OTDR Basics

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Jerry Chappell
Yokogawa
 Agenda
• Typical Fiber Measurements • Making a Measurement
• OTDRS ¾ Real-Time
¾ What are they ¾ Averaging

¾ How they work ¾ Auto Mode

¾ Attenuation
• Elements of a trace
¾ Distance
¾ Backscatter
¾ Auto Search
¾ Reflections
¾ Setting Markers
¾ Splice loss
¾ TPA vs. LSA
• What is a “dB”? ¾ What is a “Gainer”?
• Key Specifications ¾ Bi-directional Measurements

¾ Wavelength
¾ Dynamic & Measurement
• When do you use a launch
Range box ?
¾ Distance
• Clean your Connectors
¾ Pulse Width
¾ Deadzones
 Typical Fiber Measurements
Power Meter & Light Source

• Normally a two-ended measurement (unless looped back)

• Provides overall link loss
• Provides continuity check
• If the loss is excessive, then what?
 Typical Fiber Measurements
OTDR

• Provides loss versus distance

• Identifies loss events
• Identifies reflective events
• Can locate a break point
 Typical Fiber Measurements
Optical Spectrum Analyzer

• Measurements are made on fibers with

live traffic
• Required if more than one wavelength is
present on a fiber
• Provides wavelength, power, OSNR,
channel spacing, flatness
OTDR – How do you spell it?

Optical
Time
Domain
Reflectometer
 OTDRs – How they work

laser diode directional

coupler

OTDR connector
to fiber
under test

analog-
pulse A digital-
generator converter
D
photodetector amplifier display

signal processing
 OTDRs – How they work
Elements of a trace

dB
front connector
fiber end
connector pair or
mechanical splice

fusion splice

backscatter noise

km
 OTDRs – How they work

An OTDR sends out a pulse and measures the time the emitted pulse takes to
return, and calculates the distance (L) using the following formula.
L = C×T/(2N) [m]
C: Speed of light traveling in the vacuum (3x108 m/s)
T: Time it takes for the pulsed to be received after it is emitted
N: Group index (typically 1.48 for SM fiber)

The reason why the distance is divided by “2” is to measure the time taken by the
pulse to travel down and back through the optical fiber.
Measured distance is not accurate unless the given group index is accurate.
 Why do you get a trace?
Backscatter

• Light traveling down the fiber is scattered by imperfections in the

fiber – “Rayleigh Scattering”
• Backscattered light is measured by the OTDR receiver
• Backscattered light is also scattered on the way back
• The rate at which detected backscatter decreases is the attenuation (dB/km)
of the fiber
• Backscatter power is dependent on fiber type, wavelength and pulse width
Wavelength Backscatter Power Wavelength Typical Attenuation
1550nm -52dB/ųs 1550nm .22 dB/km
1310nm -49dB/ųs 1310nm .35 dB/km
1300nm (MM 50u) -41dB/ųs 1300nm .50 dB/km
1300nm (MM 62.5u) -38dB/ųs 1300nm .70 dB/km
850nm (MM 50u) -31dB/ųs 850nm 2.7 dB/km
 Why do you get a trace?
Reflection

• Fresnel reflections occur whenever there is a mismatch in refractive index –

examples include mechanical splices, connectors, breaks in the fiber, or end of
fiber
• An open, non-terminated fiber end can have a reflection of up to 4% (14.5 dB)
• Beyond the fiber end, no signal exists and the system noise is displayed
• The reflections not only cause signals to be reflected back to the OTDR, but
those reflected signals can be re-reflected by nearer mechanical connections to
cause multiple reflection paths.
• Digital systems are tolerant of reflective distortion, but analog systems are not.
 Why do you get a trace?
Reflection (unique situations)

Angled Connector Shattered fiber

• Since reflections at an air-glass interface

occur perpendicular to the surface, with an
angled or irregular surface, the reflections
propagate at an angle to the center line of
the fiber, and are absorbed into the cladding.
 Why do you get a trace?
Splice Loss

• Applies to both fusion and mechanical splices

• Imperfect alignment of cores means that some light escapes into cladding
• For a mechanical splice, the air/gap interface causes a reflection
• For fusion splices, no change in index of refraction exists, so no reflection
occurs
 What is a “dB”?
• Loss is described in dB because of the range of values
• Loss dB = 10 log (linear loss)
• Examples: ½ power = ~3 dB down, 1/10 power = 10 dB down
• dB losses add (subtract) when linear losses are multiplied (divided)
• 3dB +3db = 6 dB = 2 * 2 =4
Easy way to remember – rule of 10s
Log Or So Linear Log Linear # of 10s Log Linear # of 10s
1 10 - 9 10/8 ~1.25 -10 .1 1 10 10 1
2 6-4 4/2.5 ~1.6 -20 .01 2 20 100 2
3 - ~2 -30 .001 3 30 1000 3
4 10 - 6 10/4 ~2.5 -40 .0001 4 40 10,000 4
5 8–3 6.4/2 ~3.2 -50 .00001 5 50 100,000 5
6 3+3 2*2 ~4 -60 .000001 6 60 1,000,000 6
7 10-3 10/2 ~5 -70 .0000001 7 70 10,000,000 7
8 9-1 8/1.25 ~6.4 -80 .00000001 8 80 100,000,000 8
9 3+3+3 2*2*2 ~8 -90 .000000001 9 90 1,000,000,000 9

