Experimental optical fibers utilize built-in electronics instead of separate chips

When data is transmitted as pulses of light along a fiber optic cable, chips at either end of that cable must convert the data from and back into an electronic signal - this is what allows an outgoing video image to be converted into light pulses, then back into video at the receiving end, for instance. There are a number of technical challenges in coupling chips to fibers, however. Now, an international team of scientists are developing an alternative ... fiber optics with the electronics built right into the fiber...

Continue Reading Experimental optical fibers utilize built-in electronics instead of separate chips

(Via Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine.)