OVERVIEW OF OPTICAL

FIBER
COMMUNICATION
 CONTENTS
• OPTICAL FIBER CONCEPT &TYPE
• FIBER CHARECTERSTICS
• FIBER CLASSIFICATION
• OPTICAL COMMUNICATION ADVANTAGES
• TRANSMISSION WINDOS
• TRANSMISSIN CHALLENGES
• LENGTH OF OFC ROUTE
• OPTICAL BUDGET
• STANDARD FIBER TYPES
• A TYPICAL OPTICAL FIBER LINK
• CURRENT TRENDS IN FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATION-
APPLICATION
• MAIN TESTS ON OFC
• MAIN INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED
• LAYING OF OPTICAL FIBER CABLE
 Optical Principle
(Internal reflection theory)
Ray Theory:
• A number of optic phenomena are adequately explained by
considering light as narrow rays.
• The theory based on this approach is called geometrical optics.
• These rays obey a few simple rules:
1. In a vacuum, rays travel at a velocity of c =3x10 8m/s. In any other
medium, rays travel at a slower speed, given by
v = c/n n =refractive index of the medium.
2. Rays travel straight paths, unless deflected by some change in
medium.
3. If any power crosses the boundary, the transmitted ray direction is
given by Snell’s law:
n1 sin Øi = n2 sin Ør
 n1 = 1.48
n2 = 1.46

INCIDENT RAYS 1
2 ¢i REFLECTED RAYS

N1 core 3
3
2

¢r 1
N2 cladding
REFRACTED RAYS
(principal of total internal reflection)
 The Optical Fibre

Refractive index

8-10 m 125 m
Core

Cladding
 Light propagation in fibre

2
3

3
2
1
 Light propagation in fibre

2
3

3
2
1
 CONSTRUCTION OF OPTICAL
FIBRE CABLE
Basic Fibre
• core with RI n1
supported by
concentric cladding CORE
layer with RI n2.
• RI of core is greater
than cladding (n1 >
n2).
• The cladding layer is
surrounded by one
or more protective
coating.
• Change in RI is
achieved by
selectively doping
the glass perform.
CLADDING
 CLASSIFICATION OF OPTICAL
FIBRE

Modal classification :
• Similar to metallic wave guides, there are stable propagation states of
electromagnetic waves in an optical fiber called modes.
• Fibers can be classified based on number of modes available for
propagation : - single-mode (SM) fiber.
- Multi-mode (MM) fiber.

Classification based on refractive index profile :

• step index (SI)
• Graded index (GRIN) fiber.
2a 8 - 12 m 125 m

a) Single mode step-index fiber

2a 50 - 200m 125-400m

b) Multi mode step-index fiber

2a 50 m 125-400m

C) Multi mode GRIN fiber

 Transmission Loss
• The transmission loss or attenuation of an optical fibre is
perhaps the most important characteristic of the fibre; this
determines if a system is practical. It controls (1) spacing
between repeaters and (2) the type of optical transmitter
and receiver to be used.

• As light waves travel down an optical fibre, they lose part

of their energy because of various imperfections in the
fibre. These losses are measured in decibels per kilometers
(dB/km).
 TRANSMISSION WINDOW
• First Window (850 nm)-
• laser GaAs/Al GaAs and LED and
• Receiver -Silicon APD
• It is suitable for Short distance
Transmission(due to high loss in this
region)
 TRANS WINDOW-Contd
• SEOMD WINDOW(1310 nm)
• Moderate loss of Fiber in this region

• Chromatic Dispersion is very weak

• Suitable for Long Distance Transmission

 Attenuation Curve
FIRST
dB WINDOW
3.0

2.5 TOTAL LOSS

2.0 SECOND WINDOW

Loss
1.5

1.0 THIRD WINDOW

RAYLEIGH
0.5
SCATTERING
0
800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700

