Sterling D.J. Technician's Guide to Fiber Optics

4th edition, Delmar, Cengage Learning, Clifton Park, NY, 2004, 368 pages, ISBN: 1401812708An excellent primer for students beginning to study the subject, this current edition provides a practical, real-world perspective on the fundamentals of fiber optic technology and optical communications. It examines the reasons that optical fibers are the preferred communications medium, surpassing copper wire in all performance measures. A thorough explanation of how fibers work is offered, as well as useful coverage of other related optical components and how those components fit into system-level applications. Premises (LAN), metro, 10G Ethernet, and long-haul applications are also briefly surveyed.Contents

Preface to the fourth edition

Background
The Communications Revolution
Information Transmission
Fiber Optics as a Communications Medium: Its Advantages
LightFiber-optic components
The Optical Fiber
Fiber Characteristics
Fiber-Optic Cables
Sources
Detectors
Transmitters and Receivers
Connectors and Splices
Couplers, Multiplexers, and Other DevicesFiber-optic systems
The Fiber-Optic Link: Power Budgets
Fiber-Optic Cable Installation and Hardware
LANs
Fiber-Optic Systems: Telecommunications and Broadband Applications
Introduction to Test and Other EquipmentGlossary
Index