Transmits light rather than electricity. Can transmit data long distances and in high EMI areas. Can sometimes operate up to tens of kilometers.

Optical fiber #

Four components #

1. glass fiber, or core
2. cladding, reflects light
3. buffer (gives strength)
4. insulating jacket

Types #

Can be single or duplex, one wire sends one wire receives.

Multi-mode optical fiber (MMF) #

• Uses LEDs . Most common type.
• Almost all transfer 850-nm wavelengths.

Single-mode optical fiber (SMF) #

• Uses laser light. Prevents modal distortion .
• Transmit either 1310 nm or 1550 nm.

Optical fiber connectors #

• ST: Straight Tip
• SC: Standard Connector
• LC: Lucent Connector
• MT-RJ: Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack Media Termination - recommended jack