Wave Length (Lemda) in nm

 FURTHER CLASSIFIED BAND
– SECOND &THIRD WINDOWS FURTHER
CLASSIFIED IN FOLOWING BAND OF SPECRUM

O band Original 1260-1360 nm

E band Extended 1360-1460 nm
S band Short wavelengths 1460-1530 nm
C band Conventional 1530-1565nm
L band Long Wave length 1565-1625 nm
U band Ultra long wavelength 1625-1675 nm
5

4 ~ 190 THz
~ 50 THz
OH- OH-
3

0 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7
Wavelength (m)
First window Fourth window
Second window
Fifth window
Third window
MISSION TRANSWINDOW-Contd

• Third Window(1550 nm C-band)

• Widely used as FIBER LOSS are very low

• EDFA available in this Region

• Mostly used forTDM &DWDM applications

TRANSMISSION WINDOW-Contd

• SEOMD WINDOW(1310 nm)

• Moderate loss of Fiber in this region

• Chromatic Dispersion is very weak

• Suitable for Long Distance Transmission

 Transmission Challenges
• Transmission of light in optical fiber
presents several challenges. These are:
• 1 Attenuation
• 2. Chromatic Dispersion
• 3 Non linearities-cummulative effects from
intereaction of lighr with material through
which it travels.
 LOSSES IN FIBER (Attenuation)
• There are several points in an optic system where losses occur.
• These are: coupler, splices, connectors and the fiber itself.
• Losses associated within the fiber classified as under:
• Losses due to absorption. Even the purest glass will absorb
heavily within specific wavelength regions. Other major source
of loss is impurities like, metal ions and OH ions.
• Losses due to scattering: caused due to localized variations in
density, called Rayleigh scattering and the loss is:
L = 1.7(0.85/)4 dB/km
 is in micrometers
• Losses due to geometric effect:
– micro-bending.
– macro-bending.
 Dispersion - Pulse Spreading
• Optical fibres that carry data consist of pulses of light
energy following each other. The fibre has a limit as to
how many pulses per second can be sent to it and be
expected to emerge intact at the other end. This is known
as pulse spreading which limits the Bandwidth of the fibre.

• The pulse sets off down the fibre with a square wave
shape. As it travels along the fibre, it progressively gets
wider and the peak intensity decreases.
 SIMGLE MODE FIBER DESIGN

1. Generally long distance network SM mode G-652 (NDSF)

is used.
2. It can be used for 1550-nm window, by dispersion
compensators.
3. Non dispersion shifted fiber can also support 10 Gigabit
Ethernet standard at distances over 300 meters.
4. Dispersion Shifted Fiber –G-653
4. G-655 (Non-zero dispersion-shifted) fiber-good for both
TDM and DWDM use in the 1550-nm region.
5. PMD and other nonlinear effects are not so critical for
short-haul but they are in long-haul systems with higher
speeds.
 Composition of optical fibre
• Silica based glass or plastic filaments are spun
and packed into bundles of several hundreds or
thousands. Bundles may be put together as rods
or ribbons and sheets.
• These bundles are flexible and can be twisted
and contorted to conduct light and images
around corners Cross section of a bundle

• The thin glass center of the fibre where the light

travels is called the “core”.
• The outer optical material surrounding the core
that reflects the light back into the core is called
the “cladding”.
• In order to protect the optical surface from
moisture and damage, it is coated with a layer of
buffer coating.
 OPTICAL SOURCES

