Presentation by The Fiber Optic Association, the professional society of
fiber optics.
Seminars in Johannesburg, SA, Nairobi, Kenya and Lusaka, Zambia in
May 2011.
If you have questions, contact us at info@thefoa.org.
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This training program is approved by The Fiber Optic Association, the
professional society of fiber optics.
What is the FOA?
If you have questions, contact us at info@thefoa.org.
2
What is The FOA?
Fiber optics has become the predominant communications medium, not
just for telephones, but also for cable television, security systems and
computer networks. Workers in all these fields are expected to
understand how fiber optics is used and, in many cases, be competent
in its installation. Training in these areas has become extremely
important and The Fiber Optic Association is prepared to help.
The FOA is a international non-profit educational organization that is
dedicated to promoting professionalism in the field of fiber optics. It was
founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and industry
personnel who felt an industry-wide non-aligned certification program
was important for the growth of the industry.
To date, the FOA has approved approximately 125 training programs,
including technical high schools and colleges, professional training
organizations and companies offering employee training programs. As
of the summer of 2006, about 18,000 students have successfully
completed requirements for the FOA CFOT Certified Fiber Optic
Technician certification.
For more information, see our website http://www.thefoa.org
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What is The FOA?
Fiber optics has become the predominant communications medium, not
just for telephones, but also for cable television, security systems and
computer networks. Workers in all these fields are expected to
understand how fiber optics is used and, in many cases, be competent
in its installation. Training in these areas has become extremely
important and The Fiber Optic Association is prepared to help.
The FOA is a international non-profit educational organization that is
dedicated to promoting professionalism in the field of fiber optics. It was
founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and industry
personnel who felt an industry-wide non-aligned certification program
was important for the growth of the industry.
To date, the FOA has approved approximately 125 training programs,
including technical high schools and colleges, professional training
organizations and companies offering employee training programs. As
of the summer of 2006, about 18,000 students have successfully
completed requirements for the FOA CFOT Certified Fiber Optic
Technician certification.
For more information, see our website http://www.thefoa.org
4
The FOA CFOT exam is a test of your knowledge of fiber optics. The
test is basic; it covers the types of materials that should be covered in
any basic fiber optic class.
The exam is based on The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual and NECA/
FOA-301 Installation Standard. If you have read the textbook and
answered the chapter questions, and reviewed the NECA/FOA
installation standard, you should have no problem with this test.
Remember it is an closed-book test and every student must take the
test individually THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROCTOR. It
is NOT a class exercise. 70% correct is a passing grade
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FOA websites and textbooks are based on the input of instructors and
experienced fiber optic technicians with 25+ years of experience in the
business. Much of the material is now in printed form in The FOA
Reference Guide to Outside Plant Fiber Optics for CFospT certification,
The FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics for CFOT certification and
The FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cabling for CPCT Certification.
References to the proper chapters are given in the notes. The notes
give an overview of what the slide means and provide hints to
explaining the meaning of the slide.
The FOA has also created a complete online reference guide for fiber
optics aimed at the CFOT certification. The site is at
http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/. Included in the site are technical pages,
including a basic section that includes quizzes on the materials and
links to pages with more details. There are also a student guide for
studying for the CFOT and an instructor guide to teaching a course
based on the website.
Either the textbooks or the website may be used by classes for
reference.
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The FOA Online Reference Guide to Fiber Optics was created to be a
single source of technically correct, unbiased information on fiber optics
available for everyone for free. It has grown to hundreds of pages of
information in sections appropriate for student study and assigned
projects as well as material for those looking for a refresher course in
fiber or just looking for some particular information.
For those studying for FOA certifications, both basic and advanced,
there are study guides to point you to the appropriate materials.
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Fiber University (Fiber U at www.fiberu.org) is a focal point for online
learning about fiber optics. It's based on the giant FOA Online
Reference Guide and hosts self-study programs and tutorials that can
make learning about fiber much easier!
