(Department of Electrical and Electronics)

Electrical & Electronics Lab 2

(ELEG 3103)

Experiment 7
Characteristics
Of
Fiber-Optics

KOLEJ SELATAN
Southern College
Objectives

To study the operation of the fiber optic Module KL-900D

Introduction

Light has been used as a form of communications for thousands of years. Early optical systems worked
well for transmitting very simple messages. Long messages, either spoken or written, had to be
conveyed person-to-person.

Most of the early work in fiber optics was done at optical wavelengths between 800-900 nanometers
(nm) because that was the performance range of laser diodes and LEDs available at that time. By 1980,
research confirmed that longer fiber optic communications systems using alternative wavelength design
were possible. Today, continued research has brought us fiber systems capable of simultaneously
carrying on many different wavelengths.

The fiber optic Lab Module KL-900D is the self-contained equipment which is designed for the study of
fiber optic communication systems. The panel module KL-95001 is shown in Figure 12-1. The circuit of
the Module is divided into two groups: analog circuit and digital circuit.

Analog Circuit
Analog circuit contains a microphone amplifier, momentary switch, optical transmitter and receiver, signal
generator, and audio amplifier. The 110V ac to 15 V dc Power adapter provides a +15V dc voltage to the
POWER jack located at the upper right corner of the KL-95001 Module. Once the dc voltage is applied,
the power indicator LED1 should light up. The bridge rectifier and voltage regulator 7812 provide a
stabilized +12 voltage to the circuits on the module. The audio circuit uses a microphone to pick up
audio signals. It has a bandwidth from 20Hz to 12 kHz. This microphone is ac-coupled to an LM386
audio amplifier configured for a gain of 20..

Digital Circuit
Digital circuit includes a microcontroller AT90S8515, a matrix keyboard, and RS-232C interface. The
microcontroller based Data transceiver is built with an Atmel AT90S8515 microcontroller which handles
digital data transmissions such as one module, module to module, PC to module, and module to PC.
Figure 12-1 KL-95001 panel
Equipment Required

(1) Module KL-95001 (2)

(2) 5 meter duplex optical fiber (1)
(3) AC to DC power adapter (2)
(4) Microphone-Earphone Set (2)
(5) 10 mm jumper (6)
(6) Connecting lead (2)

Procedure

1. Place two modules (A and B) on worktables separated by 4 to 4.5 meters. This demonstration is
most dramatic if a sound barrier is located between the two fiber optic communication modules,
to reduce the exchange of sound produced in the two areas.

2. Complete this step on both modules, Place the Data Transceiver MODE selector in OFF position.
Insert the wire end of the microphone into the MIC jack and the wire end of the earphone into the
Earphone jack.

[Module A]
3. Connect Audio Circuit’s output to Transmitter’s input using connecting lead.

4. Connect the Receiver’s Analog1 output to the SP (Speaker) input using a 10mm jumper.

5. Refer to Figure 12-2. Insert one fiber end of the 5 meter duplex cable and gently push it into the
TX1 until the fiber tip makes contact with interior back side. Tighten the nut with your fingers. Do
not over tighten it. Insert the other fiber tip from the same end of the duplex cable into the RX1
until the fiber tip makes contact with the interior back wall. Tighten it with your fingers.

Figure 12-2 Optical fiber installed on Module A

6. Insert the small end of AC to DC Power Adapter cord into the POWER jack and insert the two
pronged end of the POWER Adapter into a 110V wall outlet or extension cord. The LED1 should
 light up. Set the Receiver Gain knob to the 12 o’clock position.

7. Identify the optical fiber at the unconnected end of the duplex optical fiber with the red light
coming out of it.

[Module B]
8. Refer to Figure 12-3. Insert the end of the duplex optical fiber with the red light coming out into
the RX1 and gently push the fiber in until the fiber tip makes contact with the interior back wall of
the RX1. Tighten the nut with your fingers. Insert the remaining fiber into the TX1 until the fiber
tips makes contact in the LED, and tighten the nut with your fingers.

Figure 12-3 Optical fiber installed on Module A and B

9. Connect Audio Circuit’s output to Transmitter’s input using a connecting lead.

10. Connect the Receiver’s Analog1 output to the SP (Speaker) input using a 10mm jumper.

11. Insert the small end of AC to DC Power Adapter cord into the POWER jack and insert the two
pronged end of the Power Adapter into a 110V wall outlet or extension cord. The LED1 should
light up. Set the Receiver Gain knob to 12 o’clock position.

12. If a high pitched squeal begins to sound from either speaker when you connect the power,
reduce the Receiver Gain of both Modules by turning their Receiver Gain knobs CCW until the
noise subsides.

13. If the Speakers are not needed, removed the 10mm jumper connected at the Receiver’s Analog1
output to the SP on each Module. You can hear the sounds from the earphone
At each of your two Modules you now have assembled an efficient communication unit which can
operate as a “sender” and a “receiver: of acoustic (sound) waves. The Audio Circuit in your Lab
Module converts sound waves into an electrical signal, which then is converted to an optical
9light) form in the Transmitter circuitry. The optical signal is directed into the optical fiber, which
carriers it to the opposing Receiver. The Receiver’s Detector “decodes the optical signal and
converts light into an electrical signal which, in turn, drives the Speaker on the Lab Module to
create acoustic waves, or sound – in this case, the voices of the people in your class.

14. Verify that each Module is operating properly by lightly tapping or blowing across the microphone.
If the sounds you hear are very faint, try increasing the volume by slowing turning the Receiver
Gain knob clockwise.
 If you cannot adjust the Receiver Gain high enough to hear your voices before a high-pitched
squeal occurs, complete the following steps for two Modules

15. Unplug the AC to DC Power Adapter cord where it connects to the Modules. Remove the
connecting lead which connected the Audio Circuit output to the Transmitter input.

16. Using 10mm jumper, connect the Audio Circuit’s output to the Momentary Switch input, and the
momentary Switch output to the Transmitter’s input.

17. Reconnect the AC to DC Power Adapter cord to the module.

To transmit sounds from Module A to Module B, you now must depress the Momentary Switch of
Module A. To transmit sounds from Module B to Module A, you now must depress the Momentary
Switch of Module B. The Receiver Gain can now be increased without creating audio feedback
problems.

18. Have one individual speak into the microphone while members of the other group try to figure out
whose voice is coming through the fiber optic system..

19. Have one group of students create noises close to the microphone and ask the other group to
identify the source of the noises. Some examples are crumpling paper, breathing, rubbing your
hands together briskly above the microphone, moving a finger across the surface of the
microphone, plucking a rubber band, etc.