Experiment No: 01

Name of the experiment: Demonstrate analog communication using 1KHz audio signal
generator with step index, graded index and 300 meters of multimode connectorized graded-
index 62.5/125 optical fiber.

Objectives:

1. Identify the basic components of a fiber optic communication system

2. Discuss audio signal propagation in an optical fiber
3. Identify the various types of optical fibers
4. Determine the dispersion characteristics for the various types of optical fibers
5. Describe the various connector types

Introduction:
Fiber optics is a medium for carrying information from one point to another in the form of light.
Unlike the copper form of transmission, fiber optics is not electrical in nature.
A basic fiber optic system consists of a transmitting device that converts an electrical signal into
a light signal, an optical fiber cable that carries the light, and a receiver that accepts the light
signal and converts it back into an electrical signal.
The complexity of a fiber optic system can range from very simple (local area network) to
extremely sophisticated and expensive (long distance telephone or cable television trunking). For
example, the system shown could be built very inexpensively using a visible LED, plastic fiber, a
silicon photodetector, and some simple electronic circuitry.

figure: fiber optic communication

Theory:

The optical fiber communication systems have many advantages in respect to cable
communication systems:
larger band width and so higher transmission capacity,
higher immunity to electromagnetic disturbances, lack of irradiations, smaller size, lower
attenuation, which make the connections at farther distances possible without intermediate
amplifications.
The materials used to produce the optical fibers must be transparent to the light emitted by
the light source used in the transmitter. It is important to consider that the term optical fiber
is very generic and includes a set of fibers constructed with different materials (glass, plastic,
etc.), with different dimensions and, especially, performances
(the attenuation from less than 1 dB/km to some hundreds of dB/km).

figure: Optical Fiber structure

Fiber-optic Cable :
An optical fiber is a dielectric waveguide that operates at optical frequencies. This is
normally in a cylindrical wave. It confines the electromagnetic energy in the form of light to
within its surface and guides the light in the direction parallel to its axis.
The simplest fiber optic cable consists of two concentric layers of transparent
materials. The inner portion (the core) transports the light; the outer covering (the cladding)
must have a lower refractive index than the core so the two of them are made of different
materials. To provide mechanical protection to the cladding, an additional plastic layer, the
Primary Buffer is added.
The way the material composition of the core is varied gives rise to the two commonly used
fiber types
1. Step index fiber
2. Graded index fiber

1.Step-index Fiber
In a step-index fiber, the core of refractive index of n1 is surrounded by a cladding of
refractive index n2 where
n2=n1(1-∆)
The parameter ∆ is called the core-cladding index difference. Values of n2 are chosen such
that ∆ is nominally 0.01. Typical values of this range from 1 to 3 percent for multimode
fibers and 0.2 to 1 percent for single-mode fibers.

2.Graded-index fiber
In graded-index fiber, the core refractive index decreases continuously with increasing
radial distance r from the center of fiber, but the refractive index is generally constant in the
cladding.
n(r)=n1[1-2∆(r/a)α ]1/2 for 0 ≤ r ≤ a
n1(i-2∆)1/2 ≈ n1(1-∆) = n2 for r ≥ a
 Here, a is the core radius, n1 is the refractive index at the core axis, n2 is the refractive
index of the cladding, and the dimensionless parameter α defines the shape of the index
profile. The index difference ∆ for the graded-index fiber is given by
∆=(n12-n22)/2n12 = (n1-n2)/n1
We have used a step-index fiber in this experiment.

Fiber optic links can be used for transmission of digital as well as analog signals. Basically, a
fiber optic link contains three main elements transmitter and optical fiber & a receiver. The
transmitter module takes the input signal in electrical form and then transforms it into optical
(light) energy containing the same information. The optical fiber is the medium, which
carries this energy to the receiver. At the receiver, Light is converted back into electrical
form with the same pattern as originally fed to the transmitter.

Block Diagram:

Figure: block diagram

Circuit Diagram:

Figure: Circuit diagram for audio transmission

 Figure: circuit diagram for audio transmission with modulation

Component:
1. Fiber optics Panel mod. EF041/EV
2. Optical fiber cable
3. Connecter wires
4. Graded-Index Fibers (Core = 50,62.5 µm, Cladding = 125 µm)
5. Osciloscope
Precautions:

When optical fibers and optical components are used the following is recommended:
1. Light can be dangerous for your eyesight. Maybe we can’t see the light because the
emitted wavelength should be out of the visible range. It’s better not to look inside the
connector of the optical sources when connection is operating;
2. The base bending beam is around 2 cm. So you shouldn’t bend the optical Cables with
too narrow curves as the fiber inside can be cut off or harm;
3. Toward the finish of the operations embed the proper caps into the optical parts and the
optical links connectors, so to protect them from dust the components and the fiber facing
the connectors;
4. At times clean the connectors' head with a cotton wad splashed with liquor.
5. You should handle the trunks of not connectorized fiber with much more care. The pieces
of naked fiber anticipating from the covering can be risky if in contact with the eyes, the
skin, or whenever ingested.

