Assignment No 5, Dated: October 28, 2019

Name: Noman akbar

Registration No. 1421-116315

Program: BSCS

Semester: 8th (B.116) Group-IV. Fall 2019

Subject: Optical Fiber Communications

Submitted to

Prof. Dr. M. Saleem Sheikh

Preston University Kohat

Islamabad Campus
Q: Write the types of Optical fiber cables?

Ans: There are two types of fiber:

(i) Step Index Fiber.

(ii) Graded Index fiber

Step Index Fiber:

The step shaped profile of the refractive index, between
the core glass and the cladding glass.

Step index fiber consist of a central core whose refractive index

is n1, surrounded by a cladding whose refractive index is
n2.as shown above in figure.
The critical angle for the SI fiber is given by:

Sin θc = n2 / n1
Typical dimensions of SI fibers are 50/125, 100/140, and
200/230.

Graded Index Fiber:

The graded-index (GRIN) fiber has a core material

whose refractive index decreases continuously with distance
from the fiber axis.
We will show how the GRIN fiber guides light by
trapping rays, not unlike the operation of a SI
waveguide.
The index variation is described by;
n(r) =n1 √[1-2(r/a)α Δ], r ≤ a
n(r) =n1 √[1-2Δ] = n2, r > a

Fig Graded-index fiber. (a) Refractive-index profile. (b) End

view, (c) Cross-sectional view

The index variation is described by;

n (r) = n1 √[1-2(r/a) α Δ], r ≤ a

n (r) = n1 √[1-2Δ] = n2, r > a

Where

n1 = refractive index along the fiber axis

n2=refractive index outside the core (cladding index)
a = core radius
α = parameter describing the refractive-index profile variation
Δ = parameter determining the scale of the profile change.

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Q: - what is Step Index?

Ans: - The ratio of the speed of light in (air or vacuum) to that in

another medium is called step index or refractive index.

Q: - what is Matched Cladding?

Answer

Matched cladding means that the fiber cladding consists

of a single homogeneous layer of dielectric material.
As with the dielectric slab, complete guidance requires that,
The reflection angle θ greater than the critical angle θc.
The critical angle for the SI fiber is given by:
Sin θc = n2 / n1

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 Problem No :1

Suppose that the glass fiber in Table 5.1 is surrounded by air.

Compute the critical angle at the cladding air boundary.

Solution:

Using the critical-angle equation, Sinθc=n2/n1, or θc=Sin-

1(n2/n1), θc=Sin-1(1/1.46) θc=43o

This should be compared with a core mode, where θc=Sin-

1(1.46/1.48) or θc=80.6o

Recalling that θ is the ray angle as measured from the

boundary normal,
we can see how much more steeply the cladding-mode rays
travel, relative to the fiber axis, than do the core-mode rays.

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Q: - Write the three commons form of the Step-Index fiber?

 Answer: -

Three common form of the Step-index fiber are: -

● Glass – To- Glass
● Glass -To-Plastic
● Plastic -To-Plastic

Glass – To- Glass

A glass core, cladded with a glass having a slightly lower
refractive index.
The refractive index step is small for all glass fibers.
Attenuation loss in all glass fiber is generally lower than the all
other fiber forms.
Lowest loss. Used for longest distances (up to about 100 km)

Glass -To-Plastic
A silica glass core, cladded with plastic.
The refractive index is little larger for the plastic-clad silica
(PCS) fibers.
Attenuation loss in all PCS fiber is generally more than the
Glass fiber and lower than the all plastics fibers.
PCS fiber have losses around 8dm/km.
Moderate loss. Moderate distances (up to about 100 m).

Plastic -To-Plastic
A plastic core, cladded with another plastic.
The refractive index is extremely larger for all plastic
constructions referred as Polymer optical fiber.
Attenuation loss in all Plastic fiber is generally more than the
Glass fiber and the PCS fibers.
Plastics fiber have losses of several hundred /km.
High loss. Short distances (up to about 10 m).
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Q: - What are different steps to protect the fiber?

 Answer: -

The types of strengthening and protection needed follow:

1. Tensile strength:
● High tensile strength is required when a cable is
installed by pulling it through a duct.
● Tensile members must support the weight of the
cable when it is hung in a vertical duct, when it is
suspended between poles, & or under the ocean.
2. Hardness (Crush resistance):
o Cables are often subjected to large lateral forces,
which can crush a glass fiber.
o Some cabled fibers must survive being stepped on or
being run over by large vehicles.

3. Protection from excess bending:

▪ Sharp bends produce two problems:

▪ Radiation loss at the bend and Possible breaks
in the fiber.
▪ A good cable will be stiff enough to prevent
excessive bending but flexible enough for easy
handling and installation.

4. Abrasion protection:

● Glass fibers will deteriorate severely if they

suffer abrasions.
● Small defects caused by abrasions increase
losses significantly.

5. Vibration isolation:
● Vibration will increase fiber losses.
● Cables are designed to cushion the fiber, damping
out excessive motion.
6. Moisture & chemical protection:
● Moisture & chemicals degrade glass fibers after
prolonged exposure.
● Some cables guard the fiber against contact with
these contaminants.

The END