Super-speed plastic-optical-fibre systems

由于在家中发送高分辨率视频的需求，消费者对家庭中每秒数千兆比特的超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；这些目前流行的方法都有很大的局限性。以太网链路的问题在于难以安装终端；虽然使用正确的工具和测试设备是可能的，但这超出了大多数房主的能力。这意味着家里的布线必须由专业人士来完成，这是成本过高的。目前无线链路对于压缩视频来说已经足够了，但是对于非压缩视频来说速度还不够快，这会使系统变得复杂。许多老房子都存在无线连接到家里各个角落的问题；此外，随着高铁系统越来越受欢迎，预计会出现过度拥挤和交通状况恶化的情况。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，难以隐藏，尽管大多数房主可以终止它们，但这不是微不足道的。目前，在大多数情况下，连接一个完整的房子通常需要专业人员，这增加了成本。使用玻璃纤维的光纤系统目前非常昂贵，并且需要专业的安装。

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.