Applications of fiber optics to computer systems

Fiber optics promises to be an attractive transmission medium for communication between the computer and its 1/O devices and for local networks. Its attractiveness results from its potential for providing high data transfer rate and long transmission distance. Within the central computer complex, serial transmission on fiber optics can also eliminate many of the problems associated with today’s bulky parallel cables and connectors. However to obtain the maximum benefits of fiber optics, it will be necesary to make changes to the I/O interface architecture as well as the transmission medium. Changes may also be required in the way applications utilize I/O in order to take advantage of the high data rate potential. This paper discusses some of the features of fiber optics as applied to the computer system and also indicates possible architecture and application approaches for deriving the greatest benefit from fiber optics. © 1982 SPIE.