Overview of Optical Fibre Communication

Abstract

An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of high quality glass (silica) or plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It either functions as a waveguide or light pipe that transmits light between two ends of the fiber or fiber cable. Optical fibers are widely used in fiber-optic communications, which permits transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths (data rates) than other forms of communication. Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss and are also safe to electromagnetic interference. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of optical fibers is known as fiber optics.