Education Articles from College Matching Service

What is the utility of fiber optics?

Fiber Optics training and education can be pursued as one of the booming career courses. The utility of fiber optics in daily life cannot be ignored. Fibers are of great use when it comes to transmission of messages and hence it plays a key role in communication. This fiber optics doesn’t cause loss of information during transit and is hence preferred to metal wire. Fiber optics has immunity to electromagnetic interference which helps in the smooth delivery of sound. Optical fibers are often used to form sensors in various applications.

Present market scenario

It has been estimated that the demand for fiber optics would rise rapidly to a large extent in US. Statistics also reveal that in 2006 there has been an approximate 10.3 % growth in fiber optics equipment and systems. This figure is indeed very interesting as the demand for fiber optics in the market, in proportion to the job opportunities in the same field. During the same year it has been estimated that the US Optic fiber industry amounts to $13.7 billion. This figure is rapidly increasing with the increase in job opportunities coupled with that of the educational and training institutes in fiber optics. 32 key companies are recruiting students from the recognized fiber optics schools in respectable positions with high salary.

Some of these companies include:

• Alcatel
• CIENA
• Agere Systems
• Agilent Technologies
• Corning
• Cisco Systems
• JDS Uniphase and
• Lucent Technologies

Requirements of fiber optics technicians

Optical fiber technicians are required in various fields of operation. Their job opportunities are not limited to the telecommunication industries. Multinational firms, which are in need of secure and authentic systems to transmit data from one computer to another computer in any parts of the world, are also depended on the fiber optics technicians. Cable television companies, intelligent transportation systems and biomedical industry are also in need of such professionals.

Fiber Optics is essential in telecommunication, cable television, power transmission and Internet industries. This can be cited as an obvious reason for which the Fiber Optics technicians are one of the most demanding careers in the industry right now. Fiber Optics Schools and training institutions are cropping up to cater students who desire to pursue a career in this field.

Recommended Fiber Optics schools

Out of several schools and training institutes, the following are referred here:

Lincoln Technical Institute, Columbia, Maryland

This technical school provides training on a wide variety of subjects which also includes Fiber Optics. Short-term training programs are designed in such a way that students can get suitable jobs. The institute had been training students since 1946 and has earned the reputation of being one of the top institutes of its stature.

Why this college?

• The college has accreditation from Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)

• The college offers career focused training

• Practical training with sophisticated equipments

• Experienced faculty and ample training facilities

• Internship and assistance in career placement

• Financial help and scholarship for the qualified

Heald College , California Fiber Optics

This college has about 11 campuses which offer students diplomas, degrees and certification in various subjects which also includes Fiber Optics.

Students from this university enjoy positions like:

• Fiber Optic Test and Measurement Technician

• Fiber Optic Installation Technician

• Fiber Optic Cable Technician

• Fiber Optic Connector Splicing Technician

National Communications Training Center (NCTC), California

This institute is completely dedicated to Fiber Optic education and training. The leaders in the Fiber Optics industry impart lessons to the students of this industry. The graduates from this institute are qualified as fiber splicer technicians, data cable technicians, installers of fiber, assemblers of fiber cable and repair, and testing.

Why this college?

• The courses are approved by Fiber Optics Association

• The computer maintains relationships on Tel Data, Navy, Cox, US Marines, Haliburton, Aerotech and many.

Fiber optics is a modern technology that uses glass threads for transmitting data from source to destination. These cables are a bundle of glass threads each of which can transmit messages in the form of light waves. Metal lines are now, considered to be outdated which are gradually being replaced by fiber optics. As the demand of fiber optics for better transmission is increasing so as the jobs related to it. Students from various fields especially since are in search of institutions that can provide them practical as well as theoretical knowledge on Fiber optics. Training on fiber optics is provided by a large number of institutions as it has become one of the booming careers nowadays. Some of the Fiber Optic training courses are classified as ISP/LANs (Inside Plant/Local Area Cable Networks), Fiber Optic Advanced Splicing, OSP (Splicing & Testing Outside Plant), Fiber Optics & Fiber Management Systems, and On Fiber Optic ISP/OSP Combo-Tech and more. These courses help in building Optic fiber technicians.

Fiber optics training includes the following:

• Custom courses - These training institutions basically engage in shaping private courses according to the requirements of the student.

• Practical classes - Students are taught installation processes. They are allowed to practice construction processes and testing systems with original products. The designing classes offered by these institutes primary include interactive cases studies. Students work together in active collaboration in framing the real-world designs.

• Rich course content - Students in the learning institutions are provided presentations and manuals. The modern technologies allow the students to have a better understanding of the subject so that they can apply those in future.

• Instructions and coaching - Students get an effective guidance from the trainer who have a first hand experience of fiber optics. Personalized guidance allows students to follow the instructions in a warm atmosphere.

Fiber optics certificates:

Fiber Optics Association or FOA conducts a three level certification process;

• Basic- Certified Fiber Optic Technician for general fiber optics
• Advanced- Advanced Fiber Optic Technician
• Specialist- Certified Fiber Optic Specialist

Fiber Optic Certified Professional Programs is certified by FiberOptic.com. This is an online based fiber optics certification program. Fiber optics technicians with such certificates are always seen a different light in the industry.

