April
2012


In This Issue
FOA Seminars Coming To Middle East In May
US Department of Labor Recognizes FOA In New "Occupational Outlook Handbook"
Australia's NBN Shows Installation Schedule
Update: Google Fiber
WantTo Know Where Submarine Fiber Optic Cables Run?
Permits For Fiber Optic Broadband Projects
FOA Standards
Two New Fiber U Courses: Design and FTTx
FOA Starts New LinkedIn Group On Fiber Optic Training
Free NECA/FOA-301 Installation Standard for FOA Members
2012-Year of the OTDR, OTDR Tips, OTDR iPhone APP
YouTube: More New Lectures
Two FOA iPad Apps Now Available - Free Loss Budget Calculator



New @ FOA  
US Dept. of Labor Recognizes FOA Certifications, FOA Corporate Memberships  
Fiber U -
two new free online self-study courses
Publications: NECA/FOA 301 Installation, eBooks
videos: New FOA Lecture Series
Online Reference Guide: Many new pages 
Tech Topics: More online information
Certification: New FOA OSP Certification
FOA Schools
New schools and programs

FOA Jobs Web Site  



Jobs Current openings and Jobs Blog.
Also see FOA Jobs Web Page and FOA on FOA on LinkedIn

Events: Conferences and Shows of Interest To Fiber Techs  
FOLS Webinar
FiberFest
AFL to Host "Traveling" Advanced Splicing Seminars
Free Corning "See the Light" Seminars
JDSU Testing Webinars

Q&A: What you are asking the FOA?
Product News - OTDRs, More New stuff
Worth Reading: News from around the world
FTTH  


Want to be notified when the FOA Newsletter is updated? Sign up for the FOA eMail Newsletter. You can also sign up from your cell phone: text "FOA" to 22828 (usual text msg charges apply)




The Archives: Previous Issues:
1/12, 2/12, 3/12,
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1/09,  2/09,  3/09, 04/09,  05/09,  07/09, 08/09, 09/09, 10/09, 11/09,  12/09
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12/07, 11/07, 10/07, 09/07, 08/07, 07/07, 06/07, 05/07, 04/07, 03/07, 2/07, 1/07
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12/03, 11/03 10/03 9/03, 8/03, 7/03, 6/03, 3/03, 10/02 , 8/02, 5/02
Current Issue of FOA Newsletter

It's now CFOT®  and Fiber U® The FOA CFOT® (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) and Fiber U® (the FOA online self-study program) are now a registered trademark. With over 33,000 fiber optic techs holding CFOTs and the CFOT being recognized worldwide as the foremost certification in fiber optics, the FOA realized the value of the CFOT and Fiber U required trademark protection. Now it's official!

Want to know more about fiber optics? Free Self-Study Program on "Fiber U®." Looking for specific information? Study for FOA certifications? Here's the largest technical reference on the web: The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide.


New FOA Reference Books 

(Available Printed or eBooks)
FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics book  FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cablng book  FOA Reference Guide to OSP Fiber Optics book


Fiber Optic Safety Poster to download and print



FOA Videos Now on videos



FOA Home Page
Contact the FOA  



Renew your FOA certification online - plus get a discount on the new FOA books and an extra month free. Details here.
Find us on Facebook            FOA on LinkedIn       videos



FOA Seminars Coming To Middle East In May

FOA coming to Middle East 2012

FOA is headed to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Beirut in May. We'll be giving seminars in fiber optics and meeting with those working in the area on fiber networks and FTTH. Here is the schedule and contacts to register for the seminars:

Dates
FOA Host/School
Seminar Information
Contact To Register
May 3
Etisalat Academy,
Dubai
"Next Generation Fibre Technologies:
Latest Fiber Technologies, The importance of skilled people and certifications."

May 3, 8:30 AM to 12:45 PM
Etisalat Academy, Dubai
RSVP to info@etac.ae by 26th April 2012
May 8-9
e-sharp Consultancy,
Dubai & Abu Dhabi
“What’s New In Fiber Optics” Seminar
By The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. (FOA) and e-sharp Consultancy JLT
 
Dates:
May 8, 2012 – Dubai
May 9, 2012 – Abu Dhabi
(the exact venue will be confirmed to registered participants)
To register, contact:
Kinneri Nair | Training Coordinator
e-sharp Consultancy JLT
www.esharp.ae
kinneri@esharp.me
P: +971-4-4357684 | F: 971-4-4357681
M: +971-55-8253257
502, Tiffany Towers, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, W2, PO Box 54558, Dubai, UAE
May 15
FTTH Council MENA, Beirut
Fiber Optics Seminar
To discuss the latest trends of Fiber optics :
-Introduction about FTTH Council MENA and FOA
-What's New in Fiber Optics
-What is the FOA
-Broadband to Users in a Challenging World. 

May 15, 2012 from 9am to 1pm at the Ministry of Telecom premises in Riad El Solh, Beirut.
RSVP with contact information and the number of attendees to:

Ms Christine Beylouni
Director General
FTTH Council MENA
M: +961 70 061601
E:  christine.beylouni@ftthcouncilmena.org

If you are in the region, contact the proper group and come meet with us!


FOA scheduled to be at FiberFest! - JUNE 13, 2012 -

FiberFest

Fiberfest is the one day conference/trade show run by the New England Fiberoptic Council. This year the event will be colocated with a FTTH Council meeting in Boston.
FOA will have a table at FiberFest manned by some of our local schools. President Jim Hayes will be participating in the FTTH Council programs.

Look for details here or on the NEFC website.




US Department of Labor Recognizes FOA In New "Occupational Outlook Handbook"

FOA is listed in the new US Department of Labor  "Occupational Outlook Handbook" in the section "How to Become a Line Installer or Repairer."

BLS recognizes FOA

This website lists all sorts of interesting information, including what these workers do in their jobs, how they get trained and certified (where the FOA is referenced) and something everybody is interested in - sections on "Pay" and "Job Outlook" - see the red arrow above.


Australia's NBN Shows Installation Schedule

We've covered Australia's National Broadband Network as it has been designed, but now they are posting information on the actual rollout by region and city. They've even created a NBN rollout map to show progress.

Australia NBN Rollout Map

You can see the enormous list of towns and their status here. Many towns have detailed maps of the installations that are interesting too.



Update: Google Fiber - Great for your telecom health!

Google Fiber Bar

April 1: Here's Google's new fiber product!  It's "Fiberlicious!"

Meanwhile, on a more serious vein, Google Hits a "Home Run" - Google has posted information on its installations in Kansas City for its gigabit FTTH project. They will use a "home run" architecture with every home connected by fiber directly to a Google fiber hut that is directly connected to an Internet backbone. This provides higher capacity for each home and symmetric speeds - upload and download speeds will be the same. You can read details here.

And IGI Group has just published a marketing report: "Google- A Telecom Threat?"



WantTo Know Where Submarine Fiber Optic Cables Run?

There is a good map online by TeleGeography you can access here.
Worldwide submarine fiber optic cables

Permits For Fiber Optic Broadband Projects
WA  permits

In our design curriculum, one item we warn network designers about is getting the appropriate permits. The state of Washington, USA, contacted FOA about a online document they were creating for contractors and project managers in their state planning broadband fiber projects which would provide assistance in determining what environmental permits were needed and where to go get more information on the permits required. Even if you are not planning projects in Washington, this is a good document to read to help understand the permit processes.
Download the PDF here.


FOA Standards:

FOA has joined the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to be able to keep up to date on more standards activities. ANSI is certainly a diverse organization. In March, when FOA joined ANSI, the list of new ANSI members included NASDAQ, Bonneville Power Administration and Broward (FL) County Sherriff Office Crime Lab!

FOA now offers standards for testing the installed fiber optic cable plant, patchcords and cable, optical power from transmitters or at receivers and OTDR testing. Look for the "1 PageStandard" web page and in the FOA Online Reference Guide.

View the  FOA YouTube Video On FOA Standards 

Go to the FOA "1 Page Standards"

Free For FOA Members: NECA/FOA 301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard

Because of its importance to users, contractors and installers of fiber optic networks, The FOA and NECA have agreed to make the NECA/FOA 301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard available free to FOA members. It's specifically written to be used in contracts to define "installation in a neat and workmanlike manner."   FOA members can go here for instructions on how to download your free copy.



Two New Fiber U Online Self-Study Programs: Design and FTTx - coming soon: Testing

Fiber U www.fiberu.org
FOA has added two new free online self-study programs to our Fiber U web-based training site. The new programs cover topics that have been requested often: "Fiber Optic Network Design" and "FTTx." The Design course leads you through lessons on fiber optic network design and planning, then concludes with several online design exercises to test your understanding. The FTTx course has lesson plans covering what the "x" in FTTx means, network architectures, installation and testing, then concludes with a design exercise. Both use the FOA Online Guide or our textbooks and our YouTube videos as study materials. If you are interested in the FOA Specialist Certifications in Design (CFOS/D) or FTTx (CFOS/H), these are excellent study guides. See Fiber U for links to the new courses.

