Whether you accept it or not, fiber optic cable plays a pivotal part in our everyday lives. Owing to different benefits there has been a surge in fiber optics. Its durability, tempo, and reliability make it noteworthy. Fiber optics are an important element of our modern world and are used in many industries, especially telecommunications. These cables were developed to curb the copper cable’s limitations.
Fiber optics carry information from one place to another using light-based technology. Though fiber optics was originally established to support endoscope examinations now it is used on various platforms due to which it has gained immense popularity. When it comes to telephone calls, the single optical strand can carry almost 25000 telephone calls.
Fiber optic cables are the cable of the future. Based on their characteristics they are bifurcated into two categories.
· Field terminated fiber optic cable assemblies
· Pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies
Field terminated fiber optic cable assemblies are terminated after the installation whereas pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies are pre-terminated by the manufacturer before sending it to the clients thus saving time.
Out of these two, pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies are the most desired. They are most suitable for data centers and the majority of industrial networks with predefined routes. As these cables are pre-terminated, their installation time is reduced, offers high accuracy, and minimizes downtime.
Some of the popular pre-terminated types of cable construction are Indoor plenum, outdoor, pre-terminated indoor outdoor fiber optic cable, and much more.
Indoor plenums are best suited for indoor installations and outdoor for outdoor applications whereas the pre-terminated indoor outdoor fiber optic cable is suitable for conduits underground. As they are covered with PVC sheath, they can be used at places where the possibility of water infiltration exists.
Fiber optics have paramount importance and over the period of time, the benefits of fiber optic cables have increased. Here are a few advantages:
· Fiber offers a high bandwidth level.
· It is inherently secure.
· Offers high-security installations.
· It can withstand water and temperature fluctuations.
· Can be used in various fields like the automotive industry, military and space travel research, cable transmissions at affordable prices.
As per the market analysis, the fiber optic market will reach over US$ 4.9 Billion by the year 2025. Let us see how fiber optic cable will change in the next 10 years:
1. COMMUNICATION NETWORK
Based on various factors like new technology, lower installation costs and digital television (a new revenue build-up service) has made telephone companies finalize the installation of fiber to the home (FTTH).
According to Forbes, San Francisco inclines towards the thought of connecting a city-wide fiber-optic network. If San Francisco accomplishes the project, it will be “a huge step towards internet utopia” and it will gain the title of the first major city in America to do so.
Second, to reinforce the increased demand for Google and Facebook, a network provider plans to lay 8000 miles of submarine underwater fiber optic cable from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Though the investment would be considerable and so will be the returns.
Not to forget, the launch and expansion of the 5G wireless network across the globe are made possible because of fiber optics. In the future, it will be used in more diverse and efficient applications.
2. SIMBA- AN UNDERWATER DATA CABLE
Each one of us is very well aware of the role the internet has played in transforming technology in various nations across the world. But still, few nations are yet to enjoy the benefits of the internet.
To make those nations access the internet, Facebook has come up with an initiative named Simba, an underwater data cable that would cover the entire Africa. Likewise, Alphabet Inc. Google’s parent company is also planning to connect new nations by building a cable system across Africa’s west coast, benefitting existing European and Asian data centers.
3. ALL-OPTICAL NETWORKS (AON)
AON is the latest trending technology that swiftly transmits data without any electrical processing that results in faraway transmission distances. Even new devices like optical couplers and optical switches work at greater speed and coherence. Thus, fiber optic technology develops side by side to meet the increased demand for escalated speed and efficiency.
It is not just limited to one industry but has a huge potential for progressing in the aviation industry, stadium construction, establishing commercial buildings as well as public work projects. As these industries use Radio-over-Fiber (ROF), it transmits radio signals using optical fibers as these are not affected by electromagnetic interference.
4. TWISTED LIGHT SPIRAL
Instead of just storing information, light can carry information too, isn’t it surprising?
According to the article published in Nature Communications, the twisted light spirals within fiber optics may form a third dimension where light could carry information. As per the sources, the more angular momentum, the more information can be transferred. This research and development result may soon turn up into the fact by fiber optic manufacturers. This technology would always remain at the frontline of digital communications.
5. COMPUTER LOCAL AREA NETWORK
The era of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper wiring would be over soon. To connect servers and switches in a computer room, a 10GbE copper solution can be used as the distances are very short. The connection to the desktop is still mostly over copper but as and when the users of the applications require gigabits to the desktop they would switch to fiber.
WRAPPING UP
Fiber optics are widely used today and as it continues to expand it is reaching new markets and benefiting. Whether corporates, government agencies, or small businesses fiber optic cables gain an edge whose future seems to be bright.
