1. Fiber Optic Fundamentals
Prepared for
The Handbook of Fiber Optic Data Communication
Third Edition
Dr. Casimer DeCusatis
IBM Corporation

2. Key Concepts Brief History of Optical Fiber Technology
Multimode and Single-mode Fiber
Basic Fiber Optic Link Concepts and Applications to the Computer Industry

6. Optical fiber vs Copper

7. Challenges: Connectivity and Interoperability
Newer technologies involving higher datarates, smaller form factors, higher port densities, pluggability, and parallel links are showing an increased need to focus on connectivity and interoperability issues
Transceiver
Fiber Optic Cable
Transceiver
Electrical
Connector
Just like how PCB physical design is more complex at high datarates versus DC
Electrical
Connector
Optical
Port
Optical
Connector
Optical
Connector
Optical
Port
A failure anywhere along this link will cause the entire link to fail

9. Conclusions
Historically, the fundamental concepts of fiber optics date back to 1927
Multimode fibers use a core diameter of either 50 or 62.5 microns
Short wavelength lasers
Shorter distances (few hundred meters)
Single-mode fibers use a core diameter of 9-10 microns
Long wavelength lasers
Longer distances (several kilometers)
A basic link is composed of optical transceivers, cables, and connectors
Fiber optics is widely used for both voice and data communication, and is gradually becoming a more fundamental part of future computer architectures