We are considering using these self-study courses as part of online instructor-led courses using Linked-In. We have a new LinkedIn group, "Fiber Optic Training" (see below) which will be used for this. Join now for these courses.

FOA Starts New LinkedIn Group On Fiber Optic Training
Linked In Training Group
FOA has started a new LinkedIn group called "Fiber Optic Training" dedicated to discussions on fiber optic training. Anyone can join our new Linked In fiber optic training group. We're experimenting on teaching instructor-led online courses on LinkedIn - watch for announcements on the FOA LinkedIn group and Fiber Optic Training Group. Take a look and join the group.

2012: The Year of The OTDR

Most of the technical and testing questions we get here at FOA involve misunderstanding of OTDR testing. A number of FOA master instructors have suggested we focus on OTDR training, both in our schools and online, to minimize the problems, so we have declared 2012 "The Year of The OTDR." Look for special articles, a new  "1pStandard" and other information that will make these instruments less enigmatic!

What A FOA Instructor Said: "So you've had discussions about making 2012 "The Year Of The OTDR" for training. I couldn't agree more. So many clients, contractors and sales people we meet have so little knowledge about OTDR that it's astounding. ... OTDRs are still subject to interpretation, user error and (in some cases) dead zones that can still effect the results. Everyone we teach is initially overwhelmed and looking for "E-Z OTDR" that is fully automated...!"

What An OTDR Can Tell You About Your Fiber
FOA Master Instructor Terry O'Malley has been creating some really useful data on OTDRs. He knows OTDRs - he created AT&Ts training program and taught it for years. Here is some data he created to show what traces look like for different fiber ends.

OTDR trace for cleaved fiber

Notice how big the reflectance peak is on the end of the fiber? Now look at this one:

OTDR trace for broken fiber

The OTDR can tell you a lot about the end of the fiber. The reflection on the end of the cable depends on the end of the fiber. If it’s broken and ragged, you will see practically no reflection, but a perfectly cleaved fiber will show a giant reflection peak. Note how the cleaved fiber has a high reflectance, reaching saturation on the OTDR trace while the broken trace shows only a small reflectance.
How is this useful? It helps locating breaks, which are usually broken fibers and determining if the end is a PC connector, which has high reflectance unless it's connected to another connector. But what happens with a APC connector? Those are designed to minimize reflectance so they show little if any reflectance peak. (Photos from FOA's OTDR FAQs.)


Three Good Practice Tools For OTDRs, All Free
You may already know that the FOA has a free OTDR Simulator you can download from our website (go here for directions) that allows you to practice using an OTDR on your PC, seeing the effects of changing setup parameters and analyzing dozens of real world traces. But here are two more tools that can be good for practice.


AFS OTDR Online Demo
AFS OTDR Simulator

AFS has an online interactive demo of their new OTDR that allows you to see how an OTDR makes measurements. You use the yellow buttons in the center of the OTDR to set the markers to make measurements. Very well done. Go to http://www.afsi.us/otdr/otdr_mode.php for the demo.

"Fiberizer" APP Reads, Analyzes OTDR Traces

OTDR iPhone APP

Fiberizer is a iPhone/iPad APP that reads industry-standard ".sor" format files and allows trace analysis on your iPhone or iPad. An android version is in the works too. Read more about Fiberizer. And here are more directions on its use.


OTDR Tip Of The Month:

Last Month: What Does A PON Network Look Like On An OTDR?

Many of the technical questions we get here at the FOA deal with OTDRs and many are problems caused by untrained operators expecting the OTDR to do the trace interpretation for them. That is almost always a recipe for disaster! If you are going to use an OTDR, learn how to use it first. Start with the new Fiber U OTDR self study course, "Understanding OTDRs".  You can also download the Free FOA  OTDR Simulator to practice analyzing traces.



Free FOA iPad App Calculates Loss Budget

The FOA has just released its second APP for the iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, a free "loss budget calculator," FOA LossCalc.

FOA LossCalc
FOA Loss Calc App Screen

FOA LossCalc estimates the optical loss of a fiber optic link. This will save time for the installer of a fiber optic link needing to know whether test results are reasonable and/or make a "pass/fail" determination. It can also help the designer of a link to determine if communications equipment will operate over this link.

By choosing the type of link (singlemode or multimode) and specifying the length of the fiber and numbers of connections and splices, it will calculate the end to end loss of the link. The app has default specifications for singlemode and multimode links or the user may create custom setups with specifications appropriate for any application.
FOA Loss Calculator App  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foa-losscalc/id476262894?mt=8&ls=1




More New Lectures on videos
About The FOA  Who we are, what we do.

FOA Standards  What are standards and why is the FOA creating their own?
10 new lectures on premises cabling have been added to the FOA YouTube channel along with lectures on fiber to the home - FTTx - and Loss budgets, making 26 fiber optic lectures total.

Here  is a list of the current lectures (plus there are 28 hands-on videos too!). We're looking for ideas for topics for future lectures. Send your ideas to <info@thefoa.org>.






Events of Interest

FOLS

 FOLS Webinar

LAN Standards, News & Trends: 2012 Update 
Presented by Pete Pondillo, Standards Chair,  TIA's Fiber Optics LAN Section
Available Online, Register Here


FIBERFEST - JUNE 13, 2012 - FOA scheduled to be at FiberFest!

FiberFest

Fiberfest is the one day conference/trade show run by the New England Fiberoptic Council. This year the event will be colocated with a FTTH Council meeting in Boston. Watch for details here or on the NEFC website.

Exfo Seminars: Eliminating Guesswork in Next-Gen Fiber Testing
Join EXFO's experts for this half-day seminar dedicated to fiber testing in testing for metro, PON and cell backhaul networks, as well as smart grids.
Monday, April 23 - Los Angeles
Tuesday, April 24 - San Diego
Wednesday, April 25 - Phoenix
Click here to register.


AFL to Host "Traveling" Advanced Splicing Seminars
AFL has launched advanced splicing seminars intended for engineers and professionals, as well as university students, engaged in fiber optic activities involving non-standard and specialty fusion splicing activities. Typical applications for these advanced splicing needs are often in the Medical, Oil and Gas, Fiber Lasers, Optical Manufacturing, and Aerospace markets. These seminars will cover a wide range of applications and solutions for difficult and challenging applications using advanced fusion splicing platforms.
Seminars will be held in around the US and Canada.
There is no charge for attending; however AFL will be conducting pre-registration in order to ensure availability of a proper facility depending upon the number of attendees. 
Details on the seminar, a current schedule and signup form are at http://www.stateofthearc.com/seminars/signup.html

Free Corning "See the Light" Seminars
Corning Cable Systems' See the Light team is coming to a city near you!  Receive Free fiber optic training on a variety of topics including Termination Technology, Testing and Trouble Shooting, Fusion Splicing, and Preterminated Solutions. These interactive three-hour sessions provide students with a comprehensive overview of the latest technology. Fiber optic BICSI (CEC) credits apply (3). 
 
Here is the current information and schedule.

JDSU Testing Webinars
You are invited to join JDSU for a complimentary series of educational webinars in early 2012. Each webinar, presented by a JDSU subject matter expert, occurs on the same day and time of the week and will last approximately one hour, including Q&A.
Go here to see the seminars offered and dates.  IMPORTANT: use registration password: FONA1.

Don't forget to download your copies of the JDSU Testing Textbooks.




FOA LogoWhat's New @ FOA

FOA Standards For Contractors, Designers, Installers and Users

Read more about them here. And above.

View the YouTube Video On FOA Standards 

Go to the FOA "1 Page Standards"



FOA Certifications Recognized By US Department of Labor

DoL logo
All FOA Certifications have now been recognized by the US Department of Labor. The DoL reviews certifications and how they relate to job opportunities and training. The DoL Career OneStop website helps individuals explore career opportunities to make informed employment and education choices. The Web site features user-friendly occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools, career exploration assistance, and other resources that support talent development in today's fast-paced global marketplace.

FOA Certifications Listed By US Department of Labor - Career OneStop


FOA Corporate MemberNew Corporate Memberships
FOA is now offering corporate memberships to companies involved in fiber optics as manufacturers, contractors, installers, etc. Read more. Among other benefits, Corporate Membership gives companies access to special FOA materials for educating customers and employees.






Fiber U
Two New Free Fiber U Self-Study Programs on Design and FTTx

There are two new free online self-study programs on Fiber U. Fiber Optic Network Design is for those interested in learning more about how ot design fiber optic networks or studying for the CFOS/D certification. FTTx is for those wanting to know more about fiber to the "x" - curb, home, wireless, etc. - or studying for the CFOS/H certification.
Got to Fiber U for more information.






