Characters of Fiber

Fiber Characterization
Assessing the fiber’s capacity
Tim Yount
Market Manager - Fiber Optic Test Solutions
JDSU Fiber Optic Division
Optical Communication Networks
There are a large variety of network topologies possible according to
distance reach, environments, bandwidth and transmission speeds.
High Speed DWDM network Access/FTTx network

- HFC, RFoG, Docsis PON
Local Convergence Buildings

Point
Network Access
Points
CO/Headend/M
TSO
Multi-home Units
Residential
2 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Fiber Review
Singlemode Optical Fiber
Light propagation is a function of Attenuation, dispersion and
non-linearities.
∂A i 1 ∂2A 2
i + αA − β 2 +γ A A= 0
∂z 2 2 dT 2
Attenuation, Dispersion,
NOT FOR USE OUTSIDE VERIZON 4
AND JDSU
Optical Transmission

Optical Fiber Types
 2 types:
– Singlemode
– Multimode

Industry Standards
Industry Standards for Fiber (ITU)

For Multimode & Single Mode

Elements of Loss
Fiber Attenuation
 Caused by scattering & absorption of light as it travels through the fiber
 Measured as function of wavelength (dB/km)
Pin
(Emitted
Power)
Power variation
Pout
(Received
power)
OTDR Trace of a fiber link

Bending Losses
 Microbending
– Microbending losses are due to
microscopic fiber deformations in
the core-cladding interface
caused by induced pressure on
the glass
 Macrobending
– Macrobending losses are due to
physical bends in the fiber that
are large in relation to fiber
diameter
Attenuation due to macrobending increases with wavelength
(e.g. greater at 1550nm than at 1310nm)
Optical Return Loss (ORL)
 Amount of transmitted light reflected back to the source

PAPC PPC Pelement PAPC
PR
Source Receiver
(Tx) (Rx)
PBS PBS PBS
PT PT: Output power of the light source

PAPC: Back-reflected power of APC connector
PT
ORL (dB) = 10.Log ( >) 0 PPC: Back-reflected power of PC connector
PR
PBS: Backscattered power of fiber
PR: Total amount of back-reflected power
 ORL is measured in dB and is a positive value.

 The higher the number, the smaller the reflection - yielding the desired
result.

Effects of High ORL (Low values)
 Increase in transmitter noise

– Reducing the OSNR in analog video transmission
– Increasing the BER in digital transmission systems
 Increase in light source interference
– Changes central wavelength and output power
 Higher incidence of transmitter damage
SC - PC SC - APC
 The angle reduces the back-reflection

of the connection.
Chromatic Dispersion
 Chromatic Dispersion (CD) is the effect that different

wavelengths (colors or spectral components of light) travel at
different speed in a media (Fiber for ex.)
 The more variation in the velocity, the more the individual pulses
spread which leads to overlapping.
Pulse
Spreading

Dispersion Compensation
 The Good News: CD is stable, predictable, and

controllable
– Dispersion zero point and slope obtained from manufacturer
– Dispersion compensating fiber (“DC fiber”) has large negative
dispersion
– DC fiber modules correct for chromatic dispersion in the link
delay [ps]
0 d
Tx Rx
fiber span
DC modules

Polarization Mode Dispersion
 Different polarization modes travel at different velocities presenting a different

propagation time between the two modes (PSPs).
 The resulting difference in propagation time between polarization modes is called
Differential Group Delay (DGD).
 PMD is the average value of the Differential Group Delay (mean DGD), so called PMD
delay ∆τ [ps], expressed by the PMD delay coefficient ∆τc [ps/√km]
V1 > V2
e r span
fib
d ard SM
Stan
DGD
v2
v1
Perfect SM Fiber span

