What type of modulation is typically used in fiber optic communication?

In fiber optic communication, pulse code modulation (PCM) is the preferred modulation scheme. PCM is a method where an analog signal is converted into a digital signal by sampling the amplitude of the signal at regular intervals and then quantizing the sampled values into a series of pulses. This allows for effective transmission of data over fiber optics, which typically operates at high speeds and can handle large bandwidths.

Using PCM in fiber optics is advantageous because of its resilience to noise and distortion, which are significant concerns in optical transmission. The use of pulses to represent binary data ensures that signals can maintain integrity over long distances, making it suitable for modern high-speed communication systems. This aligns with the efficiency and high-performance requirements expected from fiber optic networks.

In contrast, the other modulation types, while useful in certain contexts, do not leverage the unique characteristics of fiber optic transmission as effectively as PCM. For instance, amplitude modulation and frequency modulation are more commonly used in traditional radio-based systems rather than in fiber optics, where the transmission medium requires a different approach to optimize performance and minimize errors. Phase modulation is also a viable option but is less commonly implemented than PCM within the framework of standard fiber optic communication technologies.