FOA Certification On Outside Plant Fiber Optics
The FOA CFospT outside plant certification focuses on OSP fiber optic network design, installation and maintenance. A CFospT certified tech must know the ways that fiber is used in the OSP, how it is installed, tested and maintained. While a CFOT might only have a basic knowledge of fusion splicing and OTDR testing, for example, a CFospT will be knowledgeable and skillful in those areas - and more. Reference materials for the new CFospT are the printed textbook, the FOA Reference Guide to Outside Plant Fiber Optics (right) as well as eBooks from Amazon for the Kindle or Apple for the iPad/iPod/iPhone and the OSP reference section of the FOA Online Reference Guide which now includes a self-study guide to the CFospT exam.
More information on the FOA 
Outside Plant Fiber Optic Technician (CFospT) certification.



Reference Books for FOA Certifications are now available on Kindle and iPad/iPhone
FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics book  FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cablng book  FOA Reference Guide to OSP Fiber Optics book

We have created three new FOA books to be used in training for FOA certifications and as reference books for contractors, installers and end users of fiber optics. These books have full curriculum support, including free curriculum materials for teaching FOA certification courses. Because we are self-publishing these books using more modern "publish on demand" technology, they are easier to keep up to date, easier to buy and much, MUCH cheaper!
All are now available in print and electronically in Kindle and Apple iBook versions. The basic fiber optic book is also available as a self-study program in an Apple APP for iPad/iPhone/iPod.
Details on the new book each of the new books are at the book pages linked to the photos above.



FOA iPad Apps
The FOA has just released its second APP for the iPad, a free "loss budget calculator," FOA LossCalc.

FOA LossCalc
FOA Loss Calculator AppFOA LossCalc estimates the optical loss of a fiber optic link. This will save time for the installer of a fiber optic link needing to know whether test results are reasonable and/or make a "pass/fail" determination. It can also help the designer of a link to determine if communications equipment will operate over this link.
By choosing the type of link (singlemode or multimode) and specifying the length of the fiber and numbers of connections and splices, it will calculate the end to end loss of the link. The app has default specifications for singlemode and multimode links or the user may create custom setups with specifications appropriate for any application. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foa-losscalc/id476262894?mt=8&ls=1



Self -Study in Fiber Optics

FOA iPad AppOur first app is a self-study version of the FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics. The FOA APP builds on the FOA basic fiber optic textbook to create an interactive learning environment that builds on the iBook electronic version of the book to add a guide to use for self-study and real-time testing that provides feedback on what you have learned and correct answers to questions answered incorrectly.
The FOA APP is priced at only $9.99, same as the iBook, so the self-study program is free. Download it from the Apple APP Store with your iPad or iTunes.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foa-guide/id434354283?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4



NECA/FOA 301 Installation Updated
NECA 301
Standards cover components and systems and how to test them, but rarely get into installation issues. The FOA NECA 301 standard which covers installation of optical fiber systems has been revised for the second time, adding considerable new materials. This standard is derived from FOA educational material put in standards form and approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. It's specifically written to be used in contracts to define "installation in a neat and workmanlike manner." The standard is available from NECA
  FOA members can go here for instructions on how to download your free copy.



videos
2 New Lectures: About The FOA and FOA Standards, plus 26 Fiber Optic Lectures, 10 Premises Cabling Lectures Plus 28 More Hands-On Videos

FOA YouTube Lecture 11 - Fiber Optic Network Design

Below is a list of the current lectures (plus there are 28 hands-on videos too!). We're looking for ideas for topics for future lectures. Send your ideas to <info@thefoa.org>.


FOA Lecture 1: Fiber Optics & Communications 
FOA Lecture 2: Safety When Working With Fiber Optics 
FOA Lecture 3: Optical Fiber 
FOA Lecture 4: Fiber Optic Cables 
FOA Lecture 5: Splices and Connectors 
FOA Lecture 6: Fiber Optic Splices 
FOA Lecture 7: Fiber Optic Connectors 
FOA Lecture 8: Fiber Optic Installation 
FOA Lecture 9: Fiber Optic Network Design, Part 1
FOA Lecture 10: Fiber Optic Network Design Part 2 
FOA Lecture 11: Fiber Optic Network Design Part 3 
FOA Lecture 12: Fiber Optic Testing Overview 
FOA Lecture 13: Testing Fiber Visually 
FOA Lecture 14: Testing Optical Power 
FOA Lecture 15: Five Ways To Test Fiber Optic Cable Plants 
FOA Lecture 16: Insertion Loss Testing 
FOA Lecture 17: OTDR Testing 
FOA Lecture 18: OTDR Setup 
FOA Lecture 19: OTDR Measurement Uncertainty 
FOA Lecture 20: Other Fiber Optic Tests 
FOA Lecture 21 Visual Fault Locator Demonstration 
FOA Lecture 22 Mode Power Distribution in Multimode Fibers Demonstration 
FOA Lecture 23 Total Internal Reflection in Optical Fiber Demonstration 
FOA Lecture 24 Copper, Fiber or Wireless? 
FOA Lecture 25 FTTx 
FOA Lecture 26: Loss Budgets  

New: Ten More YouTube Videos – Lectures On Premises Cabling
The FOA has added 10 more videos to our YouTube Channel, thefoainc. These are an introduction to premises cabling, covering applications, types of cabling, standards and installation practices for copper (UTP and coax), fiber and wireless. Like our lecture series on fiber optics, these provide a comprehensive introduction to the subject in short videos, typically 5-10 minutes in length, on each subject. Watch for more.

Here is a list of the Lectures now on YouTube.



View the FOA YouTube video Lectures.  






What's New  in the FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide
We have been updating the Online Reference Guide to keep up with changes in the industry and adding lots of new pages of technical information.



FTTx and Design Pages Updated
As we developed the new Fiber U self-study courses, we updated the FTTx and Design pages and added a FTTx installation section.

OTDR FAQs

Including FOA Master Instructor Terry O'Malley's tests on what the end of a fiber trace looks like with broken and cleaved fibers.
Frequently Asked Questions On OTDRS And Hints On Their Use  


Testing FTTH
Basic guidelines for testing FTTH PON networks  

Measuring Reflectance or Return Loss
It can be important but it's not so easy to test.

Fiber Optic and Premises Cabling Project Paperwork
Covering what are SOW, RFPs and RFQs and how they are created for a project.

Effects of Alignment and Fiber Geometry on Fiber Optic Connector Loss
With all the controversy about connector loss due to modal distribution, we sometimes forget the effects of component variations.

Fiber Optics For Wireless Networks
How wireless is not wireless - it needs fiber.



Learn More About OTDRs - Download a Free OTDR Simulator
More and more installers are being asked for OTDR testing but using these instruments is not easy. They are hard to set up properly and complicated to interpret the traces. Using the autotest function can lead to disastrous results! The FOA has a good tutorial on OTDRs on our Online Reference Guide and w
e added a free download of an OTDR simulator to the OTDR section so you can learn how to use an OTDR on your PC.


More New Info:

Links to manufacturers and distributors of fiber optic lighting products.

The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide has become very popular - perhaps the most popular technical website ever, typically with over 360,000 users downloading about 1.75 million pages in 2011! We continue updating materials regularly, keeping it as up to date as possible.

Find What You Want Using "Google Custom Search
custom searchThere's so much information on the FOA 
Tech Topics and Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide that even a well-organized Table of Contents isn't enough and when the material is always changing, an index is impossible to maintain. So the FOA is using the latest technology in search, Google Custom Search, which will allow you to search just the FOA Tech Topics and Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide for any topic you want to find more about. Try it!  

Go to  The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide.




School News

Students:

Smart Grid Program Places Coop Student

Tom Collins, instructor at Gateway Community College in Cincinnati, and FOA Board Member, reports on their "Smart Grid" program that includes FOA curriculum and certifications:  "We have placed our first Smart Grid Coop student with DUKE in Cincy. They wanted a lineman ( Utility tech) with Fiber/communication training.  Our CPCT program is so critical as part of their skills set."

FOA Training Leads To Work
Cary Lee Pabayo got his CFOT from Wallace Allen who moved from New York City to teach in the Phillipines. Cary was trained by Nexus-Net, FOA school # 742 on the campus of the Asian College of Technology. Now he's installing fiber for Transfield Services and building the broadband network in NZ.
FOA CFOT working in NZ

New Schools
The FOA welcomes the newest additions to our listing of FOA-Approved Training Organizations:

Alliant Global Training Center,  FOA-Approved School #326
Madison Area Technical College
,  FOA-Approved School #643
IBEW Local 193,  FOA Approved-School #642



Find a listing of all the FOA-Approved schools here.


It's Now A Lot Easier To Find A FOA-Approved Training Organization
FOA-Approved School Map Zoom to CA
Most phone calls we get regarding finding a FOA-Approved training organization want to know two things: what school is closest to me or what school offers the certifications I need. That can be difficult, since the FOA has almost 200 training organizations we have approved worldwide!
We've been looking at ways to make it easier, and we think we've got a good solution. In fact we have two solutions.
First we have added a sortable table of all the FOA-Approved schools.
Y
ou can also use our FOA Google Map Application to find FOA-Approved schools.

