Short Courses
SC268 Hands-on Workshop on Outside Plant Splicing, Testing and Troubleshooting for FTTx Networks
Monday, February 25, 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Larry Johnson; Light Brigade Inc., USA
Level: Advanced Beginner (basic understanding of topic is necessary to follow course material)
Course Description
Fiber to the X, whether it is fiber to the home (FTTH), fiber to the building (FTTB) or fiber to the user (FTTx), has been a goal of the fiber optic industry since the 1970s. Since the issuance of the ITU-T G.983 Passive Optical Networks (PON) standard, the installation of FTTx networks has exploded, creating opportunities and challenges for those involved with network design, installation and operation. This course discusses the challenges the fiber optic craftsperson must know and address in order for an FTTx system to operate effectively. It features both classroom and hands-on content including splicing and testing demonstrations. The classroom portion provides an overview of the PON topology and architecture, with a focus on how to splice and test optical splitters, and cable spans from the optical line terminal (OLT) to the optical network terminal (ONT). This includes the integration of fiber distribution hubs (FDH), fiber access terminals (FAT), fiber distribution units (FDU), and fiber optic splice closures with a variety of trunk, feeder, distribution, and drop cables. The course covers the three options for installing drop cables, as well as fusion splicing, OTDR and optical loss testing, and fiber and cable handling. A selection of typical OSP closures and cable management products will be used to familiarize the attendee with the disciplines and challenges of each. The attendee will be able to apply the knowledge gained for use in testing attenuation levels at 1310/1490/1550nm. Additionally, techniques will be shown for measuring reflection levels of passive components and how to optimize your OTDR for testing optical splitters.
Benefits and Learning Objectives
This course should enable you to:
- Describe the OSP portions and components of an FTTx network.
- Identify the test points and locations of an FTTx installation.
- Be able to test and troubleshoot an FTTx OSP installation.
- Be able to test an optical span using an OTDR.
- Determine the best of three options for terminating drop cables.
- Measure the reflectance of passive optical components used in PON networks.
- Explain the differences between PON and telephony fiber counts and the impact on splicing and records.
- Explain attenuation characteristics of optical splitters.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for those who design, plan, install, splice and test OSP fiber-to-the-home networks. Since next generation FTTx systems may include DWDM and ROADM (reconfigurable optical add drop multiplexing) technologies and products, it is essential to consider the fiber selection, cable management products and OSP testing and test equipment. This course will address these topics and then apply them in hands-on demonstrations.
Instructor Biography
The Light Brigade (TLB) has been a leader in fiber optic training from manufacturers to end users since 1987. The company philosophy is to work with all companies with a technology aspect providing an unbiased perspective. The staff of TLB consists of many veterans of the fiber optics, telephony and premise industries. TLB has developed fiber optic courses, computer-based training (CBT) and fiber optic DVDs for FTTx since 2002 and has worked with the OSA since 1990 for a variety of tasks at OFC/NFOEC.