Fibre Optics

Question 1

What are the three parts of a fibre optic system

Answer 1

• A device to convert electric current into light
• The cable to carry the light
• A receiver to convert the light back into electric current

Question 2

Advantages of fibre optics

Answer 2

• Provides higher bandwidth than copper cables
• Less power loss while also longer distance travel
• Resists water

Question 3

Describe the design of copper coaxial cables

Answer 3

• Copper mesh is used to increase shear strength (prevents cutting) and act as the ground to absorb electricity in case of current surge
• A steel-coated copper is used for the transmission of digital signals to improve tensile and bending strength

Question 4

How does light travel through FOC

Answer 4

• Pure glass with a high refractive index is used so that the light undergoes total internal refraction and doesn’t escape the cable