What are my PMD limitations ?
 According to the theoretical limits or equipment manufacturers specs,

determine the PMD delay [ps] margin.
– PMD varies randomly so abs. value to be used with care.
– Consider margin knowing “typical” variation (from the data) occur in a 10-20%
magnitude.
 What are my distance limitations due to PMD?
– PMD coefficient [ps/√km ] calculated
Max Distance @ 0.5ps√km
2.5
2.5 Gbit/s
Gbit/s (OC-48) 6,400 km ted)
(OC-48)
en tra
conc
10
10 Gbit/s
Gbit/s (OC-192)
(OC-192) 400 km n dom ly
ns (ra
i o
40
40 Gbit/s
Gbit/s (OC-768
(OC-768
25 km en t sect
irefring
B
DGD
v2
s s !!
v1
al stre
ern
Ext
Connector Contamination
Understanding Contamination on Fiber Optic
Connectors and Its Effect on Signal
Performance
Focused On the Connection
Bulkhead Adapter
Ferrule
Fiber
Fiber Connector
Physical
Contact
Alignment Alignment
Sleeve Sleeve
Fiber connectors are widely known as the WEAKEST AND MOST

PROBLEMATIC points in the fiber network.
17 © 2009 JDSU. All rights reserved. JDSU CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
What Makes a GOOD Fiber Connection?
The 3 basic principles that are critical to achieving an efficient fiber optic
connection are “The 3 P’s”:
Light Transmitted
 Perfect Core Alignment
 Physical Contact
Core
 Pristine Connector Cladding
Interface
CLEAN
Today’s connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of

the challenges to achieving Core Alignment and Physical Contact.
18 © 2009 JDSU. All rights reserved. JDSU CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
What Makes a BAD Fiber Connection?
Today’s connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of

the challenges to achieving CORE ALIGNMENT and PHYSICAL CONTACT.
What remains challenging is maintaining a PRISTINE END FACE. As a result,
CONTAMINATION is the #1 source of troubleshooting in optical networks.
 A single particle mated into

the core of a fiber can Light Back Reflection Insertion Loss
cause significant
back reflection, insertion
loss and even equipment Core
damage. Cladding
DIRT

Illustration of Particle Migration
15.1µ
10.3µ
11.8µ
Core
Cladding
Actual fiber end face images of particle migration
 Each time the connectors are mated, particles around the core are displaced, causing them to
migrate and spread across the fiber surface.
 Particles larger than 5µ usually explode and multiply upon mating.
 Large particles can create barriers (“air gaps”) that prevent physical contact.
 Particles less than 5µ tend to embed into the fiber surface, creating pits and chips.

Characterizing the Fiber Plant
Understanding Fiber Link and Network
Characterization
What is Fiber Characterization?
 Fiber Characterization is simply the process of testing optical

fibers to ensure that they are suitable for the type of transmission
(ie, WDM, SONET, Ethernet) for which they will be used.
 The type of transmission will dictate the measurement standards

used
Trans type Speed PMD Max CD Max
SONET 10 Gbs 10 ps 1176ps/nm
Ethernet 10 Gbs 5 ps 738 ps/nm

SONET 40 Gbs 2.5 ps 64 ps/nm

Link & Network Characterization
 Link Characterization  Network Characterization

– It provides the network baseline
– It measures the fiber measurements before turning the
performance and the quality of transmission system up.
any interconnections – Network Characterization includes
– The suite of tests mostly depend measurements through the optical
amplifiers, dispersion compensators,
on the user’s methods and and any elements in line.
procedures – It is a limited suite of tests as
– It could be uni-directional or bi- compared to Link Characterization
directional ROADM
– Tests – Connector Inspection, IL, Router

Optical Amplifier
ORL, OTDR, PMD, CD, AP DWD

M
Optica
l
Netwo
Point A Point B rk
Video Optical Amp.

Headend
CWDM/DWDM
Optical
Network

LASER
☼
Testing the Fiber Plant

ON/OFF
CW/ LEVEL
FMOD ADJUST
MENU
PREV ENTER
@ On
@ Charge
 Connector inspection
 Insertion Loss
 OTDR
 Optical Return Loss
 Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)
 Chromatic dispersion (CD)
 Attenuation profile (AP)
Inspect Before You Connectsm
Follow this simple “INSPECT BEFORE YOU CONNECT” process to ensure fiber
end faces are clean prior to mating connectors.

