White Paper

An optical fiber or fiber optics has emerged as a leading signal transmission medium in data networking applications. It was first proposed as a technology for light transmission in the 1950s. By 1990s the optical fiber technology has gained traction. By 2010, it has taken over the copper cable transmission. Unlike, copper cables, the fiber optics transmits the signals in an optic format that is in the form of light waves. It offers higher data transmission speed, greater data security, and endurance to harsh environmental conditions in comparison to the copper cables. These cables benefit from their design and construction. The fiber optic cables are constructed by bundling multiple glass strands inside a cladding, which is further protected by a buffer tube, which offers protection against environmental conditions. The optic signals are transmitted through these glass strands by the refraction of light principle.

Ethernet networking is successfully employed in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. For several years, Ethernet networking was all about the power supply. However, with the growth of wireless and IP technologies, meeting the power supply requirements and data transmission through a single cable has emerged as a challenge. This is where PoE technology makes a difference. In the absence of this technology, the civil infrastructure would have become extremely complex comprising lots of cables and various power points. 

Fiber optics, being a signal transmission technology, utilizes a transmission media. The transmission media in fiber optics technology is fiber optic cables. Typically, fiber optic cable networks are made of several fiber optic cables. These fiber optics are integrated into a network using specific fiber optic connectors. Since cables and connectors are essential elements of a fiber-optic network, it is important to select the right types of cables and connectors for specific applications. However, the selection of these two elements is a complex process due to the availability of a varying range of types, features, and specifications. With the advancement in technology, the fiber optic cables and connectors have evolved with several beneficial parameters, therefore, the selection becomes a little complex.