Fiber Optics Basics
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To the layman, fiber optics technology may seem like an amazingly complex concept, and of course, there is a huge amount of science and technical jargon that goes into the explanation of a technology that allows a series of tiny, hair-like fiber optics cables to beam information using lasers around the world.
But, at its core (no pun intended), fiber optics and understanding fiber optics systems is not that difficult, even for those of us who have never even heard the words “fiber optics cable” before.
The Basics of Fiber Optics Receiver Transmitter Systems
Originally conceived in the 1800s, but not fully realized until the 20th century, fiber optics transmits information using pulses of light and/or lasers. These pulses are sent through razor-thin strands of wiring usually made of glass.
A receiver then decodes the information, beaming it into homes and offices around the world literally at the speed of light with a quality that is unmatched by other competing technologies. Another use of fiber optics is in lighting for both illumination or to create dramatic lighting effects for signs and displays.
The heart of the fiber optics cable is the core, which is the glass strand in which the light travels.
The core is surrounded by the cladding, which reflects the light back into the core, thus keeping it in and guiding it along its path. A plastic coating surrounds the core and cladding for protection. One fiber optics cable can send more information than the largest of traditional electronic wiring and several hundred fiber optics cables can be grouped into a bundle.
At one end of the cable is a transmitter, which encodes the information and transmits it using light impulses. Once it arrives at its destination, a receiver decodes the information and converts it back into its original form. It is then sent along to the appropriate device, be it a television, radio, or computer.
What Do Fiber Optics Do For Me?
Besides transmitting huge amounts of data almost instantaneously, fiber optics cables are less expensive, take up less space, require little power and are less susceptible to lightening strikes. All these benefits add up to savings for providers of Internet, television, telephone and other applications, and these savings are passed along to consumers. Fiber optics cables also are used in medical imaging and surgical technologies, as well as engineering and mechanical inspections and maintenance. More and more power generation facilities are relying on fiber optics as well.
With little to no signal degradation, crystal clear communications, high-speed Internet connections and digital cable TV have all become realities.
While you may not see the miles of fiber optics cable lying under your feet, you reap the benefits of this truly revolutionary technology on a daily basis.