Fiber Optic Cables - Research Paper Example

Fiber Optic Cables Digital communication in the current modern era has played a significant role in every sector including the social and economical sector. The creation of advanced technologies in terms of communication has considerably augmented the scope for the range of services that are travelled within the computer networks. This is the stage for declaring advantages related to fiber optics, as it is a carrier for providing limitless bandwidth that is not comparable with any other carrier or medium currently existed. Without fiber optics, applications or systems requiring high bandwidth would not be achievable. Moreover, fiber optics does not require any specifically designed devices that are deployed to boost the signals, over long distant networks. In order to achieve optimized functionality from a fiber optic connectivity, testing procedures must be followed efficiently. There are many techniques and equipments available for this process. Testing Methods In order to test fiber optic cables, many tests are conducted to ensure reliable connectivity. Some basic tests are highlighted that are associated with continuity testing ,insertion loss and Optical time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) .Continuity testing method involves continuous checking of broken fibers from one end to the other. This method uses devices such as visual fault located or fiber optic tracer to analyze broken connections within the fiber cables. The methodology involves a ray of light that is emitted from one end of the fiber cable from one of these mentioned devices. If the light signal is visible at the other end of the fiber, it concludes that the particular fiber is not broken ("Fiber Optics - Testing "). However, if the cable fails to show the ray of light from the other end, it concludes that the particular cable is broken or damaged from somewhere. The insertion loss method includes a laser that can reflect faults in a fiber cable. The laser is red in color and displays damaged area of the cables. Moreover, the method combines with the Optical Time Domain reflectometer that is used to measure lengths of fiber cables, to identify connection losses, identify fiber defects, and most importantly splice losses from the fiber. The functionality of OTDR involves a transmission of light from one end of the fiber cable. The light travels along the path and identify any possible anomalies. If the light encounters a dead end, a defect, or a cut in fiber cable, it reflects back measuring the distance of that particular fault. The OTDR illustrate graphs and traces on the screen incorporated on the device. The connection losses are calculated from the amount of light that is reflected from that particular area of the fiber cable ("Fibre Optic Cable Testing "). Moreover, the devices powered by OTDR have provided high accuracy measurements in terms of fiber optic characteristics. The devices are portable and can be used effectively in the field. As a result, the installed fiber optics are determined efficiently according to system specifications. OTDR also provides benefits in terms of robust data transfer and correcting faults in a timely manner (DeMeis 161). Furthermore, the most widely used method for measuring losses is the Optical Continuous-Wave Reflectometry (OCRW). The functionality of this method involves a transmission of a continuous wavelength via an interface, connector or a device that needs to be tested so that the losses can be calculated in a straight line. The light source that is emitted in this method is calibrated along with the utilization of detector-optimized optical power meter, the return loss calculations can be achieved with pinpoint accuracy (Brown 48). Testing Devices The current applications powered by web 2.0 are rich video, voice, flash, Ajax etc. in order to provide high bandwidth capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing networks are crucial. Network dictionary provides a most comprehensive definition of this new technology as “Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is an optical technology used to increase bandwidth over existing fiberoptic backbones. DWDM works by combining and transmitting multiple signals simultaneously at different wavelengths on the same fiber. In effect, one fiber is transformed into multiple virtual fibers. A key advantage of DWDM is that it is protocol and bitrate independent. DWDM-based networks can transmit data in IP, ATM, SONET/SDH, and Ethernet, and handle bit-rates between 100 Mb/s and 2.5 Gbps”. In order to test fiber optics based on DWDM telecommunication networks, optical spectrum analyzers are used. The device incorporates a broad-spectrum window ranging from 1250 nm to 1650 nm along with the wavelength accuracy of +/-0.3 dB and +/-0.02 nm, correspondingly. Moreover, the optical rejection ratio ranges from 50 dBc at 50 GHz ("Fiber-Optics/electro-Optics Test." 88). The functionality of this tool involves a automated architecture to calculate data along with the provision of complete optical spectrum for complex channel analysis for the DSDM telecommunication network ("Fiber-Optics/electro-Optics Test."88). Moreover, one more device named as FTB-5220 spectrum analyzer integrates with FTB-5320 multi wavelength meter to perform on a single architecture for accomplishing field test requirements for DSDM telecommunication networks. These devices provide a dynamic range along with accurate wavelength results ("Fiber-optics/Electro-Optics Test." 84). Apart from the DWDM networks, some devices that are used on common networks for detecting faults of various types are listed below ("Fiber-optic testing "): OSCILLOSCOPE An oscilloscope is combined with an OTDR device in order to provide visuals of faults on the cable along with connector and locations of the splices. It demonstrates one more fault i.e. locality of attenuation. OPTICAL MULTIMETER The primary function of a typical optical multi-meter is to calculate sources of light emerging from a fiber cable. It detects transmission losses on a fiber cable along with losses that are associated with connector splices. OPTICAL OHMMETER The optical ohmmeter is developed to calculate the outputs of a light from a fiber cable. The attenuation losses are calculated by the visible and non-visible light signals emerging from a fiber cable. Due to its simplicity, this device can be utilized on the field that includes constructing, installing and integrating fiber cables. OPTICAL POWER METER This particular device named as the optical power meter measures the electric current by transforming light power from the plug-in components such as altering Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to electric current. RADIOMETER/PHOTOMETER The radiometer/photometer calculates the power of the source of light from direct current to unlimited alternate current reaction. It incorporates plug-in sensor for high light emission and it uses spectrometer along with fiber optic measurements for low light emission. AUTOMATIC TEST EQUIPMENT Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) is test equipment is developed to assess the operational performance of a printed circuit board (PCE). This device facilitates to diagnose a fault that is emerged from a defected component available on a circuit board. This device is resembled to a state of the art functionality device associated with specifically developed applications to meet the precise requirements of the device that needs to be tested. AN/USM-465 Portable Service Processor The AN/USM-465 portable service processor provides on-site screen testing and fault isolation of digital printed circuit boards along with diferent modules. The portable service processor is used in short intermediate maintenance activities with micro and mini maintenance stations. The portable service processor consists of maintenance assist modules and diagnostic kits. The application software is provided on a magnetic tape. The application software is loaded in to the test set to test automatically the printed circuit boards by transmitting input signals to the specific pins. The meter shows the output signal followed by the LED. The LED also indicates the pass and fail indication. HUNTRON TRACKER 2000 The Huntron Tracker 2000 is a flexible and dynamic troubleshooting device that is used to test resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, multiple-component circuits, and integrated circuits (IC). The capability of this device avoids the use of multiple devices in order to test equipments. The device is easy to use as it is light in weigh and portable. Work Cited "Fiber Optics - Testing "Web. 5/1/2011 . "Fibre Optic Cable Testing "Web. 5/1/2011 . DeMeis, Rick. "Select the Right Test Equipment for Your Fiberopti (Cover Story)." Laser Focus World 31.10 (1995): 161. Print. Brown, Michael A. "New Technology Improves Fiber-Optic Component Testing." Lightwave 15.3 (1998): 48. Print. "Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing." Network Dictionary (2007): 143-. Print. "Fiber-Optics/electro-Optics Test." Test & Measurement World 20.5 (2000): 88. Print. "Fiber-optics/Electro-Optics Test." Test & Measurement World 20.4 (2000): 84. Print. "Fiber-optic testing "Web. 5/1/2011 . Read More