Transcript Optical Fiber Testing - UB Electrical Engineering

Optical Fiber Testing
Paul Minko
EE 566
Oct. 22, 2003
Overview
1.
2.
3.
4.
The need for testing
Testing devices
Problems with today’s equipment.
Cost of equipment
Importance of Testing

Ensure the fiber has been Properly installed

Check IL and reflectance of all splices and connections

Providers must maintain high quality of customer service

Quickly locate problem areas for repair
Types of Testing
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End to End loss testing
Cable Commissioning
Splice and connector optimization
System ORL characterization
Dispersion verification and wavelength
measurements
End to End Testing
• Both units must be
referenced with the
test jumpers
• Confirm power source
is connected to test
fiber
• Reading is only
accurate if both units
at same wavelength
Cable Commissioning
• Tests the cable for damage
• Double checks length and attenuation
• And measures the polarization mode dispersion
Reflectance
• Do to glass air
interface
• Rayleigh
backscattering
• Pr = Reflected
Power
• Pi = Incident Power
Reflectometers
• Two types:
1. Optical Time Domain Reflectometer
- Measures reflectance and ORL
- Can characterize connectors and mechanical splices
- Accuracy of plus/minus 2dB
Reflectometer
2. Optical Continuous Wave Reflectometer
- Also measures reflectance and ORL
- Some units measure bi-directional loss
- Accuracy of plus/minus 0.4 dB to 1.0 dB
Difficulties
• Light source and power meter must be
referenced at the same point.
• Wavelength of light source and power meter
must be the same.
• Jumpers to test equipment can wear down
Leading Manufactures
Agilent/HP
Tektronix
Fluke
Advantest
NetTest
Fluke Networks
Cal Instruments
Portable OTDR
Dynamic range: 45 dB
Fiber break locator
Multi-fiber testing for fast
high-count cable qualification
Agilent E6000C Mini-OTDR
Perform power and loss
measurement with the built-in
light source and the power meter
module.
Price range: $10,000 - $16,000
Noyes Optical Light source
Price range:
$375.00 to $1000
1000 to 4000+ for
Laser source
Noyes Optical Power Meter
Power measurements at 850,
1300, 1310,1550, and 1625 nm
Full fiber documentation via
Windows TM 95/98/NT 4.0 data
analysis software
Singlemode or multimode
dual-wavelength testing
Noyes OPM 6 & OLS 6
Optical Power Meter & Light Sources
Price range: $500 - $1600
References
[1] Exfo - Fiber Optic Solutions
Available: http://documents.exfo.com/appnotes/tnote009-ang.pdf
[2] American Tech Supply.com – Hardware Supplier
Available: http://www.americantechsupply.com/
[3] Fiber Optics & Fiber Optic Manufactures
Available: http://www.fiber-optics-ez.com/fiber-optics/
[4] Metrictest.com – Instrument provider
Available: http://www.metrictest.com/c_agilent/hp_e6000c.asp