Inspect, Clean, Inspect, and Go!
Fiber inspection and cleaning are SIMPLE steps with immense benefits.
1 Inspect 2 Clean 3 Inspect 4 Connect
■ Use a probe ■ If the fiber is dirty, use ■ Use a probe ■ If the fiber is clean,
microscope to a simple cleaning tool microscope to CONNECT the
INSPECT the fiber. to CLEAN the fiber RE-INSPECT (confirm connector.
surface. fiber is clean).
– If the fiber is dirty, go NOTE: Be sure to inspect
to step 2, cleaning. – If the fiber is still dirty, both sides (patch cord
go back to step 2, “male” and bulkhead
– If the fiber is clean, go
cleaning. “female”) of the fiber
to step 4, connect.
interconnect.
– If the fiber is clean, go
to step 4, connect.

Measuring Insertion Loss
 The insertion loss measurement over a complete link requires a

calibrated source and a power meter.
 This is a unidirectional measurement, however could be
performed bi-directionally for operation purposes
Calibrated Light Source Optical power meter

Perm
>2s
m
B
d
B
d
m
B
B
d
d
lu
ce
an
C
n
e
M
Pt Pr
It is the difference between the transmitted power and the received power at
the each end of the link
This measurement is the most important test to be performed, as

each combination of transmitter/receiver has a power range limit.

Measuring Optical Return Loss
 Different methods available

 The 2 predominant test methods:
– Optical Continuous Wave Reflectometry (OCWR)
• A laser source and a power meter, using the same test port, are
connected to the fiber under test.
– Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR)
• The OTDR is able to measure not only the total ORL of the link but
also section ORL (cursor A – B)
OCWR method OTDR method

Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
OTDR depends on two types of phenomena:

- Rayleigh scattering
- Fresnel reflections.
Rayleigh scattering and Light reflection phenomenon = Fresnel

backscattering effect in a fiber reflection

How does OTDR work ?
 An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) operates as one-dimensional

radar allowing for complete scan of the fiber from only one end.
 The OTDR injects a short pulse of light into one end of the fiber and analyzes
the backscatter and reflected signal coming back
 The received signal is then plotted into a backscatter X/Y display in dB vs.
distance
 Event analysis is then performed in order to populate the table of results.
OTDR Block Diagram Example of an OTDR trace
Fiber under test
Distance

Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
 Detect, locate, and measure events at any location on

the fiber link
Fusion Splice Connector or Gainer Macrobend Fiber end or break

mechanical
Splice
• OTDR tests are often performed in both directions and the results are
averaged, resulting in bi-directional event loss analysis.
• OTDRs most commonly operate at 1310, 1550 and 1625 nm

singlemode wavelengths.

Contamination and Signal Performance
Fiber Contamination and Its Effect on Signal Performance

1 CLEAN CONNECTION
Back Reflection = -67.5 dB

Total Loss = 0.250 dB
3 DIRTY CONNECTION
Clean Connection vs. Dirty Connection

This OTDR trace illustrates a significant decrease in signal
performance when dirty connectors are mated.
Back Reflection = -32.5 dB

Total Loss = 4.87 dB

Measuring PMD
<10 seconds
PMD
Light PMD
Source Receiver
 Different PMD standards describing test methods

• IEC 60793-1-48/ ITU-T G.650.2/ EIA/TIA Standard FOTP-XXX
 The broadband source sends a polarized light which is analyzed
by a spectrum analyzer after passing through a polarizer
The PMD measurement range should be compatible
the transmission bit rate. In order to cover a broad
range of field applications, it should be able to
measure between 0.1 ps and 60 ps.
PMD measurement is typically performed
unidirectional. When PMD results are too close to
the system limits, it may be required to perform a
long term measurement analysis in order to get a
better picture of the variation over the time.
ps
Dealing with PMD
 PMD constraints increase with:

– Channel Bit rate
– Fiber length (number of sections)
– Number of channels (increase missing channel possibility)
 PMD decreases with:
– Better fiber manufacturing control (fiber geometry…)
– PMD compensation modules.
 PMD is more an issue for old G652 fibers (<1996) than newer
fibers
At any given signal wavelength the PMD is an
unstable phenomenon, unpredictable. So has
to be measured

