CFOT® -
Certified Fiber Optic Technician - is the primary FOA certification
for all fiber optic technicians, regardless of the applications in
which they work. CFOTs have basic
knowledge, skills and abilities in
fiber
optics that can be applied to almost any job type and for almost any
application involving fiber optics.
FOA
CFOT
certification is based on an extensive knowledge of fiber optics
technology, components, processes and applications as well as skills
in appropriate tasks. The CFOT certification has been structured
as a general technology certification, not aligned to any specific
fiber optic application or job function. It is used by all types
of technicians, such as outside plant and premises installers, two
very different applications, technicians working in specialty fields
using fiber optics such as electrical utilities, oil and gas,
wireless, platforms like shiops and aircraft, component manufacturing
technicians, network managers, network designers, etc. A well-prepared
fiber optic technician will have job experience, a CFOT plus
appropriate specialist certifications (CFOS) for the skills needed for
the job (OSP, spicing, connectors, testing, design, etc.) and
applications (FTTH, OLAN, Wireless, etc.).
A certified fiber optic technician should have knowledge of the scope of fiber optic applications, components and processes to be able to successfully work in any aspect of fiber optic technology.
Fiber
Optic Jargon
Fiber optic terms
Metric System
Fiber
Optic Communications Systems
How
communications
systems use light to transfer information
OSP
Systems:
Internet, Telco, CATV, Utility, Municipal
Components
and
their functions in a datalink
Sources:
LED,
Laser (FP, DFB, VCSEL)
Detectors
(photodiode,
APD; Si, Ge, InGaAs)
What
determines
how well a datalink transmits data
Optical
Fiber
Types
of
optical fiber
SI
MM , GI MM, SM
Basic
specifications
that affect transmission
Attenuation,
dispersion
Choosing
the
appropriate fiber for the system
Fiber
Optic Cable
Types
of
cables and their applications
Tight
buffer
(simplex, zipcord, distribution, breakout)
Loose
tube
(loose tube, ribbon, microcable, high density cable)
Specialty
(OPGW,
underwater, air blown, flat sawn-groove)
Relevant
specifications
for applications
Water
blocking,
pulling strength, armoring, etc.
Choosing
the
proper cable for application
Termination
and Splicing
Uses
Relevant
performance
Loss,
reflectance,
strength
Splicing
processes
Mechanical
Fusion
Mass
(ribbon)
fusion
Hardware
Termination
Connector
types
ST,
SC,
LC, MTP, etc.
Termination
processes
Adhesive
(epoxy,
anaerobic, HotMelt)
Prepolished
splice, SOC
Prefab
systems
Hardware
Testing
Fiber
Optic Network Design
Evaluating
communications
system requirements
Designing
the
proper cable plant
Layout
Choosing
components
Loss
budgets
Documentation
Fiber
Optic Installation
Evaluating
needs
based on cable plant design
Planning
for
the installation
Safety
Eye
Safety
Tool
safety
Chemical
safety
Disposal
of
materials
Basic
knowledge
of Codes, standards, and Regulations
Performing
the
installation
Documenting
the
cable plant
These are
generalized descriptions of the skills appropriate for a certified
fiber optic technician. Fiber optic technicians may be called upon to
work in many diverse applications where fiber optics is used. There
are hundreds of applications, thousands of types of cables, dozens of
types of connectors and termination processes, several splicing types
and processes and a broad range of testing requirements. These the
general topics of the skills that may be appropriate for a CFOT, but
most will have specialized skills appropriate for their job functions.
Having the basic knowledge of a CFOT is preparation to learn new
applications and processes as required.
