Fiber Optic

By Sanghamitra Mojumder
December 8,2007
Definition

Fiber-optic communications is based on the principle that light in a glass

medium can carry more information over longer distances than electrical
signals can carry in a copper or coaxial medium. The purity of today's
glass fiber, combined with improved system electronics, enables fiber to
transmit digitized light signals well beyond 100 km (60 miles) without
amplification. With few transmission losses, low interference, and high
bandwidth potential, optical fiber is an almost ideal transmission
medium.
Advantages of Fiber Optics
• Less expensive - Several miles of optical cable can be made cheaper
than equivalent lengths of copper wire.

• Thinner and lighter- Optical fibers can be drawn to smaller

diameters than copper wire.

• Higher carrying capacity/High Bandwidth - Because optical fibers

are thinner than copper wires, more fibers can be bundled into a
given-diameter cable than copper wires. This allows more phone lines
to go over the same cable or more channels to come through the
cable into your cable TV box.

• Less signal degradation - The loss of signal in optical fiber is less than
in copper wire.
contd…….
• Light signals - Unlike electrical signals in copper wires, light signals from
one fiber do not interfere with those of other fibers in the same cable.
This means clearer phone conversations or TV reception

• Low power - Because signals in optical fibers degrade less, lower-power

transmitters can be used instead of the high-voltage electrical
transmitters needed for copper wires. Again, this saves your provider and
you money.

• Digital signals - Optical fibers are ideally suited for carrying digital
information, which is especially useful in computer networks.

• High Security : Very difficult to Tap without breaking.

• Non-flammable - Because no electricity is passed through optical fibers,

there is no fire hazard.

• Non-corrosive - Because transmission media is optical fiber no corrosion

as compared to Copper
Advantages of Fiber Optics

Disadvantages

Polarization dependence
Wavelength dependence
Limited bend radius
If physical arc of cable too high, light lost or won’t reflect
Will break
Difficult to splice
Mechanical vibration becomes signal noise

ref [6]
Optical Fiber

Electrical Modulator Optical fiber Receiver Electrical

signal signal

Optical
Optical
source

• Light sources (lasers, LEDs ) generate pulses of light that are

transmitted on optical fiber
• Very long distances (>1000 km)
• Very high speeds (>40 Gbps /wavelength)

•Profound influence on network architecture

•Nearly error -free (BER of 10)

•Dominates long distance transmission

•Distance less of a cost factor in communications
•Plentiful bandwidth for new services
Transmission in Optical Fiber
Geometry of optical fiber

Light
Cladding Jacket
Core

Total Internal Reflection in optical fiber

q
c

• Very fine glass cylindrical core surrounded by concentric layer of glass (cladding)
• Core has higher index of refraction than cladding
• Light rays incident at less than critical angle is completely reflected back
into the core
Multi & Single Mode Fiber
Multimode fiber: multiple rays follow different paths

Reflected path

Direct path

Single mode fiber: only direct path propagates in fiber

Multimode : Thicker core, shorter reach

Rays on different paths interfere causing dispersion & limiting bit rate
Single mode: Very thin core supports only one mode (path)
More expensive lasers, but achieves very high speeds
Fiber Optic Connectors

Fiber-to-fiber interconnection can consist of a splice, a permanent

connection, or a connector, which differs from the splice in its
ability to be disconnected and reconnected. Fiber optic connector
types are as various as the applications for which they were
developed. Different connector types have different characteristics,
different advantages and disadvantages, and different performance
parameters. But all connectors have the same four basic
components. 
Parts of a Fiber Optic Connector

The Ferrule:

The fiber is mounted in a long, thin

cylinder, the ferrule, which acts as a
fiber alignment mechanism. The
ferrule is bored through the center at
a diameter that is slightly larger than
the diameter of the fiber cladding.
The end of the fiber is located at the
end of the ferrule. Ferrules are
typically made of metal or ceramic,
but they may also be constructed of
plastic.

contd……
The Connector Body:

Also called the connector housing,

the connector body holds the ferrule.
It is usually constructed of metal or
plastic and includes one or more
assembled pieces which hold the
fiber in place. The details of these
connector body assemblies vary
among connectors, but bonding
and/or crimping is commonly used to
attach strength members and cable
jackets to the connector body. The
ferrule extends past the connector
body to slip into the coupling device.

contd…….
The Cable:

The cable is attached to the

connector body. It acts as
the point of entry for the
fiber. Typically, a strain-
relief boot is added over the
junction between the cable
and the connector body,
providing extra strength to
the junction.

contd…….
The Coupling Device:

Most fiber optic connectors do not use

the male-female configuration
common to electronic connectors.
Instead, a coupling device such as an
alignment sleeve is used to mate the
connectors. Similar devices may be
installed in fiber optic transmitters
and receivers to allow these devices
to be mated via a connector. These
devices are also known as feed-
through bulkhead adapters.
Splicing

Splicing is only needed if the cable runs are too long for one straight
pull or you need to mix a number of different types of cables (like
bringing a 48 fiber cable in and splicing it to six 8 fiber cables)

Splices are "permanent" connections between two fibers. There are

two types of splices, fusion and mechanical, and the choice is usually
based on cost or location.

