Online Optical Dictionary
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cover | Description | ||||
 | Optical
Dictionary. Over 10,000 of the latest Optical Terms and Definitions along with + 400 diagrams and photographs!!! | ||||
| Format | Pages | Price | |||
| Book | 628 | $39.95 | |||
| |||||
Sample Optical Dictionary Definitions
Connector Loss-Connector loss is the signal loss through the connector (insertion loss), often expressed in decibels (dB), caused by impedance mismatching, impurities or structural changes that cause reflections and/or absorption to a signal that is passing through the connector.Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM)-Dense wave division multiplexing is a version of fiber optic communication that combines many optical channels on a single fiber, typically used to increase the data transmission capacity of previously installed fiber. Dense wave division multiplexing provides a significant increase in capacity compared to wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) that combined up to four different optical wavelengths on a single fiber. As of year 2001, DWDM systems support 8 to 80 different wavelengths on one fiber, providing the capability of transferring over 1 trillion bits of data per second. Each optical channel (wavelength) is capable of providing approximately 10 Gb/s (OC-192 9.3 Gb/s data rate).
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-Fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) is a computer network protocol that utilizes fiber optic or copper cable as the transmission medium to provide a token-passing, logical ring topology network operating at 100 Mbps. FDDI also provides for a mode of operation whereby two counter rotating rings are used to provide immediate fail-over and ring recover should a fiber cut occur. FDDI was commonly used as a backbone network to interconnect lower speed Ethernet and Token Ring networks within an enterprise. The American National Standards Institute standard X3T12 defines the protocol.
Fiber Optic Communication-Fiber opitc communication is the transmission and/or reception of information using optical signals through a guided optical line (a fiber).
Free Space Optics (FSO)-Free space optical communication systems use an optical carrier signal to transfer information through the air (free space) between two or more optical receivers or transceivers.
Light Amplification By Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER)-A Laser is a device that emits coherent light of essentially one wavelength in a narrow beam. Lasers can be made using gaseous, liquid or solid state. In optical networks, solid state or semiconductor lasers are used as high performance light sources. Photons are generated in the semiconductor by application of a voltage. Photons with the right wavelength, phase, and direction of travel are selected by an optical cavity in the laser.
Multimode Fiber-An optical fiber that can support many modes of a given wavelength of light. In general, multiple modes are undesirable because they are susceptible to dispersion effects. However, multimode fiber is less expensive to manufacture and less fragile than single mode fiber, so it is often used in less demanding applications.
OC-1-The SONET optical carrier 1, operating at a data rate of 51.84 Mbps.
OC-12-The SONET optical carrier 12, operating at a data rate of 622.08 Mbps.
OC-3-The SONET optical carrier 3, operating at a data rate of 155.52 Mbps.
OC-48-The SONET optical carrier 48, operating at a data rate of 2488.32 Mbps.
Optical Add Drop Multiplexer (OADM)-In an optical network carrying multiple optical signals (WDM or DWDM), an Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer adds or removes (drops) individual optical signals (also known as lightwaves or wavelengths) from the network. This action provides access to specific wavelengths for other networks or access points.
Optical Cable-A cable that contains fibers or bundles of fiber lines that is designed for physical and optical (e.g. optical signal loss at specific wavelengths) specifications that allow it to be used in specific types of optical communication applications (e.g. undersea or in-building.)
Optical Carrier 12 (OC12)-Operates at 622.08 Mbps (12 X OC1)
Optical Carrier 192 (OC192)-Operates at 9.95 Gbps
Optical Carrier Hierarchy (OC-n)-Optical carrier (OC-n) transmission is a hierarchy of optical communication channels and lines that range from 51 Mbps to tens of Gbps (and continues to increase). The "n" is an integer (typically 1, 3, 12, 48, 192, or 768) representing the data rate. Lower level OC structures are combined to produce higher-speed communication lines. There are different structures of OC. The North American standard is called synchronous optical network (SONET) and the European (world standard) is synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH).
Optical Combiner-A device that combines several input optical signals (usually from fibers) into one or several output fibers.
Optical Communication-Optical communication is the transmission and/or reception of information using optical signals. Optical communication may use optical waveguides (e.g. fiber optic lines) or free space transmission to transfer optical signals.
Optical Connector-Optical connectors are a device or assembly that is mounted on a fiber cable or optical device that permits the optical connection and disconnection to other optical cables or assemblies. Some of the more common optical connectors include ST™, SMA 905, SMA 906, Bionic, Mini-BNC, FDDI, ESCON, SC, FC, FC/PC and D4.
Optical Coupler-An optical coupler is a device that is used to transfer optical energy from one transmission medium to another transmission medium. An optical coupler is typically used to split an optical signal to multiple transmission lines or to provide a sample of a transmission signal to another device. An optical coupler may also be used to insert a signal from one transmission line to another transmission line.
