A vast majority of technology experts agree that Fiber Optics has revolutionized networking and communication. Experts also believe that fiber optic technology is the way of the future for internet and cable.
The average users are beginning the understand and appreciate the amazing advantages of optical fiber and FTTH, and are eager to switch over to this better alternative to copper networks and broadband. However, some businesses and home users are not fully aware of the many less talked about advantages that fiber optic technology offers.
In this article, our fiber optic network installation experts explain the numerous reasons why fiber optic is the future:
What is Fiber Optic?
Fiber optics is a new breed of cables that have a fiber core made out of glass or plastic. The hair-like fibers are made out of glass or plastic through a unique manufacturing process that gives the fiber great flexibility, and better strength than copper. The data is transmitted through the fiber optic is in the form of light waves that either laser or LED sourced. A thick, durable coating called cladding protects the thin fiber. Besides protecting the fiber, the cladding also reflects the light waves back to the core of the fiber optic cable. Finally, a buffer coating is added to the cladding and core fiber.
Fiber Optic Applications
Fiber optic adoption is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Here are some of the prominent uses of fiber optic technology:
- Fiber optic serves as data storage for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and domestic applications.
- The thinness of fiber optics and great flexibility revolutionized medical imaging, light guiding, and laser surgery.
- Due optical fiber’s lightweight, it is being used in Military networking for aircraft, submarines, and other vehicles, where weight reduction increases fuel efficiency.
- Fiber optics imaging applications are not limited to the medical field. It is also being used in industrial imaging mainly for sensory, and measurement purposes.
- One of the most commonly known applications of fiber optics is broadcast networking for internet, video-on-demand, and CATV.
- Made For Digital Signals
- Optical fiber technology is inherently more suitable for digital information, which has become the most common form of data in the digital world.
Advantages Of Optical Fiber
Better Data Capacity
If you compare copper wring to optical fiber cables, you will notice that there is a massive difference in the diameter or thinness of the wires. The thin hair-like fiber optic takes less space and offers optimized carrying capacity.
Signal Integrity
Signal loss is a less significant issue in fiber optics than it has been in wire cable; this is because the optical fiber is made of glass, which is more resistant to problems like electrometric interference, crosstalk, and impedance issues.
Affordability
Initially, fiber optics was expensive to produce and adopt. However, with time, technological developments, and some ingenious cost-cutting manufacturing solutions, fiber optics is becoming less expensive. Additionally, optical fiber cables have better longevity.
Light Signals
The data in fiber optics is in the form of light, which allows for crystal clear signals, especially for internet and phone calls. Furthermore, because there is no electric current in the fiber optic wires, the chances of short circuits, fires and fire hazard is minimal.
