Fiber Optics are Revolutionizing Communications Technology

Fiber optics is a rapidly expanding field, and its effects are being felt in other technological sectors as we design new fiber-based products for a variety of uses.  Take a look at breadth of technologies that have benefited from fiber optics.

System Cleaners:

Without question, the most important aspect of managing a fiber optic network is keeping everything clean.  90% of problems in the field can be solved with the proper cleaning equipment, and this importance has led to new breakthroughs in products that keep systems clean and functioning properly.  This technology helps deal with contaminants like grease and dust that can inhibit or damage fibers, letting technicians do their jobs more efficiently.

Military Navigational Tools:

While optical fiber can work over enormous distances, the light flowing through the fiber degrades as it passes through the surrounding glass.  New designs have eliminated this problem by using not glass, but air as a channel for light to pass through, which allows for a much stronger projection.  This type of fiber has been especially important for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, who have begun testing this new technology for their navigational tools.  By using air as a transmitter, the light can go along three different paths inside of the cable, which allows for better bandwidth and higher speeds than a regular fiber cable.

Aircraft Control:

A pair of electronics companies, TeraXion and CMC, are joining forces to produce a new kind of fiber optic transceiver.  This advance could be vital for civil and commercial aircraft communication technologies, better allowing pilots to navigate through hazardous weather conditions.  The two companies are hoping to improve fiber optics by pairing high-reliability gear with a high-rate production and development cycle, working together to create a valuable product in quantities relevant to the aircraft industry. [1]

 

 

[1]Davis, Matt, Tracy and Matt – Independent Technology and News Reviews, printed 11.1.2013, accessed 11.4.2013, http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/fiber-optics-reinventing-internet-communications-industry/