Abstract

Submarine system technology is now undergoing a more revolutionary change than at any time since the first voice-circuit cables entered service in 1956. A simultaneous evolution from analog to digital techniques and from copper to optical fiber for the transmission medium poses a unique combination of challenges to be solved before the first systems are due to enter service in the mid-1980s. The purpose of this talk is to present a summary of announced trials and briefly review the current state of development of the technologies likely to be used jn first-generation systems with particular reference to optical techniques. Laser types and reliability will be summarized together with the performance of current fiber designs. The relative characteristics of avalanche photodiodes and PIN diode detectors will also be considered.

© 1983 Optical Society of America