Measuring the insertion loss of a Single Mode jumper would seem to be a simple matter but there are a few complications to consider. Insertion Loss is a relative measure, it’s the reduction in power when an additional passive element is added to an optical...
At FOC, we are contacted daily as a resource for test and inspection support for fiber optic cable assemblies. Degraded IL/RL results is a common topic we offer technical expertise for establishing rigorous production controls. As we develop custom procedural...
In standard Singlemode cable assembly, the two wavelengths used for Insertion Loss testing are 1310nm and 1550nm. All Singlemode fibers work very similarly in either wavelength—that is, you don’t need to buy fiber based on wavelength, one fiber fits all. So,...
I frequently hear customers complain that although nothing has changed in their fiber optic cable assembly production process, the measured Insertion Loss (IL) and Return Loss (RL) values of their product aren’t as good as they once were. Is something wrong with the...
Here is a question several customers have asked me. Have you experienced this issue? “When measured on my properly calibrated IL/RL meter, some of my patch cords show ‘gain.’ How can this be possible? Since a patch cord cannot have gain, is there something wrong with...
In your fiber optic cable assembly facility, when an operator visually inspects one of your connectors – and sees a defect on a fiber – will the operator define it as a defect or call it a scratch? It’s a bit of a judgment call as it depends on the aspect ratio. If...
Is your company entering the fiber optic cable assembly business, and you’re “setting up shop”? In your research, you may be discovering that most equipment is not offered as a one-size-fits-all, universal solution. In fact, a key piece of fiber optic test equipment –...
I believe every fiber optic manufacturing company should build its own test leads. Of course, these test leads must provide accurate, repeatable Insertion Loss (IL) test results. This article offers guidance to confidently build and use your own EF-Compliant “modally...
Why is it important to measure Insertion Loss and Return Loss?It’s quite simple: Your customers demand it. Your customers need to know that you’ve tested every fiber optic jumper and cable and have acquired accurate IL/RL measurements that meet their specs. Why is...
. Authors: Chris Rollinson and Dan Rocheleau Most likely, your testing specifications present minimum requirements for a Low IL and High RL. If your production facility is challenged with meeting the desired IL/RL specs, there are common causes you can...
There are two types of IEC standards for MT/MPO measurements using interferometry. The first is the “Measurement Standard” and its primary purpose is to try and ensure that different instruments yield the same measurement results. This standard includes information...
Let’s get down to why we spend a lot of time working with benchtop microscopes. Simply put, faulty optical connections are the primary cause of network failures and to rectify that, high-performance fiber inspection is critical. Cleanliness can describe both...
When it comes to testing we need three things: speed, accuracy and simplicity. Building on DORC’s 21 year of experience, the new single fiber ZX-1 micro PMS and multifiber ZX-1 micro Array successfully tackle these issues. These systems are super compact,...
Still known by most as the JDSU MAP, the Viavi (formerly JDSU) Multiple Application Platform (also known by its nickname MAP-200) is an optical test and measurement platform optimized for cost-effective development and manufacturing of optical transmission...
Last Updated: June 24, 2022 Through the new website feature at Fiber Optic Center, AskFOC, where customers can ask technical questions as another option of support, there are several questions that come in on a consistent basis. One such question centers around...