Putting it in perspective:
• Air – glass interface has 4% reflection (.04) = (.01) * 4 = -20 + 6 = -14 dB
• Backscatter level is –50 dB or 1/100,000
• Return loss of a connector: UPC –50 dB, APC –70 dB
 Key Specifications
Wavelength
OTDRs offer modules with a variety of wavelengths and for both single-mode and
multi-mode fibers. Typical single-mode wavelengths are 1310nm and 1550 nm,
although some 1490 and1625 nm modules are available. Multi-mode modules are
available at 850nm and 1300nm, and some modules offer a combination of Single-
mode and multi-mode in the same module.

As we saw earlier, the backscatter characteristics and the attenuation of the cable
vary with wavelength. Furthermore, longer wavelengths are more susceptible to
macro-bends in the fiber.

2 turns of single-mode fiber

Bend loss measured:
1310 nm ~ 0 dB
1550 nm ~ 0.2 dB
1642 nm ~ 0.95 dB
23 mm
 Key Specifications
Dynamic Range & Measurement Range
The Dynamic Range of an dB
OTDR is the difference between
Initial backscatter at OTDR connector
the initial backscatter level and
the noise floor
floor.after 3 minutes of
measurement
averaging. It can either be range dynamic
dynamic
specified to noise(peak) or range
(peak)
range
(rms)
noise(rms).
0.5 dB
splice
The Measurement Range of an
OTDR is the difference between
the initial backscatter level and 2.6 dB
the level at which a fusion splice
loss (nominally 0.5 dB) can Distance

accurately be measured.
Both Dynamic Range and Measurement Range
are dependent on pulse width, the wider the pulse
width, the greater the dynamic range
 Key Specifications
Distance
The distance measuring capability of an OTDR is wavelength, fiber, and pulse width
dependent.
For a single fiber, divide the Dynamic Range by the attenuation factor of the fiber.
Examples:
Wavelength:1310
Attenuation factor: .35 dB/km
Dynamic Range: 35 dB
Maximum Measurable Distance: 35/.35 or 100 km (63 miles)

Wavelength:1550
Attenuation factor: .22 dB/km
Dynamic Range: 32 dB
Maximum Measurable Distance: 32/.22 or 145 km (90 miles)

Maximum distance is always accomplished with the widest pulse width.

 Key Specifications
Pulse Width
The measurable distance is dependent on the pulse width. The greater the pulse
width, the greater the power in the transmitted pulse, and the longer the fiber that
can be measured. On the other hand, a pulse width corresponds to a distance
according to the equation:
L=C×T/(2N) [m]
C: Speed of light traveling in the vacuum (3x108 m/s)
T: Time it takes for the pulsed to be received after it is emitted
N: Group index (typically 1.48 for SM fiber)

Examples:
Pulse width:20 nsec
Pulse width (in distance): D = [3 x 108 * 20 x 10–9 ]/ (2 * 1.48) = 6/2.96 = ~2 m

Pulse width:50 nsec

Pulse width (in distance): D = [3 x 108 * 50 x 10–9 ]/ (2 * 1.48) = 15/2.96 = ~5 m

Pulse width:200 nsec

Pulse width (in distance): D = [3 x 108 * 200 x 10–9 ]/ (2 * 1.48) = 60/2.96 = ~20 m
 Key Specifications
Pulse Width

20 ns pulse 50 ns pulse
200 ns pulse
 Key Specifications
Pulse Width

50 ns pulse
20 ns pulse
200 ns pulse
 Key Specifications
Deadzones

Attenuation Deadzone Event Deadzone

Distance width at points where the optical
connector’s return loss is 45dB or higher and
the back scatter level is within ±0.5dB of the
normal level.
Also called spatial resolution.
Distance width between the event peak point,
where the return loss is 40dB or higher (event is
not saturated), and the point where the level is
1.5 dB smaller than the event peak point.
 Making a Measurement
Real-time
In the real-time mode, the trace is updated several times per second. There are
several reasons to use this mode:
• Verify that what you see is what you expect
• Verify a good connection
• Observe a mechanical splice alignment prior to “fixing” it
• Determine amount of averaging required
 Making a Measurement
Averaging
• In order to accurately measure splice events, averaging is required. Averaging
can be defined in one of 3 ways:
Times * 2^n Times *k Interval
2^10 1024 10 sec
2^11 2048 20 sec
2^12 4096 30 sec
2^13 8192 1 min
2^14 16384 3 min
2^15 32768 5 min
2^16 65536 10 min
2^17 131072 20 min
2^18 262144 30 min

