable                                                           Now you will think that I use a mobile, on mobile which cable is connected. So the tower from where you get internet from that tower the cable is connected & spread. Let me explain to you in an easy way. For receiving of internet, the internet has to pass through 3 different companies:- ·          Tier 1 :-        This is the company which has spread cables all over the world underwater. The Internet is totally free. If you are at home and your office is 2km away from your home so you can add a cable from your home to office and connect both the computers and now assume it as the internet so the money you spend is only for cable not for the comput
Post a Comment
Read more