Here are links to the
sortable table of all the FOA-Approved schools and  FOA Google Map.



What Should A Fiber Optics or Cabling Tech Know and What Skills Do They Need?
The FOA has been updating its lists of KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) for fiber and cabling techs. The updated list is now on the website for your information and comments - as fiber and cabling KSAs evolve as new technologies develop.
KSAs for fiber and cabling techs.




Good Question! Tech Questions/Comments Worth Repeating

Tech Hint: Did You Know You Have A Fiber Optic Tester In Your Pocket?
Yes! The camera in your cell phone is sensitive to infrared light - lots more than your eye - and can detect light in an optical fiber or from a transmitter.  Chris Hillyer,
CFOT/CFOS/I, Master Instructor, Northern California Sound & Communication JATC sent us some photos showing how this works. See below or the video now on YouTube. Update: You should check out your old cell phones before you recycle them. We've found older models use sensors which are better at infrared than the newer ones which take better pictures. This is a good use for your old cell phones hiding in the drawer!

More on Loss Budgets (4/12)
Q: We manufacture cables for seismic industry which contains fiber optics. I have some questions after checking your loss budget document at http://www.thefoa.org/tech/lossbudg.htm.
 
a-If we want to establish the specs for max allowed attenuation for a cable containing 1 connector at each end (meaning the cable has 2 connectors); is it correct to calculate it this way:  2 x (0.75 db “TIA-568 max) + fiber loss along the length = our loss budget ?
 
b-What about the connectors of the optical power meter used for measuring (the ones we mate with each connector at end to transmit/receive the light)? Should I add their connector loss in the budget or I assume that the connector mate loss = max loss between one of both connectors (assuming the one at the cable has higher loss) for each end?
 
A: Let's start with question "b",  testing. For reference, I'm going to use the new FOA standard for testing the cable plant: FOA Standard FOA-1

I am assuming the connectors on the cable are compatible with the meter, e.g. some version of the SC/ST/FC family with 2.5 mm ferrules and you have some compatible launch and receive cables that have been tested and are known good.

When you do a reference calibration in the one cable reference method, you attach the launch cable to the source (leave it attached for the duration of the testing) and the other end to the meter input to do the "0 dB" calibration. Most meters have an adapter that screws on top of the actual detector of the meter so the end of the fiber faces the detector. This interface is not without some loss, but it is consistent in the coupling of the power from the fiber to the detector of the meter, so it is a constant in the measurement.

Now we know how much power is exiting the fiber of the launch cable. To test a cable, we attach the cable we want to test to the launch cable. That connection has loss that depends on the quality of the connectors on each cable and the alignment precision of the mating adapter for the connectors.

If we attached the other end of the cable we are testing to the meter now, we would measure the loss of the connection to the launch cable and the loss due to the attenuation of the fiber in the cable. Since the connector mated to the meter has the same interface as the reference cable when we calibrated  "0 dB" there is no loss added in this connection. We use this test for patchcords since it allows us to test each connector independently by reversing the cable and thus we can identify if we have one bad connector.

Completed cable assemblies are usually tested double ended, so on the opposite end from the launch, we attach a receive cable. The connection to the cable under test is added to the loss we measure and the connection to the meter is the same as for all other measurements so it is not included.

Thus the loss budget adds the connections on each end of the cable to the fiber loss since that is what is measured in this test.

Now we did this test with what we call a "1 cable reference" but there are options for 2 or three cable references. The standard linked above shows why you might use a 2 or 3 cable reference, it's a matter of the connectors on the cable and the meter and how they can be mated. What confuses people is what you are actually measuring with the 2 or 3 cable reference, since connections are included in the setting of the  "0 dB" reference. We have a web page that explains the math: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/testing/5ways/lossmath.html

In our loss budget calculations, we always include the loss of the connectors on each end since most tests are done with a 1 cable reference. If you use a two cable reference, the loss is reduced by the amount of loss in the connection(s) during the setting of the 0 dB reference, plus the measurement uncertainty is increased due to the uncertainty of the loss included in the reference. We address the measurement uncertainty here: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/testing/5ways/fiveways.html

Now question "a": The answer is "yes" with a caveat. That is how you calculate the loss budget. Most connectors do not have 0.75 dB loss! That number has been used in TIA and ISO/IEC standards for many years. It was created by manufacturers as a worst case value for them to use so that all types of connectors would meet the standards. In fact, the more typical values for loss are ~0.3 dB for adhesive polish connectors, ~0.5-0.75 dB for prepolished/splice connectors and ~0.75 dB or more for multifiber connectors.
So while 0.75 dB is in the standard and widely used, you may want to use a lower value more representative of the manufacturing process.


Burying Fiber Ducts Below Frost Line (3/12)
Q:
Should fiber ducts in northern regions be laid below frost line. Frost line in some areas of Canada is typically 8 feet.
A: Normally telecommunication conduit should be place below frost line when ever possible. Cost is always a factor, in most cases frost line does not exceed 36" (1 meter aprox). Northern Canada is an exception. Depending on the strength of the conduit/cables to resist the crushing force of ice frozen in place around cables (see manufacturer). Ice has been know separate conduits from itself, frost has crush conduits/cables. The following designs have been used:
1) Use schedule 80 conduit/ GIP conduit (threaded pipe).
2) Design each conduit section so that it will drain down hill.
3) Keep water out off handholes/manholes. This can be very difficult & costly.
4) Ensure that cables can maintain frost crushing (see manufacturer).

Companies like Bell /AT&T have been placing conduit below or at 3' to 5' in Canada.
Companies like CATV have been placing conduit below or at 2' to 4' in Canada.
In the US most conduits are placed 24" to 60" for communication.
Each situation will need to be reviewed on a case by case bases.

Municipal Fiber Network Advice (2/12)
Q:
I am charged with researching a municipal requirement to install fiber optic infrastructure in new development--this could either be for active development or dark fiber for future connection.  Any pointers as to where to look?  Have any communities done this well....  done this poorly....  have good examples of policy, legal code or standards?
A: Municipal networks are becoming very common. The best example I know is Santa Monica, CA Citynet http://www.smgov.net/departments/isd/smcitynet.aspx  and we've interviewed them on the project.
Santa Monica built a citywide network to combine connections to all the city offices, public safety offices, libraries, etc. plus added numerous CCTV surveillance cameras, smart traffic signals and muni WiFi. They installed lots of fiber - fiber is cheap but installation can be costly, so they built a big network with lots of dark fiber in the beginning. Then they leased fiber to the local CATV company, Verizon for FiOS fiber to the home, and connected up dozens of tech companies to high speed Internet access (Google, Yahoo and dozens of movie production houses are located in Santa Monica.)
The really good deal was it paid for itself. Federal money helped with the initial installation (DoTransportation, DoEducation, Homeland Security) and leased fiber keeps the income coming.
As  a big college town already involved with "Gig U" (http://www.gig-u.org/), you should contact the people at the University to see what they have planned that may be able to be combined with your work.
I suspect that every town has its own issues with policy, codes and standards. We've discussed some of the issues with other towns and one thing that comes up regularly is that at a minimum, the town should own the conduits even if the fiber is private. If a private contractor digs up the streets to bury cables they should be required to install many conduits for whenever another company wants to pull cable, the conduit is ready and no digging will be necessary. We also suggest talking to the local telephone and CATV companies. In the past, many have fought muni fiber but now many cooperate with the city and lease fiber from them.

Help On Termination 2/12
Q:
I'm working as an user and sometime I install connectors on fibers. Most of the time I work with ST connectors. Do you have a small guide how to prepare, and polish the fibers ? Is it possible to use ST single mode connector on Multimode fiber and viceversa ?
A: We have several links that help you:

YouTube Videos:http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL21F27A040DFAA6E5&feature=plcp
Tutorial: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/termination/Term/Term.htm
Step-By Step Virtual Hands-on Termination:  Epoxy/Polish, Anaerobic, Hot Melt
Singlemode fiber termination, Hands-on SM termination
Even more from the FOA Online Reference Guide: http://www.thefoa.org/tech/ref/contents.html#Components

Singlemode connectors have tighter tolerances and a slightly smaller hole in the ferrule. Generally speaking, you can use SM connectors on MM fiber, except when the fiber diameter is on the high side of tolerance but you should never use MM connectors on SM fiber as the fit will be sloppy and the resulting core offset causes high loss.

