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| Optical
fibers are thin strands of super-clean glass (fused silica),
about the size of a human hair. Almost all fibers used today
are single strands. Fiber bundles find use primarily in coherent
and image transmitting optical systems. There are also plastic
fibers for inexpensive, short distance transmission. The basic
design of an optical fiber consists of two components - the
core and the cladding. They build an optical waveguide which
conducts optical power (photons) in the form of light rays.
Core and cladding differ primarily in the refractive index
of the glass. The core's refractive index is slightly higher
than the cladding's, thereby creating a boundary for a circular
waveguide. |
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| Fiber
optic signaling in data transmission is increasingly being
used in high-density applications. In the military, the Standard
Electronic Modules (SEM) of the Standard Hardware Acquisition
and Reliability Program (SHARP) are widely used for high density
electrical interconnects in card-edge-to-backplane interfacing. |
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| The
advantages of fiber optics can be summarized as: |
Insensitive
to EMI, RFI and EMP
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Does
not radiate energy
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Low
transmission losses
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Wide
transmission bandwidth
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Unaffected
by Lightning
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Lightweight
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Non-corrosive
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Absolutely
safe in explosive environments
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Flexibility
in upgrading
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Immune
to ground loops
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Secure,
cannot be tapped without detection
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