The gradual replacement of traditional copper networks with the installation of Passive Optical Networks (PONs) seems to be closer to reality now than ever before. In Greece, optical fiber lines have already surpassed the 1.5 million number mark, signaling a significant shift towards "de-coppering" telecommunication lines, a practice expected to persist until 2030.
With that in mind, many engineers across Greece are actively seeking the ideal fiber blowing, splicing, and PON cable measuring machinery to ensure the successful completion of their projects. Among the various instruments and tools, the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) stands out as particularly interesting, serving as the essential device for measuring and certifying the quality of the network.
A typical FTTH network follows the pattern as shown below:
Where:
OLT (Optical Line Terminal) is the central point where the signal originates and travels towards its destination, the ONTs (Optical Network Terminals)
Therefore, the question is,
Is there an OTDR that accurately measures both splitters and events (i.e. connectors, splices, bends etc.) throughout the entire journey of the signal?
The Manufacturer's response:
We must choose an OTDR that is 'PON Optimized' with a wide dynamic range. It should combine the appropriate hardware, software, and calibration in order to:
- Send narrow pulses, but with a high dynamic range to trace nearby events with significant losses.
- Quickly recover and resume real-time measurements after detecting a major event, such as the first splitter.
- Provide the user with the flexibility to select the right sequence of pulses for a swift and accurate assessment of the network topology.
Our manufacturing partner VeEX, who have many years of experience in the field, have created top-of-the-line PON-optimized OTDRs, such as the VeEX FX150+ PON Optimized, where the visualization of events and splitters is performed quickly and accurately.
Bearing in mind the current PON topology, NetScope’s recommendation is the FX150+ with a dynamic range of 40/38/39 dB at wavelengths 1310, 1550, and 1650 nm (live). With FX150+, engineers can measure two or more closely spaced splitters since the OTDR’s pulses have the adequate power for the test.
In view of all the above, obtaining the most accurate report of the link requires more than just an OTDR. The complexity of the Passive Optical Network in FTTH can only be effectively captured with a PON-optimized instrument featuring a high dynamic range.
For additional information about the products and tools needed for optical fiber networks, feel free to contact us, and we will guide you every step of the way.
John Mylonas has an Integrated Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering (University of Patras) and an MSc in Engineering Business Management (University of Warwick, UK). As a customer support engineer, covering a wide product range, he provides solutions for FTTH and optical network applications.
Academic Sources:
Όλα τα βήματα για να αποκτήσεις Fiber To The Home
Understanding OTDR Specifications