Removing Unused Cables 2/12
Q:
Can you point me in the direction of information on how to properly and safely remove 50 Micron Multi-mode Fibre Optic Cable from a data center?  My company would like to remove their old FOC when they upgrade to 10g cable fibre and were considering cutting the LC connectors off the cables to make it easier to pull through the rats nest of cables under the floor.  Is this a safe method?
A: There is not standard way to remove cables, as it will depend on the installation. Cables in underfloor (or overhead) trays tend to be enmeshed in other cables unless they are in separate ducts. Under any circumstances, the best way to remove them is to cut off connectors, locate the cables and cut into lengths that are easily removed (just make sure you are cutting the right cables - a installer doing this with some cables in Newark, NJ once cut the wrong cable and put Wall St. out of business for a day!). Once they are cut into short lengths, it should be easy to remove them.
After removal, the cable can be recycled for the plastic - connectors are trash. Or if they are long enough, I may know some schools who would like them for their hands-on labs!

Higher Loss At Long Wavelengths? 1/12
Q: I have a tech in the field that has installed a piece of single mode fiber approx. 650’ long. He is testing it with a source and meter. The fiber is passing the 1310 loss test but failing the 1550 test. What could be causing this? He has put new ends on the fiber already and is getting the same results.
A: This sounds like a classic problem of cable stress. Singlemode fiber is much more sensitive to bending stress losses at 1550nm than 1310nm. If there is a stressed area in the cable installation, it's easy to get >3dB loss from a tight bend or kink, even near the connectors. There should be no difference with the connectors themselves. Telcos test links at 1625nm for stress testing.
Followup: The tech went back to the job site with an OTDR and found there was a spike in the reading about 120’ from one end which is where there is a pull box up in the ceiling.


Fiber Cleaning
This is a topic we keep reminding everybody about, and here is why:

From a contrator in the Middle East: Here some samples of the connectors for SM fiber already installed in the system we were testing.
dirty connector   dirty connector
As you can see, the dirt is large compared to the size of the fiber (dark gray), and the core (not visible here) is only 9/125 of the overall diameter of the fiber! More on cleaningSee Product News below for links to vendors of fiber cleaning products.

See news about
Fiber Optic Cleaning Videos on YouTube by ITW Chemtronics below.

Measurement Uncertainty: Everyone testing fiber optics should understand that every measurement has some uncertainty - whether you are measuring loss, length, wavelength, power, etc. Knowing that uncertainty is very important to interpreting the measurement. It's worthwhile to read and understand the issue of measurement accuracy covered in this page of the FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide.


Worth Reading or Watching:

What's ahead for multimode fiber communication systems?
By Gastón E. Tudury, Ph.D., and Al Brunsting, Ph.D., Panduit
With networks like Ethernet moving to 40 and 100 Gb/s, current multimode fiber has been forced to a parallel optics solution, not considered acceptable by some users like Google, due to the masses of fiber needed for data centers. Rather than go to a singlemode WDM solution, these two suggest we should look at redesigning MM fiber, cutting the NA for higher bandwidth and maybe tweaking the VCSELs too. Lightwave.


Choosing the right connector: APC vs. UPC
An interesting article from ADC on the differences in APC and UPC connectors makes the choice easier. Read more.

Benchmarking Fusion Splicing And Selecting Singlemode Fiber

We've been asked many times "How long does it take to splice a cable?" It's not a simple answer as it varies with the number of fibers in the cable and the work setup, including whether one or two techs are working at a job site. FOA Master Instructor Joe Botha of Triple Play in South Africa did his own analysis based on decades of experience both splicing cables and teaching others how to do it properly. This is one of the best analyses we have seen because Joe includes prep times as well as splicing times and differentiates between one tech and two techs working together. He adds some other tips on fusion splicing too. This should be mandatory reading for every tech and given to every student! Here is Joe's splicing analysis. 

Joe also has an excellent writeup on how to choose singlemode fiber that helps understanding the different types of G.6xx fiber. Read it here.

Videos on Firestopping: These free videos from UL and the International Firestop Council are good tutorials on firestopping. Go here to view the videos.

Micro-Trenching, Cable Removal (3/12)
Nano-Trench offers products for micro (or I guess they call it nano-) trenching and their website is very informative. They also have Kabel-X, a method of extracting copper cables from old conduit. Both websites are informative and interesting. Watch this video on the cable removal process!

Free - Mike Holt's Explanation Of The US National Electrical Code (NEC) For Communications Cables

Mike Holt is the acknowledged expert of the US National Electrical Code (NEC). His books and seminars are highly praised for their ability to make a very complicated standard (that is in fact Code - law - in most areas of the US) easily understood. Part of the appeal is Mike's great drawings that make understanding so much easier. Mike makes Chapter 8 of his book available free. It covers communications cables, telephones, LANs, CATV and CCTV, for premises applications. Even if you live in a region or country where the NEC is not the law, you may find this interesting.
Download Mike's Chapter Here


Fiber Optic Crossword Puzzles For Entertainment And As A CFOT Certification Study Aid (2/12)

Pearson Technologies Inc., a 32-year fiber optic training, technical and marketing consulting firm, announces availability of a free training and certification tool. This tool is a free set of crossword puzzles on the terms of fiber optic installation and products. This set assists those studying fiber optic installation or planning to take the Fiber Optic Association (FOA) Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) certification examination. The four puzzles are for: light and fiber terms, cable terms, connector and splice terms, optoelectronics and testing terms.

The puzzles can be viewed and printed from: http://www.ptnowire.com/resources.htm or http://www.ptnowire.com/CFOT-Puzzles-vb.pdf. Individuals can receive the answers by email request.

For additional information, contact Pearson Technologies Inc. at: 4671 Hickory Bend Drive, Acworth, GA 30102, at (770) 490-991, or via e-mail at fiberguru@ptnowire.com.


New Eric Pearson Books (2/12)

EP Book  EP Connector book  EP OTDR Book

Pearson Technologies Inc. announces the release of three new books, Professional Fiber Optic Installation, The Essentials For Success, Mastering Fiber Optic Connector Installation and Mastering The OTDR.
Based on 31 years of experience, laboratory testing, development, and training of more than 8000 installers, these books is suitable for training, installation, personnel certification, and reference. Eric's books are perhaps best described as fiber optic "cookbooks," full of detailed directions that reflect many years of tesing in his courses. They are valuable references for the fiber optic tech.

For additional information. contact Pearson Technologies Inc., www.ptnowire.com, fiberguru@ptnowire.com, 770-490-9991



Fiber Optic Cleaning Videos on YouTube
ITW Chemtronics has three fiber optic cleaning videos on 
videos covering Dry CleaningWet-Dry Method, FiberWash and Combination Cleaning. They are good explanations of cleaning processes - the Wet-Dry is especially interesting.


A Documentary Treasure on the History of the Internet
15 minutes of a rarely-seen BBC documentary demolish the myth that ARPAnet was inspired by nuclear war, and explain the far more intriguing truth.
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/26719/?nlid=4433


Ensuring Distance Accuracy On OTDR Measurements
By JDSU.


Broadband Properties Webinar Archives
Broadband Properties Magazine
Lots of interesting webinars, mostly on FTTH. Go here.


FTTX Networks
An ADC white paper on how they work and how networks are upgraded to FTTH. http://connectedplanetonline.com/images/CP-ADC3-WhitePaper-v4.pdf.

JDSU Application Note On "Qualifying FTTH Network before Equipment Installation"
Another great paper from JDSU covering FTTH PON networks is available for downloading. It gives an overview of FTTH architecture, cleaning connectors then testing the cable plant with OTDRs and OLTSs. This paper will help you understand why OTDRs can be confusing on PONs! 

Best Practices For Wireless Backhaul Network Upgrades
Joan Engebretson, Contributing Editor of Connected Planet has written a very good overview of how fiber is essential to the operation of cellular wireless systems. Everybody probably knows that fiber is used to connect towers into the telecom network - they call it backhaul - but her article also covers the new appliations to replace bulky, heavy, lossy coax up the  tower to the antennas. http://connectedplanetonline.com/images/CP_ADC2_WhitePaper.pdf.

Fiber Optic Safety Poster
We've had numerous requests to reprint our guidelines on safety when working with fiber optics, so we have created a "Safety Poster" for you to print and post in your classroom, worksite, etc. We suggest giving a copy to every student and installer.

Corning now offers videos on Corning on YouTube. Lots of interesting videos, some technical, some sales, but all good information.

US Conec's videos on cleaning fibers - show's the results of proper cleaning.

Webinars of Interest

Broadcast Engineering Magazine - Fiber Optic Testing
FOA President Jim Hayes presents an overview of fiber optic testing for all applications. Available on Demand. Sign up here.

