Installation guide

Glossary
890 USE 101 00 October 2006 149
dispersion The cause of bandwidth limitations in a fiber optic signal. Dispersion causes a
broadening of input pulses along the length of the fiber. Three major types are: mode
dispersion caused by differential optical path lengths in a multimode fiber; material
dispersion caused by a differential delay of various wavelengths of light in a
waveguide material; and waveguide dispersion caused by light traveling in both the
core and cladding materials in single-mode fibers.
drop An address on the RIO network. See also node.
drop cable The cable that runs between a tap in the trunk cable and the connector to the RIO
drop adapter at the drop.
drop loss The amount of attenuation (signal loss) in the drop cable and the connector—i.e.,
between the tap and the node.
dual cable An RIO network topology in which two cable systems are run from the head
processor in a PLC to two different groups of drop adapter nodes. A dual cable
topology requires dual RIO comm ports in the RIO processor node and a single RIO
comm port in each drop adapter. See also redundant cable.
earth ground A connection to earth, usually through structural steel or water pipes.
egress Signal radiated by the transmission line.
EMI Electromagnetic interference, usually caused by inductive devices such as motors.
EMI causes noise that can be radiated in the air or conducted through power lines.
F connector
fiber A thin filament of glass. an optical waveguide consisting of a core and a cladding is
capable of carrying information in the form of light.
fiber optics Light transmission through optical fibers for communications or signaling.
foil A mylar-backed aluminum foil used for shield construction on coaxial cable.
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