Light Source For Fiber Optic Communication

The signal output by the microcomputer control system is an electrical signal, while the optical fiber system transmits an optical signal. Therefore, in order to transmit the electrical signal generated by the microcomputer system in the optical fiber, the first step is to convert the electrical signal into an optical signal. A light source is such an electro-optical conversion device.

The light source first converts the electrical signal into an optical signal, and then sends the optical signal to the optical fiber. In fiber optic systems, light sources play a very important role. There are incandescent lamps, lasers, and semiconductor light sources that can be used as fiber optic light sources. Semiconductor light sources convert electrical energy into light energy using the PN junction of semiconductors. Commonly used semiconductor light sources include semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs).

Semiconductor light sources have been widely used in fiber optic transmission systems due to their advantages of small size, light weight, simple structure, easy use, and compatibility with optical fibers.