Fiber Optic Videos and CDs

Plastic Optical Fiber:
150001 (CD); 150002 (Video)

Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) technology can be used for voice, video and data requirements. It also allows for simplified connectorization, testing and splicing techniques. Plastic Optical Fiber demonstrates how POF is manufactdured and explores its current and potential applications.

POF Fibers

POF Fiber Theory

Advantages of POF

Handling and Preparation

Applications of POF: Automotive, Lighting, Signs, Communications, Isolation, Education

Future Trends of POF

Length: 23 minutes

Fiber Optic Applications:
150005 (CD); 150006 (Video)

Worldwide communication requirements are growing at an amazing rate. Fiber optics are key to this growth. Fiber Optic Applications provides an overview of voice, video, and data communications. Anyone, from the front desk receptionist to the corporate president, will find this video/cd-rom interesting and beneficial.

Fiber Optics' Role in Communications

New Trends in Communications

The Impact of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)

Voice Networks

System and Protocols

HDTV, CCTV and CATV Video

High Speed Data Network

Next Generation Internet

All Optical Networks

Length: 43 minutes (2nd revision)

Fiber Optic Safety

Fiber Optic Safety provides a detailed explanation of the many safety issues for field and lab applications working with fiber. It has numerous examples of good safety practices and standards as well as areas of particular concern. Fiber Optic Safety is a great supplement to an organization's internal safety program!

Safe Handling of Optical Fibers

Laser Safety

Ultraviolet Light

Chemical and Right-to-Kkow Laws

Safety Standards

Protective Clothing and Eyewear

Safety in Installations

Confined Spaces

High Voltage

Safety Tools

Length: 26 minutes (3rd revision)

History of Fiber Optics
150003 (CD); 150004 (Video)

The evolution of Fiber Optics from the 19th century to the present is a fascinating story of scientific devleopment and perseverance. This video/cd-rom is especially beneficial for new employees, students and to those who want to learn about how optical and fiber communication evolved.

Pioneers of fiber optics in the 19th and 20th centuries

Early through mid 20th century discoveries

1950s: internal reflection, fiber structure and applications and other issues

1960s: lasers and Charles Kao's fiber proposal

Early 1970s: manufacturing of fibers and lasers

Late 1970s: development of sources,detectors, systems, splicing, connectors and test equipment

The Implementation Years

1980s: 1" generation single-mode systems, deregulation and submarine systems

The Internet, DWDM and the future

Length: 35 minutes

Introduction to Fiber Optic Theory and Fiber Structure

Understand the basics of optical theory and its relationship to optical fibers. The video is comprehensive, informative and educational to watch. Follow the evolution of the many fiber types and their applications. The fiber, and industry come to "life" with the use of animations, graphics, actual film footage of fiber production, and many diverse fiber applications. Introduction to Fiber Optics provides the novice with a good explanation of fiber theory and it is an excellent review for the experienced fiber professional. An excellent staff development tool for those who work with or around the fiber industry.

Optical Fiber Evolution

Fiber Manufacturing

Optical Theory

Fiber Types and Structures

Dispersion: Modal, Chromatic and PMD

Graded- and Step-Index Fiber Structures

Cutoff Wavelength

Advantages of Fiber

Specialty Fibers

Length: 35 minutes (4th revision)

Fiber Optic Cable

With the proliferation of fiber optics in thousands of applications, manufacturers have developed numerous types of fiber optic cable to meet the challenges of current optical applications. Fiber Optic Cable reviews cable types, their structure and how it relates to various applications. The relationship between building codes and installation is covered. On site footage of cable manufacturing helps make this video/cd-rom especially interesting!

Cable Manufacturing

Cable Structures

Cable Jackets and Applications

Building and Installation Codes

Indoor and Outdoor Cable Types

Specialty Cables

The Role of Optical Cables

Outdoor Styles

Hybrid Cables

Color Codes

Length: 17 minutes (3rd revision)

Fiber Optic Installation

Today's designers and installers must addresa host of changing building codes, environmental issues, proper design, routing and topology concerns when building a fiber network. Fiber Optic Installation covers the numerous issues involved with the proper placement of optical communication systems for LANs, WANs, and MANs.