Fiber
Optic Cable
Preparing cable for installation
Installing fiber optic cable
Preparing
cable
for splicing or termination
Spicing
Preparing
cable
for splicing
Mechanical
splicing
Fusion
splicing
Termination
Preparing
cables
for termination
Installing
connectors
Inspecting connectors
Testing connectors
Reading and math at approximately a 10th grade level
Good
eyesight
with color rendition
Good
hand-eye
coordination
Be
able
to use hand and power tools
Analytical
skills
Follow
directions
Patience
Work
in
adverse conditions
Premises
cabling
refers to cabling used indoors to support LANs (local area networks),
WiFi, security systems, building management systems, and other
communications systems that operate within buildings or campuses. This
cabling consists of copper and fiber cabling and wireless connections
for WiFi and DAS (indoor cellular distributed antenna systems). The
KSAs are broken into 4 categories: cabling systems overview, copper,
fiber and wireless.
Certified
premises
cabling technicians must have knowledge and skills in all types of
cable and wireless communications sytems
and their installation.
Knowledge |
Cabling
Systems |
Copper
Cabling |
Fiber
Optic Cabling |
Wireless |
Overview |
What
are cabling systems Where
are they used |
Types
of copper cabling systems Where
they are used Legacy
systems |
Where
is fiber used and why What
applications does it support |
Why
use wireless? How
it fits into a structured cabling system |
Jargon |
Cabling
systems jargon and standards |
Copper
cabling systems jargon and standards |
Fiber
optic cabling systems jargon and standards |
Wireless
systems types, jargon and standards |
Communications
Systems |
What
types of communications systems use structured cabling |
How
do communications systems use copper cabling Power
over Ethernet |
How
do communications systems use fiber optic cabling |
How
do communications systems use wireless |
Cabling |
Generic
use of cabling |
Types
of copper cabling used in premises cabling systems |
Types
of fiber optic cabling used in premises cabling systems |
Types
of cabling used by wireless in premises cabling systems |
Termination
& Splicing |
NA |
Where
connectors and punch-downs are used Relevant
performance specifications Hardware
needed (e.g. patch panels, patchcords, etc.) |
Where
connectors and splices are used Types
of connectors and splices and applications Relevant
performance specifications Hardware
needed (e.g. patch panels, patchcords, etc.) |
Relevant
cabling to connect wireless access points |
Testing |
|
Test
requirements for UTP cable certification or verification Troubleshooting |
Cable
tracing/polarity Connector inspection and cleaning Cable and cable plant testing Cable and cable plant troubleshooting Optical power and system testing |
|
Design |
Evaluating
communications system requirements Designing
the proper cable plant Layout Choosing
components Loss
budgets Documentation |
As
specific for copper cabling |
As
specific for fiber optic cabling |
As
specific for cabling for wireless and location of wireless
access points |
Installation |
Evaluating
needs based on cable plant design Planning
for the installation Safety Eye
Safety Tool
safety Chemical
safety Disposal
of materials Basic
knowledge of Codes, standards, and Regulations Performing
the installation (including grounding and bonding,
firestopping, etc.) |
As
specific for copper cabling |
As
specific for fiber optic cabling |
As
specific for cabling for wireless and
wireless access points |
Skills |
|
Copper
Cable Pulling
cable Placing
cable in trays, J-hooks, etc. Preparing
cable for splicing or termination Punchdowns Preparing
cable for punchdowns Color
codes Maintaining
performance at punchdowns Termination
Preparing
cables for termination Installing
connectors Maintaining
performance at connectors Testing Certification
testing Verification Testing TDR
testing |
Fiber
Optic Cable Attaching
pulling eye and rope to a cable Pulling
cable Preparing
cable for splicing or termination Spicing Preparing
cable for splicing Mechanical
splicing Fusion
splicing Termination
Identifying
connectors Preparing
cables for termination Installing
connectors Inspecting
connectors Testing Cable tracing/polarity Connector inspection and cleaning Cable and cable plant testing Cable and cable plant troubleshooting Optical power and system testing |
Wireless
AP Cabling (Fiber
or copper as appropriate) |
Abilities |
Reading and math at approximately a 10th grade level, Good
eyesight with color rendition
Good
hand-eye coordination Be
able to use hand and power tools Analytical
skills Follow
directions Patience Work
in adverse conditions |
|
|
|
A fiber optic network designer is responsible for
the proper design of the fiber optic cable plant and often the
communications systems that operate over it. The designer will be
involved in the project from the beginning, working with the
organization to establish communications needs and design a physical
network capable of delivering those needs. To do so, they will work
with managers of the organization, contractors/installers, component
suppliers, etc. to gather all the information needed to design and
cost the network. The designer may also be involved in planning the
installation and following through to ensure the network is installed
properly and on schedule.
