Introduction:

The term optoelectronics is a specific discipline of electronics that focuses on light-emitting or light-detecting devices. Light-emitting devices use voltage and current to produce electromagnetic radiation (i.e., light). Such light-emitting devices are commonly used for purposes of illumination or as indicator lights. In contrast, light-detecting devices, such as phototransistors, are designed to convert received electromagnetic energy into electric current or voltage. Light-detecting devices can be used for light sensing and communication. Examples of these include darkness-activated switches and remote controls. In general terms, light-detecting devices work by using photons to liberate bound electrons within semiconductor materials.Communication may be broadly defined as the transfer of information from one point to another. Within a communication system the information transfer is frequently achieved by superimposing or modulating the information onto an electromagnetic wave which acts as a carrier for the information signal. This modulated carrier is then transmitted to the required destination where it is received and the original information signal is obtained by demodulation. Sophisticated techniques have been developed for this process using electromagnetic carrier waves operating at radio frequencies as well as microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. However, ‘communication’ may also be achieved using an electromagnetic carrier which is selected from the optical range of frequencies.

1).History:

Fiber optic communication is not new, it was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880 for the Photophone. Thephotophone carried sound on a beam of light.  The Photophone didn’t catch on because it didn’t work when it was cloudy. Charles K. Kao and George A. Hockham of the British company Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) were the first, in 1965, to promote the idea that the attenuation in optical fibers could be reduced below 20 decibels per kilometer (dB/km), making fibers a practical communication medium.In 1975 Corning Glass invented the first viable fiber optic cable. Fast forward and starting in about 2000 companies began building massive fiber optic infrastructure. The advantages of longer distances without degradation and the size of the fiber compared to copper were major factors.

2).The optical fiber market:

According to “India Optical Fiber Cables Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020”, the optical fiber cables market in India is expected to surpass US$424 million by 2020.Nationwide connectivity projects launched by the government such as National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) and National Fiber Spectrum (NFS), and the 4G Rollout in the country are bound to boost data transmission volumes. In addition, smart cities will use next generation technologies such as LTE and FTTx, which require last mile connectivity, would also propel the strong demand for OFC in coming years. Key Government initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, creation of ~ 100 smart cities. India’s internet subscriber base is more than ~ 400 Mn and growing rapidly. Large scale deployment of OFC & FO Interconnectivity products will be the only solution to meet the quality & quantity needs of the broadband connectivity in India.Such large amounts of data, voice & video signal transmissions can only be handled reliably by networks with high density fiberoptic interconnectivity products

3). What is Optical Fiber Communication?

Fiber optic communications is a field of science and engineering that uses optical fibers as a medium to transmit information. The signals are generated from optical sources and are transmitted using the fiber. At the end these signals are received by detectors. Optical fibers are thin, highly flexible, transparent fibers made of silica (glass) or plastic pulled into a strand only slightlythicker than a strand of human hair. Optical fibers transmit light from one end of the fiber to the other. Fiber optic cables, which are a bundle of thousands of fiber optics, offer advantages over electrical cables in that they can run over longer distances and at higher data rates (bandwidth). Fiber optic cables are also not susceptible to the electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can degrade transmission quality in electrical cables.

4). The use of Optical fiber communication:

Medical: Used as light guides, imaging tools and also as lasers for surgeries.

Defense/Government: Used as hydrophones for seismic waves and SONAR, as wiring in aircraft, submarines and other vehicles.

Data Storage: Used for data transmission.

Telecommunications: Fiber is laid and used for transmitting and receiving purposes.

Networking: Used to connect users and servers in a variety of network settings and help increase the speed and accuracy of data transmission.

Industrial/Commercial: Used for imaging in hard to reach areas, as sensory devices to make temperature,pressure and other measurements, and as wiring in automobiles and in industrial settings.

Broadcast/CATV: Broadcast/cable companies are using fiber optic cables for wiring CATV, HDTV, internet, video on-demand and other applications.

5).Types of optical fiber:

Based on the mode of propagation of light: 

Single-Mode Fibers: These fibers are used for long-distance transmission of signals.

Multimode Fibers: These fibers are used for short-distance transmission of signals.

based on the refractive index:

Step Index Fibers: It consists of a core surrounded by the cladding, which has a single uniform index of refraction.

Graded Index Fibers: The refractive index of the optical fiber decreases as the radial distance from the fiber axis increases.

Based on the materials used:

Plastic Optical Fibers:The polymethylmethacrylate is used as a core material for the transmission of the light.

Glass Fibers: It consists of extremely fine glass fibers.

6) Instruments Used in Optical fiber communication:

Following are the instruments used in optical fiber communication:

1. Optical power meter                          

2. Visual Fault Locator

3. Optical time domain reflectometry

4. Optical fiber splicing machine

5. Optical connectors

6. Optical cable

7. Fiber optic spectrum analyzer

7).Refrences:

http://cintellisys.com/maecenas-convallis-turpis-porta-justo-posuere/

https://phononic.com/resources/fiber-optic-communications/

https://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/testing/Instruments/instr.html

https://www.photonics.com/

https://www.fiberoptics4sale.com/

8). Online Courses Offered:

Basics of fiber Optical fiber communication and devices(6-weeks) Rs. 5000/-

Basics of fiber optic communication (2-week) Rs. 2000/-

Making Lan, Optical fiber cable and splicing(1-week) Rs. 2500/-

Contact Person:

Pawan G. Alhat: 7588672311, 9511920289