In today’s world, fiber optic cables are commonly used in almost every sector as they help transmit data quickly over great distances. However, if there were no cores, fiber optic cables would be useless. The reason is that cores are basically hidden components located that receive the light signals.
Don’t worry, in this guide, we’ll discuss in detail what the fiber optic core is and its role in data transmission. Moreover, we’ll also explore the different types of fiber optic cores available as well as how core quantity affects performance. So, keep reading!
1) What is a fiber optic cable Core?
“The core of a fiber optic cable is the central transparent portion of the optical fiber made up of glass or plastic which actually receives the light signals for data transmission purposes.”
However, when light enters the core it needs to remain within it, and one layer that ensures that is called cladding. Because of this cladding, light can bounce back ( reflection) instead of escaping the core. With this special phenomenon known as total internal reflection, the signal can remain strong long enough for the data to be usable, meaning you don’t experience delays.
In short, I must say that if there were no cores, fiber optic cables would be useless. You know each time you send a text or access a webpage, little blazes of light are zipping through these cores, providing information to you at the speed of light ( 299 792 458 m / s ).
2) Types of fiber Optic Cable Core
Let’s talk about the types of cores that fiber optic cables mostly have. Well! You can classify the fiber cores into two fundamental categories, for instance;
- Refractive Index Profile Based
First of all, I think I have to clarify the concept of refractive index for better understanding. So, the refractive index is actually the property of a material that reveals how much light is slowed down when entering into a material like a core ( due to interactions).
i) Step-Index Core
“A step-index core has the same refractive index in the core and the cladding, making light reflect in a zigzag pattern.”
If you require a fiber that can operate over both long and short distances, then step-index core cables are what you are looking for. However, there is a twist that its performance depends on whether it is single or multimode.
- Single Mode step-index core fiber is a type of fiber with a small core diameter of ~8-10 micrometers. It enables the transmission of only one light path which causes minimal data loss over long-distance transmissions. This type of fiber is called the backbone of telecommunications and internet infrastructure.
- Multimode step-index core fiber is constructed with a larger core diameter of ~50-100 micrometers which allows several light paths to be used. This is not very useful for long distances. This is because the differences in the time of arrival of different light paths can lead to distortion of the signal. However, you can widely use them in local area networks (LANs).
ii) Graded index core
“A graded index core has a varying refractive index ( high at the core and low at the cladding ) thus minimizing distortion of the signal received.”
However, if you are in search of fiber that allows for higher speeds across medium ranges, then graded-index fibers are the answer. Let me explain why is this so;
- As discussed above, it has a high refractive index at the core so, here light will travel slower. On the other hand, when it hits the cladding ( outer layer ), its speed becomes higher, thus balancing the travel time of light paths and maintaining clarity in signals.
- These fibers can also be found in high-speed networks and data centers, as well as in Cable TV systems.
- Based on material composition
i) Glass Core Fiber
A glass-core fiber is composed of high-purity silica (SiO2), thus it offers minimal signal distortion ( approximately 0.2 dB/km at 1550 nm). In addition, these fibers are quite durable to fluctuations in temperature, water, and ultraviolet rays.
Thus, if there is always going to be a long distance to cover, glass core fiber is the best for that purpose. You can use such fiber cables for telecommunications, medical imaging, and internet networks.
ii) Plastic Core Fiber (POF):
A fiber that contains a core made of transparent thermoplastic polymer known as PMMA ( Polymethyl methacrylate ). Their core (~0.5-1 mm) is significantly larger than that of glass fibers, making them easier to fit and therefore install. However, they do come with higher signal loss (~10-20 dB/km) which makes them less efficient for longer distances.
Thus, they can be found in use for automotive networks, home internet setups, and even in some industrial applications.
iii) Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF)
Photonic crystal fiber has a distinctive core having numerous tiny air holes that guide light wave propagation. PCFs do not employ a solid core to guide light, instead, they utilize microscopic air voids as light’s guiding medium.
Consequently, they possess unprecedented low signal loss and remarkable power handling capacity than traditional fibers. Thus, such fibers serve oblivious purposes in high-power lasers, precision sensing, and forward-looking scientific research purposes.
