Fiber optics basic principles: Optical fiber is a very thin strand of glass or plastic capable of transmitting light from

one point to another. Optical fiber can also be called an optical waveguide, since it is a device that guides light. A typical optical fiber can be either made out of glass (otherwise known as silicon dioxide) or plastic (typically a polysterene or polymethyl methacrylate). Because of the fibers lightness and small size with the ability to have greater information carrying capacities than metallic wires they are more suitable for many different applications. With so many beneficial factors in using an optical fiber it is no surprise that many companies have applied this technology into developing new installations and applications making them commercially viable. Optical fibers consist of a light-carrying core and a cladding surrounding the core. There are generally three types of construction: glass core/cladding, glass core with plastic cladding, or all-plastic fiber. Optical fibers typically have an additional outside coating which surrounds and protects the fiber. Commonly available glass fiber diameters range from 8 micron core/125 micron cladding to 100 micron core/140 microns cladding, whereas plastic fibers range from 240 micron core/250 micron cladding to 980 micron core/1,000 micron cladding. The human hair, by comparison, is roughly 100 microns in diameter.

Types: multimode graded-index fiber multimode step-index fiber single-mode step-index fibers Multimode graded-index fiber can propagate hundreds of light modes at one time while single mode fibers only propagate one mode. The difference between graded-index and step-index fibers is that in a graded index fiber it has a core whose refractive index varies with the distance from the fiber axis, while the step-index has core with the same refractive index throughout the fiber. Since the single-mode fibers propagate light in one clearly defined path, intermodal dispersion effects is not present, allowing the fiber to operate at larger bandwidths than a multimode fiber. On the other hand, multimode fibers have large intermodal dispersion effects due to the many light modes of propagations it handles at one time. Because of this multimode fibers operate at lower bandwidths, however they are typically used for enterprise systems such as offices, buildings, universities since they are more cost effective than single mode ones. Indoor Cables Simplex cablecontains a single fiber for one-way communication Duplex cablecontains two fibers for two-way communication

 Multifiber cablecontains more than two fibers. Fibers are usually in pairs for duplex operation. A ten-fiber cable permits five duplex circuits. Breakout cabletypically has several individual simplex cables inside an outer jacket. The outer jacket includes a zip cord to allow easy access Heavy, light, and plenum-duty and riser cable Heavy-duty cables have thicker jackets than light-duty cable, for rougher handling. Plenum cables are jacketed with low-smoke and fire-retardant materials. Riser cables run vertically between floors and must be engineered to prevent fires from spreading between floors. Outdoor Cables Outdoor cables must withstand harsher environmental conditions than indoor cables. Outdoor cables are used in applications such as: Overheadcables strung from telephone lines Direct burialcables placed directly in trenches Indirect burialcables placed in conduits Submarineunderwater cables, including transoceanic applications Classification of Optical Fiber on the Basis of Fiber Material Glass Material Plastic Material Glass Material

Glass has superior optical qualities. Although it is more expensive as well as fragile, it is more efficient. Due to above characteristics, glass fibers are used for high speed applications or where long transmission paths are involved. Plastic Material Plastic fiber has poor optical qualities as compared to glass. Plastic fibers are more economical over short distances for slower speeds. Midway Solution Plastic-Clad Silica Fiber.

The above fiber uses a high quality glass core, clad with a low cost plastic sheathing. The cost and performance of plastic-clad Silica fiber is a compromise between the all-glass and all plastic fibers. Various paths that light can take in traveling down the fiber

Mode

Classification of Optical Fiber on the basis of Methods of Propagation:

Single-mode Step index Multi-mode Graded index Multi-mode Step index Bandwidth of 200 Mhz-km Multi-Mode Step Index Fiber

(8-10 /125mm) (62.5 /125mm) (200-1000/1035mm) (50.0/125mm) (100 /140mm )

Data rates up to 200 Mbps for 2 km Data rates near unlimited under 100 m Loss of 5-20 dB/km Large cores of 200 to 1000 microns Cladding outer diameter up to 1035 microns 200/230, Recognized EIA/TIA 568A standards Effective with low cost LEDs Limited transmission distances Least expensive to manufacture Transmits at 515-1300 nm wavelengths Good light gathering ability Used for voice, data and video Multi-Mode Step Index Fibers The index of refraction decreases gradually from the center of the core to the start of cladding Light goes slower in the center Light refracted to the outer core goes faster Therefore, the modes reach the other end at about the same time. Multi-Mode Graded Index

Bandwidths up to 1500 Mhz -km (50/125mm) Losses from 1 to 4 dB / km Cores of 50 /62.5 /100 microns (ITU standards) Cladding outer diameter of 125 and 140 Effective with LASER or LED source Medium to low costs for components, Test equipment and Transmitters / Receivers Transmits many modes (500+) or light paths Have distance limitations due to higher loss and pulse spreading microns (ITU standards)

Transmits at 850 nm and 1300 nm wavelengths Easier than single-mode to splice and connectorize Manufactured in standard lengths up to 4.4 km Single-Mode Step Index Fiber High bandwidth applications (200-500 THz) Low losses, Typically .2 dB to .5dB / Km Core diameter between 8-10 mm Mode field diameter area is of 10 microns Cladding outer diameter of 125 micron Usually needs a LASER source Higher costs for connectors, splices, test equipment and transmitters / receivers Transmits only one mode or light path Transmits at 1310 nm, 1550 nm and 1625nm wavelengths Sensitive to bends Manufactured in lengths up to 25 km Un-repeated span up to 120 km Developed to reduce the distance and speed limitations of multi-mode Fiber Its smallest & less expensive than graded index multimode fiber Common for telephone industry