Ref: https://learn.cantrill.io/courses/2022818/lectures/45682862

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYWsldaXCy0

• Summary:
• Contents:

Copper Cables - Refresher

• 🔧 Data transmitted via electric signals
  • Traditional physical medium
• 👍 Cheap
• 👍 Relatively easy to install

Fiber Optic Cables - Key Concepts & Copper Comparison

• 🔧 Data transmitted via light signals
  • 💡 Slowly replacing copper cables
• Thin glass/plastic core surrounded by protection
  • Fiber core is about the diameter of a human hair
  • 👎 More expensive than copper cables (but prices getting cheaper and cheaper!)
  • 👎 Less easy to install
• More consistent experience vs copper cables → Advantages:
  • 👍 Higher speeds
  • 👍 Larger distances covered
  • 👍 Resistant to EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference)
  • 👍 Less prone to water ingress

Physical Construction of Fiber Cables

• Components
  • Core: physical medium (glass/plastic), carries light
    • 💡 Light bounces off core edges as it travels, doesn't travel in straight line
  • Cladding: surrounds core, contains light inside core (lower refractive index than core)
  • Buffer: internal coating & protection, absorbs shocks & provides additional strength
  • Jacket: surrounds buffer (different colors to indicate cable characteristics)
• X/Y notation (e.g. 9/125) → measured in microns (μ)
  • X = core diameter (μ)
  • Y = cladding diameter (μ)