fiber optic cable is a high-speed data transmission medium that uses thin strands of glass or plastic (called **optical fibers) to transmit information as pulses of light. These cables are widely used in telecommunications, internet services, medical equipment, and military applications due to their **high bandwidth, low latency, and immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI)
Key Components of a Fiber Optic Cable
- Core
- The central part where light travels (made of ultra-pure glass or plastic).
- Diameter: 9µm (single-mode), 50µm or 62.5µm (multimode).
- Cladding
- A layer surrounding the core that reflects light back into the core (lower refractive index).
- Buffer Coating
- A protective plastic layer that prevents physical damage.
- Strength Members
- Kevlar or aramid yarn to protect the fiber from tension.
- Outer Jacket
- A rugged outer layer (PVC, LSZH, etc.) for environmental protection.
Types of Fiber Optic Cables*
1. Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)
- Core size: ~9µm
- Light source: Laser (1310nm, 1550nm)
- Use case: Long-distance (100+ km), high-speed (e.g., telecom, ISPs).
2. Multimode Fiber (MMF)
- Core size: 50µm or 62.5µm
- Light source: LED/VCSEL (850nm, 1300nm)
- Use case: Short-distance (up to 500m), LANs, data centers.
3. Specialty Fibers
- Armored Fiber: Metal-coated for extreme environments.
- Tactical Fiber: Military-grade, ruggedized.
- Bend-Insensitive Fiber (BIF): Resistant to bending losses.
