Fiber Optic Technology

What are fiber optics?

• Strands of optically pure glass as thin as human hair that carry digital information over long and short distances.

• Arranged in bundles

• Fiber Optic cables composed of three parts

– Core – glass center where light travels.

– Cladding – optical material surrounding the core that keeps the light in the core and reflects it back.

– Buffer Coating – Coating that protects the fiber from damage and moisture.

Applications of Fiber Optics

• Communications– Verizon fios

– AT&T U-Verse• Both companies bundle together TV and Internet • Internet speeds from 15 Mbps to 50 Mbps downstream with

Verizon

– Digital audio• TOSLINK originally by Toshiba• CD players, DVD players, even used in some gaming

systems• Uses LED to send information

Advantages• Less Expensive

• Thinner

– Can be drawn to smaller diameters than copper

• Higher data capacity

• Less degradation

• No interference

– Unlike copper, fiber does not suffer from electromagnetic interference

• Low Power

– Signals degrade less thus needing lower power transmitters can be used

• Non-hazardous– Since there is no electricity there is no danger!

• Flexible– Medical, mechanical, and plumbing

Future Uses

• Household– Faster internet download speeds– Better quality voice– Used more widely in home audio