• Average results in reduced noise on the trace and thus, more accurate marker
placement.
• The noisier the trace, the more averaging that is required.
• Pulse width can also be increased to reduce noise, depending on spacing of
events.
 Making a Measurement
Averaging
• Averaging can be done in one of 3 ways:
• In the Hi-Speed mode, the same attenuation is used for the entire trace. This is
the fastest method, however high reflections may saturate.
• In the Normal mode, the trace is divided into segments, and an appropriate
attenuation is automatically selected for each segment. This averaging method
takes longer, and excessive reflections may still saturate.
• In the Hi-Return mode, the trace is divided into segments, and an appropriate
attenuation is automatically selected for each segment based on the signal levels
in that segment. This averaging method takes longer but more accurately
measures high reflections.
 Making a Measurement
Auto Mode
The OTDR has 2 Auto modes, AUTO RANGE and AUTO ATTN (attenuation)
• AUTO ATTN sets the attenuation automatically for the fiber connected to the
OTDR. Range and pulse width are set by the user.
• AUTO RANGE sets the distance range, pulse width, and attenuation
automatically for the fiber connected to the OTDR.
AUTO RANGE is recommended for all but a few situations:
• The user wants to zoom into an event on the trace and not view the entire trace.
• Multiple fibers of the same length are being measured.
• A launch box is being used, and only the first connection is of interest.
 Making a Measurement
Attenuation
• The attenuation setting adjusts the gain of the internal amplifier.
• The smaller the attenuation value, the larger the gain, and the better the S/N ratio
of the acquired trace.
• However, the trace may be saturated if high reflections are present. It may then be
necessary to change the gain to reduce the saturation and optimize the
measurement.
• Too much attenuation will result in a noise trace and require significant averaging.
• The OTDR will do this automatically, if the Averaging method is set to High
Reflection mode.
* The attenuation cannot be set if AUTO RANGE or AUTO ATTN are ON.
Making a Measurement
Attenuation

5.0 dB Attenuation
7.5 dB Attenuation
2.5 dB Attenuation

0.0 dB Attenuation
 Making a Measurement
Distance
• The distance range should be set longer than the fiber being measured.
• The longer the distance, the longer the measurement time.
• Larger pulse widths are normally selected in conjunction with longer distance
ranges.
* The distance range cannot be set if AUTO RANGE is ON.
 Making a Measurement
Auto Search
The OTDR has an AUTO SEARCH function. When this function is selected, the OTDR
will analyze the trace and identify any events that exceed the pre-defined thresholds.
Thresholds are set for:
• Splice Loss - 0.01 dB to 9.99 dB
• Return Loss - 20 dB to 70 dB
• End of Fiber - 3 dB to 10 dB

Typical results are shown to the right.

Events are identified by number,
distance, loss, return loss (if
reflective) and event type. Also show
is the attenuation of the segment
leading up to the event. Events that
exceed fault thresholds are identified
in red.
 Making a Measurement
Setting Markers
• Markers are set between events in order to calculate the event loss as well as the
attenuation characteristics of the fiber segment prior to the event.
• A line is determined to match the slope of the fiber segment prior to the event.
• A line is also determined to match the slope of the fiber segment after the event.
• The distance between these lines, at the event location, is the splice loss.
• The slope of the determined
lines is the attenuation for that
segment.

Splice Loss

Slope of line is dB/km

of fiber segment
 Making a Measurement
TPA vs. LSA

LSA

TPA
LSA

TPA

• The Two Point Approximation (TPA) method draws a line is directly between the
two markers. This method is very sensitive to marker placement, especially on an
noisy trace.
• The Least Squares Approximation (LSA) method extrapolates a line between the
two markers such that the sum off the squares of the errors between the actual
point and the calculated point is minimized. This method is fairly insensitive to
marker placement, but could produce error if there are high reflections between the
markers.
 Making a Measurement
What is a “Gainer”?
• The OTDR assumes a single backscatter value for all fiber segments. If fibers with
different backscatter levels are sliced together, it is possible to measure a “gainer”.
The splice appears to have a negative loss (gain). What is happening is that a
higher level of backscatter is returning from that segment. Beyond that segment,
the splice loss will appear to be greater than it actually is, since light returning
through the high backscatter segment will experience a greater scattering as well.
 Making a Measurement
Bi-directional Measurements
Since fiber segment in a run may have different backscattering performance, the OTDR
measured connection losses tend to be directional, the value may differ depending on the
direction of the measurement. To solve this problem, it is possible to measure the
connection loss at each end of optical fiber and average the measurement results.
 When do you use a launch box
When an OTDR is connected to a patch panel to measure a fiber run, the patch cord is
typically short. If it is necessary to measure the quality of the patch panel connector, a
launch cable can be inserted between the OTDR and the patch.

Patch Panel
Connection

Launch fiber

Launch fiber
 Finally, and most Importantly…
Clean the connectors!

The fiber is a single mode

cable is about 9 microns
thick.

Given the size of the fiber, and surrounding

particles, it is easy to see why connector cleaning
is important. Please clean all connectors prior to
* A typical human hair is about 100 microns thick connecting to the OTDR.

One piece of dirt left on the connector, and the result is like……..
Finally, and most Important…
Clean the connectors!
Questions?