Optical connectivity

Fiber optic technologies have proved their worth in long-distance and intercontinental telecommunications, and are now making their way into other fields such as aeronautics, railways, military equipment and industrial installations. This article describes the main differences between the connectors used to transmit a signal via optical fiber and those used for transmission via electrical cable. Most of the world's operators have already equipped their transport networks with fiber optics. Optical connectivity is now evolving towards telecom distribution networks and local datacom networks. In other fields, the first large-scale applications are to be found in civil aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A380 and Airbus A350, in trains and subway railways, and in military applications such as Thales's tactical detection radars.

Fiber-to-fiber optical connectivity will be situated in relation to other optical connection methods. The laws of coupling will be stated; the attenuation and reflection rate of a connector will be defined.

Transceivers (or connectorized active components) will be described, as well as optical attenuators and couplers.