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This training program is approved by The Fiber Optic Association, the
professional society of fiber optics.
What is the FOA?
If you have questions, contact us at info@thefoa.org.
9
Since I have been involved in communications, it has been digitized
and mostly converted to fiber optics. A decade ago, data traffic
surpassed voice traffic and has been growing at an exponential rate
since. Google alone now accounts for about 7% of all Internet traffic,
about half is user searches and half is machine-to-machine traffic
updating their local data centers. Now we have video – some nights in
the US, Netflix movie downloads account for almost half the Internet
traffic. Growth in traffic shows no sign of slowing either!
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Voice seems obsolete – it’s not telephoning anymore! Data traffic
dominates the Internet. At a recent meeting AT&T noted that they still
have to support virtually every service they ever offered, making
standards like MPLS that can accommodate any type of traffic is
necessary for them. But Google only needs to transmit data, so they
say they will not pay the additional costs in equipment or traffic
overhead that the telcos must live with. Now we have to deal with how
to charge for video which uses far more bandwidth than voice or data –
where is the revenue coming from to support video growth?
Whatever, fiber is the winner, because only fiber can provide the
bandwidth!
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And the power of fiber optic communications connects the world.
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And the power of fiber optic communications connects the world.
13
These are but a few of the applications of fiber optics, as we
concentrate on communications. Fiber optics are also used for lighting,
signs, sensors and visual inspection (medicine and non-destructive
testing).
FRG: Chapter 1, 3, FOTM, Chapter 2, DVVC, Chapter 11
FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide, Understanding Fiber Optics,
The Basics: Basic Overview
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The growth in fiber optics is simply what is needed to accommodate the
growth in data.
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Fiber optics has become widely used in telecommunications because of
its enormous bandwidth and distance advantages over copper wires.
The application for fiber in telephony is simply connecting switches over
fiber optic links.
Commercial systems today carry more phone conversations over a
single pair of fibers than could be carried over thousands of copper
pairs. Material costs, installation and splicing labor and reliability are all
in fiber's favor - not to mention space considerations. In major cities
today, insufficient space exists in current conduit to provide
communications needs over copper wire.
While fiber carries over 90% of all long distance communications and
50% of local communications, the penetration of fiber to the curb
(FTTC) and fiber to the home (FTTH) has been hindered by a lack of
cost effectiveness until now. The secret to making FTTH cost effective
has been the development of the passive optical network (PON).
Telecom systems operate at bit rates up to 40 gigabits per second
(100/400/1000G in the future) and many links use WDM - wavelength
division multiplexing - to put several channels of signals over one fiber.
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To expand bandwidth, it's now common to add new wavelengths rather
than use new fibers.
How Does WDM Work? It is easy to understand WDM. Consider the
fact that you can see many different colors of light - red, green, yellow,
blue, etc. all at once. The colors are transmitted through the air together
and may mix, but they can be easily separated using a simple device
like a prism, just like we separate the "white" light from the sun into a
spectrum of colors with the prism.
The input end of a WDM system is really quite simple. It is a simple
coupler that combines all the inputs into one output fiber. The
demultiplexer takes the input fiber and collimates the light into a narrow,
parallel beam of light. It shines on a grating (a mirror like device that
works like a prism, similar to the data side of a CD) which separates the
light into the different wavelengths by sending them off at different
angles. Optics capture each wavelength and focuses it into a fiber,
creating separate outputs for each separate wavelength of light.
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In areas where highest bandwidth is desired, only fiber to the home
(FTTH) is a solution. Fortunately the costs have decreased until it has
become economically feasible.
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And it is being adopted rapidly around the world.
