The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. the non-profit professional society of fiber optics The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics

The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics - Complete Table of Contents Reference Topics Fiber Optics, The Basics Applications of Fiber Optics Fiber Optic Technology and Standards Fiber Optic Components Designing Fiber Optic Networks Installation of FO Cable Plants Testing & Troubleshooting Using fiber optic systems Premises Cabling Study/Use Guides Directions For Using This Website For Students, Those Preparing For the CFOT Exam For CFOTs  Wanting a Refresher Course: Self-Study Guide For Anyone  Wanting a  Self-Study Guide To Fiber Optics For Instructors: Teaching a CFOT Course Using This Website     Return To The FOA Home Page

This is the FOA Online Reference Guide To Fiber Optics. It is provided by the Fiber Optic Association, Inc., the non-profit professional society of fiber optics, as a service to  the fiber optics and telecommunications industries, especially students and instructors at our approved schools and our CFOTs working in the field. It works as a complement to our printed textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual. Students at FOA-Approved Schools can use this as a reference textbook for FOA certifications and CFOTs can use it for a refresher course or reference on the technologies or practices. The goal of this online "textbook" is educating students, network users, designers, installers, etc. on the proper usage of fiber optic communications systems. In creating the materials, we considered the needs of many readers and attempted to provide for their special needs. Everyone, of course, needs knowledge of the basics of fiber optics and skills in the processes used in designing and installing systems.  Network owners/users will be better able to understand their networks and work with contractors and installers to optimize their networks and maintain, restore and upgrade them properly. Contractors/designers will better understand how fiber is used properly, how to design efficient systems and how to communicate with their customers. Installers will find the basic information on fiber optic components, how fiber optic cable plants are installed, including tutorials of hands-on installation practices and how different types of installations require special skills and procedures. Special types of users, e.g. MIL/govt, utility, industrial, FTTx, will find special sections covering the particulars of those applications and how that affects design, installation, etc. This reference covers the differences in fiber optic applications, e.g. communications vs. lighting or inspection, OSP vs premises, etc. to provide readers with knowledge about the varied applications of fiber in today's world. The organization of this material is chosen to make it appropriate for teaching fiber optic technology, manufacture, installation, design, testing and other related topics and to provide a reference for the FOA certification exams. As a referrence book, the Table of Contents will allow anyone to find topics of interest. A complete Table of Contents which is the master link to the material is here and linked on every page. The format of all this material is simpified to allow fast loading with any browser and use on most portable web-enabled devices like this iPhone. Remember, as an online reference, this material is going to be expanded, and updated regularly to reflect changes in technologies and applications. It's always going to be incomplete, since we're always finding new things to add to it. It you have suggestions on how to improve it, contact us at info@thefoa.org. The material has been produced and reviewed by a number of contributors whom we wish to thank for their work in contributing, creating and reviewing the materials included here: Jim Hayes, Editor, Reviewers: Bob Ballard, Joe Botha, Craig Bowden, Duane Clayton, Tom Collins, F. Douglas Elliott, Jorge Garcia, Bill Graham, Arnie Harris, Karen Hayes, John Highhouse, Ron Leger, Eric Pearson, Jim Underwood, Chuck Vella, Craig Getchel and many, many more. Note: This information is provided by The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. as a benefit to those interested in designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or using fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is intended to be used as a overview and/or basic guidelines and in no way should be considered to be complete or comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion of the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a basis for learning, reference and creating their own documentation, project specifications, etc. The FOA assumes no liability for their use. The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics - Table of Contents

The Fiber Optic Association has been organized as a international non-profit professional society for the fiber optic industry. Its charter is to develop educational programs, certify fiber optic technicians, approve fiber optic training courses, participate in standards-making processes and generally promote fiber optics. The FOA has certified over 22,000 CFOTs (Certified Fiber Optic Technicians) through over 200 approved training organizations worldwide. Join us!

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To Contact The FOA:   The Fiber Optic Association 1119 S Mission Road, # 355 Fallbrook, California 92028 USA www.thefoa.org   Office Hours 10AM-5 PM Pacific Time, Monday-Friday Telephone: 1-760-451-3655 Fax: 1-781-207-2421 info@thefoa.org (C)2008-2009, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.