Indoor Campus Installations: Campus Plenum/Risers; Pulling Cable; Cable Trays/Raceways; Conduits; Air Blown Fiber (ABF)

Outdoor Cable Installations: Direct Buried-Trench Installations; Boring; Pressurized Cable; Vaults, Manholes and Handholes

Aerial Installations: OPGW; ADSS; Lashing Aerial Ducts; Figure Eight

Special Issues: Building Codes; Installation Standards; Grounding/Bonding

Firewalls: Cable Markings; Slack Points; Routing

Length: 41 minutes (2nd revision)

Fiber Optic LEDs, Lasers and Detectors

Fiber Optic LEDs, Lasers and Detectors covers the active components used in transmitters and receivers to convert electrical circuits to optical circuits and vice versa. It addresses the components and their operation, wavelength compatibility, cost issues, packaging and industry trends. Newer technolgoies such as tunable lasers, optical amplifiers and Vertical Cavity Surface Emitter Lasers (VCSEL) are included.

Types and Functions of LEDs, Lasers and Detectors

How LEDs, Lasers and Detectors Work

Applications

Operation Issues

Analog and Digital Issues

Lasers Including VCSELs

Detectors

Transceivers

Modules & Transmitters

System Performance Budgets

Length: 37 minutes (2nd revision)

Fiber Optic Couplers, Switches and Isolators

Fiber Optic Couplers, Switches and Isolators reviews the broad family of coupler products and technologies. Learn how optical components can split, tap, direct, switch, multiplex, demultiplex and guide light. In the transparent optical networks of the future, couplers, switches and isolators are the components that will allow for true optical flexibility.

What are Fiber Optic Couplers, Switches, and Oscillators?

How do they work?

Applications

Couplers: Splitters; Wavelength Division Multiplexers and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing; Bi-Direcdtional Couplers; Star Couplers

Switches: Applications; Types; Loss Issues; Methods

Isolators: Applications; Functions

Length: 30 minutes (2nd revision)

How to Perform Optical Loss Testing

How to Perform Optical Loss Testing focuses on the optical light source and power meter and how they are used to perform optical loss measurements in Local Area and Wide Area Networks (both singlemode and multimode). The video/CD-rom demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of various testing methods. In addition, the importance of accurate documentation is emphasized.

Characteristics of Optical Loss Testing: Power Meter and Light Source

Importance of Documentation

Optical Loss Testing Methods: Conventional Point to Point - Optical Loss Test Sets - Automated Test Sets - Using Splitters - Using Talk Sets and Splitters

Length: 19 minutes

How to Perform an Optical Loss Budget
150025 (CD); 150026 (Video)

When designing a fiber optic system, one of the most important design elements is the "Optical Loss Budget," a detailed calculation of the optical power available at the output of the optical power available at the output of the transmitting source, the optical power required at the receiver's detector and the dissipation or attenuation of optical power in the optical path between transmitter and receiver. In essence, the Optical Loss Budget is a statement of how the optical power available witl be used. Learn how to do optical loss budgets for Loca Area Networks per the TIA/EIA 568B standard, Wide Area Networks in telecommuncations, and CATV networks using single-mode fiber. In addition, "not to exceed" loss budgets for contractors are demonstrated.

System Design Process:

Transmission System

Media Type-Multimode and Singlemode Fibers

Physical Plant Examples

Fiber Optic Transmit & Receive Equipment Types

Options and Limitations

Loss Budgeting Examples:

(step by step demonstration)

Local Area Network

Attenuation and Bandwidth Examples

Not to Exceed Loss Budgets for Contractors

Singlemode Fiber Link

Analog CATV Link for Hybrid Fiber-Coax

Optical Amplifiers and Splitters

Review of Design Options:

Wavelengths

Fiber Structures

Transmitters

Lasers, LEDs and VCSELs

Receiver

PIN & APDs

Physical Plant Losses

Manufacturer Options

Length: 35 minutes

How to Clean a Fiber Optic Connector

In the past, the purpose of cleaning fiber optic connectors was to prevent damage to the fiber during mating of the fiber ends to each other. However, today's more advanced and faster transmission systems that use higher power lasers require even more attention to the cleaning of the connection surfaces. How to Clean a Fiber Optic Connector reviews the products, applicatoins and their proper usage. It shows the causes of contamination when using various cleaning techniques and demonstrates the different products used to clean:

Fibers

Connector End Faces:

Alcohol Based Products

Compressed Air Products

Tape Products

Cloth Products

Cleaning Sleeves and Mated Connector Parts

Length: 31 minutes