Fiber Optic Network Design - General
Evaluating communications
system requirements
Basic knowledge of Codes,
standards, and regulations
Permits, easements, access to
rights-of-way
Designing the proper cable
plant
Choosing components
Loss budgets
Documentation
Planning The Project –
The Processes
Communications
Cable plant options (OSP.
Premises)
Paperwork (SOW, RFP, RFQ,
Contract)
Choosing components,
estimating costs
Documentation
Operation of the network
Troubleshooting and
restoration
Fiber Optic Jargon
Fiber optic terms
Metric System
Fiber Optic Communications Systems
How communications systems use
light to transfer information
Components and their functions
in a datalink
Fiber Optic Components
Optical Fiber
Types of optical fiber (SM,
MM)
Basic specifications that
affect transmission
Choosing the appropriate fiber
for the system
Fiber Optic Cable
Types of cables and their
applications (OSP, premises)
Relevant specifications for
applications
Choosing the proper cable for
application
Termination and Splicing
Where one uses splicing or
termination
Relevant performance
Splicing processes
Termination
Hardware
Testing
Testing required before and
during installation, troubleshooting
Fiber characterization (Long
haul SM testing for CD and PMD)
Power and loss budgets
Documentation of test results
Fiber Optic Installation
Types of construction for underground, aerial and premises
networks
Evaluating construction based
on cable plant design
Planning for the installation
process
Safety: Eye Safety, Tool
safety, Chemical safety. Disposal of materials
Performing the installation
Evaluating the quality of the
installation, testing
Documenting the cable plant
Skills
People/organizational skills
Communications, written and
verbal
Computer skills
Analytical skills
Reading and math at approximately a 10th grade level
Analytical skills
Follow directions
Patience
Outside
plant specialists have the full knowledge of a CFOT and are required
to have the CFOT certification. In addition, the OSP specialist will
have knowledge of OSP components, construction for underground or
aerial cable plants and installation of various types of OSP cables.
They are expected to have knowledge and skills of OSP installation
techniques like fusion splicing and OTDR testing.
Fiber
Optic Jargon
Fiber optic terms
Metric System
Fiber
Optic Communications Systems
How
communications
systems use light to transfer information
OSP
Systems:
Telco including wireless antennas, CATV, Utility, Municipal networks,
etc.
Components
and
their functions in a datalink
Sources:
LED,
Laser (FP, DFB, VCSEL)
Detectors
(photodiode,
APD; Si, Ge, InGaAs)
What
determines
how well a datalink transmits data
Optical
Fiber
Types
of
optical fiber
SI
MM , GI MM, SM
Basic
specifications
that affect transmission
Attenuation,
dispersion
Choosing
the
appropriate fiber for the system
Fiber
Optic Cable
Types
of
cables and their applications
Tight
buffer
(simplex, zipcord, distribution,
breakout)
Loose
tube
(loose tube, ribbon)
Specialty (OPGW, ADSS,
underwater, air blown, flat saw-groove cable and conduit)
Relevant
specifications
for applications
Water
blocking,
pulling strength, armoring, etc.
Choosing
the
proper cable for application
Conduit,
innerduct,
cable pullers, pulling eyes, lubricants, etc.
Termination
and Splicing
Uses
Relevant
performance
Loss,
reflectance,
strength
Splicing
processes
Mechanical
Fusion
Mass
(ribbon)
fusion
Hardware,
closures
Fitting
splices
in trays, trays in closures, sealing, pressure testing
Installing
on
Poles,
Installing
and
racking cable
Termination
Connector
types
ST,
SC,
LC, MTP, etc.
