Understanding

Fiber Optic Communications

Communications over hair-thin strands of glass
Presented by

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

This presentation provided by

The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
The Professional Society Of Fiber Optics
www.foa.org

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

What Is Fiber Optics ?

Transmitting
communications
signals over hair thin
strands of glass or
plastic
Not a "new" technology
Concept a century old
Used commercially
since 1980
2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Why Fiber Optics?

Fiber is the least
expensive, most
reliable method
for high speed
and long distance
communications
AT&T promotional
photo from 1970s

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Is Everywhere!
Its how we communicate

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Under The Oceans

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

On The Land

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Applications

Fiber is the least expensive, most reliable
method for high speed and/or long distance
communications
While we already transmit signals at 100
Gigabits per second speeds, we have only
started to utilize the potential bandwidth of
fiber
2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Applications

Outside Plant vs Premises Installations

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Technology

A glass optical fiber is about twice

the size of a human hair.

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Technology
Fiber uses reflection (L) to
contain light inside the core
of the fiber (below).

Core
Cladding

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

How Fiber Works

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Ryan Lockte Illustrates

Total Internal Reflection

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Is Extremely Transparent

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Data Links

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Light Used In Fiber Optics

Fiber optic systems transmit using
infrared light, invisible to the human
eye, because it goes further in the
optical fiber at those wavelengths.

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Wavelength-Division Multiplexing
Allows Transmitting Multiple Signals

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Cable

Protects the fibers
wherever they are
installed
May have 1 to >1000
fibers

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Connectors

Terminates the fibers
Connects to other fibers or transmission
equipment

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Jobs In Fiber Optics

Designing components
Manufacturing fiber, lasers, etc.
Designing systems
Installing networks
Training and teaching

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Manufacturing

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Designing Fiber Optic Systems

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Installation - Outside Plant

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Fiber Optic Installation -Premises

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Teaching Fiber Optics

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Learn More About Fiber Optics

The FOA Website, www.TheFOA.org
Online Guide (~1000 pages with a Google
Custom Search)
Monthly Newsletter
100+ YouTube videos
Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

Learn More About Fiber Optics

FOA has textbooks on basic fiber optics (also in Spanish

and French,) outside plant fiber optics and premises cabling.
2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

For more information, also see

Lennie Lightwaves Guide To Fiber Optics
www.LennieLightwave.com

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

This presentation provided by

The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
The Professional Society Of Fiber Optics
www.foa.org

2015, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.