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An active star network uses fiber from the central node (CO) to a local
active node carrying multiplexed signals to be distributed to all the
customers. At the active node, (electronic) switching occurs for each
customer and connects to a dedicated optical link to the premises. This
may be a more expensive network due to the electronics and powering
required, as the node requires uninterruptible local power if support of
services like 911 are required, or cheaper for small networks that do not
need the size or capability of a PON network. Each system needs to be
considered carefully in light of all options.
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The passive optical network (PON) uses optical couplers, both
wavelength division multiplexers and simpler splitter/combiners, to allow
connection of many customers over only one fiber from the CO - like
broadcasting TV or radio over air waves. Thus a few fibers can support
many customers, typically up to 32 customers on one fiber from the CO
to the local splitter.
A PON using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) can be used two
ways: It can provide every customer with a dedicated wavelength,
greatly expanding bandwidth to any one customer, but a a much greater
cost.
A more popular option is to use WDM to send multiple services, usually
voice data and video, as well as upstream signals, over a single fiber,
as shown in the slides following.
Upstream data from multiple subscribers is time-division multiplexed so
each subscriber has a time window to send data back to the system.
Some people refer to this as a P2MP or point-to-multipoint network.
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There are several types of PONs being deployed, categorized by their
transport protocol, or how the data is encoded and transmitted.
BPON, or broadband PON, uses ATM as the protocol. ATM is widely
used for telephone networks and the methods of transporting all data
types (voice, Internet, video, etc.) are well known. BPON operates at
ATM rates of 155, 622 and 1244 Mb/s. Video is sent to subscribers
using analog transmission like hybrid-fiber coax CATV systems.
GPON, or gigabit-capable PON, uses an IP-based protocol and either
ATM or GEM (GPON encapsulation method) encoding. Data rates of up
to 2.5 Gb/s are specified and it is very flexible in what types of traffic it
carries. GPON enables “triple play” (voice-data-video) and is the basis
of most planned FTTP applications in the near future.
EPON or Ethernet PON is based on the IEEE standard for Ethernet in
the First Mile. It uses packet-based transmission at 1 Gb/s with 10 Gb/s
under discussion. EPON is widely deployed in Asia.
22
The world wants to be mobile, and wireless technology is developing to
accommodate it.
23
But wireless systems must grow rapidly to provide adequate bandwidth
for new devices and applications.
24
Most wireless systems like cellular systems are not all wireless - most
antennas are connected into the worldwide communications networks
via buried fiber optic cables.
Likewise, wireless LANs and metropolitan wireless systems require
cabling and fiber provides greater distances from hubs and switches
and immunity to noise.
FRG, Chapter 3, FOTM, Chapter 3, DVVC, Chapter 11
FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide, Understanding Fiber Optics,
The Basics: Basic applications and transmission systems
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Many wireless towers are connected to the phone system using fiber
backbones using standard singlemode optical fiber. Expanded 4G and
LTE service requires more antennas on the towers. Traditionally the
antennas are connected on large coax cables to stations on the ground.
Now fiber, usually multimode fiber for the short links, is being used for
it’s lower bulk and weight, so only a single fiber optic cable and a power
cable needs to run up the tower rather than the big bundles of coax
shown on the towers on the upper left.
26
Many wireless towers are connected to the phone system using fiber
backbones using standard singlemode optical fiber. Expanded 4G and
LTE service requires more antennas on the towers. Traditionally the
antennas are connected on large coax cables to stations on the ground.
Now fiber, usually multimode fiber for the short links, is being used for
it’s lower bulk and weight, so only a single fiber optic cable and a power
cable needs to run up the tower rather than the big bundles of coax
shown on the towers on the upper left.
27
Many wireless towers are connected to the phone system using fiber
backbones using standard singlemode optical fiber. Expanded 4G and
LTE service requires more antennas on the towers. Traditionally the
antennas are connected on large coax cables to stations on the ground.
Now fiber, usually multimode fiber for the short links, is being used for
it’s lower bulk and weight, so only a single fiber optic cable and a power
cable needs to run up the tower rather than the big bundles of coax
shown on the towers on the upper left.
