Optical Time Domain Reflectometer Simulator-
- The
OTDR Simulator is a aid to learning how OTDRs work without incurring
the expense of
owning a real OTDR and tons of cable. The Simulator runs on
a PC but works just like a real OTDR. It is the actual operating
software from a PC-based OTDR that comes with numerous traces that
illustrate how the OTDR works and traces of real cable plants to
analyze. The traces are raw data that is analyzed in the PC so the
simulator works just like a real OTDR.
- OTDR
manufacturers provide basic information on using their instruments, but
rarely provide an adequate variety of traces to learn from and often do
not dwell on measurement uncertainty or common problems like gainers
and ghosts. This is where you need the OTDR
Simulator. It will help you learn how to set up the OTDR properly and analyze traces correctly.
- One
of the biggest problems in learning about OTDRs is understanding
all the options in setting test parameters. Range, wavelength, pulse
width, averages, etc. all need to be understood so the operator knows
what effect they have on the trace and how to choose the proper setup
for a given test situation. Learning how to interpret traces
also requires having access to large numbers of cables, including some
very long ones. That's not easy in a lab and impossible at home.
- With
the OTDR simulator, you can learn how to use an OTDR on a
PC. The simulator includes software that emulates an OTDR and two sets of traces to
analyze.
-
- Included
are two types of traces:
- 1)
Parameter setup traces: 26 traces taken of the same cable plant, with each of the OTDR
parameters changed to allow you to see the effects of changing these
parameters, as shown in the pulse width comparison below. Traces
highlight changes in parameters such as: wavelength, range, pulse
width, fiber index of refraction, number of averages, and more.
- 2)
Real fibers: Over 40 traces of real cable plants and 5 traces of FTTH PON couplers for
you to analyze. Few classrooms can offer this many
different traces to analyze - and not many have a 180 km cable run with
an obvious gainer section or traces of PON couplers available!
-
- Works
Just Like An OTDR, Only Better
The OTDR simulator is the same software used with the PC-based
OTDR sold by Advanced
Fiber Solutions,
but runs without the OTDR hardware.
You can, however, buy the OTDR separately and use it with the same
software. This instrument uses hardware to acquire the data but
analyzes it in
the PC, so our simulator can do everything the OTDR can do to analyze
traces, including fiber loss by 2 point or LSA, connector/splice loss
by 2 points or LSA and back reflection. You can zoom in on features,
set markers, and compare traces.
- You
can load up to 6 traces and compare them on the same display. Below we
show two traces compared, the same cable plant shot at 1300 and 850 nm
test wavelengths. You can see the effect wavelength on attenuation.
Comparing Traces
Modifying OTDR Setup Parameters For Best
Test Results
Two traces showing the effects of averaging the signal.
Averaging
PC Requirements: PC running Windows XP or Windows 7
Download the PC Simulator (Zip file, 9.5 MB)
See the FOA Virtual Hands-On OTDR Tutorial
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