Fiber is also immune to certain types of interference. Fiber, like the transmission line, carries energy with little loss. Virtually no energy radiates from or into an optical glass fiber. This means that line is immune to signal ingress from lightning strikes, high power transmitters and other disturbances. Because the fiber does not radiate at radio frequencies, chances of interfering with other on-board avionics are significantly reduced.
Optical fibers are lighter and thinner than copper wire.
This is particularly effective when high data rates in fiber are compared with those of wiretype transmission lines. It is, however, more difficult to couple energy from fiber into the taps or nodes of a bus-type system. But as technology improves simplified coupling devices and installation techniques are becoming available. As with wire lines, it is important to test fiber optic communications links. This is particularly true because fiber is small and damage can be virtually invisible.