Fiber optic pigtail is a fiber cable end with fiber optic connectors at only either side of the cable while leaving sleep issues no connectors, so the connector side could be from the equipment and the other part can be melted with optical cable fibers.

Fiber optic pigtails are utilized to achieve accurate mounting for precision alignment of fiber optical components. They're usually used with fiber optic management equipment like ODF, splice closures and cross cabinets.

A fiber pigtail is really a single, short, usually unbuffered, optical fiber which has an optical connector pre-installed on one end along with a period of exposed fiber in the other end. The end of the pigtail is stripped and fusion spliced to a single fiber of a multi-fiber trunk. Splicing of pigtails to each fiber within the trunk "breaks out" the multi-fiber cable into its component fibers for connection to the end equipment.

Fiber pigtails can have female or male connectors. Female connectors might be mounted in a patch panel, often in pairs although single-fiber solutions exist, to allow them to be connected to endpoints or other fiber runs with patch fibers. Alternatively they can have male connectors and plug directly into an optical transceiver.

As the fibers must have connectors fitted before they can affix to other equipment. Fiber pigtails may be one of the common solutions for fiber cable termination, the inclusion of connectors to every optical fiber in a cable.

FiberStore supplies 10G 50/125, 62.5/125, 50/125 multimode optic pigtail with SC, ST, FC, LC MT-RJ, SC/APC, FC/APC, E2000 fiber optic connectors. Fan-out fiber optic pigtail is really a multi fiber cable assembly. It is almost always made from a multi fiber count cable, in the center of which we make use of the splitting kits to help make the fan-out pigtails. Such cable is usually 1XN structure, like MTP to 12 LC. Sometimes there's also NXN types, like 12LC to 12LC. Usually the simplex fiber optic pigtails that used inside management equipment use 0.9mm outer diameter cable. There is waterproof fiber optic pigtails employed for outdoor applications. This fiber optic pigtail is by using thick PE jacket and large diameter. For example, ribbon fan-out patch cord provides a stable and reliable connection for single mode fiber.

Fiber optic splitter (optical splitter) is also known as “non-wavelength selective optical branching device”. It is a fiber optic device used to achieve a particular band optical signal power splitter and redistribution.

Optical splitter can be used as a stand-alone device in the OLT node, the light distribution point and the FTTH point. It can also be placed in the central office wiring facilities, the light distribution points and FTTH points within the facility (integrated design or plug-in).

In accordance with the production process, optical splitters are divided into Fused Bi-conical Taper (FBT Splitter) and Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC Splitter).

FBT Splitter (FBT Coupler)

Fused Bi-conical Taper technique is tied to two or more fibers, and then melted in a cone machine, pull tensile and real-time monitoring of changes in splitting ratio, the splitting ratio to meet the requirements after the end of the melt stretching, and wherein one end of a fiber optic reserved ( The remaining cut off) as the input terminal and the other end a multitude of road outputs. Mature tapering process can only pull 1 × 4. 1 × 4 or more devices, with a plurality of 1 × 2 connected together. Then the overall package in the splitter box.

Advantages
(1) pull taper coupler over twenty years of history and experience, many equipment and processes simply follow the only development funds only a few of the PLC tenth or hundredth of a few
(2) Raw materials only readily available quartz substrate, fiber optics, heat shrink tubing, stainless steel pipe and less plastic, a total of not more than $ 1. Investment in machinery and equipment depreciation costs less, 1 × 2,1 × 4 and other low-channel splitter low cost.
(3) splitting ratio can be real-time monitoring, you can create unequal splitter.

Disadvantages
(1) Loss of light sensitive wavelength ships according to the wavelength selection device, in this triple-play during use is a fatal defect, since the triple play of light transmitted signal 1310nm, 1490nm, 1550nm, and other multiple-wavelength signal.
(2) poor uniformity, 1×4 nominal about 1.5dB away, 1 × 8 or more away from larger, can not ensure uniform spectroscopic, which may affect the overall transmission distance.
(3) Insertion loss varies with temperature variation is greater (TDL)
(4) multi-demultiplexer (e.g., 1 × 16,1 × 32) volume is relatively large, the reliability will be reduced, the installation space is restricted.

PLC Splitter

Planar waveguide technology is the optical waveguide branching device with a semiconductor production process. The branching function is completed on the chip. On one chip to achieve up to 1X32 splitter, then, at both ends of the chip package input terminal and an output terminal respectively coupled multi-
Channel optical fiber array.

Advantages
(1) The loss of transmission is not sensitive to the wavelength of light, to meet the transmission needs of different wavelengths.
(2) spectroscopic uniform signal can be uniformly allocated to the user.
(3) compact structure, small size, can be installed directly in the existing junction box, no special design leave a lot of space for installation.
(4) only a single device shunt channel can achieve much more than 32 channels. (5) The multi-channel, low cost, stars ones more and more obvious cost advantages.

Disadvantages
(1) Device complex production process, high technical threshold, the chip is several foreign companies to monopolize domestic bulk package production companies only Borch rarely several.
(2) relative to the higher cost of Fused Splitter more at a disadvantage, especially in the low channel splitter.

Source: http://www.fiberstore.com/

Variable optical attenuator (VOA) has a wide range of applications in optical communication, and its main function is to reduce or control the optical signal.

The basic characteristics of fiber optic network should be Variable, especially with the application of DWDM transmission systems and EDFA in optical communication, it must be carried out in a plurality of optical signal on the transmission channel gain flattening or equalization, channel power in the optical receiver. The side to be dynamic saturation control, optical networks also need to control for other signals, making the VOA become indispensable key components. In addition, VOA also can be combined with other optical communication components and this pushed itself to the characteristics of the high-level module.

In recent years, there appeared many technologies on manufacture of variable optical attenuator, including mechanical VOA, magneto-optical VOA, LCD VOA, MEMS VOA, thermo-optic VOA and acousto-optic VOA.

Mechanical VOA
The principle is to use a stepper motor drag neutral gradient filter, its output optical power at a predetermined attenuation rule change when the different positions of the light beam passes through the filter, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the amount of attenuation. There is also a mechanical polarized optical attenuator. Its basic principle is that the light beam emitted from the ingress port reflected by the reflection sheet to the port, the the reflector coupling efficiency between the two ports by the inclination angle of the reflection sheet to the control, enabling adjustment of the light attenuation. The inclination of the reflection sheet from a variety of different mechanisms to control. Mechanical type optical attenuator is more traditional solutions, so far, the VOA application in the system most used mechanical method to achieve attenuation. The type of optical attenuator with mature technology, optical properties, low insertion loss, polarization dependent loss, without temperature control, etc.; disadvantage is that the larger, more complex structure components, the response rate is not high, it is difficult to automate the production is not conducive to integration.

Magneto-optical VOA
Magneto-optical VOA is the use of some of the substances in the magnetic field is shown by the changes in optical properties, such as magnetic rotation effect (Faraday effect) can also be achieved attenuation of the light energy, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the optical signal. The magneto-optical effect of the material and in combination with other techniques, you can create a high performance, small size, high response and the structure is relatively simple optical attenuator. This is LLL device using discrete technology to produce the optical attenuator to be a further development of the field.

LCD VOA
Utilizing a liquid crystal refractive index anisotropy in the liquid crystal VOA shows birefringence. When an external electric field is applied, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules are rearranged, will result in the change in its transmission characteristics. The type of attenuation can be achieved by light intensity change of the type of voltage control is applied to the two electrodes in the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal optical attenuator VOA can achieve the miniaturization and high response. But at the same time the liquid crystal material into a larger loss, the production process is relatively more complex, in particular, is influenced by environmental factors, its advantage is a low cost, there are commercial batch.

MEMS VOA
MEMS is the technology of the new applications in this area, After several years of development, the MEMS chip production process has become more mature, a strong impetus to the application of the MEMS optical attenuator. Optical network applications, MEMS technology-based products also have the obvious advantage on price and performance. MEMS VOA has been very mature, and mass production and large-scale application. Because of yield problems, in terms of price also facing challenges In addition, micro-electro-mechanical components, reliability is sometimes less than ideal. The early MEMS VOA using laser welding, into a larger device, and the production efficiency is low, and high assembly costs. Currently, the market also introduced a MEMS VOA plastic technology, a good solution to this problem.

