Bangladesh

University of Professionals (BUP)

Faculty of Science & Technology
Department of Information & Communication Technology
Course Title: Optical Fiber Communication Lab (ICE4110)

Lab Sheet
Submitted By:
Humayra Anjumee Jeba (17511059)
Mahmuda Mou (17511069)
Imtiaz Pranto (17511079)
Shakil Chowdhury (17511089)
Yasin Billah (17511099)
Group No: 09
Section: B
Date of Submission: 17/02/2020
 BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONALS (BUP)
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Subject: Optical fiber communication (ICE-4109)

Experiment No 02

Title:
Demonstrate analog communication using 1 KHz audio signal generator with step index, graded index and
300 meters of multimode connected graded index 62.5/125 optical fiber.

Objective:
1. To familiarize with fiber optics panel and optical fiber. EF041/EV circuit board.
2. To introduce with the transmission of analog signals transmission through step index, graded index
and 300 meters of graded index.
3. To describe the construction structure of the optical fiber with different modes.

Introduction:
The optical fiber communication is established as the main communication system because the requirements
for more bandwidth are over passing the copper capacity. Optical fiber offers low loss over a high bandwidth,
low levels of undesirable transmission impairments, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and long
lifespan. We can think of optical fiber and wireless communications as quite complementary. However,
wireless networks still face obstacles at both levels to achieving high, end-to-end performance data delivery,
particularly at gigabit per second rates. Optical fibers have a variety of applications like communications,
sensors and lighting purposes. [1]

Figure: Fiber Optic Communication

Theory:

Fiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending
pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to
carry information. First developed in the 1970s, fiber-optic communication systems have revolutionized the
telecommunications industry and have played a major role in the advent of the Information Age. Because of
its advantages over electrical transmission, optical fibers have largely replaced copper wire communications
in core networks in the developed world.
Nowadays, there are a lot of communications like audio communication and video communication using
optical fiber. As long as it uses the light as a transmission medium, so it can call be an optical communication.
This experiment is about to design and built ways of audio communication system3 using the optical cable.
Generally, this audio communication system consists of a transmitter, which encodes a messages into an
optical signal, a channel (optical cable), which carries the signal and convert the signal into form that can be
understood like an audio. [2]

figure: Optical Fiber structure

Fiber-optic Cable:
An optical fiber is a dielectric waveguide that operates at optical frequencies. This is normally in a cylindrical
wave. It confines the electromagnetic energy in the form of light to within its surface and guides the light in
the direction parallel to its axis.
The simplest fiber optic cable consists of two concentric layers of transparent materials. The inner portion (the
core) transports the light; the outer covering (the cladding) must have a lower refractive index than the core
so the two of them are made of different materials. To provide mechanical protection to the cladding, an
additional plastic layer, the Primary Buffer is added.
The way the material composition of the core is varied gives rise to the two commonly used fiber types
1. Step index fiber
2. Graded index fiber

Refractive Index Profile:

The refractive index profile describes the relationship between the indices of the core and cladding. Two main
relationships exist: step index and graded index. The step index fiber has a core with a uniform index
throughout. The profile shows a sharp step at the junction of the core and cladding. In contrast, graded index
has a non-uniform core. The index is highest at the center of the core and gradually decreases until it matches
that of the cladding. Therefore, there is no sharp transition between the core and the cladding. By this
classification, there are three types of fibers:
• Multimode step index fiber, commonly called step index fiber.
Single-mode step index fiber, called single-mode fiber.
• Multimode degraded index fiber, called graded index fiber.
The characteristics of each type have an important bearing on its suitability for particular applications. [3]

LED Pin Detector:

An optical detector is a device that converts light signals into electrical signals, which can then be amplified
and processed. The photodetector is as essential an element of any fiber optic system as the optical fiber or
the light source. Photodetectors can dictate the performance of a fiber optic communication link. [4]

figure: Audio Signal Transmission

Block Diagram:

Components:
• Fiber Optics Educational Panel Module (EF041/EV)
• Analog Driver
• LED Source 1
• PIN PD Detector 1
• Analog Receiver
• Speaker
• Modulator
• Demodulator
• Cabling Components
• Oscilloscope
• Provided Optical Cables:

