< Engineering Physics-1 >

<FIBRE OPTICS: Fibre Optic Communication System>

Introduction

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Learning Objectives
On completion of this chapter you will be able to:
1. Construct the block diagram for Fibre Optic Communication System.
2. Mention the sources which are used for transmission of optical signals.
3. Describe the process of converting the analog signal into optical signal.
4. Explain how the optical signals are detected at the receiving end.

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<FIBRE OPTICS: Fibre Optic Communication System>

< Engineering Physics-1 >

FIBRE OPTIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEM:It comprises of the following three main units:

Transmitter

has light source and input signal modulator

Optical fibre

to couple transmitter and receiver

Receiver

has optical detector and signal demodulator

Input
(Analog)
data

DRIVER

LIGHT
SOURCE

Source - to - fib re
connector

Transmitter

Optical
Fibre

Fib re - to - detector
connector

DETECTOR

OUTPUT
CIRCUIT

Output (Analog)
data

Receiver

Transmitter:It consists of analog to digital interface (driver). Here, the input signal is
converted into binary form. Then, the carrier light is modulating with respect to the
binary digits. The output of LED/Laser diode will be ON when the bit is 1 and OFF
if the bit is 0. In this manner, the analog signal gets transformed into optical signal.

Light sources for fibre optic communication:

A source must meet certain following requirements:
(1) Monochromatic

(to avoid chromatic dispersion)

(2) Intense

(transmission is possible for longer distances)

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<FIBRE OPTICS: Fibre Optic Communication System>

(3) Capable of being easily modulated

(for ex. Using LED and LD, modulation can be done easily
unlike in gas ionization lamps and other types of lasers)
4) Small and compact (to couple fibres easily and effectively)
5) Durable and Inexpensive

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

There are two types of LED. They are surface etched well emitter (S-LED) and
edge emitter (E-LED).

(Surface Etched well type S-LED)

(Edge emitter type E-LED)

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<FIBRE OPTICS: Fibre Optic Communication System>

In the S-LED, a well is etched into the top of the planar LED structure. This enables the
fibre end to be kept as close as possible to the light emitting region. In general, E-LEDs are
preferred to use with small NA whereas S-LEDs are better for larger NA fibres.

(Note: We have already discussed Laser (Semiconductor) diode in detail in the LASER chapter)

Receiver:The optical signal received should be first converted into digital form and then
analog output. Further, the analog output has to be amplified to overcome the loss if
any during its propagation through optical fibre.

Photodetectors
At the receiver end, conversion of optical signal into analog signal is being done
with the help of photo detectors for example photodiode. The photodetectors are
required to have
(1) High quantum efficiency
photon to electron conversion efficiency
(2) Adequate frequency response
speed of response
(3) Low dark current
low dark current low leakage current in a reverse biased diode in the
absence of illumination
(4) Low signal dependent noise
able to respond for signal rather than noise

Advantages of fibre optic communication: Enormous band width

Coaxial cable transmission 500 MHz; FOCS 105 Hz.
 Electrical isolation
No need of special care for insulation, fibres are made up of
insulators/dielectrics.

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 Immunity to interference and cross talk

Since fibres are dielectric wave guides, they are free form em
interference. There will be no interference even when large number of
fibre cables bundled together.
 Signal security
One could not draw signal from optical cable without tampering it unlike
from copper wire
 Small size and weight
Since the fibre cables are small in size, less weight and hence occupy less
space, they are useful in aircrafts and satellites.
 Low transmission loss
Transmission loss is very low compared to copper wire communication. It
is reduced up to 0.2 dB/Km. Hence, it is used for longer distance
communication with less number of repeaters.
 Harshness and flexibility
Fibre cables are flexible, compact and extremely rough/rugged.
 Low cost
Since fibres are made up of silica which is available in abundance, optical
fibres are inexpensive now a days.

Check Your Understanding (CYU)

1. What is the purpose of Driver shown in the block diagram?
2. Which type of LED is more suitable for Fibre Optic Communication?
3. Say true or false: Modulation can be done easily using LED and LD unlike in gas
ionization lamps and other types of lasers
4. What are the approximate band widths for coaxial transmission and fibre optic
communication systems?

(Check the correct answers on next page)

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<FIBRE OPTICS: Fibre Optic Communication System>

Summary
On completion of this chapter you have learned the following:
(1) The Fibre Optic Communication System has three main blocks that is
Transmitter -

has light source and input signal modulator

Optical fibre -

to couple transmitter and receiver

Receiver

has optical detector and signal demodulator

(2) The sources used for transmitting optical signals and how they are functioning.

Activity
Why we are choosing the fibre optic transmission rather than coaxial cable
transmission? What are the factors which are deciding the optical modulation as more
efficient? Think about it.

Suggested Reading
1. P.K. Palanisamy, Engineering Physics, Scitech Publications Pvt Ltd, Chennai.
2. C. Shanthi et al., Engineering Physics, Sonaversity, Salem.
3. M. Arumugam, Engineering Physics, Anuradha Agencies, Kumbakonam.
(And some other open resources from internet)

Answers to CYU
1. To convert analog signal into digital form
2. S-LED.
3. True.
4. 500 MHz; 105 Hz.

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