Calculation of the frequency response in step-index plastic optical fibers using the time-dependent power flow equation

The time-dependent power flow equation, which is reduced to its time-independent counterpart is employed to calculate frequency response and bandwidth in addition to mode coupling and mode-dependent attenuation in a step-index plastic optical fiber. The frequency response is specified as a function of distance from the input fiber end. This is compared to reported measurements. Mode-dependent attenuation and mode dispersion and coupling are known to be strong in plastic optical fibers, leading to major implications for their frequency response in data transmission systems.