Optical Fiber Communication A Revolution in Communication Technology.

INTRODUCTION TO FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONIn history, we read that, man has employed several artificial techniques to send information over long distances. For Example, they used reflected sunlight or smoke signals during day time and fire beacons at night time. At 18th Century, they used semaphore method. (i.e. sending signals by moving flags). Then Semaphore method was overtaken by Telegraph on land and flashing and occulting of lamps at sea. Later on these methods were replaced by telephones and by wireless telegraphy. Now information is transmitted as a sequential stream of light pulses, guided along optical fibers. It acts as the transmission medium to carry the light beam loaded with information.Fiber optic communication is a method which is used to transmit information from one place to another place by sending light pulses through an optical fiber. Optical fiber is a good medium for long distance broadband communication. It plays an important role due to its properties like high bandwidth, high level of security and long distance transmission. Fiber optic communication has great advantages over the conventional cable communication system.The most important advantage is the availability of tremendous bandwidth which is a measure of the information carrying capacity. Some of the other advantages are: i) less weight, ii) no hazards of short circuits, iii) low cost and iv) immunity to temperature and moisture conditions.