Super-speed plastic-optical-fibre systems

由于在家中发送高分辨率视频的需求，消费者对在家中以每秒几千兆位的速率进行高速数据通信的需求正在迅速增加。目前流行的替代方案包括：使用双绞线的以太网、无线链路、同轴电缆链路和使用玻璃纤维的光纤链路；这些当前流行的方法中的每一种都有很大的局限性。以太网链路的问题是安装终端的困难；尽管使用正确的工具和测试设备是可能的，但这超出了大多数家庭所有者的能力范围。这意味着家庭布线必须由专业人员完成，这是成本高昂的。无线链路目前对压缩视频来说是足够的，但对于非压缩视频则不够快，这会使系统变得复杂。许多老式住宅在无线连接到家庭各个角落的问题上存在问题；此外，随着系统变得越来越流行，预计会出现过度拥挤，从而导致连接恶化。同轴链路越来越受欢迎，是目前最好的替代方案之一。它们的主要限制是电线笨重且难以隐藏，尽管大多数房主都可以端接，但这并不是微不足道的。目前，在大多数情况下，为一座完整的房子布线通常需要专业人员，这增加了成本。使用玻璃纤维的光纤系统目前价格高得令人望而却步，而且同样需要专业安装。

The consumer demand for super-speed data communications in the home at rates of multiple gigabits per second is rapidly increasing due to the demand for sending high-resolution video around the home. Currently popular alternatives include: ethernet using twisted pair wires, wireless links, coaxial cable links, and fibre-optic links using glass fibres; each of these currently popular approaches has significant limitations. The problem with ethernet links is the difficulty of putting on the terminations; although possible with the correct tools and testing devices, this is beyond the capability of most home owners. This means wiring up the home must be done by professionals which is cost prohibitive. Wireless links are adequate at the current time for compressed video, but are not fast enough for non-compressed video which complicates systems. Many older homes have problems with wireless links reaching all corners of a home; also, as the systems become more popular, over-crowding and therefore deteriorated links are predicted. Coaxial links are increasing in popularity and are one of the best current alternatives. Their major limitations are the wires are bulky and hard to conceal, and although they can be terminated by most home owners, this is not trivial. At the current time, wiring up a complete house normally requires professionals in the majority of the cases which increases costs. Fibre optic systems using glass fibre is currently prohibitively expensive and again requires professional installation.