Ø Optical cable included in the panel

• length: 300 m
• kind of fiber: glass, Graded-Index
• diameter: 62.5/125μm (Core/Cladding)
• attenuation: < 3.5 dB/km (850 nm); < 1.5 dB/km (1330 nm)
• numerical opening: 0.2
• acceptance angle: 11 °
• pass band: 600 MHz·km
Ø Optical cable “3”
• length: 3 m
• kind of fiber: glass, Step-index
• diameter: 200/230μm (Core/Cladding)
• attenuation: < 7 dB/km (850 nm)
• numerical opening: 0.35
• acceptance angle: 20 °
• pass band: 20 MHz·km
Ø Optical cable “4”
• length: 3 m
• other characteristics as cable included in the panel
Precautions:

When optical fibers and optical components are used the following is recommended:
1. Light can be dangerous for your eyesight. Maybe we can’t see the light because the emitted wavelength
should be out of the visible range. It’s better not to look inside the connector of the optical sources
when connection is operating;
2. The base bending beam is around 2 cm. So, you shouldn’t bend the optical Cables with too narrow
curves as the fiber inside can be cut off or harm;
3. Toward the finish of the operations embed the proper caps into the optical parts and the optical links
connectors, so to protect them from dust the components and the fiber facing the connectors.
4. At times clean the connectors' head with a cotton wad splashed with liquor.
5. You should handle the trunks of not connectorized fiber with much more care. The pieces of naked
fiber anticipating from the covering can be risky if in contact with the eyes, the skin, or whenever
ingested.
6. Connection should be proper and close-fitting.
7. For avoid the damage, don’t forcefully place connectors.
Before reading the instructions, don’t use any equipment.

Procedure:
(a) With Step Index:
i) Keep the available power supply off.
ii) Connect the MIC of MODULATOR section to EXTERNAL SPEAKER.
iii) Connect FM OUT of AUDIO FM to ANALOG DRIVER (IN 1) via BNC copper wire.
iv) Connect STEP INDEX optical fiber cable from LED SOURCE 1 (F.O. OUT 1) to PIN PD
DETECTOR 1 (F.O. IN 1). Do not try to bend or stretch the optical fiber cable and connect the
core to the module carefully. Keep PIN 14 from LED SOURCE 1 shorted.
v) Connect the AUDIO RECEIVER (OUT 1) to DEMODULATOR AUDIO FM (FM IN) via BNC
copper wire.
vi) Connect AUDIO OUT 1 of DEMODULATOR to AUDIO IN of SPEAKER 2.
vii) Turn on the power supply.

(b) With Graded Index:

i) Keep the available power supply off.
i) Connect the MIC of MODULATOR section to EXTERNAL SPEAKER.
ii) Connect FM OUT of AUDIO FM to ANALOG DRIVER (IN 1) via BNC copper wire.
iii) Connect GRADED INDEX optical fiber cable from LED SOURCE 1 (F.O. OUT 1) to PIN PD
DETECTOR 1 (F.O. IN 1). Do not try to bend or stretch the optical fiber cable and connect the core
to the module carefully. Keep PIN 14 from LED SOURCE 1 shorted.
iv) Connect the AUDIO RECEIVER (OUT 1) to DEMODULATOR AUDIO FM (FM IN) via BNC
copper wire.
v) Connect AUDIO OUT 1 of DEMODULATOR to AUDIO IN of SPEAKER 2.
vi) Turn on the power supply.
(c) With the help of Cabling component:
i) Keep the available power supply off.
ii) Connect the MIC of MODULATOR section to EXTERNAL SPEAKER.
iii) Connect FM OUT of AUDIO FM to ANALOG DRIVER (IN 1) via BNC copper wire.
iv) GRADED INDEX optical fiber cable from LED SOURCE 1 (F.O. OUT 1) to One end of
GRADED INDEX FIBER which is inside that cabling component of the module (curve sign
represent fiber). Connect the other end of that fiber (which is inside that cabling component)
 to PIN PD DETECTOR 1 (F.O. IN 1). Do not try to bend or stretch the optical fiber cable and
connect the core to the module carefully. Keep PIN 14 from LED SOURCE 1 shorted.
v) Connect the AUDIO RECEIVER (OUT 1) to DEMODULATOR AUDIO FM (FM IN) via
BNC copper wire.
vi) Connect AUDIO OUT 1 of DEMODULATOR to AUDIO IN of SPEAKER 2.
vii) Turn on the power supply.