Termination
processes
Spliced-on pigtails
Adhesive
(epoxy,
anaerobic, HotMelt)
Prepolished
splice
Prefab
systems
Hardware
Fiber characterization
Fiber
Optic Network Design
Evaluating
communications
system requirements
Aerial,
direct
buried, pulled in conduit, submarine and other installations
Designing
the
proper cable plant
Layout
Choosing
components
Loss
budgets
Documentation
Fiber
Optic Network Construction
Techniques
for
contstuction
Outside
plant
(OSP), underground or aerial
Premises
Fiber
Optic Installation
Evaluating
needs
based on cable plant design
Planning
for
the installation
Safety
Eye
Safety
Tool
safety
Chemical
safety
Disposal
of
materials
Basic
knowledge
of Codes, standards, and Regulations
Installation tools and equipment: cable pullers,
plows, bucket trucks, splicing trailers, directional boring, etc.
Performing
the
installation
Documenting
the
cable plant
General
Installation
Using ladders, bucket trucks, etc.
Climbing poles and towers for aerial installation
Preparing cable for installation
Installing fiber optic cable
Preparing cable for splicing or termination
Spicing
Preparing
cable
for splicing
Mechanical
splicing
Fusion
splicing
Fitting
splices
in trays, trays in closures, sealing
Termination
Identifying
connectors
Preparing
cables
for termination
Breakout
kits
on loose tube cable
Installing
connectors
Inspecting
connectors
Grounding
Cables with metallic armor
Enclosures
Hardware on poles, etc
Distribution buildings
Fiber characterization
Reading and math at approximately a 10th grade level
Good
eyesight
with color rendition
Good
hand-eye
coordination
Be
able
to use hand and power tools
Analytical
skills
Follow
directions
Patience
Work
in
adverse conditions
KSAs For FOA CFOS/S Splicing Specialist Certification
Fiber optic splicing is used for joining two fibers
when cables are concatenated for longer runs or cables are split to
runs in different directions. Splicing involves the processes of
preparing cables, operating a fusion splicer or the tools for
mechanical splicing, placing splices in a splice closure and testing
the quality of the splices.
The CFOS/S Fiber Optic Splicing Specialist
certification is a skills certification so
the concentration is on mastering the hands-on processes used in
splicing fiber.
Knowledge
This
assumes
the tech has the basic knowledge of a CFOT or equivalent.
Types Of Fiber Optic
Splices
Fusion splicing – single fiber and mass/ribbon
splicing
Mechanical splicing - types
Where is each splice type typically used?
Requirements for a good splice – loss/reflectance/reliabiity
Equipment needed for splicing
Cable preparation tools
Stripper
Cleaning kit
Cleaver
Fusion splicer
Processes Of Splicing
Cable preparation
Single fiber splicing
Stripping fibers
Cleaning fibers
Cleaving fibers
Splicing – fusion and
mechanical
Splice protection
Dressing fibers in splice
closure
Sealing/storing/attaching
closure
Duplicate for mass/ribbon splicing
Testing Splices
Visual fault location
OLTS
testing
OTDR testing
Documenting tests
Skills
Cable preparation
Operating splicers
Strip/clean/cleave/splice/protect/store
Testing
Abilities
Standard CFOT
Patience
KSAs For FOA CFOS/C Connector Specialist Certification
Fiber optic connectors are used for terminating a
fiber for the purpose joining two fibers in a manner that is
demountable to allow for changing connections or connecting to fiber
optic transceivers. Terminating fibers with connectors involves a
number of different processes because of the different types of
termination methods. All processes include preparing cables, attaching
connectors which may involve adhesives, crimping or splicing fibers
including operating a fusion splicer or the tools for mechanical
splicing. It is very important to understand inspecting and cleaning
connectors as it affects connection loss, including when being tested.
