I'd like to know what is meant by fibre characterisation and why I might need it

What is fibre characterisation?
Why do I need fibre characterisation?
Dealing with dark fibre specifications
I'd like to learn to carry out fibre characterisation
I need to manage fibre characterisation
I need to plan next generation optical networks

What is fibre characterisation?

Fibre characterisation is defined as conducting a series of tests on an installed link in order to assess its general quality and its specific ability to support a particular application or applications. As data rates increase and systems become more complex there are many factors that can impair system performance.
So how is ‘fibre characterisation’ different from just testing fibres?
Well historically, when long distance singlemode fibre links were commissioned it was common practice just to be concerned with the losses of the installed links usually at just two wavelengths - 1310nm and 1550nm. However, with DWDM systems and CWDM systems operating over wider wavelength ranges then the ability of the infrastructure to support these other wavelengths may also need to be verified. In addition, as data rates increase from 2.5Gb/s to 10Gb/s and up to 40Gb/s then the dispersion characteristics of the fibre become much more critical and additional tests are required including chromatic dispersion and polarisation mode dispersion. With PMD the performance of the fibre can vary significantly from fibre to fibre within the same cable and so it is often necessary to measure every fibre and keep detailed records of which fibres can support which data rates.
Fibre characterisation is the process of carrying out a comprehensive suite of tests that fully assess the capabilities of a fibre infrastructure.
 

Latest CFCE course dates

 

UK
 

16th - 20th April 2012 @
Liverpool

 

USA
 

22nd - 26th October 2012 @ Richardson, TX

 

Ireland

23rd - 27th January 2012 @
Co. Kildare

 

Call +44 (0)1756 797155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

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