Who’s Destroying Undersea Internet Cables?

Zem TV

22 Aug 202411:35

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the intricate world of undersea internet cables, exploring their depth, maintenance, and the challenges of repair. It explains how these cables, crucial for global connectivity, are laid thousands of meters deep in the ocean, withstand immense pressure, and are monitored for faults. The video also discusses the process of repairing damaged cables, from locating the break to the actual repair techniques, showcasing the complexity and importance of these communication arteries that span across continents.

Takeaways

🌍 The undersea internet cables connect continents and are a crucial part of our global communication network.
📡 There are approximately 493 undersea cables worldwide, each capable of carrying 4000 terabits of data per second.
🔎 The cables are laid at depths of more than 8000 meters, where the pressure is equivalent to having an African elephant standing on a human toenail.
🚧 The installation of these cables is a complex and expensive process, costing millions of dollars per kilometer.
💡 The cables are thinner than a human hair and use fiber optics to transmit data in the form of light pulses.
🔌 In case of damage, locating the exact spot of the break in the cable is a technical challenge that involves specialized equipment.
🔬 Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR) are used to send light pulses down the cable and measure the time and strength of the returning pulse to locate damage.
🛠 Repairing a damaged cable involves cutting out the damaged section and splicing in a new piece, which requires precision and caution.
🌪 Weather conditions, including hurricanes and typhoons, can significantly impact the installation and repair process of undersea cables.
🦈 Sharks and other marine life, as well as volcanic eruptions, can cause physical damage to the cables, but fishing activities are the most common cause of damage.
🔄 The process of repairing a cable is called 'spline' and may involve lifting a section of the cable and attaching additional wire to restore its function.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the undersea internet cables discussed in the script?
-The primary function of the undersea internet cables is to facilitate the transmission of internet traffic across continents, connecting the world wirelessly.
How deep are the undersea internet cables typically laid?
-The undersea internet cables are typically laid at depths of more than 8000 meters, where the pressure can be as high as 5300 kg per square inch.
What is the length of the longest undersea cable mentioned in the script?
-The longest undersea cable mentioned in the script is the Marea cable, which stretches over 6600 kilometers.
How much does it cost to install just 1 kilometer of undersea cable?
-The cost of installing 1 kilometer of undersea cable is more than 250,000 US dollars.
How many submarine cables are there globally, and what is their combined length?
-There are 493 submarine cables globally, and their combined length is over 140,000 kilometers, which is enough to circle the entire solar system and still have some left over.
What is the capacity of data transmission for each submarine cable?
-Each submarine cable can handle up to 40 terabits of data per second.
How many people can simultaneously stream a 4K movie using just one submarine cable?
-With the capacity of 40 terabits per second, one submarine cable can support up to 80 million people streaming a 4K movie simultaneously.
What is the main challenge in repairing damaged undersea cables?
-The main challenge in repairing undersea cables is locating the exact spot of the damage among thousands of kilometers of cable and then physically accessing and repairing it at such great depths.
What is the process called when light signals are converted back into electrical signals at the receiving end?
-The process is called total internal reflection, where light signals are converted back into electrical signals by a photodiode or photodetector at the receiving end.
How are multiple signals transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable?
-Multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable using a technique called wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), where different colors of light carry different data packets.
What is the method used to locate the exact location of a break in the cable?
-The method used to locate the exact location of a break in the cable is called Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), which sends a light pulse from both ends and measures the time and strength of the reflected pulse to determine the location of the break.
What is the term used for the process of repairing the damaged part of an undersea cable?
-The term used for the process of repairing the damaged part of an undersea cable is called 'splaicing,' where the damaged section is cut and a new piece is added to connect the two ends.

Outlines

00:00

🌊 Undersea Internet Cable Infrastructure

This paragraph discusses the vast network of undersea internet cables that connect continents and facilitate our daily internet usage. It highlights the immense depth at which these cables are laid, with some being over 8000 meters deep, and the immense pressure they endure, likened to an African elephant standing on a human toenail. The paragraph mentions specific cable systems such as the Black Sea cable between Azerbaijan and Turkey and the Mariana Trench cable, which is the deepest and longest, stretching from Virginia, USA, to Bilbao, Spain. It also provides statistics on the total length of these cables, which, if laid out, would be enough to circle the solar system's planets and still have enough to loop around Earth. The cost of laying these cables is also mentioned, with a single kilometer costing over $250,000.

05:00

🔌 The Repair and Maintenance of Undersea Cables

This paragraph delves into the complexities of repairing and maintaining undersea internet cables. It explains the process of locating a damaged cable in the vast ocean, using devices like Optical Time Domain Reflectometers to send light pulses and measure the time and strength of their return to determine the exact location and extent of the damage. The paragraph also describes the physical process of repairing a cable, which involves cutting the damaged section and splicing in a new piece. It mentions the challenges posed by weather conditions, such as hurricanes and typhoons, and the difficulty of working in the deep sea. Additionally, it touches on the impact of fishing activities on the integrity of these cables and the precautions taken during installation to avoid such damage.

