The Pros And Cons Of Fiber Optics

By Amanda Bean


The talks about fiber optics have been in existence ever since long ago. This is because the concept of a fast Internet connection via light reflection has started long ago. Even if this is the case, there are only a few places that use an all-optical network. It is still not a common option because of some flaws and other similar things.

There are a lot of things that prevent the full development of this network. There are surely a lot of people who are aware of this. There are also advantages and disadvantages to using the said option nowadays. Here are those advantages and disadvantages that the person might want to take in mind beforehand.

For the pro side, people should be able to take advantage of the bandwidth capacity of this option. The optical signals can carry more information compared to electrical ones. The theoretical capacity of the optical fibers is considered to be hundred times bigger and faster than the copper cables. If it is turned into reality, the most common benefit that a person can feel is the instant page load.

There is also the advantage of signal reliability. Electrical signals are easily exposed to electromagnetic interference. The bit error rate of the electrical systems when there is an electromagnetic interference will god up then. For the optical signals, it does not suffer from electromagnetic interference. Since there is no signal loss, the bit error rate is smaller.

The person has to think about the size and weight too. The optical fibers usually have a size of at least ten micrometers. This size can be compared to a fifth of the diameter of human hair. The weight of this option, when it has a length of one kilometer, will be approximately six kilograms. It is definitely smaller and lighter than the coaxial cables.

Of course, there are consequences to choosing this option too. The first one has something to do with the product's cost. The optical networks of big companies use optical fibers as its backbone since it is economical. However, it will be a different matter when this is deployed at home. The cost is too high for a single subscriber.

The physical constraints of the said product will also serve as its disadvantage. It is an extremely fragile item. The optical fibers must never be bended too much. Otherwise, its light reflecting properties will be lost. If the optical fibers are damaged, the cost and complexity of the repairs will prove to be troublesome.

There is also a need to pay attention to the traffic switching of this product. Truth be told, the switching technology of this product is not up to par compared to the electrical switching solution. It is not as cost-efficient and flexible as what the electrical options can offer. This is the reason why it is troublesome to make use of this when there is a high traffic for the company.

These are just some of the pros and cons that people will have to take into account when they are trying to install the fiber optics into their house or their business. There should be other pros and cons that people can reap aside from the mentioned ones. Better know more of these pros and cons through proper research so that one can make an informed decision in the end.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment