Part of Delmar Learning's National Center for Telecommunications Technologies series, this new book offers a complete, concise and practical introduction to fiber optic communications. Coverage begins with a brief history, and explanation of the advantages of fiber optics, and a description of basic telecommunication systems. Increased coverage of basic optics and communications provide the background for understanding modern fiber-optics devices. Full of detailed descriptions of actual systems applications, the book concludes with practical instruction on the installation and troubleshooting of fiber optic communications networks and systems.