Fusion Splices are made by "welding" the two fibers together usually
by an electric arc.

Mechanical Splices are alignment gadgets that hold the ends of two
fibers together with some index matching gel or glue between them.
ST ( straight tip )

This was developed by the US company, AT&T, to overcome many of

The problems associated with the SMA and is now the most popular
choice of connector for multimode fibers. It is also available for
Single mode systems.

The problem of repeatability is overcome by fitting a key to the

connector and a corresponding keyway cut into the adapter. There is
now only one position in which the connector can fit into the adapter.

The screw thread of the SMA has been replaced by a bayonet fitting so
that there is no worry about the connector becoming loose when
exposed to vibration.

The ferrule is spring loaded so that the pressure on the end of the
ferrule is not under the control of the person fitting the connector.
There is no SMA worries about how tight to do up the nut.
FC Connectors

These connectors are used for single-mode and multimode fiber-

optic cables. FC connectors offer extremely precise positioning of
the fiber-optic cable with respect to the transmitter's optical
source emitter and the receiver's optical detector. FC connectors
feature a position locatable notch and a threaded receptacle. FC
connectors are constructed with a metal housing and are nickel-
plated. They have ceramic ferrules and are rated for 500 mating
cycles. The insertion loss for matched FC connectors is 0.25 dB.
From a design perspective, it is recommended to use a loss
margin of 0.5 dB or the vendor recommendation for FC
connectors.
LC Connectors-
Lucent Connector / Local Connector

LC connectors are used with single-mode and multimode fiber-optic

cables. The LC connectors are constructed with a plastic housing and
provide for accurate alignment via their ceramic ferrules. LC
connectors have a locking tab. LC connectors are rated for 500
mating cycles. The typical insertion loss for matched LC connectors is
0.25 dB. From a design perspective, it is recommended to use a loss
margin of 0.5 dB or the vendor recommendation for LC connectors.
 Subscriber connector (SC)
Also available in PC and APC versions and suitable for single mode and
Multimode systems.

This connector is designed for high performance telecommunication and

cable television networks.
There is a different feel about this connector when compared with the
previous types. The body is of light plastic construction and has a more
‘domestic’ or ‘office’ feel about it.

It has low losses and the small size and rectangular shape allows a high
packing density in junction boxes. It plugs into the adapter with a very
positive click action, telling us it’s definitely engaged.
Flat Type, PC and APC
Many of the connectors are offered in different finishing styles called flat finish,
physical contact (PC), and angled physical contact (APC). So we see the connector
name with a PC or APC added on the end. If nothing is mentioned, we assume a
flat finish.

A flat finish is simply polished to produce a smooth flat end to the fiber so that
the light comes straight out of the connector within the acceptance angle of the
other fiber.

In the case of the PC finish, the fiber is polished to a smooth curve. There are
two benefits of a PC connector. As the name implies, the two fibers make physical
contact and therefore eliminates the air gap resulting in lower insertion
losses. The curved end to the fiber also reduces the return loss by reflecting the
light out of the fiber.

The APC finish results in very low return losses, It is simply a flat finish set at an
angle, typically 80. The effect of this is that when the Fresnel reflection occurs
much of the reflected power is at an angle less than the critical angle and is not
propagated back along the fiber.
Media interface connector ( MIC ),
fixed shroud duplex ( FSD )
or fiber data distributive interface ( FDDI )

Unlike the other connectors, this one has two fibers within the
same cover. This allows signals to be routed in two directions at
the same time. This is called duplex operation.

It uses STPC ceramic ferrules, otherwise it is another all plastic

connector, with a similar feel to the SC. It is intended to be
used in local area networks (LANs) to interconnect computer
systems and other pieces of office equipment.
MT-RJ Connectors Mechanical Transfer
Registered Jack

MT-RJ connectors are used with single-mode and multimode fiber-

optic cables. The MT-RJ connectors are constructed with a plastic
housing and provide for accurate alignment via their metal guide pins
and plastic ferrules. MT-RJ connectors are rated for 1000 mating
cycles. The typical insertion loss for matched MT-RJ connectors is
0.25 dB for SMF and 0.35 dB for MMF. From a design perspective, it is
recommended to use a loss margin of 0.5 dB or the vendor
recommendation for MT-RJ connectors.
Comparison
Connector Insertion Loss Repeatability Fiber Type Applications

Datacom,
0.50-1.00 dB 0.20 dB SM, MM Telecommunica
FC
tions
Fiber Optic
0.20-0.70 dB 0.20 dB SM, MM
FDDI Network

0.15 db (SM) High Density

0.2 dB SM, MM
LC 0.10 dB (MM) Interconnection

High Density
0.30-1.00 dB 0.25 dB SM, MM
MT Array Interconnection

0.20-0.45 dB 0.10 dB SM, MM Datacom

SC

0.20-0.45 dB 0.10 dB SM, MM Datacom

SC Duplex
Typ. 0.40 dB Typ. 0.40 dB
Inter-/Intra-
(SM) (SM)
SM, MM Building,
ST Typ. 0.50 dB Typ. 0.20 dB
Security, Navy
(MM) (MM)
Thank you