The Best Way TO Choose and Use OTDR ?

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What
Is OTDR?

 

OTDR (optical
time-domain reflectometer) is used to test newly installed fiber links and
detect problems that may exist in fiber links. The purpose of it is to detect,
locate, and measure elements at any location on a fiber optic link. An OTDR
needs access to only one end of the link and acts like an one-dimensional radar
system.

 

What
should we look for in an OTDR?

 

Fiber
testing plays a significant role in ensuring the network is optimized to
deliver reliable and robust services without fault.

 

For
different test and measurement needs, there exist a great number of OTDR
models, then how to select the right one? A comprehensive understanding of OTDR
specifications and the application will help make the choice. Moreover, based
on your specific need, you should answer the following questions before looking
for an OTDR:

 

What
kind of networks will you be testing?

 

-P2P,P2MP,PON
etc.

 

What
fiber type will you be testing? Multimode or single-mode?

 

–
That will help you choose between OTDR’s with the right wavelenghts for your
case.

 

What
is the maximum distance you might have to test?

 

–
That will refer to the Dynamic Range of the OTDR. You might calculate your need
by knowing how many FOSC’s and connections there will be on your trace and
adding on the dB/km loss from the cable itself.

 

What
kind of measurements will you perform? Construction, troubleshooting or
in-service?

 

And
when choosing an OTDR, you should take these factors into consideration:

 

Display
Size—5” should be the minimum requirement for a display size; OTDRs with
smaller displays cost less but make OTDR trace analysis more difficult

 

Battery
Life—an OTDR should be usable for a day in the field; 8 hours should be the
minimum

 

Trace
or Results Storage—128 MB should be the minimum internal memory with options
for external storage such as external USB memory sticks and SD cards

 

Modularity/Upgradability—a
modular/upgradable platform will more easily match the evolution of your test
needs; this may be costlier at the time of purchase but is less expensive in
the long term

 

Post-Processing
Software Availability—although it is possible to edit and document your fibers
from the test instrument, it is much easier and more convenient to analyze and
document test results using post-processing software

 

OTDR

 

Conclusion

 

An
OTDR is a vital fiber optic tester for maintaining and troubleshooting optical
infrastructures. When choosing your OTDR, first to figure out the applications
that the OTDR will be used for, and then check the OTDR’s specification to see
if it is suited to your applications. And don’t forget to consider those
elements we stated in this article. Hope it would help when you hesitate to
make your decision.