Advantages of Fiber Optics

Why are fiber-optic systems revolutionizing
telecommunications? Compared to conventional metal wire
(copper wire), optical fibers are:

* Less expensive - Several miles of optical cable can be
made cheaper than equivalent lengths of copper wire. This
saves your provider (cable TV, Internet) and you money.

* Thinner - Optical fibers can be drawn to smaller
diameters than copper wire.

* Higher carrying capacity - 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.

* 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.

* Non-flammable - Because no electricity is passed
through optical fibers, there is no fire hazard.

* Lightweight - An optical cable weighs less than
a comparable copper wire cable. Fiber-optic cables take up
less space in the ground.

* Flexible - Because fiber optics are so flexible and can
transmit and receive light, they are used in many flexible
digital cameras for the following purposes:
o Medical imaging - in bronchoscopes, endoscopes,
laparoscopes
o Mechanical imaging - inspecting mechanical welds
in pipes and engines (in airplanes, rockets, space shuttles,
cars)
o Plumbing - to inspect sewer lines

Because of these advantages, you see fiber optics in many
industries, most notably telecommunications and computer
networks. For example, if you telephone Europe from the
United States (or vice versa) and the signal is bounced off
a communications satellite, you often hear an echo on the
line. But with transatlantic fiber-optic cables, you have
a direct connection with no echoes.