The Secret Life of Fiber
n 1881, Alexander Graham Bell successfully transmitted voice signals over a light ray. His "transmitter" was a mirror, and the light reflected from it varied slightly from the vibrations produced by the inventor’s voice. The receiver was a piece of selenium, which has an electrical resistance sensitive to light. Bell called his invention the "photophone," and felt it was destined to become his greatest achievement. But the editors at The New York Times disagreed: “Does Professor Bell intend to connect Boston and Cambridge with a line of sunbeams hung on telegraph posts, and, if so, what diameter are the sunbeams to be? Professor Bell's photophone places a tremendous strain on human credulity." It may have taken 100 years, but optical communication is as common today as errors in judgement by major newspapers. For a complete lesson on the technology The Times failed to embrace, see this issue’s cover story: The Secret Life of Fiber.
Cover Story
The telecommunications industry has already made the change to fiber optics, and aerospace is following close behind. Fiber optic systems are lighter, smaller and immune to electromagnetic interference. They are also easier to install and maintain. But how exactly do fiber optic systems work? For all the answers, see this issue’s cover story: The Secret Life of Fiber.
Outlook
Archive
Many customers prefer to make up their own mind when it comes to selecting the right interconnect component or assembly. At Glenair we’re as ready to help the customer as we are to get out of their way. We call it "Freedom of Choice."
Vol. 6 No. 2 (Apr 99)
Vol. 6 No. 1 (Jan 99)
Vol. 5 No. 4 (Oct 98)
Vol. 5 No. 3 (Jul 98)
Vol. 5 No. 2 (Apr 98)
Vol. 5 No. 1 (Jan 98)
Vol. 4 No. 4 (Oct 97)
Vol. 4 No. 3 (Jul 97)
Vol. 4 No. 2 (Apr 97)