• The device which actually converts electrical signals to its optical

equipment.
• Most common light sources:
– light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
– Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (laser)
diodes.
• It is particularly required in lasers to maintain stable output power
by way of feedback mechanism.
• Laser is very sensitive to temperature. Operating characteristics of
a semiconductor laser-notably threshold, current, output power,
and wavelength change with temperature. Hence temperature
sensing and control is required to maintain stable temperature.
Step Index Fibre
Two main types of cables
• This cable has a specific index of refraction for
the core and the cladding.  It causes deformations
due to the various paths lengths of the light ray. 
This is called modal distortion. It is the cheapest
type of cabling. Within the cladding and the core,
the refractive index is constant.
Graded Index Fibre
• In graded index fibre, rays of light follow
sinusoidal paths. Although the paths are different
lengths, they all reach the end of the fibre at the
same time. Multimode dispersion is eliminated
and pulse spreading is reduced. Graded Index
fibre can hold the same amount of energy as
multimode fibre. The disadvantage is that this
takes place at only one wavelength.
 OFC Cable Link Design

• Factors needs to be consider

 Choice of fiber
 Operating wavelength
 Transmitter power
 Choice of light source
 Choice of connectors
 Number of splices
 Optical line code
 Choice of cable
 System design margin etc.
 POWER BUDGET
• OFC CABLE LOSS 0.35 Db /km(including
splice loss)
• For CALCULATING THE HOP SECTION
LENGTH (in kms)
• Tx power(dbm)- Rx sensivity(dbm)/0.35
 Link Power Budget
• The typical system margin are taken from 3 to 6 db
• The difference between the TX power and RX sensitivity is the power
margin.
• Equation of power budget.
Pt-(Lcp+Lct+Lsp+Lfb+Msys)>= Srec where:
PT = light source transmitting power, in dBm
Lcp = coupling loss source to fiber, in dB
Lct= connector’s losses (2: source to fibre and fibre
to detector); in dB
Lsp = splicing loss, in dB
Msys = system loss margin requirement, in dB
Srec = required PD receiver sensitivity, in dBm
Lfb = loss of Fiber cable, in dBm
 Link Power Budget

• Power Budget provides to convenient way to analyze

and quantify losses in a link.
• The available power margin between transmitter and
receiver is allocated to:
1. Fiber loss
2. Splicing losses
3. Connector losses
4. Coupling losses
5. System loss margin
 Link Power Budget
0.1dB PER SPLICE

FIBER CONNECTOR/
3dB FIBER
SPLICE
TX RX
0.25dB PER Km
5 dBm -36dBm

POWER IN dB

RX LEVEL
RX SENSITIVITY
MARGIN

DISTANCE IN Km.
OPTICAL FIBRE : TESTS
AND MEASUREMENTS.

BY
TX-I FACULTY
A.L.T.T.C;
GHAZIABAD
Main Features and Benefits of Optical
Fiber Cables
FEATURES BENEFITS
* Low TX Loss. *Long repeater Spacing or Repeater
less N/W.
* Wide Bandwidth. * Larger Chl. Capacity
* Non-inductive. * No damage to Eqpt. due to surge
voltage.
* Immunity from * No shielding to Eqpt.
Electro-magnetic no X-talk or Signal
interference. leakage.
* Small size, * Easy to install,
bending radius and reduction in space
light weight. needed.
* Difficult to tap. * High Security and
Copper resource savings.
 System Composition

Electrical Electrical
Optical
Signal Signal
Signal
D D
E/O F F O/E
D Transmitter Receiver D
Converter D D Converter
F F
F F

Application area of Measuring Instruments

Data In Data Out
In Optical Fiber Communication system
 MAIN TESTS ON OPTICAL
FIBRE CABLES
• Cable Loss.
• Splice Loss.
• Connector Loss.
• Fibre Length.
• Continuity of Fiber.
• Fault Localizations/Break Fault.
INSTRUMENTS REQUIRED
• Optical Power Meter.
• Calibrated Light Source.
• Optical Attenuator.
• Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
(OTDR).
 CALIBRATED LIGHT SOURCE

• Generates Light signals of known

power and wavelength (LED or
LASER).

• Wavelength variations to match

Fiber's Wavelength.
 OPTICAL ATTENUATORS
• TYPES:-
– Fixed Attenuators.
– Variable Attenuators.

