Book excerpt: *Covers selection and application of the key technologies *A down-to-earth introduction to a cutting-edge technology *Covers all the main engineering applications with a minimum of maths A unique practical guide for professionals and students Optoelectronics and Fiber Optic Technology provides user-friendly information on the technology and applications of fiber optics and the wider technologies of optoelectronics. Ray Tricker has demystified this core area of communications technology with a minimum of maths, in language that is accessible to a wide range of managers, technician engineers, students and professionals needing to gain an understanding of the available technologies. This is also the ideal introductory text for installation engineers and field service engineers seeking to gain a broad understanding of the field they are working in. All the key technologies are described: types of cable, transmitters, receivers, couplers, connectors, etc. with the emphasis firmly on their selection and application. Key aspects of installation, test techniques, safety and security are also covered in depth, making this book a genuinely useful guide for engineers and managers alike. Topical areas such as optoelectronics in LANs and WANs, cable TV systems, and the global fiber-optic highway make this book essential reading for anyone who needs to keep up with the technology of modern data communications.