Fiber Optic Communication

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

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(LED) a type of diode that emits light when current passes through it. Depending on the material
used the colour can be visible or infrared. LEDs have many uses, visible LEDs are used as indicator
lights on all sorts of electronic devices and in moving-message panels, while infrared LEDs are the
heart of remote control devices.

Optical Fiber
Communication
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Introduction:
Fiber Optic Communication

In contrast to electrical communications, transmission of information in an optical format is carried

out by varying the intensity of the optical power. The optical spectrum ranges from about 50nm
(ultraviolet) to about 100 nm (for infrared), the visible region in the 400-to-700nm band

Diagram of Optical fiber communication:

Fiber optic Basics:

Wider Bandwidth:
The optical carrier frequency is in the range of 1013to 1015Hz, while the radio frequency is about
106Hz and the microwave frequency is about 1010Hz.

Low transmission loss :

In the modern optical fiber communication systems, the fibers having transmission losses of 0.002
dB/km.

Dielectric waveguide or Electrical isolation:

Optical fiber is made from silica which is an electrical isolator. Therefore they do not pick up any
electromagnetic wave or any high current lightning. The optical fibers are not affected by any
interference originating from power cables, railway power lines and radio waves.

Signal security:
The transmitted signal through the fibers does not radiate. Further the signal cannot be tapped from a
fiber in an easy manner.

Small size and weight:

Fiber optic cables are developed with small radii, flexible compact and light weight than copper cables.
 Fiber Optic Communication

So that in cities, industries, air crafts and ships it would not create any congestion and it allows the
expansion of communication system in an easy manner.

Ruggedness and Flexibility:

The fiber cables can be bent or twisted without damage. Further the optical fiber cables are superior to
the copper cables in terms of storage, handling, installation and transportation, maintaining
comparable strength and durability.

System Reliability and easy maintenance:

The optical fibers are made from silica glass which does not undergo any chemical reaction or
corrosion. It is not easily affected by any external parameter. Further due to its ultra low loss and zero
dispersion, the optical fiber communication system has high reliability. Above factors are also tend to
reduce the maintenance time and cost.

Low cost:
The raw material for optical fibers is easily available at lower costs. Overall system cost including
maintenance is very low when it is compared with the conventional communication systems like
microwave radio, satellite communication systems etc.

Attenuation in Fiber optics

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signal attenuation or fiber losses is defined as the ratio of the input (transmitted) optical power into
the fiber to the output (received) optical power from the fiber.
The attenuation of the signal is measured in decibel/km

How optical fiber transmit light?

Fiber Optic Communication

Losses in Fibre:

There are different types of attenuation or losses in fiber optics. They are

1. Absorption losses'
2. Material, or Rayleigh Scattering losses
3. Chromatic or Wavelength, Dispersion
4. Radiation losses
5. Modal dispersion
6. Coupling losses

Optical Power

Optical power measures the rate at which electro magnetic waves transfer light energy.
Optical Power P = dQ / dt
where P = optical power (watts)
dQ = instantaneous charge (joules)
dt = instantaneous change in time (second)
Optical power is generally stated in decibels relative to a defined power level, such as 1 mW (dBm) or
1uW (dBu). Mathematically stated,
 Fiber Optic Communication

[math.eq A_(db)=10 log \Large \left(\frac{pout}{Pin} \right) \eq]

Where A (dB) =Total reduction in power level, attenuation (unitless)

Pout=Cable output power(watts)

Pin=Cable input power(watts)

P=P1X10-a/10

Absorption losses
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Impurities in the fiber absorb the light and convert it to heat. absorption losses between 1 dB/km and
1000 dB/km. Essentially, there are three factors that contribute to the absorption losses in optical
fibers:

Ultraviolet absorption:
It is caused by valence electrons in the silica material. Light ionizes the valence electrons into
conduction. This ionization contributes to the transmission losses of the fiber.

Infrared absorption:
It is a result of photons of light that are absorbed by the core molecules. The absorbed photons are
converted to random mechanical vibrations.

Ion resonance absorption:

It is caused by OH- ions in the material. The source of the OH- ions is water molecules that have been
trapped in the glass during the manufacton uring process.

Chromatic, or Wavelength, Dispersion

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Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emit light containing many wavelengths. Each wavelength within the
composite light signal travels at a different velocity when propagating through glass.

Consequently, light rays that are simultaneously emitted from an LED and propagated down an optical
fiber do not arrive at the far end of the fiber at the same time, resulting in an impairment called
chromatic distortion (sometimes called wavelength dispersion).

Chromatic distortion can be eliminated by using a monochromatic light source such as an injection
laser diode (ILD). Chromatic distortion occurs only in fibers with a single mode of transmission

Material, or Rayleigh, Scattering Losses

 Fiber Optic Communication

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During manufacturing, the glass is in a plastic state (not liquid and not solid). The tension applied to
the glass causes the cooling glass to develop permanent submicroscopic irregularities.

When light rays propagating down a fiber strike one of these impurities, they are diffracted. Diffraction
causes the light to disperse or spread out in many directions. some of it escapes through the cladding.

