Fiber optics technology - Essay Example

Fiber Optics Technology Institute Fiber Optics Technology Fiber optics uses glass or plastic threads for transmitting data. An optical fiber cable is a bundle of glass threads, for transmitting messages modulated onto light waves. An optical fiber uses plastic or silica, and the thickness of one cable (optical thread) is slightly more than a human hair.Establishing functional compatibility in fiber optic communication systems has pushed manufacturers to develop certain components. For ineffective operation, certain standards have been crafted.

The International Telecommunications Union creates several rules that relate to essential characteristics and performance of fibers. ITU-T G.651 and ITU-T G.652 (standard SMF) are the two compositional standards (Alwayn, 2004). Standards that relate to performance govern transmitters and receivers and include; Optical Transport Network the, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, etc.Other standards are developed for specific niches. For instance, fiber optics in satellite communication begs other standards to adhere to.

The deposition of dopants can be done in three standard ways: inside, outside and axial vapor deposition (Held, 1999). Moreover, advances in the use fiber optic systems has created a demand for standards that enable interoperability between telephone companies and interexchange carriers. Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) in Europe and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) in North America (Held, 1999) are data transportation vehicle capable of supporting data rates in gigabyte range.There is not just one way of implementing fiber optic technology.

For instance, the most common way for this implementation is a high-speed fiber optic local area network (LAN). Before implementing this technology, a feasibility study is made. If a company needs to go into an area where there are no pre-existing cable networks then implementation is much easier. Fiber optic technology is very different from DSL services, therefore, implementing a new technology in a blank area is much easier. However, if there are copper wires installed for transmitting data then cost justifications, minimizing disruptions for the use of SML and the cost for connecting to NPS backbone LAN, need to be made (Ee, 2004).

The demand for high-speed internet usually drives the service providers to move to a better technology. The greatest hurdle preventing the widespread implementation of fiber optics is its cost. Implementing new fiber optic network is a troublesome task especially when old infrastructures like DSL and cable are already serving the customers (Anderson, 2014). Installing new fiber optic networks requires large capital expenditures for the service providers. On the other hand, the aging copper networks require a lot of cost in maintaining them.

As they age with time the cost to maintain them increases that only shifts the attention of the service providers towards the optical fibers which then becomes more reasonable alternative (Anderson, 2014). Moreover, as the customers demand cheaper and faster Internet services, the service providers are almost forced to opt for optical fiber networks. At the moment, there are many optical fiber manufacturers operating profitably. Finisar, JDS Uniphase Corporation, Infinera Corporation, Oclaro Inc.

and EXFO Inc. are some of the bigger names in the optical fiber industry.ReferenceAlwayn, V. (2004) Fiber-optic technologies. CISCO. Accessed November 26, 2014 http://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=170740&seqNum=7 Anderson, D. (2014) Get fiber optic internet. Broadband Now. Accessed November 26, 2014 http://broadbandnow.com/Fiber Ee, C. C. (2004) The feasibility study of implementing a fiber optic local area network in software metrics laboratory in Ingersoll 158. Naval Postgraduate School. Thesis. Accessed November 26, 2014 http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a422232.

pdf Held, G. (1999) Fiber optics and satellite communication system. Microsoft. Accessed November 26, 2014 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb962026.aspx