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    OLTS-OTDR Thefoa

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    bian
    The document summarizes tests comparing optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) to optical loss test sets (OLTS) for measuring loss on multimode fiber. Tests were done on OM2 and OM3 fiber using different modal conditioning methods. Results showed differences between OTDR and OLTS measurements, and differences between OTDRs. More research is needed before allowing OTDR use over OLTS for cable plant testing.

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    OLTS-OTDR Thefoa

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    bian
    29 views4 pages
    The document summarizes tests comparing optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) to optical loss test sets (OLTS) for measuring loss on multimode fiber. Tests were done on OM2 and OM3 fiber using different modal conditioning methods. Results showed differences between OTDR and OLTS measurements, and differences between OTDRs. More research is needed before allowing OTDR use over OLTS for cable plant testing.

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    OLTS-OTDR thefoa

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    The document summarizes tests comparing optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) to optical loss test sets (OLTS) for measuring loss on multimode fiber. Tests were done on OM2 and OM3 fiber using different modal conditioning methods. Results showed differences between OTDR and OLTS measurements, and differences between OTDRs. More research is needed before allowing OTDR use over OLTS for cable plant testing.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    29 views4 pages

    OLTS-OTDR Thefoa

    Uploaded by

    bian
    The document summarizes tests comparing optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) to optical loss test sets (OLTS) for measuring loss on multimode fiber. Tests were done on OM2 and OM3 fiber using different modal conditioning methods. Results showed differences between OTDR and OLTS measurements, and differences between OTDRs. More research is needed before allowing OTDR use over OLTS for cable plant testing.

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    of 4

    The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.

    1-760-451-3655 Fax 1-781-207-2421


    Email: [email protected] http://www.foa.org

    FOA-Sponsored Mode Conditioning Tests


    Eric Pearson and Jim Hayes
    August 5-6, 2006

    The FOA purchased two Arden Photonics “ModCon” modal controllers


    (http://www.ardenphotonics.com/products/mod_con.htm) for
    experimentation in loss and bandwidth testing on multimode fibers.

    For our first tests, we decided to try to repeat the correlation studies done in
    the UK that were referenced in the justification of elevating OTDR loss
    measurements to being equal to LSPM (OLTS) testing in new international
    standards.

    Fiber:We obtained current generation OM2 and OM3 50/125 fiber from a
    major manufacturer for testing. Each fiber was spooled into 250m, 500m
    and 1000m segments and terminated with adhesive/polish ST connectors.
    Tested with the Tek OTDR, the attenuation rate of the OM3 fiber was 850
    nm 2.13 dB / km, 1300 nm 0.43 dB/km.

    Test equipment:
    Tektronix Tekranger OTDR spec with filled launch
    (http://www.tek.com/site/ps/0,,22-10554-INTRO_EN,00.html)
    EXFO OTDR with non-specified launch (Model?)
    Fotec S710 source + FM310 meter
    Fotec source CPR is Category 2 at 850 nm,Category 1 at 1300 nm
    OLTS launch and receive reference cables 2m, terminated by EP.
    Mandrel: AFL Noyes plastic part for 50/125 fiber per TIA-568.

    All OTDR tests were done with a 500m launch and 250m receive (tail) cable
    and analyzed manually.

    We will present all data and comment, then conclude with comments,
    questions and recommendations.

    Test Results

    Test 1 - OTDR vs OLTS-short 250 m at 850 nm only. Test includes 250 m of


    fiber and two connections.

    ©2006 The FOA OLTS-OTDR Results 8-06.doc Dec/27/2018


    Fiber C250mC (C means connector)– Spool B fiber-OM3 - launch OM2 500M
    wOTDR @ 850 nm only
    OTDR OLTS
    Tek
    Mode Cond Loss Loss
    None 1.30 1.45
    Mandrel 1.25 0.88
    Arden MC 1.29 1.26

    For this low loss test, the OTDR and OLTS results are similar to the MC, but vastly
    different from the source with mandrel wrap. Neither the mandrel nor the mode
    conditioner has significant effect on the OTDR measurements.The OTDR does not
    seem to be launching with a fill as great as the Fotec 850 nm LED source. The vast
    difference in the source alone, mandrel and Arden MC are indicative of the difference
    between the mode fills of the modal conditioning methods.

