What is optical fiber communication

A variety of electrical signals to the light wave modulation, through the transmission of optical fiber communication means, called optical fiber communication.

Optical fiber communication is different from cable communications, the latter is the use of metal media transmission signals, optical fiber communication is the use of transparent optical fiber transmission of light waves. Although both light and electricity are electromagnetic waves, the frequency range varies widely. The general communication cable is used at a maximum frequency of approximately 9-24 MHz (6 Hz) and the optical fiber operating frequency is between -10 Hz.

The main advantages of optical fiber communication are:

(1) Large capacity. The working frequency of optical fiber is 8-9 higher than that of current cable, so the capacity is very large.

(2) attenuation is small. Optical fiber attenuation per kilometer is lower than one order of magnitude above the current capacity of the communication coaxial cable.

(3) Small size, light weight. At the same time conducive to construction and transport.

(4) Anti-jamming performance is good. Optical fiber is not subject to strong electrical interference, electrified railway interference and lightning interference, the ability to resist electromagnetic pulse is also strong, good confidentiality.

(5) Saving non-ferrous metals. General communication cable to consume a large number of copper, aluminum or lead non-ferrous metals. Optical fiber itself is non-metallic, the development of optical fiber communication will save a lot of non-ferrous metals.

(6) Low cost. At present, the price of various cable metal materials in the market is rising, but the price of optical fiber has declined. This has created an important prerequisite for the rapid development of optical fiber communication.

Optical fiber communication is first used in the local telephone network between the fibre link, and then widely used in long-distance trunk line, become the basis of broadband communications. Optical fiber communication is particularly applicable to large capacity and long-distance communications between countries, including domestic coastal communications and international long-distance submarine optical fiber communication systems. At present, countries are further research and development for the vast number of users access to the network of optical fiber communication systems.

With the development of many new technologies, such as optical fiber amplifier, wavelength division multiplexing, Optical Arc sub communication technology, photoelectric integration and optical integration, optical fiber communication will be developed faster.