The CFOS/C Fiber Optic Connector Specialist
certification is a skills certification so
the concentration is on mastering the hands-on processes used in
terminating fiber.
Knowledge
This
assumes
the tech has the basic knowledge of a CFOT or equivalent.
Types Of Fiber Optic
Connectors
Connector styles – single fiber or multiple fiber,
SC/ST/LC/MPO, etc.
Requirements for a good connector –
loss/reflectance/reliability
Termination types
Adhesive/polish
Crimp/polish
Prepolished/splice
Fusion splice-on connector
(SOC)
Fusion splice-on pigtail
Equipment needed for attaching connectors for
various termination types
Cable preparation tools
Termination kit
Cleaning kit
Processes Of
Termination for various termination types
Adhesive/polish
Crimp/polish
Prepolished/splice
Fusion splice-on connector
(SOC)
Fusion splice-on pigtail
Cable preparation for cable types, furcation tubing
Single fiber connectors
Multiple fiber connectors
Testing connectors
Microscope inspection
Cleaning
OLTS
testing
OTDR testing
Documenting tests
Skills
Cable preparation
Using tools in toolkits
Processes for termination types
Testing
Abilities
Standard CFOT
Patience
KSAs For FOA CFOS/T Fiber Optic Testing Certification
Fiber optic testing is probably the most complex
task in fiber optics. Testing is used to confirm the quality of
components, verify the quality of an installed cable plant, test fiber
optic communications links and troubleshoot problems.
Fiber optic testing includes inspecting fiber optic
connectors with a microscope, tracing fibers and finding local
problems with a visual fault locator, measuring optical power from
transmitters or at receivers, measuring optical loss in a cable or
cable plant and taking a snapshot of a fiber with an OTDR. Long
distance OSP fibers intended for high speed links may also be tested
for dispersion. Testing involves lots of tests and lots of
instruments, some quite complex.
The CFOS/T certification requires that the
technician understand the use of the instruments, performance of the
tests and the uncertainty of the measurements. Since most of these
tests are covered by industry standards, the tech is also expected to
be familiar with the appropriate standards.
The CFOS/T Fiber Optic Testing Specialist
certification is a skills certification, so the concentration is on
mastering the hands-on processes used in testing fiber.
Knowledge
This
assumes
the tech has the basic knowledge of a CFOT or equivalent.
Fiber
optic
testing
Cleanliness of connectors
Continuity and fault location
Optical power – understanding dB, dBm
Insertion loss
Fiber attenuation, splice loss, connector
reflectance
Fiber dispersion for long distance, high-speed
links
Troubleshooting
Standards for testing
Fiber
optic
test instruments
Inspection microscopes
Visual fault locators
Optical power meters
Optical loss test set (light source and power
meter)
Optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)
Dispersion test sets for fiber characterization
Reference cables
Test
methods
Visual inspection and cleaning
Fiber tracing and fault location
Measuring optical power from transmitters and
receivers
Measuring insertion loss of a cable plant
Testing cable plants with optical time domain
reflectometer (OTDR)
Fiber characterization
Troubleshooting
Metrology
Calibration
Expected test results – loss budgets
Understanding fiber optic measurement uncertainty
Skills
Connector cleaning
Operating instruments
Making tests
Evaluating test results
Abilities
Standard CFOT
Patience
KSAs
For
FOA CFOS/FC Fiber Characterization Certification
Fiber optic testing is probably the most complex
task in fiber optics and fiber characterization extends testing by
adding tests for dispersion needed for long-distance high-speed
networks. Fiber characterization is used to confirm the ability of
longer fiber optic cable plants to transmit signals tens or hundreds
of kilometers at speeds above 10 gigabits per second or even 100
gigabits per second.