Optical Detector-Usually a semiconductor device, such as a PIN or avalanche photodiode, that converts light to an electrical signal in fiber optic communications systems. An optical detector also is called an optical receiver.
Optical Fiber-A thin filament of glass (usually smaller than a human hair) that is used to transmit voice, data, or video signals in the form of light energy (typically in pulses).
Optical Filter-A passive or active device that selectively blocks (rejects) or transmits (passes) a range of wavelengths in a fiber optic transmission line.
Optical Modulator-Optical modulators are devices or assemblies that transfer the intelligence in an information signal onto an optical signal that is used to better able transport the information. A modulator modifies a light wave by amplitude, phase, and/or frequency as a function of a control signal that carries the intelligence.
Optical Multiplexer-An optical multiplexer is a device or assembly that combines two or more optical signals onto a single optical channel or optical link. Optical multiplexing may be in the form of wavelength division (e.g. multiple wavelength channels on a fiber line) or time division (e.g. slots on a optical link).
Optical Network-Optical networks are a series of points that are interconnected by optical communications channels or systems. Optical networks are either common to all users or privately leased by a customer for some specific application.
Optical Network Unit (ONU)-Optical networking units multiplex and demultiplex signals to and from a fiber transmission line. An ONU terminates an optical fiber line and converts the signal to a format suitable for distribution to a customer's equipment. When used for residential use, a single ONU can serve 128 to 500 dwellings.
Optical Scattering-Optical scattering is the deflection of light from the path it would follow if the refractive index were uniform or gradually graded. Scattering is caused primarily by microscopic or submicroscopic fluctuations in the refractive index. Scattering is the principal cause of the attenuation of an optical waveguide.
Optical Switching-Optical switching is the process of directly connecting optical signals between multiple ports or time periods on an optical communication line without the need to convert the optical signals to electrical form.
Optical Spectrum-Optical spectrum is the distribution of optical energy as a function of frequency or wavelength..
Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)- A test instrument that measures the time for transmission and return of optical signal pulses through a fiber transmission line to determine the distance to specific points in that transmission line (such as a cable break or damaged portion). The OTDR tester operates by sending an optical pulse of energy, timing the response, and analyzing the shape of the pulse to determine the type of change in the transmission line that caused the signal reflection (e.g. un-terminated-terminated cable break).
Optical Waveguide-Any physical medium (such as fiber cable) or structure capable of guiding (channeling) optical power from one point to another. An optical fiber is an optical waveguide.
Optoelectronics-The range of materials and devices that generate, amplify, detect, and control light. Each of these functions requires electric energy to operate and depends on electronic devices to sense and control this energy.
Passive Optical Network (PON)-A passive optical network (PON) combines, routes, and separates optical signals through the use of passive optical filters that separate and combine channels of different optical wavelengths (different colors). The PON distributes and routes signals without the need to convert them to electrical signals for routing through switches.
Single Mode Fiber-An optical fiber designed to carry only one mode of a given wavelength of light. This effect is achieved by making the diameter of the fiber core less than about 10 micrometers (0.4 thousandths of an inch). This type of fiber can support higher data rates over longer distances because it avoids modal dispersion. See also Multimode Fiber.
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)-Synchronous digital hierarchy is a digital transmission format that is used in optical (fiber) networks to transport high-speed data signals. SDH uses standard data transfer rates and defined frame structures formats in a synchronous (sequential) format. SDH is similar to SONET.
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)-Synchronous optical network is a digital transmission format that is used in optical (fiber) networks to transport high-speed data signals. SONET uses standard data transfer rates and defined frame structures formats in a synchronous (sequential) format.
Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM)-Wave division multiplexing is a process of transmitting several distinct communication channels through a transmission medium (such as through a single optical fiber) via the use of a distinct separate wavelength (RF or optical frequency or "color") for each communication channel.
|
Fiber Optic Basics This book covers the fundamentals of fiber optic communication systems and how they are installed. It starts with the optical principles, describes optical network equipment and components, how to install optical cable, identifies the basic processes for splicing fiber and attaching optical connectors and provides an overview of optical testing. $ 34.99 Printed, $29.99 eBook | |
Magazines & Newsletters | |
| • | Optical Networks Magazine |
| • | The Journal of Optical Networking |
| • | Journal of Optical Communications |
| • | Optics and Photonics News |
| • | Fiber Optics News |
| • | Microwaves and RF |
| • | Wireless Review |
| Broadcast Engineering | |
| • | Fiber Optic Product News |
| • | Network Magazine |
| • | Laser Focus World |
Trade Shows | |
|
11759