Merits and Demerits of Fiber Optic Communication System

Merits and Demerits of Fiber Optic Communication System Points : merits and demerits of fiber optic communication system Merits 1. Very low attenuation: When high frequency signals are propagated through conventional coaxial cables, it loses half of its power only after few hundred meters where as the fiber optics loses the same amounts of power in 15 Km or more. Thus repeaters will be required at very large distances.

2. Large bandwidth: The transmission rate exceeding 10 G-bits/s are possible as compared to 1 G-bits/s for coaxial cables. This capacity can be further increased by using carrier waves of different wavelengths.

3. Light weight and small size: Because of very small size and light weight with considerably large mechanical flexibility it produces a number of advantages regarding to transportation, installation and space.

4. Electrical conductivity: As the fiber optics have no electrical conductivity, therefore grounding or protection against lightening is not necessary.

5. Interaction between light waves inside and electromagnetic fields outside the fiber: As there is no interaction between the light waves and electromagnetic fields, thus resulting immunity to noise and interferences from the nearby electrical power lines. The fiber optics is also immune to crosstalk between adjacent fibers. Also, signals from fiber optics can not be intercepted by unauthorized persons, thus resulting in security of the signals. Demerits 1. The joining of the fiber optics cables needs greater care to make precision optical alignment. otherwise excessive loses will occur.

2. As the fiber optics has no electrical conductivity, therefore additional copper cable is included within the fiber cable to provide power supply to the repeaters.

3. At present the installation cost is very high.

4. As electro optical converters are non-linear, thus resulting in noise and power loss.