Frequently Asked Questions
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.
We are not just a training
company. First and foremost we are experts in fibre
optic technology. That expertise feeds each of the
services that we provide. Done properly fibre
characterisation is complex and needs a real
understanding of many issues and parameters if it is
to provide relevant and useful information to the
customer.
We began offering this service
because there were few independent organisations
with the appropriate expertise available to do it.
Those organisations that did offer the service, such
as fibre suppliers, often had a vested interest in
the outcome so the customer could not always trust
the results they were given. Many other
organisations claim to offer a service but do not
understand all the issues so they may use
out-of-date or inappropriate equipment or test
methods resulting in meaningless results.
Importantly many often lack the required systems
knowledge to interpret the results and so provide
useful information.
As the need for fibre
characterisation grew we also developed the unique
Certified Fibre Characterisation Engineer training
programme, launched in 2005, to make sure that
other providers know what they are doing too and to
give users a benchmark they can use to assess their
suppliers.
Why use OTT for your specialist
fibre optic testing?
… because you need more than just
data
Many organisations have found
that our unique background brings a multitude of
benefits. Our heritage as a training company not
only means that we have an in-depth understanding of
the technology & the issues, but also that we can
present the outcome of tests in a clear, meaningful
& customer friendly way, making difficult issues and
concepts simple and approachable. Conversely our
experience of carrying out a wide range of fibre
characterisation projects means that we are not just
academics, we do appreciate the practicalities of
the real world.
By using OTT for your testing you
get:
-
test methods and results you can trust
-
results you can access, explore and share easily
-
reports you can understand
-
information visually presented in web pages, the
way you're used to viewing information today
-
documentation and results that are accessible at
different depths for different job roles
-
professional, authoritative test reports from
the UK's principal designated expert in fibre
optic testing
We are an independent company.
But when it comes to fibre characterisation we do
have a range of preferred equipment and test
methods. Those preferences come from a wealth of
technical knowledge and expertise, actual experience
(and our trainees’ experience) with a wide range of
different equipment, and a real understanding of the
practical issues of carrying out fibre
characterisation in the field. However when we are
giving equipment advice we will always consider your
specific requirements and situation and advise
accordingly.
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