Multimode Fiber Trends from TIA's Fiber Optics LAN Section
Ryan Chappell, Draka Communications, looks at the evolution of multimode fiber, examines its current usage and shares predictionson its future
Available on-demand at: http://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/7182/play

OSP Magazine Webinars

OSP Magazine (OSP as in outside plant telco) is now offering a number of interesting webinars that cover fiber topics, including network design and specialized components.  http://www.ospmag.com/events/web/

Multimode Fiber Characterization Launch Condition Considerations - new ap note from JDSU  

JDSU Reference Guide to Fiber Optic Testing – Volume 2 PublishedJDSU Fiber Optic Testing Volume 2
The second volume of the JDSU series on fiber optic testing has been published.  Volume 1 focused on Basic Fiber testing and Volume 2 is geared toward fiber optic installers, project managers, telecom technicians and engineers who need to understand fiber networks. Volume 2 also covers Chromatic Dispersion, Polarization Mode Dispersion, Attenuation Profile and Fiber Link and Network Characterization. A 3rd volume, a glossary of fiber optic terms, is also available for download.
This is a "MUST HAVE" for all fiber optic techs. Download your free copies here.
We used this book as one of our references in creating a new page in the FOA Online Reference Guide on chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization-mode dispersion (PMD).


Careers in Fiber Optics:
Brian Smith. A 1998 book on fiber optic jobs is a bit dated, but a free overview is on Google Books and worth a look at it online.

Dirt!
As much as 70% of the problems associated with deploying fiber to the home result from something as simple as dirty connectors according to JDSU. Telephony Online.

US Conec's videos on cleaning fibers - show's the results of proper cleaning.

Good Technical Websites

American Polywater (http://www.polywater.com/) has one of the best technical website for cable installers. Here is a rundown on some new material on their site.

Cable Installation using "Push" or "Push/Pull"
Polywater's new Pull-Planner™ 3000 Software allows a "pushing force" variable in pulling tension calculations.  Read a White Paper that quantifies the push contribution and compares calculation results to field experience. --
http://www.polywater.com/pushing.pdf

Pulling Cable Through Water?
Read a Product Spotlight on Polywater® + Silicone™, Polywater's new generation underground lubricant.  Continued reduction of friction when pulling through water is only one of the unique features of this lubricant. --
http://www.polywater.com/NNNBSL.pdf

Check out their website, especially “Videos,” “Engineer’s Corner” and  “Calculators.” http://www.polywater.com/NNNBSL.pdf



HOTS



" Heard on the Street" is a monthly online newsletter from Frank Bisbee of Communications Planning Corporation  that covers the telecommunications and cabling businesses. Each month includes news from manufacturers, trade associations and professional societies like the FOA. You can read the current issue and back issues online.




JDSU Webinar series
JDSU has announced the See the Light webinar series, a four-part program designed for anyone involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of fiber optic systems. It begins with fiber inspection and cleaning and then covers the basics of fiber testing. The webinar series then continues with the more advanced optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) and fiber local area network (LAN) testing challenges. More information on the series.



IGI is offering a series of webinars on topics of interest to those in the communications industry.
You can join them live ir download from the archives. 
IGI WEBINAR ARCHIVES UP AND RUNNING - VISIT TELECOMBRIEFINGS.COM TO DOWNLOAD!
 
IGI, a major market research and technology reporting company (the "Active Optical Cables" below)  is offering a a free one year subscription to one of our fiber optics newsletters to FOA members.  All they have to do is to send IGI an e-mail stating which newsletter they would like to get. See http://www.igigroup.com/nl.html for a listing of IGI Newsletters.



FOA Tech Topics - 
A Fiber Optic Tester In Your Pocket?  (See the video on Corning on YouTube )
Yes! The camera in your cell phone is sensitive to infrared light - lots more than your eye - and can detect light in an optical fiber or from a transmitter.  Chris Hillyer,CFOT/CFOS/I, Master Instructor, Northern California Sound & Communication JATC brought this to our attention.
IR Viewer 850 nm  IR Viewer 1300 nm

If you have an old cell phone, try it too. Our experience is that older cell phone cameras have better sensitivity at IR wavelengths than newer phones, so you may want to toss that old phone into the toolbox.



FOA Technical Bulletins
How do you design and manufacture fiber optic systems? Choose and install one to serve your communications needs? Troubleshoot problems? The FOA Fiber Optic Technical Bulletins will provide step-by-step guidelines to help you. All are PDF files you can download, print and use.
Testing Update
Are there really 5 different ways to test optical fiber cabling after installation? Why so many? How do the measurements - and more importantly the measurement results - differ? What are the advanteages and disadvantages of each method?
Why are there 4 ways (maybe 5) to test fiber optic cables?
Do OTDRs and OLTS tests give the same results?
 
New Tech Topics
Industry standards updated to include international standards
Updated link specs for fiber optic networks - now includes 10/40/100G Ethernet.

Product News

Uraseal FOD-40 Drop Splice Protection Kit
Uraseal
 Uraseal has developed a procedure allowing the use of round cables up to 8mm (5/16") in diameter with the FOD-40 kit.  This procedure allows the technician to attach round cables to the channels in the FOD-40 kit, where the remaining steps for preparing and filling the kit remain the same.  For more information you can download the FOD-40 splice kit instruction sheet at this link:
http://www.urasealtraining.com/Instructions/FOD-40rda8.pdf

Videos On Installing Valdor Crimp-On Connectors

Valdor just released these short SP and ST connector videos demonstrating the simplicity of field installation.
SP & ST field installation videos:  http://youtu.be/RggqruyagMc and http://youtu.be/9to5-kxTEPA
Valdor company and product overview: http://youtu.be/hK-cq2d8ofo

OTDR Software for Standardized Cable Plants

Noyes OTDR

Noyes has introduced new software for their OTDRs called Test Results Manager which helps viewing and analyzing OTDR traces. In addition, it can compare results to required performance for networks like 10G Ethernet and certify the fibers for those networks. There is an interesting note on standards here. The standards for the fiber optic cable plant required to support IEEE 802.3ae 10G Ethernet are specific to the network (see here for a list of most network fiber cable plant requirements) and if testing is being done to determine if the cable plant will support this network, testing must be done to the network standards not the generic cable plant standards to ensure proper operation. This is another common misconception of standards.  Read more on the Noyes TRM(r) software.


Restoration Kits

TriNet Communications offers restoration kits for field emergencies (e.g. backhoe fade), covering both temporary and permanent repairs. Kits include cable with a specified number of fibers, splice cases and mechanical splices. Here are links to specs on both temporary and permanent repair kits.
Temporary Restoration Kits
Permanent Restoration Kits

Handheld OTDR
AFS OTDR
Advanced Fiber Solutions has introduced a new compact portable OTDR that offers high resolution (to 1m) and light weight (1.6 pounds, 0.72 kg) plus numerous wavelength and range options. Here is more information.

Magnetic Cable Management Hardware
RES
Mounting hardware for cable management in equipment or telecom rooms can be difficult - what do you attach things to? But RES has a unique idea - use magnets to hold the hardware on racks or any metal parts. Neat idea, see their products here.

Micro-Trenching, Cable Removal
Nano-Trench offers products for micro (or I guess they call it nano-) trenching and their website is very informative. They also have Kabel-X, a method of extracting copper cables from old conduit. Both websites are informative and interesting. Watch this video on the cable removal process!

Protecting Pedestals From Rodents
Pedestals and underground vaults can be damaged by rodents who come up through the base and damage cables. Uraseal "Drain N'Seal" foam deters mice from taking up residence in your pedestals. They have some good videos on using their product.

A Cable Tie That's Fiber Friendly
We're always warning installers not to tighten cable ties too tightly around fiber optic cable (or UTP copper cable either!) A better choice is the hook and loop fastener ties (Velcro is one trade name), but there is another type, the Mille-Tie. It's an open tie that can be used at any length, then cut off and the remainder used also. Take a look a the video to see how it works.
Mille-Tie Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPVTQGKmcvE  
 

Used Test Equipment – Buy or Sell
http://www.testequipmentconnection.com/


Have you read the FOA Tech Topics on Cleaning?

More links on cleaning:

  • Westover 
  • AFL

    ITW Chemtronics

    Cleantex Alco Pads

    MicroCare 

     Seiko-Giken


     
    FTTH Notes:

    Broadband Properties: Latest Issue has lots of FTTx News.

    Google Map Shows Worldwide FTTx Projects

    One of the better sites to track FTTx projects is this Google maps application that shows projects on a world map with details on the project.

    FTTx Map of the world

    Click on the map above or here to view the interactive web map.

    Testing FTTH
    JDSU shows how to test a PON with an OTDR: http://www.jdsu.com/other-literature/PON-OTDR_fop_an_ae.pdf

     
    Want To Learn More About FTTx?
    The FOA has created a special FTTx resources section of our website with a FTTx links page with lots of links to news, market reports, technical articles and vendor technical and product information. Here is a great place to start learning more about FTTx.
    FOA's CFxT FTTx Certification Program Explained
    Read the Broadband Properties article about the FOA FTTx certification program. Read the article about FOA President Jim Hayes being honored for his work promoting FTTH.

     

    What Is The FOA?

    Hear FOA President Jim Hayes tell the FOA Story in a 2-part interview by Sound & Video Contractor Contributing Editor Bennett Liles. It tells about the FOA history, goals and achievements.
    Part 1: http://svconline.com/podcasts/audio/fiber_optic_association_part1/index.html.  
    Part 2 http://svconline.com/podcasts/audio/inside-fiber-optic-association2-0924/index.html.




