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From: djdove@hprnd.rose.hp.com (Dan Dove)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: GaAs chips & optical fibers
Message-ID: <2230149@hprnd.rose.hp.com>
Date: 15 Apr 91 20:34:17 GMT
References: <9104031510.AA05871@alessia.dei.unipd.it>
Organization: HP Roseville Networks Division
Lines: 18

There is an 802.3 Fiber-optic specification which allows
for Ethernet operation over fiber-optic media. The standard
is specifically for Fiber-Optic Inter-Repeater Link, however,
it's AUI interface is similar to that of the other media
interfaces. The standard uses a STAR topology with an 
active repeater which performs re-timing and segmentation of
un-used/bad ports.

With regard to the electrical aspects of your question, there are
a number of vendors that provide components which perform the 
optical-to-electrical conversion. In addition, there are also
a few companies that provide threshold detection, amplification,
and filtering in a chip.

Good luck!

Dan