Fiber characterization includes the standard fiber
optic tests: inspecting fiber optic connectors with a microscope,
tracing fibers and finding local problems with a visual fault locator,
measuring optical power from transmitters or at receivers, measuring
optical loss in a cable or cable plant and taking a snapshot of a
fiber with an OTDR. In addition, long distance OSP fibers intended for
high speed links must also be tested for chromatic and
polarization-mode dispersion. This testing involves lots of tests and
lots of instruments, some quite complex.
The CFOS/FC certification requires that the
technician understand the use of the instruments, performance of the
tests and the uncertainty of the measurements. Since most of these
tests are covered by industry standards, the tech is also expected to
be familiar with the appropriate standards.
The CFOS/FC Fiber Characterization Specialist
certification is a skills certification, so the concentration is on
mastering the hands-on processes used in testing fiber.
Knowledge
This
assumes
the tech has the basic knowledge of a CFOT or equivalent.
Fiber
Characterization
Necessity for fiber characterization – new and old
fibers
Fiber specifications for high speed networks and
wavelength division multiplexing
Fiber
optic
testing
Cleanliness of connectors
Continuity and fault location
Optical power – understanding dB, dBm
Insertion loss
Fiber attenuation, splice loss, connector
reflectance by OLTS and OTDR
Spectral attenuation (SA)
Fiber dispersion for long distance, high-speed
links, chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD)
Troubleshooting
Standards for testing
CD,
PMD and SA
Understanding the causes of CD. PMD
and SA
Specifications and maximum tolerated dispersion by
various networks
Test methods
Compensating for CD
Variability of PMD
testing
Skills
Connector cleaning
Operating instruments
Making tests
Evaluating test results
Abilities
Standard CFOT
Patience
KSAs
For
FOA CFOS/H FTTx Certification
FOA has worked with many FTTx
service providers and contractors to train and certify installation
techs. While the FOA has a FTTx
curriculum and certification based on the optical network, there is
another category of FTTx tech who is
responsible for customer premises installation. To cover that job
function, we have added a second set of KSAs that covers the FTTx
Customer Premises (CP) Tech
to help trainers understand the needs of CP techs.
Part
1.
KSAs For FOA FTTx Tech Certification
FOA CFOS/H certification KSAs applies to techs
interested in understanding the entire topic of FTTx,
including FTTH architectures, components,
protocols, etc.) It is assumed these techs are going to be designers,
installers or managers of these projects. They may be involved in
installing distribution and drop cables, OLTs
and ONTs, FDHs,
etc. so they need a thorough knowledge of PONs
and associated hardware. Most of these workers, but especially the
installers, should have a CFOT.
Knowledge
This assumes the tech has the basic knowledge of a
CFOT or equivalent.
What is FTTx? Why is
it an issue now?
The types of FTTx (FTTC
(curb, also sometimes FTTN for node), FTTH
(home), FTTP (premises), etc.
Advantages/disadvantages of each type of FTTx
Different types of FTTH
architectures (active/P2P, PON)
Advantages/disadvantages of different types of FTTH
architectures
Differences between PONs
and traditional fiber networks
Standardized PON
network types (BPON, GPON,
EPON, RFOG)
Future developments in PONs
PON
network cabling architectures
Cabling for single family and MDU
(multi-dwelling) installations
PON
cabling options (traditional fiber, prefab components, special
components developed for PONs)
Testing PONs (OLTS
and OTDR)
Skills
Those taking this course may be working in several
areas - design, installation, service, even management. The skills for
installation are similar to the CFOT but those with other job
functions may need specialized skills appropriate to their total job
responsibility.
Installation
CFOT skills (cables, splicing, termination -
generally prepolished/splice-on
connectors, testing - PONs)
For prefab systems, special handling, installation,
cleaning, testing
Abilities - Installation
CFOT abilities:
Good eyesight with color rendition
Good hand-eye coordination
Manual dexterity
Use of hand and power tools
Analytical skills
Follow directions
Patience
Work in adverse conditions
Part
2.
