Glass optical fibers can transmit digitized information, including video, audio, images, and text, at speeds of over a billion pulses of light every second. The chemical composition and the microstructure of the glass fibers are carefully controlled during manufacturing. Optical pulses are generated by lasers or light-emitting diodes made from semiconductors . Glass optical fibers. Inc. All rights reserved.
Communications satellites orbiting above the earth transmit information in the form of microwaves.
The semiconductor electronics on board each communications satellite are powered by semiconductor solar panels. Because fuel is required to maintain a communications satellite in a geostationary position, lightweight materials are selected to build the satellite. The parabolic antennas on each satellite are made of low density lightweight metal alloys . Each body panel of a communications satellite has an inner layer with a honeycomb structure made of metal alloys or polymers . The outer layer of the body panel is made of a stiff, lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced composite .