This would be a clear (or opaque, depending on the users' needs) tape containing micro strands of optical fiber. Data would travel along this media just as in currently used fiber cables, but would have the flexibility of clear packing tape, with a sticky side which would allow you to apply the tape to various surfaces (baseboards, desks, ceilings) between the networked devices. Terminal devices or splices (FiberPlug) can be snapped on to the cut ends of the tape, cleanly slicing into the fibers and can either convert the light signals back into electrical, or special terminal ends could plug directly into fiber compatible ports. A damaged bit of FiberTape can be replaced by merely splicing in a new section with two FiberSplice snaps, and a long run of tape can have its signal boosted by a FiberBoost snap. Also for the sake of convenience, the non-sticky side of the tape is slightly textured and easily takes ink from most types of pen and marker.
-- spacer, Dec 30 2014

I like the idea. I suspect that what you describe (the modularity/flexibility) can be done with regular optical fibres, but a flat system would have advantages.

Question, though. A regular optical fibre has a fairly thick outer jacket, both for physical protection and to prevent its being bent too sharply - how would this work with a tape? How flat can an optical tape be, and still work?
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Dec 30 2014


Yeah, that's a question for the engineers. I'm wondering whether the shape of the fibers themselves could be modified to be flatter, allowing more flexibility in the tape plane, and a bit less so from side to side.
-- spacer, Jan 01 2015



random, halfbakery