Procedure:

Without Modulating the signal:

1. Check if the power is off in the board.

2. Connect the "audio in" port of speaker and "IN 1" of analog driver.
3. Maximize the level of biasing.
4. Put the switch of LED SOURCE 1 to AN.
5. Connect the F.Q.OUT1 OF LED SOURCE 1 and F.Q.IN1 of PIN PD DETECTOR 1 through
graded index optical fiber.
6. Put the switch of PIN PD DETECTOR 1 to AN.
7. Maximize the level of biasing of analog receiver.
8. Connect the OUT AMP port with oscilloscope.
9. Connect the OUT1 of ANALOG RECIEVER with AUDIO OUT.
10. Maximize the level of volume.
11. Check the connection and turn on the board.
 Figure: Circuit for audio transmission with optical fiber (without FM modulation)

While Modulating the Signal:

1. Check if the power is off in the board.
2. Connect the "AUDIO IN" port of speaker and "AUDIO IN 1" of MODULATORS.
3. Connect "FM OUT" of MODULATORS with "IN 1" of analog driver.
3. Maximize the level of biasing.
4. Put the switch of LED SOURCE 1 to AN.
5. Connect the F.Q.OUT1 OF LED SOURCE 1 and F.Q.IN1 of PIN PD DETECTOR 1 through
graded index optical fiber.
6. Put the switch of PIN PD DETECTOR 1 to AN.
7. Maximize the level of biasing of analog receiver.
8. Connect the OUT AMP port with oscilloscope.
9. Connect the "OUT1" of ANALOG RECIEVER with "FM IN" of DEMODULATORS.
10. Maximize the level of volume.
11.Connect the " AUDIO OUT 1" of DEMODULATORS with AUDIO OUT.
11. Check the connection and turn on the board.
 Figure: Circuit for audio transmission with optical fiber (with FM modulation

Questions:
1. How are multi-mode fibers used in direct detection methods? Is there a difference
between single and multi-mode detectors?

Answer:
Direct detection usually means that the photon is absorbed, and then the resulting electron
hole pairs are separated by a field. For example, the internal field of a PN junction. Either
single mode or multimode fibers can be used to deliver the light. Usually single and
multi-mode are terms used to describe light sources or waveguides. Hypothetically we
can construct systems that can distinguish between different modes, in practice this can
get complicated to do, especially if there are numerous modes.
 2. What does an optical fiber works?
Answer:
Fiber optics (optical fibers) are long, thin strands of very pure glass about the diameter of
a human hair. They are arranged in bundles called optical cables and used to
transmit light signals over long distances.

If you look closely at a single optical fiber, you will see that it has the following parts:

Core - Thin glass center of the fiber where the light travels
Cladding - Outer optical material surrounding the core that reflects the light back into
the core
Buffer coating - Plastic coating that protects the fiber from damage and moisture
Hundreds or thousands of these optical fibers are arranged in bundles in optical cables.
The bundles are protected by the cable's outer covering, called a jacket.

3. Can you transmit signal without modulation?

Answer:
A signal must be modulated so that we can transmit input/actual signal to a longer
distance without interfering with other signal of same frequency. If we
transmit input/actual signals without modulation then they will create a lot interference
among themselves resulting in degrading signal quality at receiver.

4. What would happen if the cladding refractive index was higher than core refractive
index?
Answer:
This is the classical arrangement of full reflection of light propagating inside core
as it reaches the boundary with the cladding. If the cladding had about the same or
higher refractive index then light would reach the cladding and could escape
outside. Although the cladding-air interface is still fully reflecting, light can
escape from one fiber to adjacent fibers or other objects thus light must remain
inside the core.

Result:

We transmit the audio signal through optical fiber which is not effected by any noise. Then the
signal is modulated and transmitted it through optical fiber. In the receiving end, the signal was
demodulated. Hence the original signal was retrieved with some outer noise. Finally, we got the
output signal as exactly it was in the phase of input.
Fig: Output signal for audio transmission with optical fiber for FM modulated input (without and
with FM modulation)

Discussion:

In this experiment, we have learned about the basics of optical fiber and the communication
process through optical fiber. We also learned about different types of optical fiber, such as we
have used graded index fiber in this experiment. We have sent audio signal of frequency 1 KHZ
from a source to a receiver through graded index optical fiber. At first part, we have sent the
signal without any modulation. So we have just generated the signal and used an optical fiber to
send it. We used a regular photo detector in the receiver end to receive it. In the next part, we
modulated the generated signal and then sent it to receiver. In receiver the signal was first
demodulated and then went to destination. We used avalanche photo detector in this case. As the
equipment’s used in the experiment was costly and some are dangerous to health, we used the
equipment’s carefully and cautiously. Finally, we checked the received signal using oscilloscope.
And then also heard the sound with built in speaker of the module.

Reference:
[1] Educational panel and optical instruments mod. EFO41/EV; Volume 2/3
[2] Optical Fiber Communications: Principles and Practice by John M. Senior
[3] Fiber optics through experiments by Ajoy Ghatak
[4] Educational panel and optical instruments mod. EFO41/EV : User Manual
[5] https://www.fibersavvy.com/pages/fiber-training-and-education
access date: 09.02.20
[6] https://www.rp-photonics.com/graded_index_fibers.html
access date: 09.02.20
[7] https://arcelect.com/fibercable.htm
access date: 10.02.20