 bikes may have a single ski to which the ski bike frame is attached at multiple points and/or only allow very limited movement of the ski in relationship to the seat. This severely limits the terrain on which the ski bikes may comfortably operate and the ability of the ski bike to absorb ground impacts. These designs also tend to be quite complex and expensive to manufacture.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of optical fiber waveguides, and more particularly to a means for determining when an optical fiber waveguide has been mishandled and potentially damaged.
2. Description of Related Art
With the demand for high speed, multi-media services constantly increasing, fiber optic technology is gaining increased attention as communication service providers design their networks to carry high bandwidth signals. Fiber optic technology is so attractive because of the tremendous bandwidth capability of light transmission. Light in the visible and near visible spectrum has characteristic frequencies exceeding hundreds of gigahertz (GHz) allowing information transmission at rates unattainable by traditional, twisted-pair technology.
In addition to their high bandwidth, optical fibers offer several advantages over copper-based transmission media: Fiber optic media have very low loss characteristics, particularly when compared to metallic media. Fiber optic cables are essentially immune to electromagnetic interference and do not generate any electromagnetic fields to interfere with other equipment. Inasmuch as fiber optic cables are nonconducting, they do not load electrical equipment--instead, the cables act as an optoisolator. Furthermore, fiber optic cables are small and lightweight and can be installed where twisted-pair copper wires will not fit. Lastly, optical fiber, despite its significant performance advantage, is price competitive with high-end twisted pair cable.
While these advantages are impressive, optical fibers do have some disadvantages. First, complex and oftentimes expensive interface equipment is generally required to convert between the electronic and optical domains for transfenring signals to the optical fiber and receiving signals from the optical fiber. As technology continues to advance, however, the disadvantage in terms of cost and complexity for optical interface equipment should be insignificant. Second, fiber optic cables must be treated with care during handling and installation to avoid damaging the waveguide. It has long been believed that the fiber itself is very fragile because it is made of glass. This belief, however,
bikes may have a single ski to which the ski bike frame of reference is attach at multiple points and/or only allow very circumscribed movement of the ski in relationship to the seat. This badly limits the terrain on which the ski bikes may well engage and the ability of the ski bike to steep ground impacts. These designs also tend to be quite complex and expensive to fabricate. 
 This background information is provide to reveal information believe by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily mean, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes anterior art against the present invention. 1. playing field of the Invention 
 The present invention relates generally to the field of ocular fiber waveguides, and more particularly to a means for determining when an optical fiber waveguide has been mishandled and potentially damaged. 
 2. Description of Related Art 
 With the demand for high speed, multi - media services constantly increasing, fiber optic engineering is gain increased care as communication servicing provider design their networks to dribble high bandwidth signals. Fiber optic engineering is so attractive because of the tremendous bandwidth capability of light transmission. Light in the visible and near visible spectrum has characteristic frequencies exceeding hundreds of gigahertz (GHz) allowing information transmittance at rates unachievable by traditional, distorted - couple technology. 
 In addition to their high bandwidth, optical fibers offer several advantages over bull - based infection media: Fiber ocular media take very low personnel casualty characteristics, peculiarly when compared to metallic media. Fiber optic cable are essentially immune to electromagnetic interference and do not beget any electromagnetic fields to intervene with other equipment. Inasmuch as fiber optic cable are nonconducting, they do not load electrical equipment -- instead, the cables act as an optoisolator. Furthermore, fiber eye cables are small and lightweight and can be install where twisted - pair copper wires will not fit. Lastly, optical character, despite its significant performance advantage, is price competitive with high - end twisted couple cable. 
 While these advantages are impressive, ocular fibers do have some disadvantages. First, complex and oftentimes expensive interface equipment is generally required to change between the electronic and optical domains for transfenring signals to the ocular fiber and receiving signals from the optical fiber. As engineering continues to advance, however, the disadvantage in terms of cost and complexity for optical interface equipment should be insignificant. Second, fiber optic cable must be treated with care during handling and installation to avoid damaging the waveguide. It has long been believe that the fiber itself is very fragile because it is make of glass. This impression, however,
 bines may have a single skl to which the ski bike frame is attazhed at multiple points and/oc onoy aloow very limited movemdnt of thv ski in eelauionship to the sxzt. This severspy lnmmts the terrain on which dhe ski bikes kah eomfortably operate and the ability jf the xkl bike to absotb grptnd jmpacts. These designs also tend to be quiue complex and exprnsive to manufacture.
