Fiber optic communication systems have become more of a challenge for network operators to strategically and promptly keep them running at top performance in order to meet intense demands for reliable services. Many operators will go through a rigorous fiber optic training course. As the fiber optic communication systems evolve, there become newer and more complex parameters to monitor, more links to install and maintain, and more expected disruptions to track down. A new function in the primary test tool for fiber optic cable plants is the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, or OTDR. The OTDR is an instrument that uses the inner back scattering properties of an optical fiber to detect and categorize its condition by sending high power pulses of laser light down into the fiber and capture the light that is reflected back. This new tool is of great significance for fiber optic technicians. Fiber optic patch cables are another way to provide the correct amount of light.

Software enhancements are reshaping OTDR testing with potent new data processing capabilities that allow even the least experienced operator to analyze the fiber optics quickly and completely, and to find subtle features easily. While OTDR concepts are basically simple, precise measurements can be complicated. Reflected fiber optical power is a tiny fraction (of basically one-millionth) of transmitted pulse power that eminently varies with wavelength, cable length, fiber optic backscatter co-efficient, along with splice and connector attributes.

Measurement parameters of fiber optics under test have to be carefully selected based on mode, length and attenuation, in order to optimize fiber optic measurements with an older, manual OTDR. The optimal parameters for all fibers, in exception for the shortest optical fibers, vary in relation to the distance of the event from the instrument. The newest OTDR instruments integrate software programs that automatically detect and configure the optimum test parameters and show results in simple formats.

Most fiber optic cables require multiple OTDR measurements by using different parameters to completely and accurately characterize their property ties. These types of tests can take more time than is acceptable during a network emergency or a lengthy commissioning process. When troubleshooting the close-range resolution versus long-range visibility, several sets of waveforms must be acquired by using different OTDR settings as often as necessary. After completing the first scan by using a short-duration optical pulse, the next scan will use a longer-duration optical pulse to provide additional optical power to test further along the optical fiber.

Newer OTDR’s incorporate built-in testing programs that automatically characterize the fiber optics in a sequential manner, starting from the instrument-to-fiber connection and working outward. Such programs automatically determine which parameters need to change, based on criteria like signal-to-noise-ratio, length, total loss and elapsed time. They may also increase the number of averages, change the filtering, or adjust the gain of the detection circuitry in order to optimize the test results for each specific cable segment. Many other software enhancements have been introduced to the acquisition , analysis and archiving of fiber optical test data, making the OTDR an even more valuable asset for technicians to meet the challenges of supporting fiber optic cable plants.

Search terms:

There are computers everywhere.  Whether we realize it or not, we use computers all the time.  In this day and age, a person is more reliant on his computer than anything else – especially his personal computer or the PC.

For many, the PC is much more than just a gadget  – it is an essential tool for a lifestyle.  It organizes one’s daily activities, hold an immense amount of information and be the cornerstone for a person’s daily living and working.

With such reliance on it, one has to ask: how do we pick the perfect personal computer?

Before you start on the features, you first have to ask yourself: will we need this PC to be with me most of the time?  Do you have a great need for mobility?  If you tend to require access to the computer a lot during the course of your day, your best pal is the laptop.  If you talk to people more or can work with hard copies, you won’t need to lug around a four-pound laptop everywhere and can settle for the sturdy homebody called the desktop PC.

As soon as you take your pick, then you can go on to deciding on the other features: speed, capacity, accessibility and peripherals.

The best place to start is at the review websites for computers.  At this stage, get acquainted with what they say is the latest in the market.  Then do some research on what these advances in technology actually mean.  There are many sites that will give you definitions and background on these things.

From here, you can also check out what you’d like the PC to do for you in terms of what kind of applications you will need in it.  This will help you decide on how much to compromise on the features against the price.

The internal workings of a PC progresses in leaps and bounds quite often.  Techies would suggest watching out for updates every six months.  Speed is the feature that changes more often than the rest.  When going to a computer shop, make sure you understand the meanings of the words “Gigahertz,” “Pentium” and “Celeron,” as well as the words behind the acronyms RAM and AMD.  And here is a side tip:  don’t forget to ask on how to keep your CPU from heating up.

In terms of capacity, your hard disk will need to have enough space to hold all the information you wish to put in it, not to mention the applications that need to run your PC.  Some would suggest two hard disks – a master and a slave drive – or partitioning your large-capacity drive to separate the applications from the data.  This will not only help you organize your files, but also keep your data from getting corrupted when the applications fail or get contaminated.

For accessibility, what kind of access would you like into and out of your PC.  Here, think Internet, local area networks and wireless communications.  All these seem to be becoming more and more necessary in maximizing your PC.  Ask your PC dealer on the best in the market – they would only be recommending suppliers here since these applications require another kind of vendor.

Lastly, the peripherals.  With all the advances in technology, there are some peripherals that are asked for so often that they are already a staple on a PC package – mouse, CD-ROM with writer, USB drives, scanner, printer, network card, a card reader and a modem.

Based on your requirements from your PC, you may also consider other peripherals like DVD-ROM, video output, infra-red port and a host of variations on the peripherals mentioned above.

When you have the hardware, you are now ready to identify the applications that you want in your PC.  In short – what do you want your PC to do?  These will come in the form of software or programs that need to be installed in your PC.  Branded software are licensed, but there are alternatives that are freeware or are called “open source” which can be cheaper.  Don’t forget to look at peripherals for these applications.  They usually come in packages.

Make sure you ask your dealer to help you install everything.  And always ask about the warranty.  Keep all your receipts and guarantee cards, and you’re all set.  You are now a full-pledged owner of a PC.

Search terms: