2. 1. Introduction to How Fiber
Optics Work
Fiber-optic lines used by many
things.
For example, telephone system, the cable
TV system or Internet, medical imaging
and mechanical engineering inspection.
3. 2. What are Fiber Optics?
Fiber optics (optical fibers) has the
following parts:
●
Core - Thin glass center of the fiber where
the light travels.
●
Cladding - Outer optical material surrounding
the core that reflects the light back
into the core
● Buffer coating – Plastic coating that protects the
fiber from damage and moisture.
4. 3. The kind of the Optical fibers
Optical fibers come in two types:
● Single-mode fibers
Single-mode fibers have small cores(about 3.5× 10-4
inches or 9 microns in diameter) and transmit infrared
laser light.
● Multi-mode fibers
Multi-mode fibers have larger cores (about 2.5× 10-
3 inches or 62.5micronsin diameter) and transmit
infrared laser light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
5. 4. A Fiber-Optic Relay System
Fiber-Optic relay systems consist of
the following:
● Transmitter
Produces and encodes the light signals
● Optical fiber
Conducts the light signals over a
distance
● Optical regenerator
May be necessary to boost the light
signal (for long distances)
● Optical receiver
Receives and decodes the light signals
6. 5. The manufacturing method of
the Optical Fibers
Making optical fibers requires the
following steps:
1. Making a preform glass cylinder
2. Drawing the fibers from the preform
3.Testing the fibers
7. 6. Advantages of Fiber Optics
● Fiber Optics is less expensive
● Capacity is big
● Less signal degradation
● Low power
● Digital signals
● Flexible