In which component in a fiber-optics communication system do changes to the intensity of the optical signal occur?

In a fiber-optics communication system, the component where changes to the intensity of the optical signal occur is the optical transmitter. The optical transmitter is responsible for converting electrical signals into optical signals. It does this by modulating the intensity of the light emitted from a light source, typically a laser or a light-emitting diode (LED). The modulation process can vary the intensity of the light signal based on the input electrical signal, which is how the data is encoded for transmission through the fiber.

The importance of the optical transmitter lies in its role in initiating the communication process by representing binary data through changes in light intensity. This intensity modulation is a fundamental aspect of how information is transmitted over fiber-optic cables, making the optical transmitter a critical component in the system.

In contrast, other components in the system play different roles. The optical receiver's main task is to detect and convert the optical signal back into an electrical signal, but it does not change the intensity of the optical signal itself. Optical amplifiers serve to boost the strength of an optical signal over long distances but do not modulate the intensity as part of their function. The optical receiver module, being part of the receiver, also does not modify the intensity but focuses on receiving and interpreting the received