Short Courses

SC187 Hands-on Basic Fiber Optics for the Absolute Beginner

Monday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dennis Horwitz; Micronor Inc., USA

Level: Beginner (No background or minimal training is necessary to understand course material)

Course Description
This Short Course provides a very practical, hands-on introduction to fiber optics. The first hour covers the essential concepts: single-mode, multi-mode, core, cladding, numerical aperture, attenuation, dB, dBm, dispersion, bandwidth, DWDM and GbE. The second hour will reinforce the basics with hands-on test and measurement experiments covering visual fault location, optical power, attenuation, insertion loss, return loss, and optical time-domain reflectometry. The hands-on experiments will introduce the participant to the most commonly used TIA Fiber Optic Test Procedures (FOTPs) and Optical Fiber System Test Procedures (OFSTPs) in the industry. The participants will hook up the supplied instruments in various configurations to emulate different test procedures and even the test method options within these procedures. The participant will come to understand some of the many variations in testing, the meaning of the results, and important tips when working with fiber.

Benefits and Learning Objectives
This course should enable you to:

• Explain the fundamental optical differences and applications of single-mode fiber (SMF) versus multimode fiber (MMF), including the different fiber types and fiber sizes.
• Identify the different connector types and understand their specific performance features (e.g. E2000, FC, LC, MIL styles, MTP, SC, ST, etc.) plus the various endface options (i.e., Expanded Beam, NC, PC, SPC, UPC, and APC).
• Test connectors and cable assemblies for insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL).
• Measure attenuation differences and bend loss effects in single-mode and multi-mode fiber links.
• Explain the differences between standard OTDRs and high resolution, short haul OTDRs, as well as their applications.
• Apply proper handling and cleaning techniques.
• Explain DWDM concepts and trends in telecommunications as well as Gigabit Ethernet technology driving LAN/WAN applications.
• Explain limitations of COTS components versus requirements of harsh/hazardous environments.

Intended Audience
The course is the ideal introduction to fiber optics and is geared toward the engineer or manager just making the transition into fiber optic technology. Every two participants will share a test and troubleshooting set consisting of a visual fault locator (VFL), optical power meter (OPM), LED source, laser source, connector cleaning tools, and a variety of test cables to simulate different test scenarios.

Instructor Biography
Dennis Horwitz received his M.S.E.E. from UCLA and has more than 25 years experience in research and development and the sales and marketing of fiber optic test equipment and components. He was co-founder of two successful start-ups in fiber optic test and measurement: Photodyne Inc. (1979-1990, became 3M Photodyne Inc.) and Rifocs Corp. (1990-2003, became Tempo Research Corp., a Textron company). He is actively involved in fiber optic standards committees across various markets (ARINC, IEC, ISA, SAE and TIA). He has been an instructor for the OFC Hands-On Photonics Workshop Short Course for nearly 10 years and originated the OFC Basic Fiber Optics for Absolute Beginners Short Course in 2002. He is currently vice president of sales and marketing for Micronor Inc., providing fiber optic sensors and controls for the industrial automation, military/aerospace and other harsh environment applications.