Fiber optics came into being in 1870 when scientist Robert Tyndall demonstrated light being guided by “total internal reflection” to members of the prestigious—if momentarily disbelieving—British Royal Society. Today fiber optics applications have grown to affect much of our lives—in some cases producing a life-saving technology such as angioplasty.

The Fiber Optic Demonstration System presents this state-of-the art technology in an economical and versatile classroom trainer suitable for students from elementary through vocational levels.

The fiber “trainer” achieves its versatility through vitue of a comprehensive 115-page manual, with separate but complementary curriculums geared to both beginning and intermediate study. The curriculums were specifically structured with active student participation in mind. Their hands-on activites immerse students in the technological aspects of
• digital data transmission
• attenuation in optical fiber
• fiber sensors and applications
• bending losses in optical fibers
• voice transmission over fiber
• optical fiber termination and polishing
Each curriculum contains extensive background information about the development of fiber optics, eight application-friendly demonstrations, four visually-rewarding experiments, a comprehensive list of references; and a working glossary of fiber optic terms.

A typical curriculum activity consists of
• reading and absorbing background information
• answering a series of periodically reinforced review questions
• working directly with fiber optics and associated components
• relating fiber optics to real-world applicatioins

The Demonstration System comes complete and ready to use with two fiber optic training stations, four pairs of fiber lengths (1, 3, 5 and 10 meters), 110 VAC-to-12 VDC power adapter, all necessary electrical connections, polishing film, instructor’s manual, and two student manuals. (The instructor’s manual is housed in a sturdy 3-ring binder and includes answer sheets.) 220 VAC adapters furnish upon request.

The glass version of this trainer utitizes 62.5/12.5-µ fiber with ST connectors (the same high-quality components used by the world’s largest telecommunications companies).