Fiber Optic Cables and Connectors

Question 1

Three elements of fiber optic cables

Answer 1

1. Core – Transmission path and waveguide for the light signals.
2. Cladding – reflects signals back to the waveguide
3. buffer – protective plastic coating.

Question 2

Fiber optic cable Categories based on mode

Answer 2

1. Single Mode Fiber: small core but long wavelength | data rate up to 100 Gbps | two categories: OS1 indoor and OS2 outdoor deployment.
2. Multimode Fiber: Larger core and shorter wavelength | less expensive for deployment | Good for LANs and WANs | Categories: a. OM1/OM2 62.5-micron/ b. 50-micron

Question 3

Fiber optic connector types

Answer 3

1. Straight tip: Push and twist
2. Subscriber Connector: push/pull design
3. Lucent Connector: tabbed push/pull

Question 4

The tip of the fiber optic cable is ceramic or plastic ferrule, and it can be finished in different ways:

Answer 4

1. Ultra physical contact (UPC): The faces of the connector and fiber tip are polished so that they curve slightly and fit together better.
2. Angled Physical contact (APC): The faces are angled for an even tighter connection. APC cannot be mixed with PC or UPC.

Question 5

Multi-fiber push on connectors

Answer 5

a smart way to combine multiple fiber optic strands into one compact connection.

Question 6

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)

Answer 6

Allow multiple signals over fewer fibers by using different wavelengths (colors of light).