Fiber Optic Cable facts

'A relatively new technology with vast potential importance, fiber optics is the

channeled transmission of light through hair-thin glass fibers.'

[ Less expensive than copper cables

[ Raw material is silica sand

[ Less expensive to maintain

[ If damaged, restoration time is faster

(although more users are affected)

[ Backbone to the Information Superhighway

Information (data and voice) is transmitted through the fiber digitally by the use

of high speed LASERs (Light Amplification through the Simulated Emission of

Radiation) or LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Each of these methods create a highly

focused beam of light that is cycled on and off at very high speeds. Computers at the

transmitting end convert data or voice into 'bits' of information. The information is

then sent through the fiber by the presence, or lack, of light. Computers on the

receiving end convert the light back into data or voice, so it can be used.

English: A TOSLINK fiber optic cable with a clear ...

Optic fiber

English: Optical fiber connectors

ORIGIN OF FIBER OPTICS

Information (data and voice) is transmitted through the fiber digitally by the use

of high speed LASERs (Light Amplification through the Simulated Emission of

Radiation) or LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Each of these methods create a highly

focused beam of light that is cycled on and off at very high speeds. Computers at the

transmitting end convert data or voice into 'bits' of information. The information is

then sent through the fiber by the presence, or lack, of light. So, all of the data is sent

light pulses. Computers on the receiving end convert the light back into data or voice,

so it can be used.

All of this seems to be a very 'modern' concept, and the technology we use is.

The concept though, was the idea of Alexander Graham Bell in the late 1800's. He just

didn't have a dependable light source...