28
In Africa, a different mobile system is developing than in the US or
Europe.
29
Simpler phones can still be used for limited web access – and paying
bills, an application just appearing in the USA!
30
Fiber backhaul can provide the connectivity the new wireless networks
need.
31
The reason fiber is used in CATV networks is that the fiber pays for
itself in enhanced reliability. The enormous bandwidth requirements of
broadcast TV require frequent repeaters. The large number of repeaters
used in a broadcast cable network are a big source of failure. And
CATV systems' tree and branch architecture means and upstream
failure causes failure for all downstream users. Reliability is a big issue,
since viewers are a vocal lot if programming is interrupted!
Applications in CATV were slow until the development of the AM
analog systems. By simply converting the signal from electrical to
optical, the advantages of fiber optics, especially reliability, became cost
effective. Now CATV has adopted a network architecture that overbuilds
the normal coax network with fiber optic links.
The HFC network lets the CATV provider have a two-way connection to
the subscriber that allows them to offer broadband Internet connections
at a low cost. The fiber network will also allow easy conversion to digital
TV when it’s ready.
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But CATV operators needed something to combat the subscriber’s
clamoring for fiber to the home, which lead to the development of
RFOG, RF over Glass. RFOG is basically nothing more than a HFC/
cable modem system built with less expensive components now
available thanks to the volume pricing of components used in FTTH. It’s
designed to operate over a standard telco PON (passive optical
network) fiber architecture with short fiber lengths and including the
losses of a FTTH PON splitter.
There is one interesting side effect of this approach. Now telcos and
CATV companies can deliver the same services over the same cable
plant using totally different technologies. But that means that office or
apartment building owners, developers or even whole towns that might
be considering installing FTTH infrastructure themselves and leasing
the fiber to a service provider can have a choice of service providers.
One cable network can support either CATV or telco systems – or even
someone else for that matter. That opens up a big market for private
fiber optic systems.
33
Fiber is widely used in premises or structured cabling, supporting
Ethernet to 10 Gb/s and soon 40/100 Gb/s.
Fiber is used for most backbones, some fiber to the desk and to
connect WiFi access points, especially 802.11n. A centralized fiber
network allows using fiber without telecom rooms near the users,
centralizing all the electronics in the computer room. Data centers are
another big user of fiber, with connections at 10 b/s where fiber is more
reliable and consumes much less power.
34
Motorola, one of the largest suppliers of FTTH PON equipment is now
offering systems similar to those used in large residential buildings for
enterprise LANs in companies. They quote system costs that are much
less expensive than installing a fiber optic backbone and copper cabling
to the desktop.
35
Data centers are the fastest growing application for computers used as
servers. Connections are now at 10 Gb/s and new systems are
becoming available at 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/sis not far away. Fiber links
between these computers and storage devices or routers are quite
common as fiber saves power, space and is much easier to install.
36
Data centers are the fastest growing application for computers used as
servers. Connections are now at 10 Gb/s and new systems are
becoming available at 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/sis not far away. Fiber links
between these computers and storage devices or routers are quite
common as fiber saves power, space and is much easier to install.
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Data centers are the fastest growing application for computers used as
servers. Connections are now at 10 Gb/s and new systems are
becoming available at 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/sis not far away. Fiber links
between these computers and storage devices or routers are quite
common as fiber saves power, space and is much easier to install.
38
Fiber optic components are becoming less expensive so manufacturers
are now offering active cables that have transceivers on each end and
fiber for the cable. AOCs are available for Ethernet, Fibre Channel and
HDMI connections, with more types in development.
39
Intel is promoting the use of optical fiber on computer boards. Fiber is
faster than board connections and uses less power. New low cost
components makes it cost effective.
40
Fiber has found many other uses.
Cellular systems are not wireless - most antennas are connected via
buried fiber optic cables.
