Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!pyramid!lstowell
From: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Optical interconnects
Message-ID: <147423@pyramid.pyramid.com>
Date: 7 Mar 91 20:57:01 GMT
Sender: daemon@pyramid.pyramid.com
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA
Lines: 33

In article <782@spim.mips.COM> reddy@mips.com (T.S. Reddy) writes:
>
>    Has anyone tried to make their own fiber optic interconnects? From
>what I know, the optical input/output receptacles on audio/video products
>for most brands are similar, so I would think that standardized parts for
>fashioning such a beastie would be available. I am not familiar with
>the techniques involved in cutting/splicing fiber optic cables, but
>if anyone could enlighten me, I would be grateful.
>

   This is an area in which professional fiber installers prefer
   not to fool around.  Most just buy preterminated fiber
   jumpers and use optical splices to connect these to the main
   fiber runs.

   You COULD terminate your own...there are kits available in
   all classes of cost and real value.  The good ones have
   optical epoxy, polishing materials....and most importantly, a
   good inspection microscope...some even have optical power
   meters (although that would be overkill).  

   Optical termination is an acquired skill...if you have any
   lapidary background it would help.  Expect to waste a lot of
   fiber and connectors until you gain the manual skills
   required  (at which point you have a salable skill....).

   Beginners would likely get the optical equivalents of cold
   solder joints, loose connections, etc....how much these would
   really affect sound quality I cannot say...although some old
   comparison tests between internal D/A convertors and HIGHER
   RESOLUTION external D/A's showed that typically there was
   significant impairment with the external convertors....I
   would have to blame poor interconnects.