3) How many cores in fiber optic cable
fiber optic cables may have single-core or multi-cores. But do remember! As the number of cores increases within the cable, greater amounts of data can be transferred simultaneously.
- Common Core configurations and their uses
You might be confused about what core count is the best. Right? So, let us consider common core counts and their uses.
i) Single-Core fiber optic cable (1 core fiber optic cable)
It only comes with one core and is great for long-range communication.. Such cables can be found in telecom networks, medical lasers, military communications, and industrial automation.
ii) 2-Core fiber optic cable
A 2-core fiber is best for the simplest connections such as a point-to-point link between two devices. This configuration is commonly employed for basic home networks and short-distance communications.
On Quora, a user named Nagaraj T M, has also said that a 2-core fiber cable is best for basic setups.
iii) 4-Core fiber optic cable
Moreover, you can work with higher data volumes using 4-core fiber optic cable. These cables are best suited for small office networks or even for security camera systems that require multiple data pathways. They provide redundancy, meaning core failures are backed up with alternate paths.
iv) 6-Core fiber optic cable
A 6-core fiber offers bandwidth expansion for small business networks or campus configurations. It helps with schemes that need high capacity, but do not wish to spend funds on high-core cables yet.
v) 8 Core fiber optic cable
Apart from this, you can gain greater network flexibility with 8 cores. This is because these are frequently used cables in telecom and enterprise networks as they allow greater amounts of data traffic to be handled without losing connection.
vi) 12 Core fiber optic cable
If we talk about 12-core fiber then do remember that it is the best option for connecting multiple buildings or running an advanced office network. Thus, it is commonly used with backbone connections for businesses, hospitals, and schools.
vii) 24 Core fiber optic cable
The 24-core Fiber cable is vital in data centers and large telecommunication networks. This cable keeps the connections intact while enabling the transfer of a large amount of data. Therefore, if you are managing a developing business, then this is a wise investment for you.
viii) 48 Core fiber optic cable
A 48-core Fiber cable is ideal for extremely high bandwidth connections. These are the cables that are used by large businesses, internet service providers, cloud service companies, and backbone internet providers for data processing.
ix) 96-Core fiber optic cable
If we think of international communication networks, 96-core fiber has a significant impact. These are used in submarine cables and citywide networks, Universally, regionally, and even nationally in internet service providers in order to provide fast internet for everyone.
x) 144 Core fiber optic cable
When it comes to high-volume, long-distance telecommunications with data transmission, 144 core is the answer. These cables allow Internet and communication services to be delivered to millions via the coiled telecom infrastructure all across the nation.
xi) 288-Core fiber optic cable
Lastly, a 288-core fiber is what every enormous data center needs. It handles extreme amounts of data and is, very often, used in government, research and global communication networks.
- Summary table
| Core counts | Uses |
| Single core | High-speed internet, medical and military applications, and industrial automation. |
| 2-Core | Simple point-to-point connections, home networks. |
| 4-Core | Small office networks, and security camera systems. |
| 6-Core | Small business and campus networks. |
| 8-Core | Telecom networks, enterprise setups. |
| 12-Core | Business backbones, hospitals, schools. |
| 24-Core | Data centers, telecom providers, large businesses. |
| 48-Core | High-speed internet, cloud computing, ISP networks. |
| 96-Core | Global communication, submarine cables, major networks. |
| 144-Core | Nationwide telecom infrastructure, high-capacity networks. |
| 288-Core | Massive data centers, government networks, and research institutions. |
Thus, regarding fiber optic cables, the selection of the core count and the distance are crucial for the data to be transmitted. More cores lead to increased data, but the expense will be proportionally higher. Moreover, you can contact Dekam Fibers to get fiber optic cable having 2-288 core counts. Thus, defining your needs will guide you in making a well-informed choice.
4) Final Words
To sum up, selecting the proper type and amount of fiber optic cores is essential for maximal network and data performance. For instance; the core count which ranges from 2 to over 288, influences the efficiency and capacity of the data. Thus, if you are looking for a reliable fiber optic manufacturer then look no further than Dekam fibers. We customize fiber optic solutions so you can get fiber optic cables depending on your needs. So, contact us today and maintain your edge in the digital world.
