Preface
The discipline of optical fiber communications has undergone a fascinating journey
in the past several decades and is still growing rapidly worldwide. Especially exciting
during this time was the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics received by Sir Charles Kuen
Kao for his pioneering insight, in the 1960s, into using glass fibers as a data transmission medium and for his enthusiastic international promotions in the further development of low-loss fibers. As a result of the promotions by Kao, the first ultrapure
fiber was fabricated in 1970, only four years after his prediction. Modern sophisticated telecom networks based on optical fiber technology now have become an
integral and indispensable part of society. Applications include services such as
database queries, home shopping, interactive video, remote education, telemedicine
and e-health, high-resolution editing of home videos, blogging, and large-scale highcapacity e-science and grid computing. Due to the importance of these networks to
modern life, the communication services are expected to always be available and to
function properly. Such stringent demands require careful engineering in all technological aspects ranging from component development through system design and
installation to network operation and maintenance.
To master the skills needed to work in the optical fiber communications discipline, this book presents the fundamental principles for understanding and applying
a wide range of optical fiber technologies to modern communication networks. The
sequence of topics takes the reader systematically from the underlying principles of
photonic components and optical fibers through descriptions of the architectures and
performance characteristics of complex optical networks to essential measurement
and test procedures required during network installation, operation, and maintenance. By mastering these fundamental topics, the reader will be prepared not only
to contribute to disciplines such as current device, communication link, or equipment designs, but also to understand quickly any further technology developments
for future enhanced networks.
To accomplish these objectives, the sequence of chapters addresses the following
topics:
vii
The discipline of optical fiber communications has undergone a fascinating journey
in the past several decades and is still growing rapidly worldwide. Especially exciting
during this time was the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics received by Sir Charles Kuen
Kao for his pioneering insight, in the 1960s, into using glass fibers as a data transmission medium and for his enthusiastic international promotions in the further development of low-loss fibers. As a result of the promotions by Kao, the first ultrapure
fiber was fabricated in 1970, only four years after his prediction. Modern sophisticated telecom networks based on optical fiber technology now have become an
integral and indispensable part of society. Applications include services such as
database queries, home shopping, interactive video, remote education, telemedicine
and e-health, high-resolution editing of home videos, blogging, and large-scale highcapacity e-science and grid computing. Due to the importance of these networks to
modern life, the communication services are expected to always be available and to
function properly. Such stringent demands require careful engineering in all technological aspects ranging from component development through system design and
installation to network operation and maintenance.
To master the skills needed to work in the optical fiber communications discipline, this book presents the fundamental principles for understanding and applying
a wide range of optical fiber technologies to modern communication networks. The
sequence of topics takes the reader systematically from the underlying principles of
photonic components and optical fibers through descriptions of the architectures and
performance characteristics of complex optical networks to essential measurement
and test procedures required during network installation, operation, and maintenance. By mastering these fundamental topics, the reader will be prepared not only
to contribute to disciplines such as current device, communication link, or equipment designs, but also to understand quickly any further technology developments
for future enhanced networks.
To accomplish these objectives, the sequence of chapters addresses the following
topics:
vii