News Intel bets on LightPeak

AFAIK, TOSLINK audio cables use plastic fibers, though I belive you can get some reasonable distances from plastic fibers. I would bet lightpeak uses multimode fibers and transmissions which means 'short range' transmissions. Wikipedia says the old plastic tech was good for a 'short' 100 meters
The plastic should be plenty durable enough.

I don't see power as being a big problem with distance, think power over Ethernet. The problem is that DC can incur pretty hefty losses over longer runs, but that may not be an issue for most practical application.

The real problem is the Intel license on the tech. I think we will see a competing, open optical standard develop and that will gain acceptance because it is royalty free.

 

Greetings!

There are also comparisons between USB 2.0 and Firewire versus USB 3.0.
LightPeak is still no way to be seen.