     Digging Safely (Read the FOA Tech Topic)

    There is a toll-free "call before you dig" number: 811

    See www.call811.com for more information

    National Fiber Optic Protection Summit: By the "811" group. March, 2008 in Vegas.


      

    Download This!
     
    There are tons of technical application notes and videos on the web, and occasionally we recommend some you should download. The JDSU fiber testing guide is really worthwhile, as are the ADC FTTx book and Westover video on fiber inspection and cleaning, linked below.
     
    JDSU Testing Book
    JDSU offers a free download of their Testing Guide from the Lightwave website. This is one great book which explains some basic fiber technology, but the real value is the last half which deals with OTDR testing. Not only does it give the usual info, but it covers important topics like measurement uncertainties and anomolies like ghosts and gainers.
     
    I was in the testing business for 20+ years at Fotec and think this book is one of the best fiber optic testing texts available. It's complete but comprehenisble! I used to believe that premises techs did not need OTDR training, but now OTDR manufacturers are pushing their use in premises networks. Unfortunately, the limitations of OTDRs in premises applications can cause extreme problems for those who are not aware of their limitations. So knowing hows OTDRs work is essential information to every tech. 
    JH
     
    Download yourself a copy and read it! http://lw.pennnet.com/whitepapers/wp.cfm?id=665
     
    Westover Application Notes And Cleaning Video
    Westover has several application notes on inspecting and cleaning fiber optic connectors. The video is a big file (50+MB) but a good tutorial.
    Download page: http://www.westoverfiber.com/Support/downloads.php
     

    Employment

    New: Jobs Blog

    Using Social Media to help find your next job

    According to CBS News.com, Facebook alone had over 700 million users who spend about 750 billion minutes on the site per month.  Twitter reported over 360 million users in late August 2011.   As of early 2012, LinkedIn has recorded over 140 million users on their professional network.  The list goes on and on with Social Media sites that are attracting millions of new users each year. 

    Over 80% of today's stakeholders use social media for recruiting personnel.  A large portion of these new age employers have found success using sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.  In fact, more companies are investing time and budget on social media recruiting in 2012 than any previous years.

    Other Social Media job seeking facts: In 2010, 92% of active hiring managers used social media networks for recruiting.

    Click here http://bit.ly/HoebVq to read the full article on Social Media job seeking tips by Scott A. Coulter, CSS


    Visit my blog at http://apsicorp.net/?p=5422 for the 10 tips and more about Employability Branding for Telecom Professionals.


    Scott Coulter is the founder and Chief Executive of APSi.  Mr. Coulter is an Author, Entrepreneur and Leader with over 20 years of experience in IT Staffing, writing curriculum and providing consulting services to clients around the U.S. and internationally.


    FOA Jobs Website

    We get many questions from CFOTs, students at FOA-Approved schools and others contemplating getting into the fiber optic business regarding jobs in fiber optics - and how to find them - so we’ve created a new web page to share some information we've gathered about jobs in our industry. The information is designed to help you understand what jobs are available in fiber optics, how to find them and apply for them.
    While the overall economy is pretty bad - you've probably heard that there are 5 times as many people unemployed in the US as there are jobs available, telecom is a bright spot - broadband is a major focus of stimulus spending in the US and countries around the world are building fiber networks as fast as possible. Even wireless companies have to build fiber for their backhaul. Cities are installing fiber linked surveillance cameras and smart traffic lights. Fiber is the link making Smart Grid possible. Companies like Allied Fiber are building large private networks. Telecom is one of the fastest growing businesses worldwide.

    If you are looking for a job in fiber optics, here is the FOA's guide to jobs.

    The FOA has created a group on
    FOA on LinkedIn  expressly to help our CFOTs find employment and contracting opportunities. If you are a CFOT and are interested in participating, join us on FOA on LinkedIn. If you have job openings, let us post them on FOA on LinkedIn.


    A list of 10 ways to get your resume noticed from Marketplace on NPR   


    Jobs Created As Part of Stimulus-Funded Projects
    The federal government is spending 7.2 billion dollars on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.  This money is working it's way into the economy and hopefully will provide jobs.  You can track recovery dollars and look for job opportunities on this website:
    www.recovery.gov  Go to "opportinities" link then "jobs".  You will see a section “find recovery jobs” – enter “fiber optic jobs California” or wherever you are and review what comes up.

    One of the projects funded by stimulus money is the 1100 mile network of
    Maine Fiber Company Inc. which has selected nextGen Telecom Services Group Inc. as the installation contractor. CFOTs: NextGen has a link on their website for applying for jobs



    Job Openings

    FOA Instructor

    Certified Fiber Optic Instructor to teach CFOT, Oklahoma City, OK

    Date posted: February 27, 2012

    ERI seeks immediate part-time contract instructor to teach 40-hour Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) certification course to adults in the Oklahoma City workplace. Adult teaching experience required. Hands-on experience involved. The course has two components: A theory component and a hands-on component where emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of working with fiber optic cables, including connectorization, fusion splicing and testing. Hourly instructional rate plus paid preparation time.

    Contact Heather Blake, heather@educationalres.com

    Educational Resources, Inc.
    45064 Underwood Lane, #200
    Dulles, VA 20166
    USA
    Tel: 703-904-1800
    Fax: 703-904-1856
    http://www.educationalres.com/



    Recruiter Looking For Fiber Techs

    Seeking Fiber Analyst for long term role based in Mountain View, CA.

    Excellent pay and benefits, GREAT team and work/life balance.

    Job Summary
    Industry Test Standards/ Protocols/Methods:  Telcordia SONET OC-48/192/768, GR-468-CORE, GR-1209, GR-1221; ITU G.709, ITU G.651, ITU G.652, ITU G. 653, ITU G. 654, ITU G. 655 LAN/WAN, GigE, MIL-STD-217 & 883, ISO-9001, SCSI, Fiber Channel, Telcordia SR-332 Reliability, FMEA, RoHS, DWDM
    Strong technical knowledge of DWDM based optical transmission systems design (Networks, Devices, and Technology), component qualifications, system simulation and link budget analysis.
    Good OTDR/PMD/CMD/ORL/Insertion Loss/Attenuation test experience skills
     
    Fiber testing, CD, PMD, OTDR, ILM.
    Fault finding.
    Analysis of Fiber Optic Test Results.
    Design and execute system test plans.
    Survey existing fiber networks to enable the production of new fiber designs.
    Implementing engineering scope of work.
    Perform formal and informal training on solutions and technology as required.
    Document results of tests and system designs. Communicate results, issues, next steps, etc. to partners, customers, and management as needed to resolve problems.
    Acceptance Testing.
    Perform other duties as required.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
    Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience referred.
     
    Required:
    Three to 5 years DF testing, Fiber Analyst.
    Excellent communication skills.
    Strong customer support skills.
    Ability to troubleshoot complex FC issues to resolution.
    Knowledge of ODF, Patch Panels.
    Knowledge of DF types.
    Eligible to work in the US without sponsorship.
     
    Accreditation/certifications/licenses       SCTE
    IEEE
    CCNA, CCIE, etc.
    Working Conditions/Travel Requirements          
    Normal office environment.
    Travel to other locations as required.  Travel 80 to 85%.
     

    Plan, facilitate and manage expansion work in Data Centers, POP’s.

    It’s long term (couple of years), about $45 per hour, maybe a bit more for the right person.
     
    Plan, facilitate and manage expansion work in Data Centers, POP’s. Work closely with the technical negotiation team to understand terms of existing and new contracts and arrangements including delivery targets and specific technical requirements related to space, power, cooling and rack build out, DF, OSP, ISP. Communicate target completion dates and ensure that all internal requirements are being met in a timely manner.
     
    Strong project management skills to serve as primary vendor contact for the delivery of space, power, HVAC, racks, cabinets, dark fiber for new builds and expansion of existing sites.
    Technical knowledge of DWDM based optical transmission systems. Strong knowledge of  Telcordia GR 1275, 1502, 2981, NFPA requirements.
    Strong understanding of interconnectivity requirements within carrier hotels including LOA/CFA, physical interfaces, cable types, connector types. Strong understanding of risers and all aspects of ISP.
    Strong Experience with planning and delivery of space, power, cooling and inside plant fiber, risers, routes and documentation of same. Strong Experience with AC Power, UPS, Rectifiers, DC Power, Battery Plant, HAVC, Grounding.
    Strong skills in development of Statements of Work (SOW), MOPs  and an understanding and managing vendor provided handover packages – project managing internal teams to qualify handover packages
    Hands On background in proper fiber cleaning procedures, radius bend and fiber running procedures. Connector types, fiber management, understanding, use of light meter, light source,  understanding of OTDR shots.
    Good understanding of OSP and interconnection hand off between OSP and ISP.
    Demonstrated organizational project tracking and communications skills.
    Proficient with laptop and Windows applications.
    Strong Telco background
    80% travel required.
     
