From the Optical Switching and Networking Handbook, an unequaled guide to optical technologies, comes this concise, practical introduction to optical communications. Featured topics include transmission system terms; a history of optical and fiber in telecommunications; facts about fiberoptics; growth in fiber-based systems; and the emergence of wavelength-division multiplexing. No matter where you work in telecom or convergence, this one-of-a-kind eBook excerpt gives you a practical approach to optical technologies and their applications.