Electromagnetic Interference Immunity

Plastic Optical Fiber and Electromagnetic Interference

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is one of the major limiting factors of the speeds and distances that electronic communication systems can achieve. This is because copper wires not only conduct desired electrical signals from endpoint to endpoint, but they can act as antennas, picking up signals of electromagnetic fields from nearby devices or wires. If these signals are strong enough or are in close enough proximity, this can cause the desired signal to become distorted.

Both glass optical fiber and plastic optical fiber offer complete immunity to interference like this, because they are both made of electrically insulating materials.

To improve reliability of existing networks in homes, businesses, factories, many products are available to convert between copper wires and plastic optical fiber. FiberFin carries products for running Ethernet, composite video, and RS-232 over plastic optical fiber.