    Test 2 - OTDR vs OLTS – long, concatenated, 1 km, at 850 and 1300 nm

    Fiber C250mC+C500mC+C250mC - B fiber-OM3 -1008m- launch OM2


    500M

    OTDR OLTS
    Wavelength Mode Cond Loss (TEK) Loss (EXFO) Loss
    850 None 4.16 4.10 5.06
    Mandrel 4.07 4.07 4.35
    Arden MC 4.14 3.98 5.02

    1300.00 None 2.43 3.44


    Mandrel 2.54 2.52
    Arden MC 2.47 3.08

    For this test, we added testing at both 850 and 1300 nm and tried a second
    OTDR. For these longer lengths of fiber with two intermediate connections, the
    differences between OTDR and OLTS are greater, as are the differences in OLTS tests
    with different mode conditioning.

    Test 3 - OTDR vs OLTS - long - no midspan connections, 1.3 km - launch


    OM2 500M

    OTDR OTDR OLTS


    Wavelength Mode Cond Loss (TEK) Loss (EXFO) Loss
    850 None 3.41 2.13 3.12

    OLTS-OTDR Results 8-06.doc 12/27/18 p2


    Mandrel 3.30 2.49 2.90
    Arden MC 3.38 2.11 3.29

    1300 None 1.09 0.55 0.99


    Mandrel 1.01 0.41 0.72
    Arden MC 0.95 0.47 1.21

    On the final test, we used a single length of fiber (1.295 km) to see what happens
    without connections. Note that the two OTDRs now differ greatly, with the Tek
    measuring loss significantly higher than the Exfo. Again, the mandrel wrap method with
    the OLTS has significantly lower loss.

    Conclusions

    Well, the first conclusion is that this comparison merits a lot more time than the
    weekend that we devoted to it because of the questions it raises. The data itself
    appears trustworthy, as the equipment and methodology were well controlled and
    measurements were reproducible within expected limits. However, we lacked time and
    more selection of equipment and components to gather more data and we lacked the
    equipment to measure actual mode fill to compare the different test conditions at the
    launch cables.

    The second conclusion is that neither the bare source, mandrel wrap nor Arden MC
    should be accepted as a standard method of testing until more definitive research is
    done.

    Thirdly, allowing an OTDR to be used instead of an OLTS for any cable plant based on
    the current data available is a premature conclusion. Two OTDRs can’t always agree
    among themselves, a necessity before allowing them to be compared to OLTSs.

    Questions

    Why does the mandrel have a much higher effect than the Arden MC? Does the AFL
    Noyes mandrel used with the launch cable we used have too great an effect at filtering
    modes? Is it sensitive to cable types? (The launch cable was a grey-jacketed cable
    which was stiff.)

    What happens when sources from different manufacturers using LEDs with different
    mode fills are compared with the same launch cables and mode conditioners? What
    happens with the OLTS types with internal couplers that offer two wavelength and/or
    bidirectional testing?

    Why do the OTDRs not respond to the mode conditioning? Is it due to their low mode
    fill?

    OLTS-OTDR Results 8-06.doc 12/27/18 p3


    Why do the EXFO and Tek OTDRs agree on the concatenated fiber but not on the
    single length of fiber?

    What differences would one see comparing more OTDRs?

    What happens if the cable plant tested included more connections and short
    patchcords?

    Followup

    We’d like to see the following done:

    Duplication of our tests by labs capable of measuring mode fill of all the launches.

    A industry round robin of testing by manufacturers and users with several samples of
    fibers duplicating our short, long and concatenated tests, plus a
    short/concatenated/with short patchcords test. Tests should be done with various OLTS
    and OTDRs.

    Eric Pearson and Jim Hayes


    August 17, 2006

    OLTS-OTDR Results 8-06.doc 12/27/18 p4

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