Communications: Optical transmission of voice and data: Bandwidth and noise immunity are up; size, weight, and costs are down

Fibre-optic transmission systems offer powerful advantages over conventional coaxial cable and metallic wire links. Increased bandwidth, smaller diameter, lower weight, lack of crosstalk, complete immunity to inductive interference, and the potential ability to deliver signals at lower costs are bringing fibre-optic systems out of the laboratory into strong competition with conventional systems in telecommunications, computers, military systems, and many other areas. The technology behind the elements of fibre-optic transmission systems has been rapidly maturing, paced by important developments in optical sources, cables, detectors, couplers, modulators, and repeaters.