How to Address an Aging Fiber Plant

How to Address an Aging Fiber Plant

Fiber-optic communication systems depend on the design and implementation principles of optics.  This includes signal attenuation, optical dispersion, and reflectance.  Any of these can affect signal quality during upgrades or changes.  Since the first single-mode fiber systems were introduced in 1983, older fiber systems require understanding and solutions.  Today’s fiber-optic spans operate at much higher data rates and often employ optical multiplexing techniques.  Over the years, new fiber types have been invented and implemented.  Understanding these legacy and newer fiber types enables us to determine what can be accomplished to support current and future transmission.  Many of these can be easily rectified once understood.   

In this session, we will address the various single-mode fiber types, their specifications, and limitations, including attenuation and optical dispersion.  We will also address optical reflectance and optical return loss (ORL) and how to lower these results to current reflectance and ORL levels. 

SPEAKER