• Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE): Unwanted noise that is generated by an optical amplifier. It can affect the quality of the signal and the overall performance of the fiber-optic network.
  • Amplifier: A device that amplifies the light signal as it travels through a fiber-optic cable to overcome loss and dispersion.
  • Bi-directional transceiver: A transceiver that can transmit and receive data over a single fiber-optic cable.
  • Bullet Point List All Fiber Internet Terminology and Related Definitions.
  • CFP (C Form-factor Pluggable) Transceiver: A compact and hot-pluggable device that is used to transmit and receive data over a fiber-optic cable, designed for 100G and higher data rates.
  • Chromatic Dispersion (CD) : The spreading of different wavelengths of light as they travel through a fiber-optic cable. It can cause signal distortion and reduce the quality of the internet connection.
  • Connector loss: The amount of light that is lost as it travels through a fiber-optic connector. This is measured in decibels (dB) and can affect the overall performance of the fiber-optic network.
  • CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing): A technology that allows multiple wavelengths of light to be transmitted over a single fiber-optic cable. It increases the capacity of the cable and allows for faster internet speeds.
  • Dispersion Compensating Module (DCM): A device that is used to reduce the effects of chromatic dispersion in a fiber-optic network.
  • Dispersion Compensation Fiber (DCF): A type of fiber that is designed to reduce the effects of chromatic dispersion in a fiber-optic network.
  • Dispersion compensation: The process of reducing the spreading of light as it travels through a fiber-optic cable. This can be done using dispersion compensating fibers or devices such as Dispersion Compensating Modules (DCMs).
  • Dispersion Slope Compensation (DSC): A technique to compensate for the slope of chromatic dispersion over a wide wavelength range.
  • Dispersion: The spreading of light as it travels through a fiber-optic cable. This can cause signal distortion and reduce the quality of the internet connection.
  • DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing): A technology that allows multiple wavelengths of light to be transmitted over a single fiber-optic cable. It increases the capacity of the cable and allows for faster internet speeds.
  • DWDM SFP transceiver: A SFP transceiver that uses DWDM technology to transmit and receive data over a fiber-optic cable.
  • EDFA (Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier): A type of optical amplifier that uses erbium-doped fibers to amplify signals in a fiber-optic cable. It is widely used in long-haul and high-capacity fiber-optic networks.
  • EDFAs (Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers) : A type of optical amplifier that uses erbium-doped fibers to amplify signals in a fiber-optic cable. It is widely used in long-haul and high-capacity fiber-optic networks.
  • FEC (Forward Error Correction): A technique used to detect and correct errors that occur during the transmission of data over a fiber-optic cable.
  • Fiber attenuation: The loss of power in a fiber optic signal over distance, measured in dB/km.
  • Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG): A type of optical filter that is used to reflect or transmit specific wavelengths of light.
  • Fiber dispersion: The spreading of a light pulse over distance due to the different group velocities of the various wavelengths making up the pulse, measured in ps/nm/km.
  • Fiber Internet Terminology Definitions
  • Fiber loss: The amount of light that is lost as it travels through a fiber-optic cable. This is measured in decibels (dB) and is affected by factors such as cable length, connector loss, and splice loss.
  • Fiber optic attenuator: A device that reduces the power of an optical signal. It is used to match the power levels of different devices in a fiber-optic network.
  • Fiber optic connector: A device that connects two fiber-optic cables together to form a continuous optical path.
  • Fiber optic coupler: A device that splits or combines the light from multiple fiber-optic cables. It is used to distribute the signal to multiple devices in a fiber-optic network.
  • Fiber optic internet: A type of internet service that uses fiber-optic cables to transmit data. It is known for its high speeds and reliability.
  • Fiber optic isolator: A device that prevents unwanted light from entering a fiber-optic cable. It is used to protect sensitive optical components from damage.
  • Fiber optic modem: A device that modulates and demodulates signals to be transmitted over a fiber-optic cable.
  • Fiber optic switch: A device that directs the light from one fiber-optic cable to another. It is used to route the signal in a fiber-optic network.
  • Fiber optic transceiver module : A device that houses both a transmitter and a receiver and allows communication over a fiber optic link.
  • Fiber-optic cable: A cable made of glass or plastic fibers that uses light to transmit data. It can transmit data over longer distances and at higher speeds than traditional copper cables.
  • Fiber-optic transceiver: A device that converts electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa. It is used to transmit data over a fiber-optic cable.
  • Fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC): A type of fiber internet service that connects to a home or business via a fiber-optic cable that runs to a nearby distribution point, such as a utility pole.
  • Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH): A type of fiber internet service that connects directly to a home or business. It is considered the fastest and most reliable type of internet service.
  • Fiber-to-the-node (FTTN): A type of fiber internet service that connects to a home or business via a fiber-optic cable that runs to a nearby distribution point, such as a neighborhood cabinet.