Measuring CD
CD
Light CD
Source Receiver
 There are different methods to measure the chromatic dispersion. IEC 60793-
1-42 / ITU-T G650.1; EIA/TIA-455- FOTP-175B
 The Phase Shift method is the most versatile one. It requires a source
(broadband or narrow band) and a receiver (phase meter) to be connected to
each end of the link
 The Chromatic dispersion measurement will be performed over a given
wavelength range and results will be correlated to the transmission system
limits according to the bit rate being implemented.
Parameters to be controlled in such
way to correlate to the equipment
specifications:
– Total link dispersion.
– Dispersion slope
– Zero dispersion wavelength and
associated slope
Measuring AP
Broadband
Light Narrowband
Source Receiver
 Every fiber presents varying levels of attenuation

across the transmission spectrum. The purpose of
Water peak
the AP measurement is to represent the attenuation
as a function of the wavelength.
 A reference measurement of the source and fiber
jumpers is required prior to performing the
measurements. C+L DWDM Band AP results
 The receiver records the attenuation per wavelength
of the source used for transmission.
 This could be used to determine amplifier locations
and specifications, and could have an impact on
channel equalization (macro or micro-bends).
 Spectral attenuation measurements are typically
performed unidirectional. The wavelength
measurement range should be at least equivalent to IEC 60793-1-1 Optical fibers – Part 1-1: Generic
transmission system: C-band or C+L band. Specification – GeneralTest procedure
ITU-T G.650.1

Fiber Characterization Results

Wrap Up
The Tools for Installing & Maintaining Networks
Fiber Links
 Inspection & Cleaning
 Loss/ ORL Test sets
 OTDR
 Dispersion testers (PMD and CD)
Attenuation Profile testers
Network / Transport
 Inspection & Cleaning
 Power Meters
 Ethernet Testers
BER Testers
 Optical Spectrum Analyzers
 Network Characterization (System
Total Dispersion)
Q&A and Resources
 Questions
 Contacts
Name - Company (Title) Phone E-mail
Fred Ingerson – 4th Wave (JDSU Mfg Rep) (315) 436-0895 fred@4th-wave.com
Mark Leupold – JDSU (MSO Acct Mgr) (540) 226-6284 mark.leupold@jdsu.com
John Swienton – JDSU (FO App Specialist) (413)231-2077 john.swienton@jdsu.com
Greg Lietaert – JDSU (FO Prod Line Mgr) (240) 404 2517 gregory.lietaert@jdsu.com
Tim Yount – JDSU (FO Test Mkt Mgr) (207)329-3342 tim.yount@jdsu.com
For more on Fiber Characterization visit: www.jdsu.com/characterization

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Fiber Characterization

Assessing the fiber’s capacity

High Speed DWDM network Access/FTTx network

Local Convergence Buildings

2 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

5 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

6 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Industry Standards for Fiber (ITU)

7 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

8 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Amount of transmitted light reflected back to the source

PBS PBS PBS

PT PT: Output power of the light source

 ORL is measured in dB and is a positive value.

10 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Increase in transmitter noise

 The angle reduces the back-reflection

 Chromatic Dispersion (CD) is the effect that different

12 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 The Good News: CD is stable, predictable, and

13 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Different polarization modes travel at different velocities presenting a different

Perfect SM Fiber span

14 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 According to the theoretical limits or equipment manufacturers specs,

Fiber connectors are widely known as the WEAKEST AND MOST

Today’s connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of

Today’s connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of

 A single particle mated into

19 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Actual fiber end face images of particle migration

20 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Fiber Characterization is simply the process of testing optical

 The type of transmission will dictate the measurement standards

Trans type Speed PMD Max CD Max

SONET 10 Gbs 10 ps 1176ps/nm

Ethernet 10 Gbs 5 ps 738 ps/nm

22 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Link Characterization  Network Characterization

– Tests – Connector Inspection, IL, Router

ORL, OTDR, PMD, CD, AP DWD

Video Optical Amp.

23 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Testing the Fiber Plant

25 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

1 Inspect 2 Clean 3 Inspect 4 Connect

26 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 The insertion loss measurement over a complete link requires a

Calibrated Light Source Optical power meter

This measurement is the most important test to be performed, as

27 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Different methods available

OCWR method OTDR method

28 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

OTDR depends on two types of phenomena:

Rayleigh scattering and Light reflection phenomenon = Fresnel

29 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) operates as one-dimensional

OTDR Block Diagram Example of an OTDR trace

Fiber under test

30 © 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

 Detect, locate, and measure events at any location on

Fusion Splice Connector or Gainer Macrobend Fiber end or break

• OTDRs most commonly operate at 1310, 1550 and 1625 nm