Likewise, wireless LANs require cabling and fiber provides greater
distances from hubs and switches and immunity to noise.
Utilities have used fiber for managing their grids and communications
throughout their networks for many years. Recent problems have had
many upgrading their systems.
Security systems use lots of fiber. CCTV cameras use fiber to extend
their reach, for example in large airport terminals, outdoors in power
plants or inside and outside big office buildings.
Fibers can also be used as sensors, for example sensing intruders on
fences or walking across buried fiber sensors.
And, of course, fiber is very difficult to “tap,” making it popular for secure
military and government networks.
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Fiber has found many other uses.
Cellular systems are not wireless - most antennas are connected via
buried fiber optic cables.
Likewise, wireless LANs require cabling and fiber provides greater
distances from hubs and switches and immunity to noise.
Utilities have used fiber for managing their grids and communications
throughout their networks for many years. Recent problems have had
many upgrading their systems.
Security systems use lots of fiber. CCTV cameras use fiber to extend
their reach, for example in large airport terminals, outdoors in power
plants or inside and outside big office buildings.
Fibers can also be used as sensors, for example sensing intruders on
fences or walking across buried fiber sensors.
And, of course, fiber is very difficult to “tap,” making it popular for secure
military and government networks.
42
Electrical utilities have been using fiber for many years for
communications and to control their electrical distribution systems.
Many use optical power ground wire (OPGW) that has fiber running
inside of an electrical conductor.
43
Alternative energy production requires precise control and management
to create electrical power compatible to the current grid. Wind and solar
systems must be controlled to maximize outputs and control the
processes. Solar using heat to generate steam, as well as those
involving photovoltaic conversion, have reflectors that follow the sun,
maximizing outputs. Windmills, of course, must fact into the wind and
control the blades according to wind speeds. All this works on computer
systems controlled by fiber. One solar facility in the Mojave has over
750 MILES of fiber!
44
Many video links are available on fiber optics, from remote security
cameras to broadcast TV cameras in studios or on location as in the
auto race in Long Beach, CA shown. Audio links are used in concert
halls, meeting rooms, or any large auditorium with powered speakers.
45
The electrical noise common to industrial environments makes it difficult
to use copper data cables. But fiber is immune to electromagnetic
interference and more flexible and withstands higher heat also.
Industrial robots have fibers running along the arm. The machines are
connected to a network, almost always on fiber.
46
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute started using optical fiber to
connect their underwater robots called remote-piloted vehicles in the
1980s. The most spectacular result was the discovery of the Titanic by
Dr. Robert Ballard who developed the technology with Jason, shown in
the picture here looking into the window of a stateroom on the Titanic.
Using fiber allowed the tether cables to be ten times longer than with
copper and produce better signals! Now all RPVs use fiber tethers.
47
Building management systems can use fiber in place of copper cable
for longer distances and greater security.
Industrial networks favor fiber for process control applications due to its
distance capability and immunity to electrical noise.
Fiber optic sensors are available for a number of applications, including
measuring high voltages and currents as in power grids, dangerous
chemicals and can operate in hazardous environments since they are
intrinsically safe.
48
Fiber has many more uses, some quite simple but effective, some just
decorative! You can now have a fiber optic starfield headliner in your
Rolls Royce!
49
FTTH has led to the development of new products as well as lower
prices.
50
Many FTTH systems now use prefabricated cables for the drop to the
house. Crews come into the neighborhood and install the drop closures
on poles or in underground vaults and splice the fibers into the
backbone fiber network that terminates in the central office or a local
PON distribution hub. The tech doing the actual FTTH install merely
plugs in the cables between the closure and the optical network
terminal and spends the bulk of the time connecting the user to
telephone, Internet and TV services.
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Most optical fiber manufacturers are now offering bend-insensitive
fibers that can be bent tightly without much loss. This allows them to be
used in close spaces like cable trays or run around the edge of a wall in
a room.
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Contact us with any questions.
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