FIBER CHARACTERIZATION

SPECIALIZED TESTING

In addition to any standard testing, Selrico Communications, LLC also offers specialized testing to any customer requiring such. We will assist our customers in determining whether the existing, new, or upgraded optical network meets the needs of some of today's newer transmission systems. This will be accomplished through a series of tests known as "Fiber Characterization."

Driven by the need and demand of increasing bandwidth and faster speeds, the end user or provider must ensure that the optical spans are capable of meeting these needs. Selrico can provide the testing required to ensure your optical links meet these needs.

Fiber Characterization is comprised of the following components and can include all or some of these components:

OTDR Testing OTDR testing is performed to get a "snapshot" of the optical span. This will aid in determining if there are any issues with splices, patch-through, or span loss related to distance. Bi-directional testing will be performed at the required wavelength to include the newer 1400nm & 1625nm wavelengths. Optical Loss Testing Optical loss testing is performed on the optical spans to determine the "true" loss values of the links. This will determine whether attenuation or amplification will be required. Bi-directional loss testing will be performed in order to gain the true average loss of the span. Optical Return Loss Testing (ORL) ORL testing measures the amount of return loss in specific events such as patch-through and transitions in fiber types. Optical return loss can be performed across the span or at individual events to isolate any issues. Also, ORL testing can be performed on additional components of the spans such as additional patch cords and bulkheads. Chromatic Dispersion Testing (CD) With today's newer optical cable manufacturing techniques, chromatic dispersion is not a great issue. However, for customers looking to upgrade equipment on existing optical spans, chromatic dispersion can be a critical factor and can "make or break" an upgrade. Chromatic dispersion can be the factor which will determine whether the end user will be required to also upgrade the optical network, therefore increasing the overall cost of the upgrade. Also, chromatic dispersion is very dependent on span lengths and can become a critical variable in spans over 40km in distance. Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Polarization Mode dispersion can critically affect the newer high bandwidth, WDM and DWDM systems and it is recommended that anyone wanting to upgrade to these type of systems test their fiber spans for this issue. We will perform PMD testing utilizing the state of the art CMA 5000 multi tester. Due to today's fast-paced and driven technologies, the CMA 5000 was developed by Anritsu (formerly NetTest) specifically to measure PMD. PMD testing is performed a minimum of three times to ensure the consistency required to meet the PMD allowable standard.