Thermo-optic VOA
Thermo-optic VOA mainly using some of the material changes in the optical properties of temperature field characteristics, such as temperature changes caused by the thermo-optical refractive index change. According to the structure of the different, can be divided into two categories, leak-and open-light type VOA. Thermo-optic VOA due to heating, cooling device is relatively complex, a function of the mathematical relationship between the temperature field photoconductive medium refractive index is complex and difficult to accurately quantify and control, especially the longer response time hindered its application in modern optical communication .

Acousto-optic VOA
The basic principle is to use the cyclical strain, resulting in a periodic variation of the refractive index, equal to create a phase grating for the acousto-optical crystal in the generated under the action of ultrasonic waves, and so can be modulated using the raster beam. Some companies have already claimed to have developed the acousto-optical crystal variable attenuator (called the AVOA). It is understood that the acquisition of the acousto-optic crystal material is no problem, but at this stage of the total cost is high, about 4-5.

Conclusion:

Variable optical attenuator is one of important optical devices in the optical communication system. Over the years, it has been stuck at a mechanical level. Because its size is not conducive to integration, it is generally only suitable for single-channel attenuation. With the development of DWDM system, as well as market the flexibility to upgrade reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) potentially huge demand, there need more channels and small size variable optical attenuator array, in particular the integrated VOA product. Traditional mechanical methods can not solve these problems. With the development of fiber optic network, VOAs development trends are: low cost, highly integrated, fast response time as well as integration of hybrid with other optical communication devices.

Source: http://www.fiberstore.com/

Another two fiber optic testers are optical power meter and optical light source.

Optical Power Meter

Optical power meters are used to measure the absolute optical power or the relative length of optical fiber optical power loss. Measuring optical power is the most basic in the fiber-optic system. Very much like the electronics multimeter, in optical fiber measurement Optical Power Meter is a heavy-duty commonly used table, and it is suggested that each of the fiber optic technicians should staff one. Through the measurement of the absolute power of the transmitting end optical network, a power meter can be able to evaluate the performance of the light end equipment. With an optical power meter and stabilized optical light source used in combination, it is possible to measure the connection loss, test continuity and help evaluate the transmission quality of fiber link.

For any manufacturing of optical fiber transmission system, installation, operation and maintenance, optical power measurement is essential. In the field of optical fiber, if there are no optical power meters, any engineering, laboratory, manufacturing floor or telephone maintenance facilities are unable to work. For example, Optical Power Meter can be used for measuring the output power of the laser light source and the LED light source; used to confirm the estimate of the loss of the optical fiber link; most important of which is that it is a test optical components (fiber, connectors, connecting sub, attenuator key performance indicators, etc.) instrument.

Specific applications for users to select the appropriate optical power meter, should pay attention to the following points:
1). Select the optimal probe type and interface type.
2). The evaluation calibration accuracy and manufacturing calibration procedures, and the required range of optical fiber and connector match.
3). Determine if the model is consistent with the measurement range and display resolution.
4). With the direct dB insertion loss measurement function.

Optical Light Source

Optical light source are used transmitting the light with known power and wavelength to optical system. As mentioned, a stabilized light source together with an optical power meter, can measure the optical loss of the optical fiber system. In off-the-shelf optical fiber system, usually the transmitting end of the system machine plays a role as a stable light source. If the end of the machine does not work or does not end machine, you need to separate stable light source. The stability of the wavelength of the light source should be as consistent as possible with the wavelength of the system end machine. After installation of the system, often need to measure the end-to-end loss, in order to determine whether the connection loss to meet the design requirements, such as: measuring connectors, splices point loss, and optical fiber body loss.

Optical light source transmit the light wtih known power and wavelength to enter the optical system in the process of measuring loss. Optical power meter which is used calibrating a specific wavelength light source, will receive light from the optical fiber network and convert it into electrical signals. To ensure the accuracy of loss measurement, the transmission equipment taht used in the fiber optic light source simulation should have these features.
1). The same wavelength, and uses the same type of light (LED, laser).
2). During the measurement, ensure the stability of the output power and spectral (time and temperature stability).
3). To provide the same connection interface, and use the same type of fiber.
4). The size of the output power should meet the worst-case system loss measurements.

