Fiber Optics for CATV in Perspective

An overview is given of the applicability of fiber-optics to CATV. The presentation is general in nature and concentrates on the major advantages and disadvantages of the technique. Also, some examples of current activity in applications of fiber-optics are discussed. It is concluded that fiber-optics will in the long run play an important role in CATV. At present and in the immediate future, there are a number of technical considerations which limit fiber-optics largely to trunking applications with a probable maximum of one to three high-quality TV channels per fiber.