Fiber Optic Technology Training
The three-day course consists of 1) a two-day course on Fiber Optic Design Principles, which
highlights fiber optic components and parameters and provides the necessary tools for systems
design, 2) a one-day course on Handling, Installing, and Testing Fiber Optic Cable, which
provides hands-on training in preparing, terminating, and testing fiber optic cables.
Together the two courses combine to provide excellent background tutorials, design
principles, and hands-on training. Course descriptions, outlines, and instructor biographies
are provided below.
Day 1 and 2: Fiber Optic Design Principles
Course Description
This efficient, two-session course provides the participant with practical techniques necessary
to characterize, specify, and design fiber optic systems. The participants learn how to quickly
assess the feasibility of applying fiber optics to their shipboard requirements. Extensive course
notes lead the attendee through the entire design process. In the morning session, the
fundamental building blocks of fiber optic systems: transmitters, fibers, cables, connectors,
couplers, multiplexers, and receivers are thoroughly covered. In the afternoon session,
learning design at the system level, the student integrates component parameter details into a
comprehensive analysis. Network design topologies and component selection criteria are
considered based on their relative advantages and features. Design procedures are
methodically presented and are then coupled with illustrative examples. Applications to ultralong/ high-speed links, video, duplex telemetry, networks, and fiber optic sensors are
provided. The tutorial investigates link optimization by considering both power-limited and
bandwidth-limited regimes.
Graphical analyses using design curves are particularly
highlighted. The end product of this tutorial is a detailed comprehension of fiber optic systems
design.
Course Contents
Introduction
History of Optical Communications
Advantages of Optical Fiber for Communications
Cable Comparison: Metallic vs. Optical Fiber
Generalized Communications System
Optical Principles
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Light: Waves or Particles?
Interaction of Light at a Boundary: Snell's Law
Total Internal Reflection
Ray Tracing in Optical Fiber, NA Definition
Lenses, Beamsplitters, and Filters
Definitions: Loss, Attenuation, Power
Signal Path Through an Optical Data Link
Transmitters
Transmitter Definitions and Parameters
Spectra of Fiber Optic Transmitters
Block Diagram of Digital Laser Diode Transmitter
Comparison of LED vs. Laser Diode
Optical Fibers and Cables
Types of Optical Fibers
Broadening and Attenuation of Adjacent Pulses
Optical Fiber Loss Mechanisms
Spectral Attenuation in Optical Fibers
OTDR Display Features and Functions
Modal Dispersion in a Step-index Optical Fiber
Attenuation vs. Modulation Frequency: Bandwidth-Length Product
Evolution of Chromatic Dispersion in an Optical Fiber
Material Dispersion vs. Wavelength in Silica Glass
Primary Fiber Definitions
Secondary Fiber Definitions
Fiber Parameters
Fiber Optic Cable Parameters
Typical Fiber Optic Cable Designs
Connectors and Splices
Various Components Used in a Fiber Optic System
Fiber Interface Loss Mechanisms
General Connector Configuration: Plug-adapter-plug
Elastomeric Splice
Basic Fusion-Splicer Apparatus
Receivers
Block Diagram of Typical Digital Optical Receiver
Noise Sources in the Optical Detection Process
PINFET Receiver Sensitivity vs. NRZ Data Rate
Spectral Responsivity of Photodiodes
Receiver Definitions and Parameters
Distribution Components
Distribution Components: Optical Couplers, Multiplexers, and Switches
Distribution Component Definitions
Emerging Technologies
Erbium-Doped Optical Fiber Amplifier
Fiber Amplifier Advantages
Wavelength Division Multiple Access (WDMA) Network
Fiber Optic Sensor Mechanisms and Techniques
Incoherent Microbend Displacement Sensor
Coherent Acoustic Field Sensor
System Analyses
Loss Budget Analysis
Bandwidth Budget Analysis
Component Risetime and Bandwidth Relationships
Design Procedures: Digital Fiber Optic Link
Fiber Optic Design Charts:
Transmitter Output Power of LEDs and Lasers
Receiver Sensitivity vs. Data Rate @ 850 nm, BER = 10E-9
Receiver Sensitivity vs. Data Rate @ 1300 nm, BER = 10E-9
Fiber Loss vs. Fiber Length, Multi- and Single-mode, @ 850, 1300, & 1550 nm
Fiber Risetime vs. System Bandwidth @ Various Receiver Bandwidths (LED)
Fiber Risetime vs. System Bandwidth @ Various Receiver Bandwidths (LD)
Fiber Risetime vs. System Bandwidth @ Various Receiver Bandwidths (DFB)
Multimode Fiber Risetime vs. Length @ 0.85 & 1.3 mm for 50-nm LEDs
Single Mode Risetime vs. Length @ 1.3 &1.55 mm for 2 nm and 0.2 nm Lasers
Design Examples
Multimode and Singlemode Design Chart Examples and Solutions
Singlemode Digital Television Link and Solutions
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Duplex Data Link and Solutions
Fiber Optic Linear Bus Network and Solutions
Multimode Data Link Example using Data Sheets and Solutions
Singlemode Duplex Data Link Example using Data Sheets and Solutions
Appendix
Data Sheets
Glossary of Fiber Optic Terms
Books on Fiber Optics
More Books on Fiber Optics
Fiber Optic Technical Journals
Fiber Optic Product Directories
Fiber Optic Trade Magazines
Take Home Quiz
Day 3: Handling, Installing, and Testing Fiber Optic Cable
Course Description
The third day of the course covers handling, installing, and testing of fiber optic cable. It is
suited for technicians and installers of fiber cable. The day includes instruction in proper
handling of cable, installation techniques, connectorizing with "ST" connectors, and fusion
splicing. Also covered are safety procedures. In addition, the third-day course includes the
selection and use of fiber optic test equipment. Included are optical sources, optical power
meters, and an OTDR.
Course Outline
Test instruments used for fiber installation
Overview of visible light sources, optical power meter, and OTDR
Deciding which test equipment to use for a particular job
Connectorizing and splicing fiber optic cables
Tools used with fiber cables
"ST" connector types and installation techniques
Use of a fusion splicer to perform singlemode splices
Hands-on installation
Students prepare and connectorize fiber cables
Polishing techniques for fiber connectors
Using a fusion splicer
Fiber Optic Testing and Troubleshooting
Review of Test Definitions: Loss (dB), Attenuation (dB/km), Power (dBm)
Fiber Optic Test Equipment
Optical Source
Power Meter
OTDR
Fiber Optic Test Procedures
Continuity Test: Optical Source
Absolute Power Measurement: Power Meter
Insertion Loss Test: Loss Test Set
Connector Loss: Loss Test Set
OTDR Testing
Description of OTDR controls and functions
Using an OTDR to test fibers, connectors, and splices
Distributed Loss Signature Analyses: OTDR
Work Stations:
1. Measure fiber continuity
2. Measure absolute power of optical source
3. Measure insertion loss with power meter
4. Measure connector and splice loss and fiber attenuation with OTDR
5. Sample Problem Solving
Instructor
Michael Brininstool, BSEE specializes in fiber optic technology. For the past 24 years he has
been exclusively involved in fiber optic and free space optical research, systems design, and
instruction. His teaching credits range from one to four-day tutorials to full, 12-week
engineering courses at the University of California at San Diego, the Naval Postgraduate
School, Monterey, and for the California Department of Transportation. He has published
extensively on high-speed/long-haul links, fiber optic telemetry, measurement techniques,
fiber optic beam steering, and sensors and holds seven U.S. patents with nine pending.