Self study programs on fiber optics can be leveled at par with classroom coaching as far as the impact is concerned. Fiber optics self study programs can create skilled fiber optic technicians who would build a high profile career in future. The self study training programs can prove effective even if these are used in classrooms and offices. The success of a self study programs is largely depended on the performance of a student. The step-by-step guide for learning fiber optic requires limited resources but a handsome package for the instruction materials.

VDA academy.com presets a wide package of self study programs, which if the student can follow, would get to learn in volumes. This academy organizes a basic course based on fiber optics technician manuals. At the completion of the course the trained fiber optic technicians are provided certificates through FOA CFOT. This course guarantees that they can build up skilled fiber optic technicians who would posses a detailed understanding of fiber optics.

Stages of training:

• The course begins with an instruction in network and fiber theory.

• The courseware has vivid illustrations and provides a detailed instruction. The subject matter of the courseware consists of safety, network topologies, fiber termination, connectors, network theories and testing.

• The students are then taught a lesson on cable and its parts in details.

• Fiber termination tools sets is the next lesson that the student head towards. This lesson primarily explains in details the polishing tools, 100x Fiber Microscope, Fiber Stripper, Multi-Wire Stripper, Tweezers, Sapphire Scribe and so on.

• In the next class students are taught as how to replace manual, cable and parts. If the school or the individual has a license for a site then the instructor can also distribute copies of the manual in the schools.

Fiber optic education course is a demanding career option for most of the students. Those who are having active interest in this career can pursue it further to establish themselves. But no matter which university you approach for such a course one aspect remains the same; this is the techniques and tools used. This course requires a lot of laboratory training and fast hand experience therefore approach only that institution which possesses such amenities.

Fiber option leaning courses

Below are the general courses practiced in most of the fiber optics training schools:

• Minicourse- This course covers a short lesson on fiber optics. The industrial application of fiber optics is also explained in the course as a summary. Class length of such a course extends from five to tend 45 minutes periods. This would be added by a 2 hours of experimental classes.

The detailed course of Fiber Optic education is sub dived into the following categories:

• Summary of basic telecommunications theory- This stage of the course explains the basics of telecommunication theory including the bandwidth, transmission, attenuation, multiplexing, single modulation and digital signal conversion.

• Detailed study on fiber optics- The part of the course incorporates a vivid study on fiber optics. The theory of light, dispersion, electromagnetic spectrum, scattering and refraction are explains in a theoretical manner.

• Application of optics in telecommunication- These courses includes theoretical as well as practical classes. Here it is explained to the students the various utilities of optic fiber as far as telecommunication is concerned. How the length, breadth and physical aspect of the fiber optics beneficial.

• Use of fiber optics in cable and connectors- Fiber optics education includes cable structure, cable failure, cable installation and testing in this part of the course.

• Tests and measurements- This part include the testing of optical systems, measurements of instruments the rate of errors and using measurement instrument.

• Fiber transmission system and standard- The students are updated about the fiber system standard which are signified by, SONET, SDH, ITU, FDDI, MIL-STD-1773, ARINC 636, AR1773, OD-C-85045 and more.

• Application of fiber optics in aerospace and military- Students come to know about the military land vehicle systems, robotics systems, guided missile systems, space vehicle systems, commercial onboard control and more during this duration of the course.

Small diameters, large bandwidth and light weight signify the nature and quality of fiber optics that are largely used in cables for transmitting information. The relatively small diameter of the optic fiber consumes less space and hence is considered to be the most valuable product of its statute. The high volume of fiber optic production demands qualified engineers who possess strong skill set in the related subject. Educational institutions dedicated to fiber optics education are imparting their students with best of infrastructure. Other institutes also incorporate courses on fiber optics which enable students to pursue a promising career in this field. Ample availability of books, both online and offline, add value to the courses.

General view of the core courses offered:

Below are some of the courses offered by most of the fiber optic training institutes:

• General fiber optics demos - At this level, students are given a demonstration on fiber optics in a classroom environment by the professional trainers. These trainings are basically of vocational and elementary level.

• Cable installation - Instruction details are available online or given to the students in DD-ROM.

• Intermediate Fiber optic Course and lab course - An advanced course on fiber optics is given to the students at initial level. They learn about the fiber optics used for industrial purposes. This course is imparted to students at the vocational schools at the university level.

• Fiber optic Mini course - This is basically a crash course where students are briefed on the history of fiber optics followed by a practical class.

Books for enhancing knowledge in fiber optics:

Books are always the best knowledge enhancers and when it comes to fiber optics there are an ample set available for students pursuing any level of education. Some such books are referred below:

• Understanding fiber optics - This book has a non technical and non theoretical approach that explains technical details related to fibers.

• Troubleshooting optical-fiber networks - this book explains some of the useful tools that can be used for detecting problems with optic fibers.

• Fiber optic video transmission - this book provides a complete lesson on the ways of transmitting video over fiber which would also incorporate broader coverage.

Apart from these other books include, fiber optic reference guide, fiber optic installer’s field manual, industrial fiber optics networks, coherent optical communications systems etc.