Digital Fiber Optic Systems

Gerd E. Keiser

doi:10.1117/12.945048

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12 February 1985 Digital Fiber Optic Systems

Gerd E. Keiser

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Proceedings Volume 0512, Fiber Optic Communication Technology; (1985) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.945048
Event: 28th Annual Technical Symposium, 1984, San Diego, United States

Abstract

An interest in optical communications was created in 1960 with the discovery of the laser1. The initial activity concentrated on experiments using atmospheric optical channels, since early optical fibers had extremely large losses of more than 1000 dB/km which made them appear impractical. This changed in 1966 when it was speculated that these high losses resulted from impurities in the fiber material, and that losses could be reduced significantly2 . Simple calculations showed that in order for a fiber optic transmission link to have two-km repeater spacings, which was comparable to existing coaxial systems, fiber attenuation on the order of 20 dB/km would be required. This was realized in 1970, and a whole new era of optical fiber communications was thus launched3-4. In this paper, we will examine some of the general features of various digital systems, and will discuss the strengths and limitations of the transmission links that have emerged to date.

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Gerd E. Keiser "Digital Fiber Optic Systems", Proc. SPIE 0512, Fiber Optic Communication Technology, (12 February 1985); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.945048

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