Fiber Characterization

Assessing the fibers 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 Point

Buildings

Network Access Points

CO/Headend/M TSO

Multi-home Units Residential

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Fiber Review
Singlemode Optical Fiber

Light propagation is a function of Attenuation, dispersion and non-linearities.

A i 2A 1 2 + A 2 + A A= 0 i 2 z 2 2 dT

Attenuation,

Dispersion,
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NOT FOR USE OUTSIDE VERIZON AND JDSU

Optical Transmission

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Optical Fiber Types 2 types:

Singlemode Multimode

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Industry Standards
Industry Standards for Fiber (ITU)
For Multimode & Single Mode

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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
OTDR Trace of a fiber link (Received power)

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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)
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Optical Return Loss (ORL)

Amount of transmitted light reflected back to the source
PAPC PR
Source (Tx) Receiver (Rx)

PPC

Pelement

PAPC

PBS PT

PBS

PBS
PT: Output power of the light source

ORL (dB) = 10.Log

PT >0 ) PR

PAPC: Back-reflected power of APC connector PPC: Back-reflected power of PC connector 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.
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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.

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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

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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 Tx fiber span DC modules

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d
Rx

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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 [ps], expressed by the PMD delay coefficient [ps/km] c

V1 > V2

v2 v1

DGD

Perfect SM Fiber span

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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 @ 0.5pskm

2.5 Gbit/s (OC-48)

6,400 km 400 km 25 km v2 v1
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10 Gbit/s (OC-192) 40 Gbit/s (OC-768

DGD

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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 Sleeve Alignment Sleeve

Fiber connectors are widely known as the WEAKEST AND MOST PROBLEMATIC points in the fiber network.
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What Makes a GOOD Fiber Connection?

The 3 basic principles that are critical to achieving an efficient fiber optic connection are The 3 Ps:

Light Transmitted

Perfect Core Alignment Physical Contact

Core

Pristine Connector
Interface

Cladding

CLEAN

Todays connector design and production techniques have eliminated most of the challenges to achieving Core Alignment and Physical Contact.

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JDSU CONFIDENTIAL & PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

What Makes a BAD Fiber Connection?

Todays 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 cause significant back reflection, insertion loss and even equipment damage.

Light

Back Reflection

Insertion Loss

Core Cladding

DIRT

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Illustration of Particle Migration

15.1 10.3

11.8

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 5 usually explode and multiply upon mating. Large particles can create barriers (air gaps) that prevent physical contact. Particles less than 5 tend to embed into the fiber surface, creating pits and chips.
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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 SONET Ethernet SONET Speed 10 Gbs 10 Gbs 40 Gbs PMD Max 10 ps 5 ps 2.5 ps
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CD Max 1176ps/nm 738 ps/nm 64 ps/nm

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Link & Network Characterization

Link Characterization
It measures the fiber performance and the quality of any interconnections The suite of tests mostly depend on the users methods and procedures It could be uni-directional or bidirectional Tests Connector Inspection, IL, ORL, OTDR, PMD, CD, AP
Point A Point B
Video Headend Optical Amp.
CWDM/DWDM Optical Network

Network Characterization
It provides the network baseline measurements before turning the transmission system up. Network Characterization includes measurements through the optical amplifiers, dispersion compensators, and any elements in line. It is a limited suite of tests as compared to Link Characterization
ROADM

Router

Optical Amplifier

DWD M Optica l Netwo rk

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LASER ON/OFF

MENU ENTER

Testing the Fiber Plant

Connector inspection Insertion Loss OTDR Optical Return Loss Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Chromatic dispersion (CD) Attenuation profile (AP)

PREV

CW/ FMOD

LEVEL ADJUST

@ @

On Charge

Inspect Before You Connectsm

Follow this simple INSPECT BEFORE YOU CONNECT process to ensure fiber end faces are clean prior to mating connectors.

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Inspect, Clean, Inspect, and Go!

Fiber inspection and cleaning are SIMPLE steps with immense benefits.

Inspect

Clean

Inspect

Connect

Use a probe microscope to INSPECT the fiber. If the fiber is dirty, go to step 2, cleaning. If the fiber is clean, go to step 4, connect.

If the fiber is dirty, use a simple cleaning tool to CLEAN the fiber surface.

Use a probe microscope to RE-INSPECT (confirm fiber is clean). If the fiber is still dirty, go back to step 2, cleaning. If the fiber is clean, go to step 4, connect.

If the fiber is clean, CONNECT the connector. NOTE: Be sure to inspect both sides (patch cord male and bulkhead female) of the fiber interconnect.

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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
>2s Perm

Optical power meter

d W B d m B

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.
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d W B m d B M Ca e nc n el u

Pt

Pr

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

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Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)

OTDR depends on two types of phenomena:
- Rayleigh scattering - Fresnel reflections.

Rayleigh scattering and backscattering effect in a fiber

Light reflection phenomenon = Fresnel reflection

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

Fusion Splice

Connector or mechanical Splice

Gainer

Macrobend

Fiber end or break

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.
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Contamination and Signal Performance

1
CLEAN CONNECTION

Fiber Contamination and Its Effect on Signal Performance

Back Reflection = -67.5 dB Total Loss = 0.250 dB

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
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Measuring PMD
<10 seconds
PMD Light Source PMD 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
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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
34 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Measuring CD
CD Light Source CD Receiver

There are different methods to measure the chromatic dispersion. IEC 607931-42 / 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
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Measuring AP
Broadband Light Source Narrowband Receiver

Every fiber presents varying levels of attenuation across the transmission spectrum. The purpose of 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. 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 transmission system: C-band or C+L band.

Water peak

C+L DWDM Band AP results

IEC 60793-1-1 Optical fibers Part 1-1: Generic Specification GeneralTest procedure ITU-T G.650.1

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Fiber Characterization Results

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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)
39 2007 JDSU. All rights reserved.

Q&A and Resources

Questions Contacts
Name - Company (Title)
Mark Leupold JDSU (MSO Acct Mgr) Greg Lietaert JDSU (FO Prod Line Mgr) Tim Yount JDSU (FO Test Mkt Mgr)

Phone

E-mail

Fred Ingerson 4th Wave (JDSU Mfg Rep) (315) 436-0895 fred@4th-wave.com (540) 226-6284 mark.leupold@jdsu.com john.swienton@jdsu.com tim.yount@jdsu.com (240) 404 2517 gregory.lietaert@jdsu.com (207)329-3342 John Swienton JDSU (FO App Specialist) (413)231-2077

For more on Fiber Characterization visit: www.jdsu.com/characterization There youll find Technical Posters, White Papers, Quick Start Guides, FO Guidebooks, Product and Service Information, and more
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