Delivery: Online | Est. Length: 8 Seat Hours | Price: $395.00 | Type: Fiber-only
Save 40% by purchasing the Fiber-Optic Fundamentals Bundle. This includes all four courses in the discipline (Signal Technology, Tools and Testing, Splicing, and Architectures).
Course Overview
The NCTI Fiber-Optic Fundamentals I course is the starting block for any career in modern broadband. Before you can troubleshoot a network, you must understand the physics that powers it.
This comprehensive introduction dives into the science of Optical Signal Technology. As the backbone of high-speed communications, fiber optics rely on precise laws of physics to transmit data over long distances. This course demystifies those laws, covering Light Propagation, Refraction, and Total Internal Reflection. Students will master the differences between Single-Mode and Multimode fiber, understand how light is modulated to carry data, and explore advanced multiplexing technologies like WDM and DWDM.
Who Should Enroll:
- Entry-Level Fiber Technicians
- IT Staff transitioning to Telecom
- Network Planners needing theory
- Students with little to no prior fiber experience
What You Will Learn
Upon completion, students will be able to explain the behavior of optical signals and select the correct fiber types for specific applications.
Core Competencies:
- Optical Physics: Explain key principles like Attenuation, Refractive Index, and Total Internal Reflection that govern signal integrity.
- Fiber Types: Distinguish between the structure and applications of Multimode (Short-range/Data Center) and Single-Mode (Long-haul/OSP) fiber.
- Modulation: Describe how information is encoded onto light waves using Direct/Indirect modulation and Analog/Digital techniques.
- Multiplexing Mastery: Explain Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), including CWDM and DWDM, and their role in Passive Optical Networks (PON).
- Signal Routing: Identify the function of optical splitters and network elements in both passive and active systems.
Certification and Benefits
Build Your Foundation
This course is the prerequisite for advanced training, providing the theoretical knowledge needed for the Fiber-Optic Installer Certification.
Additional Benefits:
- Industry Recognition: Receive the NCTI Certificate of Graduation.
- Cost Savings: Save 40% when you buy the full Fundamentals Bundle.
- Next Step: Prepares students directly for Fiber-Optic Fundamentals II: Tools and Testing.
Course Outline
Module 1: Fiber-Optic Principles
- Basics of fiber technology and common fiber types.
- Light Propagation: How light travels through glass.
- Optical fiber coatings and wavelengths.
Module 2: Fiber Modes and Light Modulation
- Fiber Modes: Single-Mode vs. Multimode characteristics.
- Light sources (LED vs. Laser) and Optical Modulation.
Module 3: Optical Transmission and Reception
- Optical detection and demodulation.
- Fiber dimension tolerances.
Module 4: Optical Signal Multiplexing
- WDM Technologies: CWDM and DWDM principles.
- Signal routing, splitting, and network elements.

