Transcript FIBER OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS - Pennsylvania State University

Zhi Li, Hui Li, Yiwen Qin and
Chris Kong
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent
fiber made of very pure glass (silica) not
much wider than a human hair that acts
as a waveguide, or “light pipe", to
transmit light between the two ends of
the fiber. The field of applied science and
engineering concerned with the design
and application of optical fibers is known
as fiber optics.
Gao Kun, the great Chinese American
physician, dedicated his life to electrical
engineering and first illustrated that optic
fiber can be used for long-distance
information transfer and then obtains 2009
Noble Prize for physics.
 (Wikipedia redirected from Gao Kun)
http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index
.php?id=1266
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Lower cost
Faster transfer speed
Less signal interference
Thinner
More flexible
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Higher cost
Corrosion
Shock hazard
Bonding agent
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Cost
Fiber optics are less expensive than copper wire.
Both users and service providers (the companies
that own the communication system). This is
because many miles of optical cable are easier
and less expensive to install than the same
amount of copper wire or cable. Also optical fiber
signals are created using low-power transmitters
because the signal degrades less (instead of
high-power electric transmitters used for copper
wires), which saves amounts of money.
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Since fiber optics send light instead of
electricity, fiber optics are non-flammable.
This means there is not a fire hazard. Fiber
optics also do not cause electric shocks,
because they do not carry electricity therefore
grounding and shielding agents are not
necessary.
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Efficiency
Being made from glass the fibers send
signals at the speed of light. More
information can also be carried over fiber
optic systems. This can be especially
important for computers, since a computer
has to send so much information at one time.
Also, more phone lines can be in one optical
fiber. Many people use the same optical cable
for phone conversations at the same time.
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Fiber optics are easier to install and transport
than copper wires out of its light weight. Also
fiber optics are thinner than copper wire
cables, so they will fit in smaller, more
crowded places. Finally because of its
flexibility, fiber optics can go around corners
and into tighter places than traditional cable.
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Initially being tested by the military, Fiber
Optics gave the necessary bandwidth and
security performance.
Today many research institutions and
universities have adopted this technology to
assist in their educational purposes.
Television and Internet providers are
adopting this new technology to provide for
the information hungry public.
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Because fiber Optics is lighting, its the introduction
into the medical field allows for lighting during
medical procedures.
The most minimalistic use of Fiber Optics is a small
and simple light decoration that some may use on a
Christmas tree for instance. In today’s age, Fiber
Optics ranges from important roles including sending
faster and more reliable information to smaller roles
including aesthetic pleasure.
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Website link
◦ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_K._Kao
◦ http://communication.howstuffworks.com/fiberoptic-communications/fiber-optic.htm
◦ http://www.f-n-t.com/whatisfo.htm
◦ http://cableorganizer.com/articles/fiber-opticstutorial/fiber-optic-technology.html
◦ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_fiber_cable