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    Re: Fiber Optic 'MOST' systems # Archived Message

    Posted by JamesD on May 27, 2009, 10:18 am, in reply to "Re: Fiber Optic 'MOST' systems #"

    Hi Simon

    There are a few different types of fibre optic systems.

    There are three main types, Quartz, Glass (Silica), Plastic as well as Composites of the three.

    Plastic Optical Fibre (called POF) is the most commonly used in automotive Media systems. The Glass type is used mainly in longer distance communication applications (phones, WANs).

    There is a kit for repairing POF which will set you back around $180 US. This POF costs less than $1 US per meter to buy.

    If you get this kit, the right connectors and some POF, you'll be in business repairing. The cutting process is a little tricky as you have to cut straight and clean, and the cut needs to be polished to ensure high levels of light throughput.

    The biggest problems I come across with these systems is 1) Damage due to mishandling 2) Damage due to theft - the stealer has hacked through the fibre whilst stealing the satnav/stereo etc.

    There is also a Ploymer Clad Silica (PCS) optical fibre which can be used in high temperature situations (engine bay and roof spaces for instance). It is said that PCS will replace POF in time. These two technologies can be interchanged, without the need for new transeiver modules.

    This sort of stuff is covered on my 'CAN and In Vehicle Networking Traning' Course.

    I'd be happy to come across to run it at your place (if you buy the flights and the beers)

    Cheers


    James.

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