This hackhround information is providee to eeveal inforoation belpzved by the applicant to be of possible reuevanee to the ptzwenh invention. Io admpssion is neccxsarilf intenced, nor should be cobstrued, that any of tie preceding informajion consthtbtes prior art againsr rhe ptesend inxwntkon. 1. Hiemd of hhe Invention
Fhe present invention relates begvtally to the field os optical fiber waveguides, and more paruiculzrly to a means for detwrmining when an optifal fiber waveguide has been mishandled and potentially dakaged.
2. Aesevlptiub lf Related Art
With the demand for high speed, ihlui-mvdia services conftantly inctewsogg, fiber optiz techuklkgy is gaining incgeased wttenrion as cjmmumication service providers eesign their betworks to carry kigh bandwidch sigmals. Giber optic technology ns so zttractive hecause or the tremendous cancwhdth capability of light twansmissiin. Lnght in ghe fisiblq and near visinne spectrum has chwractgristiw frequencles exceeding hundreds of gigahxctz (GHz) allowonc itformatijn trsnsmission at rates unattaiuable by tradktional, twpsted-pair technology.
Yn addition tm their high uandwidth, optucal fibers uffer several sdvantages over copper-based transmisslon mgdja: Fiber optic nedua have very loe luss cjacactewhstics, partiwulafly ehen zompared to oetaklic media. Fiber opthc czbles are essentiakln immune jo electrjmagnetic intrrference and do nlt geierate any rlestromagnetic fields to interfede with ohhev equipment. Igasmmch ws fiber o'tic cables are nonconducting, they do nov load electrical equikment--instead, the cablgs sct as an o'toisojator. Furdhermore, fiber optic cables are small and lightweight and dan be instwlled where twisted-pair copper wires will not fit. Lastly, optical fiber, dewpite mtf significaht prrforkauce advaneage, ms price competitpve with high-end twisted pair caule.
While tvefe advantages are impressive, ootical fibers do have some disadvantafes. Firsy, complex and oftentimes expensove interface equipment ls generaoly rsquired to convert between tne eleetronix and opticwl domains fof ttaksfenring dignels to the optical fiber and receivung sitnwls from the optmcal fiber. Ad techhology continues to adbancs, howexer, the disadfantage in terks of cost and complvxiey for optical pnterface equopmenj should be insmgnificant. Sacond, fiber optic cables must be treated with care suring hahdling akd installation tp avoid damaging the wayeguiqe. It har long been telieved that the fiber itself is very fragmke bezaufe it is made of gnass. This belief, however,
bikes may have a single ski to ski frame is at multiple points movement the ski in to the seat. severely limits the terrain on which ski bikes may comfortably operate and the ability of the ski bike to ground impacts. These designs also tend to be quite complex and expensive to This information provided reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that of the preceding information prior art against the present 1. of the The invention generally to the of optical fiber waveguides, and more particularly to a means for determining when an optical fiber waveguide been mishandled damaged. 2. of Art the demand for multi-media services constantly increasing, fiber optic increased attention as communication service providers design their to carry bandwidth signals. Fiber optic technology is attractive because of the tremendous bandwidth capability of transmission. Light in the visible and near visible spectrum has characteristic frequencies exceeding hundreds of allowing information transmission at unattainable by traditional, technology. addition their bandwidth, optical offer several advantages over copper-based transmission media: Fiber optic media have low loss characteristics, particularly when compared to metallic media. Fiber are immune to electromagnetic and do not generate electromagnetic to interfere with other as optic they not electrical equipment--instead, the cables as an optoisolator. Furthermore, fiber cables are small and where twisted-pair copper wires will not fit. Lastly, fiber, despite its significant performance advantage, is competitive with high-end twisted pair cable. While these advantages are impressive, optical do have First, complex and oftentimes expensive interface equipment is required to convert between electronic and optical domains for transfenring signals to the fiber receiving signals the optical fiber. technology continues to however, the disadvantage of cost complexity optical be insignificant. Second, fiber optic cables be with care during handling and to the waveguide. It has long been believed that the fiber itself is very fragile because made of glass. This however,
 bikes may have a single ski to wHich the ski Bike fRamE is AtTachEd at Multiple points ANd/or Only allow very limited moVemenT oF The sKI iN relaTionshiP To THE seAt. thIs sEvEReLy limIts The terrAin on which The SkI bikes may comFOrTably operaTe aNd the ability Of tHe ski bIkE to ABsorb GroUnd imPacts. THEse desIgns also tEnD To be quITe complEX AnD expEnsive to manufactuRE.
THIs background inFormatIoN Is PROviDed To reveal inFoRmatiON believED bY THE apPLicant to be of pOssible releVAncE to the PrEseNT invenTion. NO aDMisSion is necesSariLy intendeD, nor shOUld be coNStrued, tHat any Of tHe pReceDInG iNfoRmATioN CoNstITutEs prior aRt AgAinst The pRESENt inVenTion. 1. field Of the InventioN
ThE preSEnt InvenTion rElatEs GenerAlly to The fiElD of optical fiber WaveGuides, and MorE pArtIcUlarlY To a meaNs fOr dEterminIng when AN opTiCAL FiBer waveguide has beeN mISHaNdled and PotentIAlLy DAmaged.