Circuit Diagram:

Fig:
Circuit Diagram with Step Index Fiber Fig: Circuit Diagram with Graded Index Fiber
 Fig: Circuit Diagram with Cabling Component

Question Answer:
Q1. Why we using LED pin detector in this experiment?
Ans: A photodetector is an optoelectronic device that absorbs optical signals and converts then into

electrical signals.
Photodetectors are widely used in optical communication systems. In this experiment detectors receive the
transmitted optical pulse and convert them with as little loss as possible, into electronic pulses that can be used
by a telephone, a computer or other terminal at receiving end.
Q2. What is analog transmission?
Ans: Analog transmission is a transmission method of conveying information using a continuous signal which
varies in amplitude, phase, or some other property in proportion to that information. It could be the transfer
of an analog source signal, using an analog modulation method such as frequency modulation (FM)
or amplitude modulation (AM), or no modulation at all.
Q3. Can fiber optics transmit electricity?
Ans: 'Yes' but speaking practically you can't use optical fiber cable to transmit power more than few watts
even if you are using high power lasers. Optical fiber is transparent to EM waves only in optical range (around
192 THz of frequency).
Q4. Why using graded index fiber is better in optical fiber communication?
Ans: It is better because it decreases modal dispersion by continuously refocusing the rays in the core which
also results in higher bandwidth
Q5. Can fiber optics freeze?
Ans: Freezing within an innerduct or conduit has been occurring for as long as cables have been put in duct,
but fiber optic cable is susceptible to freezing in a way that traditional copper cables are not; fiber optic strands
may be bent by the tremendous forces that occur when water crystallizes into ice. [5]

Result:
With Step Index Fiber:

Fig: Module for audio transmission with step index optical fiber
 Fig: Output signal for audio signal transmission with step index optical fiber

With Graded Index Fiber:

Fig: Module for audio transmission with Graded index optical fiber
 Fig: Output signal for audio signal transmission with Grade index optical fiber

With Graded Index Fiber via cabling components:

Fig: Module for audio transmission with graded index optical fiber via cabling components
 Fig: Output signal for audio signal transmission with Graded index optical fiber via cabling component

Discussion:
Using input from external microphone using step index, graded index and 300 meters of multimode
connectorized graded index 62.5/125 optical fiber with the help of FM modulator and demodulator we
demonstrate analog transmission in this experiment. By doing modulation and demodulation systems we saw
from the oscilloscope that for various input signals there are different audio output and creates distinctive
frequency. The output had been observed from the speaker as analog voice and the signals are simulated
through the oscilloscope. Signals observed from transmitter and receiver were giving proper response and
proper shape in the oscilloscope digital screen.

Reference:
[1] Fiber optic transmitter/receiver market to hit $20.5bn by 2006. (2002). III-Vs Review, 15(2), p.26.
[Accessed 16 Feb. 2020].
[2] Eprints.utem.edu.my. (2020). [online] Available at:
http://eprints.utem.edu.my/1918/1/Optical_Fiber_Audio_Communication_System_-_24_pages.pdf
[Accessed 16 Feb. 2020].
[3] Citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. (2020). [online] Available at:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.564.3375&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 16 Feb.
2020].
[4] Fosco Connect. (2020). PIN Photodetector Characteristics for Optical Fiber Communication. [online]
Available at: https://www.fiberoptics4sale.com/blogs/archive-posts/95046662-pin-photodetector-
characteristics-for-optical-fiber-communication [Accessed 16 Feb. 2020].
[5] Notes, E. (n.d.). Frequency Modulation, FM Detection, Demodulation, Discrimination. Retrieved from:
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/radio/modulation/fm-frequency-demodulation-detection-
discrimination.php [Accessed 16 Feb. 2020].