The light rays that escape represent a loss in light power. This is called Rayleigh scattering loss. Above
Figure graphically shows the relationship between wavelength and Rayleigh scattering loss.

Modal dispersion
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Modal dispersion (sometimes called pulse spreading) is caused by the difference in the propagation
times of light rays that take different paths down a fiber. Obviously, modal dispersion can occur only
in multimode fibers. It can be reduced by using graded-index fibers and almost entirely eliminated by
using single-mode step-index fibers.

For multimode propagation, dispersion is often expressed as a bandwidth length product (BLP) or
bandwidth distance product (BDP). BLP indicates what signal frequencies can be propagated through a
given distance of fiber cable and is expressed mathematically as the product of distance and
bandwidth (sometimes called line width).

Bandwidth length products are often expressed in MHz — km units. As the length of an optical cable
increases, the bandwidth (and thus the bit rate) decreases in proportion.

Radiation losses
Radiation losses are caused mainly by small bends and kinks (twist) in the fiber. Essentially, there are
two types of bends: micro bends and macro bends.

Micro bending occurs as a result of differences in the thermal contraction rates between the core and
the cladding material. A micro bend is a miniature bend or geometric imperfection along the axis of
the fiber and represents a discontinuity in the fiber where Rayleigh scattering can occur.

Macro bends are caused by excessive pressure and tension and generally occur when fibers are bent
during handling or installation.

Optical Fibre
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Optical Fiber

A thin strand of glass that transmits light down its length.

 Fiber Optic Communication

Optical fiber (or "fiber optic") refers to the medium and the technology associated with the
transmission of information as light pulses along a glass or plastic strand or fiber. Optical fiber carries
much more information than conventional copper wire and is in general not subject to electromagnetic
interference and the need to retransmit signals. Most telephone company long-distance lines are now
made of optical fiber.

A type of fiber known as single mode fiber is used for longer distances; multimode fiber is used for
shorter distances.

Advantages of Optical Fiber:

• Noise immunity: RFI and EMI immune (RFI - Radio Frequency Interference, EMI
-Electromagnetic Interference)
• Security: cannot tap into cable.
• Large Capacity due to BW (bandwidth)
• No corrosion
• Longer distances than copper wire
• Smaller and lighter than copper wire
• Faster transmission rate

Disadvantages of optical fiber:

• Physical vibration will show up as signal noise!

• Limited physical arc of cable. Bend it too much and it will break!
• Difficult to splice
• The cost of optical fiber is a trade-off between capacity and cost. At higher transmission
capacity, it is cheaper than copper. At lower transmission capacity, it is more expensive.

Optical Fiber in Computer Networks:

 Fiber Optic Communication

Local area networks (LANs) are another growing application for fiber optics. Unlike long-haul
communications, these systems connect many local subscribers to expensive centralized equipment
such as computers and printers. This system expands the utilization of equipment and can easily
accommodate new users on a network.

Development of new electro-optic and integrated-optic components will further expand the capability
of fiber systems, with the intranet net now the fiber optic cables will be the dream of each company.

Optical fiber applications

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Telecommunication:

The use and demand for optical fiber has grown tremendously and optical-fiber applications are
numerous. Telecommunication applications are widespread, ranging from global networks to desktop
computers. These involve the transmission of voice, data, or video over distances of less than a meter
to hundreds of kilometers, using one of a few standard fiber designs in one of several cable designs.

Carriers use optical fiber to carry plain old telephone service (POTS) across their nationwide networks.
Local exchange carriers (LECs) use fiber to carry this same service between central office switches at
local levels, and sometimes as far as the neighborhood or individual home (fiber to the home [FTTH]).

Data transmission:

Optical fiber is also used extensively for transmission of data. Multinational firms need secure, reliable
systems to transfer data and financial information between buildings to the desktop terminals or
computers and to transfer data around the world. Cable television companies also use fiber for
delivery of digital video and data services. The high bandwidth provided by fiber makes it the perfect
choice for transmitting broadband signals, such as high-definition television (HDTV) telecasts.

Transports:

Intelligent transportation systems, such as smart highways with intelligent traffic lights, automated
tollbooths, and changeable message signs, also use fiber-optic-based telemetry systems.

Biomedical:

Another important application for optical fiber is the biomedical industry. Fiber-optic systems are used
in most modern telemedicine devices for transmission of digital diagnostic images. Other applications
for optical fiber include space, military, automotive, and the industrial sector.

PIN diode
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It is composed of three regions. In addition to the usual N and P regions, an intrinsic layer is
sandwitched between them, to form the PIN structure. Being intrinsic, the intermediate layer offers
Fiber Optic Communication

relatively high resistance which gives it two advantages compared to an ordinary PN diode. The are
decrease in capacitance between P and N regions as it is inversely proportional to the separation
between these regions. It allows a faster response time for the diode. Hence, PIN diodes are used at
high frequencies. Possibility of greater electric field between the P and N junctions, so that the charge
carries drift towards their majority carrier side. This enhances faster response of the diode.