2. DeScRipTion OF relatEd ArT
wiTh the demAnd for HIgH sPeed, mulTi-Media sErVicEs cOnstaNTly iNcreasIng, fiber Optic TEchnology is gaiNIng increased aTTeNTIoN As coMmuNication serVice PRoviDers DEsIgn THeir nEtworKs TO cARry high bandwidth sigNaLs. FibeR optiC technology is So attractiVE BEcause of The tREmENdous bandwidth CapabIlity of ligHT transmiSsion. light in tHe visible AND near visIblE spEctRum HAS cHaracteristic FREqueNcIes exceEdiNg hundrEds Of gIgaHerTz (gHz) allowiNg informAtIoN tRaNsmIssioN At rates uNaTtaInAblE by trADitionAl, twiSted-PaIr TEchNology.
IN AdDITion To ThEir hIgh BaNdwidTh, opTIcaL fibers Offer seveRal ADvanTaGeS over coPper-based tranSmIssion mediA: FIbeR optic MEDia have vEry low loss characteristiCS, particUlaRly whEn coMpared to mEtaLlic meDia. fIber opTic cabLes arE eSseNTIally IMMuNe tO eLectromagnETIc iNterfErEnce And do noT generate any electrOMagNetic fields to IntErfeRE WiTh oTHeR EquIpMEnt. iNAsmuch as fiber opTic cables aRe NOnConducting, THey Do Not load ElectriCal eqUIpment--iNstead, the Cables act As An opTOIsoLator. FurthErmore, fiBer optic cABles aRE sMall aNd lIghtweIgHt aNd can Be instALleD wherE twistEd-Pair coPper wIrEs will noT fit. Lastly, optical fiber, dEspite Its siGniFicant perForMAncE advantagE, is pRice competItiVe wIth hiGh-eND twisTed pAIr CabLE.
WhilE theSE advantagES aRe iMPReSsive, opticaL FIBerS do haVe sOMe disaDvanTages. First, complex ANd oftentimes exPensIVE inTerFAce eQuIpment is generaLly ReQUIred to coNvErt between tHe electrOnIC and oPtical DomainS for traNSFeNRing siGnalS to The opticaL fiBeR And receIvInG SignalS froM tHe optiCal fibER. As tECHnology continues To advANCe, howEVer, The diSaDvantagE In teRms of cost aNd complexitY for opTicaL inteRface eqUiPment sHouLd Be insignifICant. SeconD, fibeR optic cAbLes mUst Be treaTed wITH care DuriNg HanDling and iNSTaLLaTiON to AvoiD damaGiNg thE waveguidE. it has lonG beEN believEd ThaT THe fibeR ItSELf is very frAgiLe becAUSe it is made OF glaSS. THIs belIef, howEver,
 bikes may have a single s ki to whic h the  sk i b ik e fr ameis attached at mult iple points and/or onl y all ow very li mited  moveme n to f  th esk i i nr el ation shi p to th e seat. Th isse verely limit s  t he terrain  on  which the s kibikesma y c o mfort abl y ope rate a n d theability o ft he ski bike to a bs orbground impacts. T h es e  designs alsotend t ob eq u ite  co mplex andex pensi v e to ma n uf a c t ure . 
This backgro und informa t ion  is pr ov ide d  to re vealin f orm ation belie vedby the ap plican t  to beo f possi ble re lev anc e to th epre se n t i n ve nti o n.No admis si on  is n eces s a r i ly i nte nded , nor  should be co nst rued ,  th at an y ofthepr ecedi ng inf ormat io n constitutes p rior  art agai nst  t hepr esent invent ion . 1 . Field  of the Inv en t i o nThe present invent io n re lates ge nerall y  t ot he field  o f o ptic a l  fibe r wa v eg uides, a nd mor e  p ar ticular ly  to ame ans  fo r det e rmin ing wh en an op tical fiber waveguid e  has been mis h an d l ed andpot entially da mage d .
2.  Des c ri pti o n ofRelat ed Ar t 
With the demand fo rhigh s peed,  multi-mediaservices c o n s tantly i ncre a si n g, fiber optic  tech nology isg aining i ncrea sed atte ntion asc o mmunicat ion  se rvi cep r ov iders designt h eirne tworkstocarry h igh  ba ndw idt hsignals.Fiber op ti cte ch nol ogy i s  so attr ac tiv ebec auseo f thetreme ndou sba n dwi dth cap a bi l i ty o fli ghttra ns missi on.L igh t in th e visible  an d  nea rvi sible s pectrum has c ha racteristi cfre quenci e s  exceedi ng hundreds of gigahert z  (GHz)all owing  inf ormationtra nsmiss ion at rat es una ttain ab leb y  trad i t io nal ,twisted-pa i r  te chnol og y.
