| The Problem. An indispensable task of any government is to effectively allocate dwindling public funds to meet military demands. Technologies providing increased benefits to the military are only one of the competitors for these funds. This research effort examined the major factors contributing to the economic feasibility of utilizing fiber optic technology in United States Government Defense telecommunications programs. The problem addressed was to describe the costs, benefits, and constraints of fiber optic technology as compared to alternative competitive technologies such as microwave technology and operational wire telecommunication systems.;Results. In evaluating the definitional paradigms of fiber optic technology, the cost categories listed most often in the documents analyzed were recurring and nonrecurring investment costs. Bandwidth, was identified as the most essential benefit of fiber optic technology. Other benefits considered almost as important were (1) the ability of fiber optic systems to operate in a severe electromagnetic environment, and, (2) size and weight savings. Most costs and benefits were identified in actual dollar values. This research further established that the general lack of reported standards and specifications, policy issues, and public awareness has been the primary inhibiting factor in the growth of fiber optic technology. The uncertainties of what the future might yield and the associated development risk have also deterred the progress of fiber optic technology. Compared to metallic wire systems and microwave technology, fiber optic technology was found to provide the greatest benefits for the least costs.;Method. This design methodology systematically analyzed recorded data and facts from published professional documents. Only documents available in the United States, published from 1975 through 1980, and listed in selected technical and business abstracts, were considered. The document study was limited to two main types of observational data: a statistical analysis of quantitative data, and a content analysis of verbal data. Definitional paradigms were developed to collect and analyze the information. |
