Aug 1 2014
Bandwidth-Distance Product is a term used to describe the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Data transmission through fiber optic cables is limited by attenuation and dispersion.
In the case of multi-mode fibers, chromatic and multimode dispersion are the main types of dispersions which occur. The value of the bandwidth-distance product is considered the characteristic of fiber. The maximum transmission distance is affected by several types of dispersion that occur in fibers.
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Bandwidth-Distance Product is used to define the inherent operational limit of an optical fiber transmission system. The effect of dispersion in fiber increases with the increase in the length of the fiber.
The value of bandwidth-distance product is expressed in terms of MHz-Km and is derived as a product of bandwidth and distance. The bandwidth of the signal and the distance it can be carried by the fiber optic system are related to each other.
Researchers and engineers constantly work on devising schemes which can extend the value of bandwidth-distance product of a fiber optic system. Optical systems that have been designed to have an extended value of bandwidth-distance product employ the selective launching of low order modes. These systems are capable of supporting the transmission rate of single mode systems.
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