Fiber Optic Cable

(Communication Terms Applications Advantages & Disadvantages)

Definition
A fiber optic cable is a network cable that contains a glass core and cladding, buffer coating,
strength members and an outer jacket. In fiber optic cables light pulses are used for sending
information. These cables were designed for long distance and very high bandwidth
communications.

Types of Fiber Optic Cable
Single-Mode: transmit infrared laser light and have small cores (about 9 microns in
diameter).
Multi-Mode: transmit infrared light from LEDs and have larger cores (62.5 microns in
diameter).

Fiber Optic Communication Terms
Absorption: A cause of attenuation where light signal is absorbed into the glass during
transmission.
Attenuation: Optical loss of power. Attenuation is expressed in dB loss per length of
cable. Attenuation is caused by absorption and scattering.
Attenuator: Its a device used for reducing the power of an optical signal.
Back Reflection: A measure of the light reflected off the polished end of a fiber
connector. Expressed in negative dB relative to incident power.
Bandwidth: The range of signal frequencies that a fiber optic cable will transmit.
Buffer: Protective coating over the fiber.
Insertion Loss: Attenuation caused by the insertion of a device (such as a connection
point) to a cable.
Loss Budget: Maximum amount of power that is allowed to be lost per optical link.
Multimode: Type of fiber optic cable where the core diameter is much larger than the
wavelength of light being transmitted. Two common multimode fiber optic cable types
are 50/125 and 62.5/125.
Return Loss: The ratio of the power into a cable and the power of the light returning
back to the fiber. This measurement can be expressed in positive decibel units (dB). A
higher number is preferred. Return Loss = 10 log (incident power / returning back
power).
Scattering: A cause of attenuation optic signal. Scattering occurs when light collides
with individual atoms in the glass of cable.
Single mode: A type of fiber optic cable with a small core that allows only one mode of
light to propagate.
Wavelength: A means of measuring light color. Expressed in nanometers (nm).

Uses of Optic Fiber Cable

Medical: Fiber optic cables are being used as lasers for surgeries, light guides and imaging tools.
Data Transmission: These cables are now highly being installed for data transmission over
networks.
Networking: These cables are used for connecting servers and users in a network and increase
accuracy and speed of data transmission in a network.
Broadcast: Broadcast/cable companies use fiber optic cables for wiring HDTV, CATV, video
on-demand, internet and other applications.

Advantages of Fiber Optic Cable
Less Expensive: For long distance transmissions, fiber optic cable is much less
expensive than pure copper network cable.
Inflammable: As no electricity passes through fiber optic cable, no fire hazard exists.
Lightweight: Fiber optic cable is much less in weight than the copper cable and it takes
less space in the ground.
Digital Signals: Fiber optics are very suitable for transmitting digital information, thats
why fiber optic cables are preferred in computing networks.
Light Signals: Unlike the electrical signals, light signals in one fiber optic do not create
interference with light signals in other fiber optic.
Thinner: Fiber optic cables are found in less diameter than the copper cables.
Ease of Installation: Due to flexibility and thinner size, installation of fiber optic cables
is easy as compared to installation of copper cables. Fiber optic cables do not make
excessive noise when passing along electric cables.
High Bandwidth: Fiber optic cables has high capacity of carrying high bandwidth
signals for long distance and do not need repeaters like other cables. Fiber optic cables
have bandwidth 400MHz/km while coaxial cable has bandwidth 1 MHz/km.

Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cable
High Installation Cost: Installation cost of fiber optic cable, interfaces and cost of
transmitters and receivers is much higher.
Limited Fiber Optic Power: A limited amount of optic power can be transmitted over
fiber optic cable, if we pass excessive amount of power the inner core glass may burst.
Unidirectional Transmission: Transmission of signal is unidirectional in fiber optic
cable, if we need bidirectional transmission, we need two fiber optic cables.

Fiber Optic Cable Connectors
Connector
Type
Coupling
Type
Fiber
Application
ST Twist on Single/Multimode LANs
FC Screw on Single/Multimode Telecommunications
SC Snap on Single/Multimode
CAT5
Test Equipment
LC Snap on-RJ-45 Single/Multimode Gigabit Ethernet
MU Push/Pull Single/Multimode
Medical/Military
Equipment
MT-RJ Snap on-RJ-45 Single/Multimode Gigabit Ethernet/ATM
MPO Push/Pull Single/Multimode Transceivers