    BS Degree in a technical discipline or 6 years in a telecom related field.
    Strong Project Management, Communications Skills along with Strong Personal Relationship
    Ability to read and understand engineering provided drawings and wire list. Visio, Excel,
    Working Conditions/Travel - Indoor and outdoor environments. 50% - 80% travel required
     

    More Jobs For Techs

    I’m looking for a couple of techs for a 2+ year project that’s based in NorCal doing trace analysis and audits nationwide. As the pay range is between $35-40 per hour, this would be a good opportunity for someone who has the training and experience and is certified.

    I’m also looking for a couple of FTTx Design Engineers for a contract-to-perm role in Lincoln… these are just a couple of examples of what I’m hiring for.

     
    Contact:_______________________________________________________
    Tami Brittain | Technical Recruiter | Comforce Telecom
    15305 Dallas Parkway Ste 250 Addison, TX 75001
    Phone: 972-866-5145 | Cell:  972-217-5912
    Email:  tbrittain@comforce.com


    Fiber Optics Engineer/Technician (Feb 2012) 

    Are you crazy about new technology and how the communications space is changing to meet the expanding bandwidth requirements in the communication age? Have you spent five plus years in the field working directly with fiber and service providers and want to move into a product development role that solves problems up front? If working with a dynamic team and some of North America’s top triple play service providers is a direction you want to take your career, please email a covering letter stating your experience and your resume to dhammersley@vplenterprises.com.

    A little About Us:
    Primex Telecom is a division of VPL Enterprises Ltd, a plastic injection-molding company that specializes in the manufacture and distribution of telecommunication and building products. Primex specializes in developing, producing and distributing flexible enclosure solutions for the cable and
    telecom industries. We offer turn-key and OEM solutions for CATv, Copper and Fiber termination boxes in a series of off-the-shelf products as well as ready-to-install customized enclosures. At Primex, we makeeverything fit – so you don’t have to.

    Description:
    You will work collaboratively with internal teams and customers to build on product offerings using existing ideas, and will use your industry experience to prioritize and develop new features and designs. You possess a unique blend of business and technical acumen and have the ability to see the ‘big’ picture. You have the determination to make the company’s vision a reality and enjoy spending time in the market to understand customer issues and develop innovative solutions.

    General Duties and Responsibilities:
    To work in close collaboration with Telecom sales, engineering, customers and prospective clients to design and build market ready optical fiber, copper, wireless and OEM network termination, demarcationand connection enclosures. Assist in strategically sourcing specified components and alternates and follow through to completion all relevant certification processes and requirements for the Telecommarketplace. The Fiber Optics Engineer/Technician is the technical sales support resource responsible for working with front line sales teams, marketing, customers and engineering teams to conceptualize,design and execute the development and market acceptance of Primex solutions.

    Responsibilities: Capturing detailed requirements and ensuring that our internal mechanical engineering team understands all requirements & develop products that are consistent with our brand and appropriate for the marketplace.
    Direct relationship management with external customer engineering teams to develop solution- focused products.
    Building and maintaining business relationships with any partners and suppliers necessary to ensure the success of the products, including vendor selection.
    Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications and other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of designs or applications.
    Assess customer network specifications and assist in procuring specified components and work towards value engineering part substitutions where possible to increase value.

    Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance specifications.
    Perform research and report on competitive products; assist Marketing and Sales with developing differentiating product positioning strategies.

    Provide technical customer service in coordination with Sales as required.
    Train internal staff on market trends, new technologies and specifically the expanding role of fiber optics in the communications space.

    Required Skills and Qualifications

    This role will require someone with extraordinary technical abilities gained through on site field experience. An academic background in Electrical Engineering would be highly relevant. Direct multi-year, OSP experience in the telecommunications, fiber optics and cable television market space.

    Solid understanding of the telecommunications market and specifically the role of fiber optics in relation to FTTx market.
    Direct experience with the last mile equipment, termination and technologies – Fiber and Copper. Thorough understanding of role and evolution of both active Ethernet and PON networking systems as well as working familiarity with RFoG systems and new triple play technology developments.

    Familiarity with compliance engineering, UL, CSA and/or Bellcore/Telecordia.
    The ability to research and anticipate technology trends is essential in addition to understanding competitors and their ‘roadmaps’.
    Strong problem solving skills along with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Intellectual curiosity, creativity and a passion for technology would be advantageous.
    Project management skills demonstrated through a PMP designation or work experience. Demonstrated ability to understand and develop plans and strategies to clearly communicate complex business issues and technological solutions.
    Fluent communication skills in English both written and oral.
    Ability to effectively work with cross-functional teams and various geographical locations. Willingness and ability to travel within North America to support Sales and Marketing efforts.

    This position will be based at our Primex Headquarters in Vancouver/Langley, BC, Canada. Check out our website at http://www.primextelecom.com/ to learn more about our company and our flexible enclosure solutions for the communications space. Interested and qualified candidates should email Donovan Hammersley, VP of Sales and Marketing, at dhammersley@vplenterprises.com. Only qualified candidates will be contacted for future follow up.



    Communications Installation Technician in Alaska (Feb 2012) 

    We have an immediate opening for a Communications Installation Technician in the Alaska market.  We are also expanding our installation crew in the PNW market and would like to interview candidates for open positions.
     
    Jay Lewandowski
    Install Project Manager
    Steelhead Communications Inc.
    (206) 384-5960 Cell
     

     
    WASHINGTON CORPORATE OFFICE
    28120 State Route 410 East
    Buckley, WA 98321
    (360) 829-1330 Office
    (360) 829-1320 Fax
    jay@steelheadcom.com

    ALASKA OFFICE
    700 West 58th Avenue
    Unit J
    Anchorage, AK 99518
    (907) 569-0003 Office
    (907) 569-0013 Fax



    FOA lists jobs and contracting opportunities on our LinkedIn group. CFOTs are invited to join.





     Do listings in the FOA Newsletter Work? Here's feedback:

    "We did great!  We have over 15 interviews next week."

    "Your newsletter generated a significant number of applicants and we have filled the position."






     







     FOA Logo Merchandise

    New FOA Swag! Shirts, Caps, Stickers, Cups, etc.
    FOA T Shirt
    The FOA has created a store on Zazzle.com offering lots of new logo merchandise. It has lots of versions of shirts and other merchandise with "FOA," "Fiber U," "Lennie Lightwave" designs and more so you should find something just for you! See FOA on Zazzle.
     

     
    FOA Certification Top Choice

    The FOA CFOT and CFOS programs continue to gain momentum in fiber optics. Over 36,000 CFOTs (December 2011) have been certified by over 250 schools. Since our founding in July, 1995, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting fiber optics and professionalism in fiber optics personnel, focusing on education and certification. We are continuing to add new schools and more CFOTs as users of fiber optics learn that a CFOT is the indication of a professional, well-trained fiber optic technician. Now with FTTH (fiber to the home) finally taking off, demand for CFOTs is rising and schools are responding by expanding programs rapidly.
    The FOA now has approved programs in place at 200+ organizations, welcoming new additions like the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Corning Cable Systems and AFL (and their new acquisition "The Light Brigade" for their installation training programs) and NASA's Goldstone Tracking Station. The complete list of FOA-Approved schools is at http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm.

     

    Understanding FOA Certifications
    To answer questions on FOA certifications, we have several web pages:
    Overview of FOA certifications
    Training Requirements - What Schools Are Teaching
     
    Reading these will help you understand what each FOA certification covers and how to prepare for them.
     


    Your Name, CFOT® - It pays to advertise!

    The FOA encourages CFOTs to use the logo on their business cards, letterhead, truck or van, etc. and provides logo files on this site for that purpose. But we are also asked about how to use the CFOT or CFOS certifications. Easy, you can refer to yourself as "Your Name, CFOT" or "Your Name, CFOS/T" for example.

    Feel free to use the logo and designations to promote your achievements and professionalism!

     


    Remember To Renew Your Certification !

    Remember to renew your FOA certification. All current CFOTs have a ID Card with their certification data and we keep a database of current CFOTs to answer inquiries regarding your qualifications if needed. You must be a current FOA member and CFOT to participate in our online database of installers, contractors, technicians and consultants. If you forgot to renew, use the online application form to renew NOW!

    You can now renew your FOA certification online - and get an extra month free. Details here.

     


     

    To Contact The FOA:
     
    The Fiber Optic Association
    1119 S Mission Road, # 355
    Fallbrook, California 92028 USA
     
    Office Hours 10AM-5 PM Pacific Time, Monday to Friday
    Telephone: 760-451-3655
    Fax: 781-207-2421
    info@thefoa.org

    You can now renew your FOA certification online - and get an extra month free. Details here.




    Want to write for the FOA Newsletter? Send us articles, news, anything you think might be interesting to the rest of the membership!
    info@thefoa.org



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