Transmits light rather than electricity. Can transmit data long distances and in high EMI areas. Can sometimes operate up to tens of kilometers.

Optical fiber#

Four components#

  1. glass fiber, or core
  2. cladding, reflects light
  3. buffer (gives strength)
  4. insulating jacket

Types#

Can be single or duplex, one wire sends one wire receives.

Multi-mode optical fiber (MMF)#

  • Uses LEDs. Most common type.
  • Almost all transfer 850-nm wavelengths.

Single-mode optical fiber (SMF)#

  • Uses laser light. Prevents modal distortion.
  • Transmit either 1310 nm or 1550 nm.

Optical fiber connectors#

  • ST: Straight Tip
  • SC: Standard Connector
  • LC: Lucent Connector
  • MT-RJ: Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack Media Termination - recommended jack