Attenuation, defined as optical power loss, is the primary field test parameter in optical fiber systems Cables, connectors, splices and patch cords all contribute. Testing after installation must be done to ensure that the cable system meets the specifications set by the end-user. OTDR Testing measures the total amount of loss between two endpoints.
Attenuation, defined as optical power loss, is the primary field test parameter in optical fiber systems Cables, connectors, splices and patch cords all contribute. Testing after installation must be done to ensure that the cable system meets the specifications set by the end-user. OTDR Testing measures the total amount of loss between two endpoints.
Attenuation, defined as optical power loss, is the primary field test parameter in optical fiber systems Cables, connectors, splices and patch cords all contribute. Testing after installation must be done to ensure that the cable system meets the specifications set by the end-user. OTDR Testing measures the total amount of loss between two endpoints.
Troubleshooting Cable System Attenuation • Attenuation, defined as optical power loss measured in decibels (db), is the primary field test parameter in optical fiber systems • Cables, connectors, splices and patch cords all contribute • Additionally tight bends or excessive forces placed on cable during transport and installation Testing after Installation Testing must be done after installation to ensure that the cable system meets the attenuation specifications set by the end-user End to End Attenuation Testing End-to-End Attenuation Testing • This is a measure of the optical power loss between cable termination points • The attenuation of installed cable systems is measured by the insertion loss method • This method measures the difference in two optical power levels - light put into the cable at near end, and light exiting at far end (after cable system is inserted) Step 1: Reference
Connect a short test jumper (containing the same fiber type
as the system fiber) between the optical source and the optical meter. Record the reading as the reference power Preference in dBm. This power level is simply the output power of the light source coupled into the jumper Step 2: Check
Disconnect test jumper no. 1 at the power meter and insert
a second test jumper (test jumper no. 2), using an adapter, between the jumper used in Step 1 and the optical power meter. Verify that the two test jumpers are good by ensuring that the power Pcheck is within the appropriate connector loss, typically 0.5 dB of Preference. If this criterion is met, continue to Step 3. Step 3: Test
Leave the two test jumpers attached to the optical source
and optical meter. Disconnect the two jumpers at the adapter. Attach the optical source/test jumper no. 1 to one end of the system fiber to be tested and the power meter/test jumper no. 2 to the other end of the same fiber. Record the power level in dBm as Ptest and calculate the loss in dB. OTDR Testing OTDR Testing • End-to-end attenuation testing measures the total amount of loss between two endpoints. • To find out what causes this loss and where it occurs in the cable system, an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is needed. OTDR Testing • An OTDR can locate fiber events and measure the losses attributable to cable, connectors, splices and/or other components. • The graphical display of loss over a cable’s entire length provides the most revealing analysis and documentation available on a cable link, commonly referred to as its signature trace. OTDR Versatility Because of the OTDR’s ability to provide detailed analysis of individual installed components with access to only one end of the fiber, it is the most versatile installation and troubleshooting tool that can be used in a variety of scenarios: • Cable Acceptance • OTDR Signature Trace Documentation OTDR Versatility • Connector and Splice Loss • Troubleshooting Cable Acceptance The OTDR evaluates the integrity, overall length and fiber attenuation in dB/km for cables before and after installation. Useful for: • checking a cable against specification, • uncovering point defects due to handling during transport or installation, • effectively measuring unterminated fibers. OTDR Signature Trace Documentation The OTDR signature trace provides useful documentation for: • cable system acceptance, • network planning, and • maintenance as the “as-built” fiber blueprint. Sample OTDR Signature Trace Connector and Splice Loss • The OTDR measures and documents field-installed connectors and midspan mechanical or fusion splices. • This allows the installer to determine whether a splice or connector is acceptable or needs to be reworked. Troubleshooting The OTDR provides both: • a benchmark of initial system performance for comparisons over time and • a powerful tool for identifying and locating cable problems or breaks by accessing only one end of the cable. Fiber discontinuities and localized losses are clearly visible when compared to original signature traces. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Maintenance • A properly installed and tested system requires minimal routine maintenance. • Ensuring proper connector care and cleanliness and checking the routing and protection of system jumpers are simple safeguards that are central to preventing possible service interruptions. Troubleshooting There are three key components required for efficient troubleshooting: • Documentation-Contrasting current test results with the original documentation quickly and clearly identifies changes and potential trouble spots. • Test Equipment-A simple power meter and initial attenuation test results to isolate faults. Troubleshooting • Troubleshooting Plan-A simple but effective flow chart or procedure can be used to quickly isolate a fault to either a network transmitter, receiver, patch cord or cable segment. Troubleshooting/Fault Locating with a Power Meter Sequence for Isolating and Locating Faults • Measure the received power level and compare with the receiver sensitivity specification • If the received power is normal, the receiving electronics should be diagnosed to identify the problem • If the received power level is low, measure the transmitter power output Sequence for Isolating and Locating Faults • A low transmitter output indicates a problem with the transmitter output or electronics • Follow the procedure in diagnosing the electronics or call the appropriate vendor for assistance • If the transmitter output is normal and the received power is low, excessive loss is occurring in the cable plant Sequence for Isolating and Locating Faults • Use a power meter with a test jumper to confirm whether or not there is a problem with the system jumper • If the system jumpers have acceptable loss, then the fault probably lies within the terminated cable plant itself • Losses in the cable plant are caused by damaged connectors and cut or damaged cable Problem in Cable Plant • Use the OTDR to locate the fault • Compare the original signature trace to the current OTDR trace to identify and locate a fault or a break • If the fault is determined to be near an end-point, use a visual fault locator to pinpoint a problem within splice trays, connecting hardware and patch cords Visual Fault Locator • Visual fault locators are optical sources that use a visible wavelength (approx. 600 nm) red laser to locate faults or points of high loss near endpoints such as tight bends or crimps, faulty connectors, poor splices, damaged components and fiber breaks. • They are a good complement to OTDRs Thank you