Fiber Optic Cables

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Introduction to Fiber Optic Cables

Fiber optic cables are high-speed transmission media that use light to transmit data instead of electrical signals. These cables are widely used in networking due to their high bandwidth, long-distance capabilities, and resistance to electromagnetic interference.

There are two main types of fiber optic cables:

  1. Single-mode fiber (SMF)

  2. Multi-mode fiber (MMF)

Fiber Optic Cables (Single-mode & Multi-mode)

1. Fiber Optic Structure

A fiber optic cable consists of the following layers:

  • Core: The central glass or plastic part through which light travels.

  • Cladding: A layer surrounding the core that reflects light back into it, preventing signal loss.

  • Buffer Coating: A protective layer to safeguard the fiber.

  • Jacket: The outer protective covering.

Optical Fiber Structure

2. Differences Between Single-mode & Multi-mode Fiber

Feature
Single-mode Fiber (SMF)
Multi-mode Fiber (MMF)

Core Diameter

Small (8-10 µm)

Large (50-62.5 µm)

Light Source

Laser

LED

Distance

Long distance (Up to 100 km)

Short distance (Up to 2 km)

Bandwidth

Higher

Lower

Cost

More expensive

Less expensive

Typical Use

WAN, MAN, Long-haul networks

LAN, Data Centers, Short-distance links

3. Working Principle of Fiber Optic Communication

  1. Light Source: A laser or LED injects light pulses into the fiber.

  2. Total Internal Reflection: Light travels through the fiber core, bouncing off the cladding.

  3. Receiving End: The light pulses are converted back into electrical signals by a receiver.

Total Internal Reflection

Keywords

Fiber Optic, Single-mode Fiber, Multi-mode Fiber, Core Diameter, Cladding, Total Internal Reflection, Laser Transmitter, LED Transmitter, Optical Loss, Bandwidth, Fiber Optic Connectors, LC Connector, SC Connector, ST Connector, MPO/MTP Connector, Fusion Splicing, Mechanical Splicing, Optical Power Meter, OTDR, Fiber Optic Network, نتورک پلاس

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