How Fiber Optic Light Source Works for Optical Communication Systems
For high capacity, digital transmission systems, and high-speed local area network optical fiber is the medium of choice. Besides these applications, to transmit microwave signals for cable television, cellular radio, WLAN, and microwave antenna remoting optical fibers can be used. The fiber interferometer is very useful.
Some basic principles must be kept in mind all the time while testing loss in a fiber optic link.
Like the working wavelength, the testing wavelength should always be the same. Because with light wavelength optical fiber loss varies and if your measuring wavelength is different from the actual working wavelength you will get an incorrect result.
As the intended working lightwave equipment light source the testing light source should be the same. If a particular system is designed for a LED source, you should test it with a LED source. You should use a multimode laser light source for testing if the system is designed for multimode laser light. For a single-mode laser light source, this is quite true. You can use the visual fault locator.
Four types of test equipment are needed in a basic loss testing setup. They are the reference patch cables, a light source, the power meter, and the adapter.
While choosing your equipment below are some considerations provided.
As the operating equipment, the light source should have the same wavelength, proper mode, type, and proper connector.
The power meter should also have the same wavelength as the light source, proper connector, and calibrated. You can buy the fiber identifier online.
The reference patch cables should be high quality with no loss, proper connectors, and be the same type as the fiber plant being tested.
The adapter should be made with high-quality ceramic sleeves and be proper type. Decibel is the most often used for fiber optic loss testing unit since it is much easier to work with.