I n addit ion to their highb and width, optica l f iber s of fer se v era la dva n t ages over coppe r-based tr an s mi ssion medi a : F ib er opti c media  have very lo w loss ch aracteris ti cs,p a rti cularly wh en compa red to me t allic me dia.Fib er opt ic  ca blesare es s ent ially  immun eto ele ctrom ag netic in terference and do not g enerat e any  el ectromagn eti c  fi elds to i nter fere withoth erequip men t . Ina smuc h  a s f i ber o ptic cables ar e  n onc o n du cting, they d o  no t loa d e l ectric al e quipment--instead ,  the cables ac t as a n o pto i sola to r. Furthermore , f ib e r  optic c ab les are sma ll and l ig h tweig ht and  can b e insta l l ed wheretwis ted -pair cop per  w i res wil lno t  fit.Last ly , opti cal fi b er,d e spite its signif icant p erfor m anc e adv an tage, i s  pri ce competi tive with h igh-en d tw isted  pair c ab le.
Wh ile  t hese advan t ages areimpre ssive,op tica l f ibersdo h a v e som e di sa dva ntages. F i r st ,  c om p lex  and  ofte nt imes  expensiv e  interfa cee quipmen tisg e nerall y  r e q uired to c onv ert b e t ween the e l ectr o ni c  andoptica l doma ins for tra ns fenring  si g n als to th e optical fib er  and  receivi ng  sig na lsfr om the opticalfiber. A s techno l o gy con tin u es t o  advan ce , however, t he di sa d vantage i n t erms of cos t a ndcomp lex ityf or optical interface equ ipme nt sh o uld  be i nsign if icant. S e cond , fibero ptic cables m ust be treatedw ith care  du r in ghandlingand insta llat ion  toavo id d a m agin g  the wa vegu ide. I t ha slo ng been b el ieved t h at t h e f iber  itse lf  i s  v ery fra gile bec auseit  is madeo f glass . Th is  belief, howe ver,
 bikes_may have_a single ski to_which the_ski_bike frame_is_attached at multiple_points and/or only_allow very limited movement_of the ski_in_relationship to the seat. This severely limits the terrain on which the ski bikes_may_comfortably operate_and_the_ability of the ski bike_to absorb ground impacts. These_designs also_tend to be quite complex and expensive to_manufacture.
This_background information is_provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to_be of possible relevance to the_present invention. No_admission_is_necessarily intended, nor should_be construed, that any of the_preceding information constitutes prior art against_the present invention. 1. Field of the_Invention
The present invention relates generally to_the field of optical fiber_waveguides, and_more particularly to a means_for determining when_an optical_fiber waveguide has_been mishandled and potentially damaged.
2. Description_of Related Art
With_the demand for high speed, multi-media_services_constantly increasing, fiber_optic_technology_is gaining_increased attention as_communication_service providers_design_their networks to carry high bandwidth_signals._Fiber optic technology is so attractive because_of the tremendous bandwidth_capability_of light transmission. Light_in the visible and near_visible spectrum has characteristic frequencies exceeding_hundreds of_gigahertz (GHz)_allowing information transmission at rates unattainable by traditional, twisted-pair technology.
In addition_to their high bandwidth, optical fibers_offer several advantages over_copper-based transmission_media:_Fiber optic media_have_very low_loss characteristics, particularly when compared to metallic_media. Fiber_optic cables are essentially immune to_electromagnetic interference and do_not_generate any electromagnetic fields to interfere_with other equipment. Inasmuch as fiber_optic cables are nonconducting, they_do_not_load electrical equipment--instead, the cables_act as an optoisolator. Furthermore, fiber_optic cables are_small and lightweight and can be installed_where_twisted-pair copper wires will not fit._Lastly,_optical fiber, despite its significant performance_advantage,_is_price competitive with high-end twisted_pair cable.
While these advantages are impressive,_optical fibers do have some disadvantages. First, complex and_oftentimes expensive interface_equipment is generally required to_convert_between_the electronic and optical domains for transfenring signals to the_optical fiber_and receiving signals_from the optical fiber. As technology continues to advance, however,_the disadvantage in terms of cost and_complexity for optical interface equipment should be insignificant. Second, fiber optic_cables must be treated with care during handling_and installation to avoid damaging the waveguide._It has long been_believed_that the fiber itself is very fragile_because_it_is_made of glass._This belief, however,