KSAs For FTTH Customer Premises Techs
There is another class of FTTH
installers/techs that are mainly involved with the drops to the house,
connecting the ONT to the PON
network and then connecting customer devices (phone, Internet routers
and TVs.) These techs require a different set of KSAs that may exclude
the technical detail onn fiber included
in the traditional FTTx tech but include
installing the ONT, checking service
connections, then connecting and sometimes providing service and
training to the customer. Due to the limited fiber optics skills
needed but the added installation skills used for UTP
and coax copper cables and WiFi, a FOA CPCT certification would be
good preparation.
Knowledge
Basic knowledge of fiber optics (fiber, cable,
links, installation, test)
Basics of GPON systems
(architecture, ONTs, OLTs,
splitters)
How ONTs work
(connecting to the PON network, outputs
for voice/data/video)
Building and electrical codes relating to
installation of premises cabling.
Cabling for single family and MDU
(multi-dwelling) installations (types of cable/connectors (fiber/UTP/coax),
methods for installing cable indoors (depending on cable types,
components chosen by the provider, may include penetrating walls,
pulling cables in walls, sticking cables to molding, etc.)
Termination processes used by provider (if not
using prefab assemblies)
Providing power to ONT
including setting up backup power if used.
Connecting and testing operation of ONTs.
Connecting POTS phones with UTP
cable (may include installing and terminating cable)
Connecting computers to Internet (wired or
wireless) and doing setup for PCs, MACs, Chromebooks, etc. (may
involve installing Cat 5e/6 UTP
cable to computer, setting up wireless access points, installing MOCA
system on coax, routers and switches)
Connecting TVs to ONT
and setting up control boxes (may involve running coax cable including
termination, connecting control boxes and TVs, programming TVs and
remotes)
How to deal with customers (how to dress, act, be
courteous, answer questions, etc.)
How to negotiate with customer on installation
methods so they are not upset with the modifications to their
residence made in the installation.
How to clean up after installation to ensure the
customer will be happy.
Skills
Cable and equipment installation (fiber
installation using components chosen for the project (may include
prefab cable assemblies, special drop cables, quick connectors, etc.),
ONTs, UTP and
Coax cable, power connections)
Computer, phone and TV setup and troubleshooting
Use of appropriate tools including woodworking
tools for installing in customer premises
Installation, programming and troubleshooting of
phones, computers and networks (wired and wireless) and TVs
Dealing with people, explaining what you are doing,
answering questions and showing them how to use the new equipment
Abilities
CFOT Abilities
Patience in dealing with people
Enjoyment of dealing with people
KSAs
For
FOA CFOS/DC Cabling For Data Centers
Certification
The
ability to perform any job requires certain abilities, knowledge and
skills, commonly referred to as “KSAs.” For the fiber optic
technician, these KSAs have been determined by more than a dozen FOA adviosrs
from over 30 years of experience in actual installations. The FOA has
developed this list as the qualifications for FOA certification and to
provide training organizations and instructors a list of topics that
should be included in a basic training curriculum, such as for FOA
certification.
For
those working in the field who wish to become FOA certified, it is a
list of relevant topics for study, whether using the FOA textbooks or
the FOA Online Reference Guide or Study Guides.
KSAs for CFOS/DC Cabling For
Data Centers
Data centers are one of the fastest growing
applications for cabling, especially fiber optics. The growth of the
Internet has demanded that data centers be built near users around the
world, have massive storage for data and ultra-high
speed connections. These high speed
connections over relatively long distances require fiber optics for
most links.
This certification will cover the design of typical
data centers and explain how they use fiber for connections into their
networks.
Note: This is an FOA applications certification.
The certification can be taken by management or designers who will not
be doing installation without a CFOT. Installers of fiber optic
cabling for wireless systems should always have a CFOT.
Knowledge
This assumes the tech has the basic knowledge of a
CFOT or equivalent.
What is a data center?
