less devices. 5.2.6 Summary The unconventional ultra-wideband technology, since its approval by the FCC, is opening up new civilian ap- The annually increasing volumes for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi plications for short-range wireless, notably in the areas of products, stimulated in a large part by the acceptance of distance measurement, concealed object location, and industrial standards by the major manufacturers, are high precision positioning systems. Because of its high- causing prices to fall on complex integrated circuits as interference immunity, and its property of not causing well as the basic RF components. This trend will open the interference, it may successfully compete with and way for the use of these parts in other short-range ap- complement other technologies used for short-range plications such as security and medical call systems. Use radio applications such as personal communications sys- of sophisticated and proven two-way hardware and link items, security sensors, and RFID tags. protocols for these and other technically "low end" ap- In summary, advances in short-range radio commu- plications will open them up to much higher usage nication developments in one area feeds its expansion than they now command. A basic impediment to wireless in other areas. Overall, short-range radio will continue use will still remain, however, and that is the problem to play a major part in the ongoing communication of battery replacement. Reduced voltage and power revolution. This page intentionally left blank Section Six Section Six Section Six Section Six Section Six Section Six Optical data communication This page intentionally left blank Chapter 6.1 Optical fiber, cable and connectors Ulf L. Österberg 6.1.1 Light propagation where we have introduced 6.1.1.1 Rays and electromagnetic mode [Transverse Laplacian], theory Light is most accurately described as a vectorial elec- [Transverse phase constant], tromagnetic wave. Fortunately, this complex description of light is often not necessary for a satisfactory treatm