Introduction to Optical Fibre Cable

Basic Communication System

TRANSMITTER

INFORMATION CHANNEL (MEDIUM)

RECEIVER

In optical communication transmission in an optical format is carried out by varying the intensity of the optical power. (Intensity modulation)

Driver

Source

Fibre

Detector

Regen.

Transmitter

Receiver

Optical fiber is a new medium, in which information (voice, data or video) is transmitted through a glass or plastic fiber, in the form of light

Transmitter convert electrical signal to optical signals which is transmitted through fibre Electronic interfaces Electronic processing circuits Drive circuitry Light source LED/Laser Optical interface Output sensing and stabilization Temperature sensing and control

Receiver- receives the optical signals from the fibre and convert the same to its electrical equivalent Detector [PIN photodiode/APD (Avalanche photodiode)] Detector used in fibre optical communications are semiconductor photodiodes or photo-detectors which converts the received optical signal into electrical form Amplifier Decision circuits

Information Transmission Sequence

Consists of Core and Cladding Core and Cladding are made up of same material The material used is optically transparent Silica or borosilicate glass will be the usual material The R.I of the core will be slightly higher than the R.I of the cladding

 The core and cladding dia in mm

Core ( m) 8 50 62.5 100 Cladding ( m) 125 125 125 140

Advantages of Fiber Optics

Optical Fibres are non conductive (Dielectric) Grounding and surge suppression not required - Cables can be all dielectric Electromagnetic immunity Immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) No radiated energy Unauthorized tapping difficult

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Large Bandwidth (> 50 GHz for 1 km length)
Future upgradability Maximum utilization of cable right of way One time cable installation costs

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Low Loss (5 dB/km to < 0.25 dB/km typical) Loss is low and same at all operating speeds within the fiber's specified ban Long, unrepeated links (> 70 km is operation) Inexpensive light sources available Repeater spacing increases along with operating speeds because low loss fibers are used at high data rates

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Small, light weight cables. Easy installation and handling Efficient use of space Available in Long lengths (> 12 kms) Less splice points Security Extremely difficult to tap a fiber as it does not radiate energy that can be received by a nearby antenna Highly secure transmission medium

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Security Being a dielectric It cannot cause fire Does not attract lightning It does not carry electricity Can be run through hazardous areas Universal medium Serve all communication needs Nonobsolescence

Rarer to Denser medium - Refracted rays move towards the normal Denser to Rarer medium - Refracted rays move away from normal

Contd..

Critical angle:- The angle of incidence in the denser medium for which the angle of refraction is 90 When the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, Total Internal Reflection occurs Refractive Index of core is 1.48 Refractive Index of cladding is 1.46

Total Internal Reflection

(Note:- n1 is greater than n2) Angle of incidence Critical angle Angle of incidence Angle of reflection

n1 n2

n1 n2

n1 n2

Angle of Refraction

Light is bent away from the Light does not enter second Normal material

Light is reflected in the same material

O F Classification The optical fibers can be classified in three ways:

-Material - Size (or Mode) - Refractive Index

Wavelength Frequency Window Attenuation Dispersion Bandwidth Numerical Aperture

 Sources of Loss in Fibers :The losses occurring in fibers can be attributed to three main causes 1. Absorption 2. Scattering

3. Geometric effects

Permanent connection between two fibres Involves cutting of the edges of the two fibres to be spliced Alignment of the cores of the fibres to be connected is important to reduce splice loss

Single Fiber Mechanical splicing Adhesive bonding or Glue splicing Temp. Mechanical splicing Fusion Splicing

Most popular splicing technique Achieved either through electrical arc or through gas flame Splicing loss can be minimized as low as 0.01 dB/joint Splice joint needs mechanical protection and protection from moisture. For this epoxy resin coating and heat shrinkable tube are used

Suitable for SMF for use in long haul network The splice loss indicated by the splicing machine is only an estimated loss. After every splicing is over, the splice loss measurement is to be taken by an OTDR