Main equipment for measurement and testing of FTTx GEPON and GPON networks are:
- optical power meters
- lights sources with different wavelengths (1310, 1490 and 1550 nm)
- visual fault indicators
- optical time domain reflectometers
- optical return loss testers
Devices will require operator to input parameters and measurement range and will output a variety of statistical measurements.
Instruments vary in size and precision. Small handheld units are used for field measurement in extreme conditions of temperature, humidity, dust and mechanical stress. Large briefcase-sized bench-top or rack-mountable instrument is used for factory or central office applications, have highly precise measurement capabilities.
Table 1. Shows some testing equipment used for the deployment, operation and maintenance of a FTTP network.
Table 1 Some widely used optical system test instruments for PONs and their functions
|
Test Instrument |
Function |
|
Optical power meter |
Measures optical power over a selected wavelength band |
|
Visual fault indicator |
Uses visible light to give a quick indication of a break in an optical fiber |
|
Test-support lasers (multiple wavelength) |
Assist in tests that measure the wavelength-dependent response of an optical component or link |
|
Optical power attenuator |
Reduces power level to prevent instrument damage or to avoid overload distortion in the measurements |
|
OTDR (field instrument) |
Measures attenuation, length, connector/splices losses, and reflectance levels; helps locate fiber breaks |
|
Multifunctional optical test system |
Factory or field instruments with exchangeable modules for performing a variety of measurements |
|
Optical return loss tester |
Measures optical power as a function of wavelength |
|
Optic Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) |
Measures optical power as a function of wavelength |
|
BER test equipment |
Uses standard eye-pattern masks to evaluate the data handling ability of an optical link |
Testimonials
Lomoveishiy – Finland
I needed those to connect my PC on the third floor to have internet access in that room, and ISP installed their modem on the first floor only. After dropping fiber patch cables, plugged in all cables into these media converters at both sides, and link came up instantly. Was much easier than I thought!
