Tuesday , 19 March 2024

5 Little Known Fiber Optic Switch Applications In Technology

Optical switches refer circuits to any given fiber path. When data is transferred along optical fibers, the switch uses electro-optic or magneto-optic effects to shift the information to alternate fibers. Similar to surge absorbers protection, engineers can use a fiber optic switch for several applications. Below, we explain the most common uses for these types of switches.

Light Detection Sensors

In order to measure transmitted light, fiber optic cables work with lighting units to detect small parts. These types of sensors can identify small objects in hard to reach areas. Using a fiber optic switch within the device, it can detect sensitivity in the environment. Thus, any movement of small objects would be picked up right away and get sent across the fiber optic cable. The switch capability makes the identification and detection of movement possible within sensors.

Laser Scanning Microscopy

Also known as LSM, laser scanning microscopy uses fiber optic switches to do high resolution optical imaging. Engineers can zoom down to the cellular level and perform optical sectioning. You can create models and diagrams at the smallest level with the enhanced precision. The fiber optical switch allows the emitted light to be transferred and redirected. It is ideal for the light measurement and testing equipment required to perform LSM.

Video Distribution

With the rising demands of HDTV signals, optical switches meet the requirements for high bandwidth. The most advanced fiber optic solutions provide remote switching, uplink management, mobile production and secure communications networks. Of course, these activities are essential in a telecom or communications industry with Comcast offers. The signals transmitted through the optic cables are used for video broadcast across several channels. The switches allow the source to route the video signals to various networks in high definition.

Ethernet Switches

Most companies and data centers use Ethernet cables for their networking. As their requirements for networking capabilities increase, you can split, route or transmit the signals via opto-mechanical optical switches. Using various configurations like 1×1, 1×2, 1×4 or greater, the switch can rediect incoming signal to several output fibers. Certainly, the fiber switches allow for greater flexibility in a Ethernet networking environment.

High Power Applications

Fiber optic switches are used for several high power applications. These applications include material processing and fiber lasers. Instead of using mirrors or lenses between fibers, low loss switches will actually move the the source fiber to the output fiber. This results in the lowest insertion loss in a fiber optical switch. For high powered applications in material processing, the optic switch can provide a cost-effective, efficient solution compared to DIY inductors.

Depending on your needs, a fiber optic switch can identify, transmit and route data along your given path. There are many fiber optic applications as provided above. For engineers in telecommunications, equipment testing and material processing, the fiber optic’s ability to transmit light efficiently is highly useful. Whether you want to create sensors, provide laser focused scanning or distribute broadcast video signal, these switches are routing the signal. With so many applications, and more to come, fiber optical switches are play an important role.

Image from http://www.investors.com/news/technology/fiber-optic-stocks-continue-to-rally-ciena-earnings-loom/

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