Invited: Transmitter and receiver systems for fiber optical communications

Fiber optical transmission systems are potential competitors with conventional wire, coaxial cable and waveguide facilities in virtually all sectors of the communication network. They are attractive because glass fiber optical waveguides are relatively inexpensive, have miniature cross section, are strong and flexible and can transmit broadband signals with low distortion. This presentation will review the technology of fiber optical communications systems, citing the characteristics of fiber optical waveguides and their influence on system performance, device requirements, and transmitter and receiver systems design.