When the transmission systems require a separate stable light source, the optimal choice of light source should simulate the characteristics of the system Optical and measurement needs. When you select light source, it should be considered to the following aspects: a laser tube (LD) from the the LD light emitted from a narrow wavelength bandwidth, almost monochromatic, i.e. a single wavelength. Compared with the LED, through its spectral band (less than 5nm) the laser is not continuous, and on both sides of the center wavelength, but also the emission the several lower peak explants wavelength. Compared to the LED light source, laser source provides more power, but its price is higher than the LED. Laser tube is commonly used in the loss of more than 10dB of long-haul single-mode system. You should avoid measuring multimode fiber with laser light source.

Article source: FiberStore.com

There are two commonly used fiber optic testers. They are optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) and visual fault locator.

OTDR is the most classic fiber tester, and can provide the most information on testing optical fiber. The OTDR itself is a one-dimensional closed-loop optical radar, measuring the distance from one end of an optical fiber head. Emitting the high intensity, narrow optical pulses into the optical fiber, while the optical probe at high speed record return signal. This instrument gives a visual interpretation of the optical link. OTDR curve reflects the continuation point, the size of the connector and the location of the point of failure, and loss.

OTDR evaluation process has many similarities with optical multimeter. In fact, OTDR can be considered as a very professional test instrument combination: a stable high-speed pulse source and a high-speed optical probe. The selection process of OTDR can be focus on the following attributes.

1). Confirming the operating wavelength, fiber type and connector interface.

2). The expected loss of the connection and the need to scan the range.

3). The spatial resolution.

Most of the visual fault locator is a handheld instrument suitable for multimode and single-mode fiber-optic system. The use of OTDR technology for fiber fault point location, most of the test distance in less than 20 km. Instrument directly to the digital display the distance to the point of failure. : Wide Area Network (WAN), the 20-km range communication systems, fiber-to-roadside (FTTC), single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cable installation and maintenance, and military systems. Single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cable system, it is necessary to locate the connector failure, bad splices, visual fault locator is an excellent tool. The visual fault locator simple just a one-button operation, multiple events can be detected up to seven.

Visual fault locator: the performance for fiber loss function of the distance. With OTDR, technicians can see the outline of the entire system, to identify and measure the span of fiber splice points and connected head. Diagnosis meter fiber failure, OTDR is the most classic but also the most expensive instrument. With the ends of the optical power meter and optical multimeter test, OTDR only through the end of the fiber can be measured fiber loss. The position and size of the the OTDR trace line gives the attenuation value of the system, such as: any connectors, splices, optical fiber shaped, or the position of the fiber break its loss size.

OTDR can be used in the following three aspects:

1). In the understanding of the characteristics of the cable (length and attenuation), before being laid.

2). To obtain the signal trajectory line waveform of the period of the optical fiber.

3). Positioning serious point of failure when problem increased and connected worsening .

Visual fault locator is a special version of OTDR. It can automatically find fiber failures without the OTDR complex steps, and its price is also just fraction of OTDR.

Article source: FIberStore.com

A handheld equipment is most often used in testing electronics, power, pressure measurement, and so on. For example, a handheld optical visual fault locator is such a handheld test equipment used in fiber optic network.

Visual Fault Locator, as the name has already expressed its function, could be regarded as a part of OTDR. It is a kind of device to locate the breakpoint, bending or cracking of the fiber glass. It can locate the fault of OTDR dead zone and make fiber identification from one end to the other end. Designed with a FC,SC,ST universal adapter, fiber fault locator is used without any other type of additional adapters, and can locates fault up to 10km in fiber cable, with compact in size, light in weight, red laser output. Some users liked the convenience of this measurement method, it is sure that the later volume will increase.

