Short Courses

SC269 Outside Plant Hands-on Testing and Troubleshooting
Larry Johnson, The Light Brigade, Inc., USA

Level: Advanced Beginner
Track: Networks

Course Description
Testing and Troubleshooting a fiber optic span in the outside plant (OSP) requires a knowledge level of optical fiber technology and also a understanding of the disciplines used in the design, planning, installation and maintenance of all the components and disciplines of the optical fiber span. It also requires skills on where and how to use equipment to perform tasks in acceptance testing and troubleshooting roles and those used in the operations and maintenance role. The latter can also include planned and emergency restoration roles. This short course is intended for those who work with singlemode optical fibers as a service provider, end user or supplier. The course will address testing and troubleshooting the fiber span during acceptance testing and also the role of troubleshooting an operating system. The course is non-vender specific and involves typical problems encountered with ILEC, IEX, CLEC, MSO, Utility and Premises applications. Equipment will consists of OTDRs, optical loss test, reflection measurement, visual inspection and enhanced test equipment for specialty applications including DWDM and FTTX. The course will also include hands-on opportunities to enhance the learning experience. Note: The term Outside Plant (OSP) is also referred to as optical distribution network (ODN) when used with FTTX applications.

Benefits and Learning Objectives
This course should enable you to:

• Learn how to adjust the OTDR for best resolution;
• Learn how to use multiple wavelength testing to distinguish micro and macrobends faults;
• Adjust the OTDR's calibration for accurate index of refraction settings for greater accuracy when locating faults;
• Learn when to adjust backscatter co-efficients for accurate reflection tests;
• Learn how to measure reflection measurements with your OTDR;
• Identify what types of test equipment is used for troubleshooting problems;
• Identify common contaminants and their impacts; and
• Learn about new trends and equipment in FTTX testing.
  

Intended Audience
This OSP course is focused on those who install, test, plan and operate singlemode transmission systems. This can include staff from telephone companies, utilities, multiple service operators, and premises organizations.

Instructor Biography
The Light Brigade (TLB) has been a leader in fiber optic training of singlemode 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 provided OSP, Network, DWDM, SONET/SDH and FTTX courses around the world and has worked with the OSA since 1990 for a variety of tasks at the OFC and CLEO conferences.