Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

This figure shows how an optical time domain reflectometer can be used to display the characteristics of an optical transmission line from its source to its termination connections by sending an optical pulse into the transmission line and displaying the reflections of the pulse. This diagram shows an OTDR is connected to the fiber optical line that runs through a splice box, patch panel and eventually terminates at an optical network unit (ONU). The screen shows a spike from the initial pulse. The gradual slope of the display is the cable loss between the connection and the first splice. The first dip in the signal line is the signal loss through the splice box. Shortly after the splice loss, another spike is shown from a mechanical connector. Some of the reflections that occur in the mechanical connector actually look like a gain on the OTDR. Finally, the optical pulse is diminished as it is absorbed by the termination in the ONU assembly.

Optical Time Domain Reflectometer Operation Diagram

Optical Add Drop Multiplexer - OADM

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Fiber Optic Basics This book covers the fundamentals of fiber optic communication systems and how they are installed. It starts with the optical principles, describes optical network equipment and components, how to install optical cable, identifies the basic processes for splicing fiber and attaching optical connectors and provides an overview of optical testing. $34.99 Printed, $29.99 eBook

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