Kurt Lynn Jennings

Plastic optical fiber based components for LAN and data communication applications

The authors describe the design philosophy and performance of a newly developed low cost, robust, high-performance plastic-optical-fiber (POF)-based connection system designed for LAN (local area network) and data communication applications. System requirements, optical end finishing techniques, connection system components, termination procedure, and connector performance are discussed. This connection system will provide the benefits of fiber optics for short-distance applications at a cost significantly below what is available with glass fiber technology. The hot plate process and unique ferrule design result in a robust, high quality, repeatable optical finish that can be accomplished in either an automated fashion or with simple hand-held tools. As a result, POF has become a viable alternative to glass fiber for medium-distance data transmission and LAN applications.<<ETX>>

Local area network applications of plastic optical fiber

The information explosion that occurred in the 1980s led to the widespread introduction of personal computers to the office, laboratory, and factory environments. The need to share information and resources amongst workstations demanded a networking solution, specifically a local area network (LAN). Since that time many media have been developed for use in LANs, each meeting a specific user demand. Glass fiber was developed for use in long distance, high bandwidth applications, but the high cost of hardware and installation has daunted users. Twisted pair was developed as a low cost alternative medium for use in shorter distance applications. However, as computer applications have become more graphics intensive, LANs have been required to transmit a much greater volume of information, necessitating a media with much higher bandwidth. Since twisted pair cannot support the higher signalling rates, there has been significant interest in a low cost fiber solution. This paper discusses the suitability of plastic optical fiber (POF) for use in local area networks. It outlines the cost and performance advantages offered by POF, discusses the inherent limitations of the medium, and defines an application space where POF is the optimal solution.

Loss modeling of amodal fiber-to-fiber interconnects

Deviations from ideal alignment and end finish can result in lossy fiber optic connections. Models of amodal fiber-to-fiber interconnects (where the optical energy has no modal structure) commonly used by connection system designers assume independence of the misalignment parameters. This paper describes a method of studying the interaction of these parameters using both computer modeling and laboratory data. The initial results show a coupled relationship existing between several pairs of misalignment parameters. In these instances the net loss due to combinational misalignments was significantly different than the linear addition of the individual loss values.

Recent developments in plastic optical fiber components for automotive applications

The majority of production applications using plastic optical fiber (POF) have been for illumination applications. These applications continue to be refined and new illumination applications continue to be introduced. Point-to-point data communication applications of POF are beginning to appear in production vehicles. New developments in connection systems and networking components are occurring rapidly. This paper discusses recently developed components for illumination and data communications. The illumination components were designed for three different applications: lamp monitoring, keyhole illumination, and PRNDL indication (gear shift). Components for data communications include two connection systems and two passive stars designed for networking. The two connections systems are a 16 electrical/1 optical system for point-to-point links and a 5 electrical/2 optical for two-way optical communications. The two stars are a 16 node star and 7 node star. Performance characteristics and design advantages are described for all components.

Connection system designed for plastic optical fiber local area networks

The local area network (LAN) market has been projected to maintain continued rapid growth throughout the 1990s. In addition, the volume and speed of data being transmitted over these networks is also expected to rise dramatically. These trends will necessitate the use of a medium capable of supporting that higher bandwidth, i.e., fiber optics. Glass fiber, the traditional networking solution has the disadvantage of high cost, both of components and installation. Consequently, this has discouraged widespread use. Plastic optical fiber (POF), on the other hand, has many of the same advantages as glass fiber (e.g., high bandwidth and no radiated emissions or susceptibility) while offering the additional advantage of low cost and ease of installation. This paper describes a connection system designed for use in plastic optical fiber LANs. It discusses the overall design philosophy, provides performance data, and highlights the ease of termination which this connection system permits.