Abstract

In the past, interest in optical-fiber transmission has focused primarily on long-distance, high-bandwidth communication systems for PTT applications. Recently it has been realized, however, that there is also a great potential in the field of low-bandwidth, short-distance applications, such as digital data transmission for process control, optical databus. computer links, and video transmission systems. While the fibers needed in such systems may be of the medium-loss type, they are required to have a large core, a thin cladding, and a high numerical aperture. Such properties facilitate splicing and connection techniques and allow the use of inexpensive LED’s and PIN diodes.

© 1979 Optical Society of America