• APPLICATIONS:-
– To Simulate the Regenerator Hop Loss at the FDF.
– To Provide Local Loop Back for Testing.
– To measure the Bit Error Rate by varying the
Optical Signal at the Receiver Input.
(RECEIVER SENSITIVITY)
OPTICAL TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER
(OTDR)

• Used for measuring

– Fiber Loss.
– Splice Loss.
– Connector Loss.
– Fiber Length.
– Continuity of Fiber.
– Fault Localization.
 REQUIREMENTS OF
ATTENUATORS
• Attenuation Range.

• Lowest Insertion Loss.

• Independent of Wavelength.

• Type of Connectors at the Input and Output.

 OTDR INSTRUMENT PRINCIPLE

Pulse
Fiber
Generator
Laser

APD

Signal

Trigger

Oscilloscope Amplifier
 OTDR Trace Information
Reflections show OTDR
Pulse Width and Resolution

Connectors show both

Loss and Reflections

Slope of trace shows Fiber

Attenuation Coefficient

Splices are usually

Splices Loss not Reflective.
 Laying of OFC Cable
• Trenching:
• For underground OFC cable laying the trenching work is
to be first done.
• Soil categorization:- To broad categories are there
1. Rocky (with blasting or chiseling)
2. Unrocky (other than rocky)
It may be decided by the project authorities for the
classification of soils on the basis of the actual and
practical execution of trenching.
Trenching is to be done by manual or by machine. The
standards of trenching depth are as per the decided by
the companies R&D of QA branch.
 Laying of OFC Cable

• In general the depth of the trench should be better than

1.65 meter for non rocky area.
• In case of rocky the minimum should be 1.0 meter or 0.9
meter above the pipe.

45 cm

1.65 meter

30 cm
 Laying of OFC Cable

• Pipes for cable laying and protection:

• HDPE pipe are of cable laying of 75mm outer dia but now a days
PLB/PLP pipes of 200 meter length are being used for OFC cable
laying.
• The extra protection to the cable is also provided in built up area /
heavy loaded traffic area/ Train or Road crossing.
• The protection pipes may be of RCC /GI of the suitable diameter and
length as per requirement.
• The all laid route of the cables are to be protected by placing the stone
slabs/bricks over the cable length in non ducted areas.
• On crossing of river /nallahe the cable should be laid in the parapet
wall of the bridge through GI pipe.
 Laying of OFC Cable

• Providing of the route indicators (Green color)

• For identifying the OFC route the route indicators of the
suitable size along the route at every 200 meter distance
is provided. Following are inscribed on RI:
1. Company name
2. Route name
3. Route kilometer/RI number
The route indicators are made of stone slabs of about 1
meter length and 30 cm wide, erected along the road by
which the OF cable is laid. These are in different colours
as per the choose of the company.
 Laying of OFC Cable

• Branch indicator:
• It is provided whenever a route is diverted (spur) from the
main route or any route is going to diverted from the main
route to a branch route.
• Splice indicator / Joint indicator:(red color)
• At the meeting point of two fiber drum the joint is to be
made for fiber continuity, known as splicing of fiber.
• At every drum length (2km) splice is done in the main hole
and here a indicator is also placed showing the splice
number and route length kilometer.
 Maintenance of OFC Routes

• PHILOSOPHY
• Flexibility to upgrade the network in future
• Significantly lower costs of failure repairs
• Speed of repairs or replacing of OF cable
• Right maintenance philosophy can be based
keeping in mind right installation practices
philosophy to generate overall & quality based on
consumer in terms of availibility,reliability and
error performance.
 Maintenance of OFC

• Preparation of faults -restoration kit

• 1 OTDR
• 2 SPLICING MACHINE
• 3 Fiber cutter
• 4 Stipper
• 5 Joint box/tray with sleeve
• 6 Engine alternator
• 7 Power cords/boards
• 8 Joint closure/cleaning solutions
• 9 Route diagram/fault register