What is Fiber-Optic cables?

What is fiber-optic cables?

Fiber optic cables transmit data in the form of light particles. Optical fibers are thin strands of flexible glass, these strands are bundled together to create the core – where the data is transmitted through.

The core is surrounded by a layer called the cladding. The cladding have a lower refractive index, causing the light signals to reflect inside the core.

Three elements of a fiber-optic cable

Core – The glass fiber where the light signals are transmitted through.

Cladding –   The material surrounding the core that cause the light to reflect through the fiber core.

Buffer/Coating – The material that strengthens the cable.

Digital data send through light?

1.  The data is send from your computer to a transmitter.

2. The transmitter convert the digital signal into a light signal.

3. The light signals now travels thought the fiber cable until it reaches the receiver.

4. Now the signal is converted back to digital format.

Few advantages over traditional wiring

• Fiber optic is smaller, lighter and thinner.
• The signal loss of fiber optic is less than copper cables.
• Fiber-optic cables can transmit signals much further than copper cables.
• The transmission speeds are much faster.
• Fiber-optic does not use electricity, so it is not effected my EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)
• Fiber-optic cables cables have greater bandwidth.
• Fiber-optic use less energy.

Two fiber optic cable types

Single mode use a laser and is designed to transmit data over long distances.  Single mode fiber transmit a wavelength of either 1310 or 1550 nm (Manometers)

Multimode have a thicker core, allowing multiple pathways and wavelengths of light signals to be transmitted.  Multimode is designed for shorter distances, it use LED’s instead of a lasers to transmit light signals.

A world without annoying pop ups and ads. Thanks for visiting!