Fiber-optic system tradeoffs: With the choice of short-wavelength and long-wavelength technologies available, the designer can tailor a fiber-optic system to specific applications

A wide variety of components for fiber-optic systems is now available: transmitters, fibers, and receivers for operation at short wavelengths (less than 1 micrometer) or long wavelengths (more than 1 micrometer). Each of these components has its own advantages and disadvantages and its own set of tradeoffs in any particular application. The author describes several of these components and explains how the designer can tailor a fiber-optic system to specific applications.