Embedded Files
Syllabus Dot Point
fibre optics
– types and applications
– materials
Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the technology that transmits information as light pulses along a glass or plastic fiber. A fiber optic cable can contain a varying number of these glass fibers -- from a few up to a couple hundred. Another glass layer, called cladding, surrounds the glass fiber core.
What are the advantages of Fibre over copper?
Fibre network cables have some definite advantages over copper cables, including greater bandwidth, faster speeds longer distances, and better reliability. However, there will always be a need for copper-based solutions to make technology more affordable and applicable to the market.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optics over copper cables?
It is flexible, bends easily and resists most corrosive elements that attack copper cable. The raw materials for glass are plentiful, unlike copper. This means glass can be made more cheaply than copper. The optical fibers are difficult to splice, and there are loss of the light in the fiber due to scattering.
Page updated
Report abuse