Here is a handheld type visual fault locator. Its Model is BML201. The BML201 visual fault locator is a kind of fiber tester which specially designed for field personnel who need an efficient and economical tool for fiber tracing, fiber routing and continuity checking in an optical network during and after installation. It includes: finding the breakpoint, poor connections, bending or cracking in fiber optic cables, and finding the faults of OTDR. It is an essential tool for troubleshooting a fiber optic system. Visual Fault Locators from FiberStore are all with high quality and good price.

As telephone test equipment is used in teleommunication works, another handheld test equipment – telephone line tester, is used in testing the phone line. Telephone line tester is a new kind of line fault tester with safety and multi-functions capabilities. Besides the functions as a commontelephone line tester, it also has the functions of high voltage protection and dangerous voltage warning. A phone line tester is used for detecting either digital or analog phone systems as well as the line polarity. Telephone line testers are good for both personal and professional use.FiberStore supplies some mini phone line tester other telephone line testers with low prices.

What is the most important requirement for a handheld test and measurement equipment? Accuracy? Stability? Price? According the survey, 89% of respondents believe that the accuracy and reliability is very important, 11% of respondents believe that accuracy and reliability are important. Second is the easy-to-read, 54% of respondents think it is very important, 45% of respondents think it is important. Ease-of-use, followed by 63% of respondents think its very important, 35% of the respondents believe that it is important. As respondents said: simple operation and use is important, the legibility and clearly show the same important. Other respondents said: ensure that the equipment is very easy to use, otherwise, no matter how good the equipment, technology personnel will not use him, even use, is also likely to incorrectly use.

And the above two features, durability is important for 99% of the respondents, 73% of respondents think its very important, 26% of respondents think its important. Respondents said: To take into account the human factor, instrument in the misuse is damaged? The other respondents added: To ensure that the equipment will not be damaged in transit.

Welcome to FiberStore and choose the best Handheld Test Equipment here.

Article Source: FiberStore.com

What is a Cable Tester? A cable tester is an electronic device used to verify the electrical connections in a cable or other wired assembly. Sometimes we also call it Network Cable Tester, because it is usually used in LAN Network.

There are many different types of cable testers, each able to test a specific type of cable or wire (some may be able to test several different types of cables or wires). The cable tester can test whether a cable or wire is set up properly, connected to the appropriate source points, and if the communication strength between the source and destination is strong enough to serve its intended purpose. Here is an example of a cable tester made in FiberStore.

Its model is PN-8108, a Multifunction Network Cable Tester. This tester is very easy to operate for prevent and solve cable installation problem. It can widely be used for a number of applications such as cable connection sequence, length, user jumper and cable connection continuity and determine any open circuit, short circuit, jumper or cross-talk interference.

For computers, one of the most common types of cable testers used is for testing Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 network cables. Because so many different types of data can be transmitted over a network cable, it is important that the network cable connects properly between the computer and server. It is also important to ensure the signal strength between computers and servers is adequate for transmitting data and that there is no interference from outside sources that could cause a loss of data or decrease in signal strength. A cable tester can test for these factors and help to ensure the network cables connections are correct and will work for the intended purpose.

FiberStore supplies many kinds of LAN Network Cable Testers, which are a kind of convenient and comprehensive tools for network professionals. Network Cable Tester is always being used to test LAN Datacom and Telecom cables. Network Cable Line Tester can find all problems associated with testing such faults as opens, shorts, cable integrity and it also find cable length of individual cables or distance to a fault, and its powerful and user-friendly features enable network installers to accurately check pin configurations of various voice and data communication cables.

Except Network Cable Testers, FiberStore also offers many kinds of fiber optic tester. There are OTDR Testers, ADSL Testers, CCTV Security Testers, and Telephone Line Testers here.

Telephone Line Tester is a new kind of line fault tester with safety and multi-functions capabilities. Besides the functions as a common Telephone Line Tester, it also has the functions of high voltage protection and dangerous voltage warning. Such a phone line tester is used for detecting either digital or analog phone systems as well as the line polarity. Telephone line testers are good for both personal and professional use. FiberStore supplies some mini phone line testers and other general telephone line testers. The importance that you should know is they are the cheapest and best performance products in fiber optic network.

Article Source: FiberStore.com