How Do Fiber Optic Systems Work?

The new demands for high-speed internet and broadcasting mean that many organizations, including universities and corporations, are left with finding a quality solution that will let them focus on the work they do best, rather than connectivity issues.

This is where fiber optic systems are highly valuable.

In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about fiber optic receivers and fiber optic transmitters as you do research for your organizational needs.

The Basics: Fiber Optic 101

If you’re new to fiber optic systems, both fiber optic transmitters and fiber optic receivers, here are the basics of what you need to know.

Fiber-optic systems are often mentioned in the context of a telephone system, cable TV setup or internet services – in fact, it has changed long-distance phone calls, TV and the internet for the better.

In terms of the fiber optic physical characteristics, fiber optic lines are strands of pure glass that are as thin as a human hair. These strands of glass are designed to carry digital information over long distances. In fact, they are also used in medical imaging and mechanical engineering inspection. As you can see, fiber optic systems have a very powerful, positive effect on many industries.

How Does It Work?

Essentially, fiber optics systems work through light signals.

The light in a fiber optic cable travels through the core of the optical fiber by bouncing from the mirror-lined walls (known as cladding). This particular movement is called total internal reflection. This process works because the cladding does not absorb any light from the core, allowing the light wave to travel great distances.

No system is perfect, however. The light does have a tendency to degrade, most noticeably when the optical fiber has flaws or lack of clarity in it.

Fiber Optic Transmitter

There are a few different components of fiber optic systems, most notably is the fiber optic transmitter and the fiber optic receiver, though there are other components that we won’t touch on in this guide today.

A fiber optic transmitter is located close to the optical fiber itself and can often have a lens to focus the light into the fiber.

Fiber Optic Receiver

The optical receiver takes the incoming digital light signals, decodes them and sends the electrical signal to the other user’s computer, TV or telephone. The receiver uses a photocell or photodiode to detect the light.

The Benefits of Fiber Optics

There are many reasons why more organizations are adopting fiber optic systems into their digital infrastructure:

• Less expensive than the equivalent amount of copper wire needed to deliver a (somewhat) similar performance
• Higher carrying capacity, allowing more phone lines, more connections or more channels that the non-fiber optic equivalent.
• Less signal degradation
• More cost savings since the optical fibers degrade the signals less, thereby requiring less power than its non-fiber optic counterpart.
• Flexibility, allowing advanced applications such as medical imaging, mechanical imaging, and plumbing.
• Use of light signals rather than electrical signals, which are used in copper wires. This means better clarity in the end experience, such as a clearer phone call or better quality TV streaming.

Fiber Optic Systems at VidOvation

At VidOvation, we know that many fiber optic users need technical professional services for CATV, FTTP, Power Utility, video transmission, telecommunications, and cellular backhaul applications. As such, we have grown to develop a full-service technical firm that can offer anything from design and engineering services, system integration, system documentation and characterization, fusion splicing, project management and support, to consulting services.

Because we want to make your experience as seamless as possible, we also offer high-quality products that make up or complement your fiber optic system:

• Camera Back Fiber Optic Links
• HD SDI Fiber Optic Links
• CATV RF L-Band Fiber Links
• Ethernet Fiber Media converters
• HDMI – DVI – VGA – RGB Extenders
• USB Fiber Optic Links
• Optical Multiplexing, and
• SMPTE & Tactical Fiber Cables, among others.

If you’re not sure what you need, we’re here to help you answer every question you might have and help you develop a system specifically for your needs.

For a catalog of the fiber optic products we have available for you if you do know exactly what you’re looking for, check out our Fiber Optic Systems page.

Make the Leap with Fiber Optics

Fiber optic systems continue to be the best option for countless organizations out there, allowing more efficiency and productivity, as well as better quality end-results for the household consumer as well.

For a quote, questions, or other inquiries, contact VidOvation today.