  • Gigabit internet: An internet service that offers speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) or higher. This is significantly faster than traditional broadband internet.
  • Latency: The time it takes for a packet of data to travel from one point to another on the internet. In fiber-optic internet, latency is typically low, which means that the internet connection is fast and responsive.
  • Multi-mode fiber: A type of fiber-optic cable that uses a larger diameter core to transmit light over shorter distances. It is less expensive than single-mode fiber but has lower bandwidth capacity.
  • Nonlinear effects: Effects that occur in a fiber-optic cable when the intensity of the light is high. These effects can cause signal distortion and reduce the quality of the internet connection.
  • OADM (Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer): A device that allows adding or dropping optical signals at different wavelengths without the need of manual reconfiguration.
  • OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance): The set of functions and activities that are required to manage and maintain a fiber-optic network.
  • OCH (Optical Channel): The basic unit of an optical transport network. It consists of a single wavelength of light and its associated signal processing.
  • OEO (Optical-Electrical-Optical) converter: A device that converts optical signals into electrical signals and vice versa. It allows for signal regeneration and routing in a fiber-optic network.
  • OEP (Optical Ethernet Protection): A mechanism to protect the Ethernet service in case of any failure in the optical transport network.
  • Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (OADM): A device that allows adding or dropping optical signals at different wavelengths without the need of manual reconfiguration.
  • Optical Amplifier: A device that amplifies the light signal as it travels through a fiber-optic cable without the need for electrical power at the receiving end. The common types of optical amplifiers are Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) and Raman Amplifier.
  • Optical Circulator: A device that directs light in a specific direction and isolates the signal from any reflections.
  • Optical Distribution Network (ODN): The passive optical infrastructure of a PON network, which includes optical splitters and connectors.
  • Optical Isolator: A device that prevents unwanted light from entering a fiber-optic cable. It is used to protect sensitive optical components from damage.
  • Optical Line Terminal (OLT): The device that terminates the optical fiber line on the service provider side of a PON network.
  • Optical Network Unit (ONU): The device that terminates the optical fiber line on the customer side of a PON network.
  • Optical Switch: A device that redirects the optical signal to a different path.
  • Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR): A device used to test and measure the quality of a fiber-optic cable.
  • OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer): A device that uses time-domain reflectometry to measure the characteristics of a fiber-optic cable, such as attenuation, distance to faults, and reflectance.
  • OTN (Optical Transport Network): A network that uses optical fibers to transport data over long distances. It is used by service providers to connect different parts of their networks and to provide high-bandwidth services to customers.
  • Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD): The spreading of different polarization modes of light as they travel through a fiber-optic cable. It can cause signal distortion and reduce the quality of the internet connection.
  • Polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF): A type of fiber-optic cable that is designed to maintain the polarization of light as it travels through the cable.
  • PON (Passive Optical Network): A type of fiber internet service that uses a passive optical splitter to distribute the internet signal to multiple homes or businesses.
  • QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) Transceiver: A compact and hot-pluggable device that is used to transmit and receive data over four fibers.
  • Raman Amplification: is a technology that uses the Raman effect to amplify signals in a fiber-optic cable. It can be used to increase the distance over which a signal can be transmitted and to boost the signal strength.
  • ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer): A device that allows adding or dropping optical signals at different wavelengths without the need of manual reconfiguration.
  • SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) Transceiver: A compact and hot-pluggable device that is used to transmit and receive data over a fiber-optic cable.
  • Single-mode fiber: A type of fiber-optic cable that uses a small diameter core to transmit light over long distances. It can transmit data at higher speeds than multi-mode fiber.
  • SONET (Synchronous Optical Network): A standard for transmitting digital signals over fiber-optic cable. It is used to transmit voice, data, and video over long distances.
  • Splice loss: The amount of light that is lost as it travels through a fiber-optic splice. This is measured in decibels (dB) and can affect the overall performance of the fiber-optic network.
  • Splicing: The process of joining two fiber-optic cables together. This can be done using fusion splicing or mechanical splicing.
  • Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM): A technology that allows multiple channels of data to be transmitted over a single fiber-optic cable. It increases the capacity of the cable and allows for faster internet speeds.
  • Wavelength locker: A device that locks the wavelength of a laser to a specific value.
  • Wavelength selective switch (WSS): A device that allows to switch the wavelength channels individually in a WDM network.
  • Wavelength: The color of light that is used to transmit data over a fiber-optic cable. Different wavelengths are used to transmit data at different speeds and over different distances.
  • Wavelength-selective switch (WSS): A device that allows to switch the wavelength channels individually in a WDM network.
  • WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) : A technology that allows multiple channels of data to be transmitted over a single fiber-optic cable. It increases the capacity of the cable and allows for faster internet speeds.
  • WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing): A technology that allows multiple channels of data to be transmitted over a single fiber-optic cable. It increases the capacity of the cable and allows for faster internet speeds.