Abstract

Ratter wide agreement has emerged in the last few years among cognizant people that communication systems based on optical fibers as a transmission medium are a very attractive way to solve many of the current and future technological problems in communications. This consensus is probably based in the first instance on the advances in fiber technology, which have indeed been impressive. But there is a broader basis than that for this consensus. Advances in optical electronic device technology have occurred which give added thrust to the advantages of this new transmission means. In fact, a rather complete technology is emerging; this completeness is in the form of many compatible parts which can be configured into the system which will make this technology useful.

© 1975 Optical Society of America