10:03

🛠 The Technicalities of Undersea Cable Repair

This final paragraph focuses on the technical aspects of repairing undersea fiber optic cables. It describes the process known as 'splishing,' which involves carefully cutting and splicing the damaged cable with a new piece to ensure a seamless connection. The paragraph also discusses the challenges of lifting the cable from the ocean floor and the need for precision in handling the fragile glass fibers. It mentions the use of special ships and robotic machines to assist in the installation and repair process, as well as the significant time investment required for such operations. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of these cables in our global communication infrastructure and the continuous advancements in technology to support their maintenance and repair.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Submarine Internet Cables

Submarine internet cables are the physical communication lines that run under the ocean, connecting continents and facilitating international data transmission. These cables are crucial for global internet connectivity, as they allow for the exchange of data across vast distances. In the video, the importance of these cables is highlighted by discussing their depth, pressure resistance, and the challenges of repairing them when damaged, such as when a shark might cut them.

💡Undersea Cable Network

The undersea cable network refers to the extensive system of submarine internet cables that span across the world's oceans, linking different continents and countries. This network is what enables global communication and data transfer. The video emphasizes the vastness of this network, mentioning that it connects all continents and the sheer number of cables that are laid thousands of meters deep in the ocean.

💡Pressure at Depth

Pressure at depth refers to the increase in pressure as one goes deeper into the ocean. At 8000 meters deep, where many submarine cables are laid, the pressure can be as high as 5300 psi per square inch, akin to placing the weight of an African elephant on the tip of a human's smallest finger. The video uses this concept to illustrate the extreme conditions under which these cables operate and the engineering feats required to make them durable.

💡Cable Laying Ships

Cable laying ships are specialized vessels designed to install and maintain submarine internet cables. These ships are equipped with the necessary machinery to handle the heavy cables and precision equipment for deep-sea operations. The video mentions the use of such ships for installing thousands of kilometers of cables, highlighting the logistical challenges and the time it takes to complete such installations.

💡Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is a device used to locate faults in optical fibers by sending a light pulse into the cable and measuring the time it takes for the reflection to return. This tool is essential for identifying the exact location of a break in a submarine cable. The video describes how OTDRs are used to pinpoint where a cable has been damaged, which is a critical step in the repair process.

💡Fiber Optic Core

The fiber optic core is the central part of a fiber optic cable that guides light signals for the transmission of data. Made of glass or plastic, this core is where the actual data transmission occurs through the reflection of light. The video explains how data is converted into light signals that travel through this core, highlighting the technology that enables the high-speed transfer of information.

💡Total Internal Reflection

Total internal reflection is a phenomenon where light is completely reflected within a medium, such as the fiber optic core, when it strikes the boundary with a medium of lower refractive index, at an angle greater than the critical angle. This principle is fundamental to how light travels within fiber optic cables, as described in the video, ensuring that the light signals stay within the core and are not lost.

💡Repeaters

Repeaters are devices used in fiber optic communication to amplify the light signal as it travels along the cable. This is necessary because the signal weakens over long distances. The video mentions that repeaters are placed every 100 kilometers to boost the signal, ensuring that data can be transmitted effectively across the vast distances that submarine cables cover.

💡Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a technology that allows multiple signals to be transmitted simultaneously over a single fiber optic cable by using different wavelengths of light. The video explains how WDM enables the efficient use of fiber optic cables, allowing for the transmission of vast amounts of data through a single cable by combining multiple data streams on different light wavelengths.

💡Photodetector

A photodetector is a device that converts light signals back into electrical signals at the receiving end of a fiber optic communication system. This is a crucial step in the data transmission process, as it allows the data to be interpreted by computers or other devices. The video describes how photodetectors are used to convert the light signals back into a form that can be understood and processed.

💡Cable Repair

Cable repair in the context of the video refers to the process of fixing damaged submarine internet cables. This involves locating the break using an OTDR, sending a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the site, and then physically cutting out the damaged section and splicing in a new piece of cable. The video details the complex and delicate nature of this process, emphasizing the precision and care required to ensure the integrity of the repaired cable.

Highlights

Undersea internet cables connect continents and are crucial for global communication, despite being hidden and unseen.

Cables are laid at depths of over 8000 meters where pressures are equivalent to having an African elephant standing on a human fingernail.

The longest undersea cable, Marea, stretches from Virginia, USA to Bilbao, Spain, spanning over 6600 kilometers.

The total length of all undersea cables is over 1.4 million kilometers, enough to circle the solar system and still have cable left over.

Installing undersea cables is a costly and challenging process, with costs exceeding $250,000 per kilometer.

There are 493 undersea cables worldwide, each capable of handling 4000 terabits of data per second.

Satellites are more expensive and difficult to maintain compared to undersea cables, especially in the case of major faults.

Data travels through the cables via fiber optic fibers thinner than a human hair, using light signals to transmit data packets.

Fiber optic cables use a technique called wavelength division multiplexing to transmit multiple signals simultaneously.

The speed of light in fiber optics is approximately 107,960,000 kilometers per hour, allowing for rapid data transfer.

Damage to undersea cables is often caused by fishing activities and can be located using optical time-domain reflectometers.

Repairing damaged cables involves sending a remotely operated vehicle to the ocean floor to fix the cable in place.

Weather conditions, such as hurricanes and typhoons, can significantly delay the installation and repair of undersea cables.

The process of repairing a cable involves cutting out the damaged section and splicing in a new piece with precision.

The installation and repair of undersea cables are complex operations requiring specialized ships and robotic machinery.

Undersea fiber optic cables are essential for global communication, providing a more reliable and cost-effective solution than satellites.

The video provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and processes involved in the installation and repair of undersea cables.