Submarine Cables

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• Undersea cable damage in the Red Sea has slowed internet access across several countries in Asia and the Middle East, including India.

What are Submarine Cables?

• Definition: Submarine cables are fiber optic cables laid on the ocean floor, connecting two or more landing points across countries and continents.
• India’s Role: India is a significant player in the global submarine cable network, with 17 international cables and 14 landing stations in cities like Mumbai and Chennai.
  • As of the end of 2022, the total lit capacity and activated capacity of these cables stood at 138.606 Tbps and 111.111 Tbps, respectively.
• Significance: Submarine cables form the backbone of the global digital economy, carrying over 99% of international data exchange.
  • They support critical services like e-commerce, financial transactions, and global communications.

What Is a Fiber Optic Cable?

• A fiber-optic cable is a type of networking cable that uses light to transmit data through thin strands of glass or plastic called optical fibers.
• Fiber-optic cables transmit data using pulses of light based on the principle of total internal reflection.
• Main Elements of Fiber Optics:
  • The core: Data signals are converted into light pulses and sent through the core, a thin glass or plastic strand at the center of the fiber.
  • The cladding: Surrounding the core is the cladding, another layer of glass with a lower refractive index. The difference in refractive index causes the light to bounce repeatedly off the cladding and stay contained within the core.
  • Buffer Coating: A plastic coating that protects the core and cladding from damage.
  • The detector: At the receiving end, a photodetector converts the light pulses back into electrical signals that a computer or other device can understand.

Source: D News