RF, Microware and Optical Frequency Communications – A Review of Technologies

14. Important fiber optic terms

Fiber optic cable: A cable made up of one or more optical fibers, used to transmit light signals.

Optical fiber: A thin, flexible, transparent fiber made of glass or plastic that is designed to carry light signals over long distances.

Cladding: A material that surrounds the core of an optical fiber and helps to guide the light along the fiber.

Core: The central part of an optical fiber that carries the light signal.

Dispersion: The spreading of a light signal as it travels down an optical fiber, which can limit the bandwidth and range of the fiber.

Attenuation: The loss of signal strength as the light signal travels down an optical fiber, which can limit the range of the fiber.

Modulation: The process of encoding information onto a light signal, typically using techniques such as amplitude modulation or phase modulation.

Demodulation: The process of extracting information from a modulated light signal, typically using techniques such as amplitude demodulation or phase demodulation.

By carefully selecting the type of fiber, the length of the fiber, and the technology used, fiber optic communication can achieve very high transmission bandwidths, making it a critical component of modern communication networks.

15. How Fiber Optic networks differ from terrestrial and satellite networks?

Fiber optic networks, terrestrial networks, and satellite networks are all different types of communication networks, and they differ in several ways, including their physical characteristics, bandwidth capabilities, and transmission ranges.

Fiber optic networks are based on fiber optic cables, which use light to transmit data over long distances. These cables are made of glass or plastic fibers that are very thin and flexible. They offer extremely high bandwidth capabilities, with transmission speeds of several terabits per second, making them ideal for high-speed data transmission over long distances. Fiber optic networks are typically used for internet backbone connectivity, long-haul data transmission, and connecting data centers.

Terrestrial networks, on the other hand, use copper or coaxial cables, microwave towers, or radio antennas to transmit data over shorter distances. They offer lower bandwidth capabilities compared to fiber optic networks, typically ranging from a few megabits per second to several gigabits per second. Terrestrial networks are commonly used for last-mile connectivity, providing internet access to homes and businesses, and for connecting local networks within a city or region.

Satellite networks, as the name suggests, rely on communication satellites orbiting the Earth to transmit data over long distances. They offer high bandwidth capabilities, typically ranging from several hundred megabits per second to several gigabits per second, but have higher latency due to the longer transmission distances. Satellite networks are commonly used for providing internet access in remote or rural areas, and for global connectivity in industries such as aviation, maritime, and defense.

Overall, fiber optic networks offer the highest bandwidth capabilities and are ideal for long-haul data transmission, while terrestrial networks are best suited for last-mile connectivity and local network connections. Satellite networks, on the other hand, are most useful for providing connectivity in remote or hard-to-reach areas, or for industries that require global connectivity.