The main idea of these lecture notes is to give an overview of Optical Data Buses for Automotive Application. The most important devices for fiber-optic transmission systems are presented, and their properties discussed. In particular, we consider such systems working with those basic components which are necessary to explain the principle of operation. Among them is the optical transmitter, consisting of a light source, typically a low speed LED or in case of higher demands a high speed driven laser diode. Furthermore, the optical receiver has to be mentioned. It consists of a photodiode and depending on the demands a low performance receiver circuit or a low noise high bit rate front-end amplifier. Yet, in the focus of the considerations, the optical fiber is the dominant element in optical communication systems.