Mitigating the Effect of Modal Dispersion of Plastic Optical Fibre

Isiyaku Yau, Suleiman Muhammad Sani, Aliyu Danjuma Usman, Abdoulie Momodou Sunkary Tekanyi, Danasabe Gambo

Abstract


Optical fiber has become the preferred transport medium for broadband communications. In recent years, research and development efforts have been largely focused on how to extend broadband to the home through optical fibre. Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) is a leading contender in this regard because it is a lot cheaper than glass fibre and easier install. The main shortcoming of Step Index POF (SI-POF) is modal dispersion that limits the link bandwidth to about 40 MHz over 100 m. Consequently, a lot of research is being undertaken with a view to improving the bandwidth-length product by reducing the level of modal dispersion through experimenting with different polymer materials. The objective is to find optimal core and cladding materials for an improved bandwidth-length product of the cable. The results show that the optimal core and cladding materials have refractive indices of 1.4865 and 1.4756 respectively. The minimum dispersion per unit length is found to be 36.169 ps/m. Thus, the bandwidth of 100 m length of the improved SI-POF is 121.65 MHz. This represents about 80 MHz bandwidth improvement compared with the standard SI-POF.


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References


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