Let’s now look at the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optics. As you now know, fiber optics is a technology that has many benefits: faster speeds with less attenuation, less electromagnetic interference (EMI), smaller size, and greater information transport capacity. But to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optics, we will also examine different types of cables and their characteristics.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiber Optics
Despite its speed and bandwidth compared to copper cable, fiber optics also has some drawbacks. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of fiber optics.
Advantages of Fiber Optics
- Greater bandwidth and higher speed. Fiber optic cable supports extremely high bandwidth and speed; up to 10 Gbit/s. The amount of information that can be transmitted per unit of fiber optic cable is its most significant advantage.
- Contrary to what one might think, fiber optics is inexpensive. Several kilometers of fiber optic cable can be produced for less than equivalent lengths of copper wire.
- Fiber optics are also thinner and lighter. This allows them to provide a better fit where space is an issue.
- Higher load capacity. Since fiber optics are much thinner than copper wires, more fibers can be bundled into a cable of the same diameter. This allows more telephone lines to pass through the same cable.
- Fiber optics offer less signal degradation. Indeed, the signal loss in fiber optics is lower than that of copper wire. This results in better quality for your internet connection.
- Data is transmitted by light signals. Unlike electrical signals transmitted in copper wires, the light signals in a fiber do not interfere with those of other fibers in the same cable. This means, for example, that VoIP conversations are clearer. Fiber is also used for computer networking.
- Fiber optics have a better lifespan. Fiber optics generally have a longer life cycle; over 100 years. That’s why Internet service providers invest so much in deploying fiber optics.
Disadvantages of Fiber Optics
- The use of fiber optics is limited. Fiber optic cable can only be used underground, except for certain aerial uses on poles.
- Low-power light emission sources are limited to low power. Although high-power emitters are available to enhance power supply, this also incurs additional costs. This can lead to high expenses.
- Fragility: fiber optics are quite fragile and more vulnerable to damage than copper wires. You should avoid twisting or bending fiber optic cables; at your own risk. Note that this is not the case with cables that are much more durable.
- Distance: The distance between the transmitter and receiver must be short; or repeaters are needed to amplify the signal.
What is Fiber Optics?
To fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of fiber, it is also necessary to define what it is. Fiber optics use light pulses instead of electrical pulses to transmit information. Thus, it offers bandwidths hundreds of times greater than traditional electrical systems.
Fiber optic cable can be protected by a sheath to make it resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, fiber optics are widely used by businesses, governments, the military, and many other industries for voice, video, and data transmission. It is also widely used in the medical sector.
Different Types of Optical Cables
To be complete, let’s now look at the most common types of fiber optic cables.
Broadly, there are three types of fiber optic cables. First, there is single-mode fiber optic cable. Next, we have multimode fiber optics. Finally, we have plastic optical fiber (POF).
Single-Mode Fiber Optics
The “mode” in fiber optic cable refers to the path in which light travels. Single-mode fiber has a smaller core diameter of 9 microns; 8.3 microns to be exact. It only passes one wavelength and has only one path for the light.
Thus, it significantly reduces light reflections and decreases attenuation. Single-mode fiber optic cable is slightly more expensive than its multimode counterparts; which are often used in long-distance network connections.
Multimode Fiber Optics
Next, multimode fiber optics have a larger core diameter than single-mode fiber optic cable. This allows it to transmit multiple channels and multiple wavelengths of light.
Multimode fiber optics are available in two sizes: 50 microns and 62.5 microns. This cable is commonly used for short distances, including connection cables, such as FTTO cables. It is also used for equipment connections, data applications, and audio and video in local area networks.
Plastic Optical Fiber (POF)
Finally, POF is a fiber optic with a typical diameter of 1 mm. Its “large size” allows it to easily couple a lot of light from sources and connectors that do not need to be very precise. Being made of plastic, this type of fiber optic cable is more durable.
It can be installed in minutes with minimal tools and training. The price of plastic optical cables is more competitive, making it an attractive option for office LAN connections and short low-speed links.
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