Types of equipment are used to create a data center
What types of interconnection architecture are used
Top-of-rack and end-of-row designs
Media options for connections – copper, fiber
(singlemode or multimode), active optical cables
Fiber options – singlemode with wavelength-division
multiplexing, multimode with parallel optics or wavelength-division
multiplexing
Prefab cabling options
Cable plant installation options
Fiber Optics
Prefab multimode parallel optics systems –
installation and testing issues
Performance issues
Upgrade issues
Skills
Those taking this course may be working in several
areas - design, installation, service, even management. The skills for
installation are similar to the CFOT but those with other job
functions may need specialized skills appropriate to their total job
responsibility, e,g,
network design or project management.
Skills - Installation
CFOT skills (cables, splicing, termination -
generally prepolished/splice-on
connectors, testing - PONs)
For prefab systems, special handling, installation,
cleaning, testing
Abilities - Installation
CFOT abilities
KSAs
For
FOA CFOS/L Optical LANs Certification
The
ability to perform any job requires certain abilities, knowledge and
skills, commonly referred to as “KSAs.” For the fiber optic
technician, these KSAs have been determined by more than a dozen FOA adviosrs
from over 30 years of experience in actual installations. The FOA has
developed this list as the qualifications for FOA certification and to
provide training organizations and instructors a list of topics that
should be included in a basic training curriculum, such as for FOA
certification.
For
those working in the field who wish to become FOA certified, it is a
list of relevant topics for study, whether using the FOA textbooks or
the FOA Online Reference Guide or Study Guides.
KSAs for CFOS/L Optical LANs
Local area networks (LANs) use fiber optics for
speed in enterprise networks, distance and sometimes electrical
isolation in industrial and utility environments. Fiber has been an
option in LAN cabling standards from the beginning, first as a
substitute for copper, then with a different and more cost-effective
architecture. Following the introduction of passive optical networks (PONs)
for fiber to the home, LANs have also adopted this architecture to
take advantage of its lower initial and operating costs.
This certification will cover the design of typical
optical LANs and explain how are built, tested and operated.
Note: This is an FOA applications certification.
The certification can be taken by management or designers who will not
be doing installation without a CFOT. Installers of fiber optic
cabling for wireless systems should always have a CFOT.
Knowledge
This assumes the tech has the basic knowledge of a
CFOT or equivalent.
LANs
History
Architectures – bus, ring, star
Development of cabling standards
Evolution: 12 generations of copper, 4 generations
of fiber
LAN Cabling
Structured cabling standards based on copper
Fiber as a substitute for copper
Centralized fiber
Passive optical LANs
Passive optical LANs
Architecture
Components
Network design
Installation
Testing
Fiber Optics
Installation
Prefab fiber optic systems – installation and
testing issues
Performance
Upgrades
Skills
Those taking this course may be working in several
areas - design, installation, service, even management. The skills for
installation are similar to the CFOT but those with other job
functions may need specialized skills appropriate to their total job
responsibility, e,g,
network design or project management.
Skills - Installation
CFOT skills (cables, splicing, termination -
generally prepolished/splice-on
connectors, testing - PONs)
For prefab systems, special handling, installation,
cleaning, testing
Abilities - Installation
CFOT abilities
KSAs
For
FOA CFOS/W Fiber For Wireless
Certification
The
ability to perform any job requires certain abilities, knowledge and
skills, commonly referred to as “KSAs.” For the fiber optic
technician, these KSAs have been determined by more than a dozen FOA adviosrs
from over 30 years of experience in actual installations. The FOA has
developed this list as the qualifications for FOA certification and to
provide training organizations and instructors a list of topics that
should be included in a basic training curriculum, such as for FOA
certification.
For
those working in the field who wish to become FOA certified, it is a
list of relevant topics for study, whether using the FOA textbooks or
the FOA Online Reference Guide or Study Guides.
KSAs for CFOS/W
- Fiber For Wireless
Cellular wireless towers have become filled with
antennas to provide additional bandwidth to satisfy user demands. Many
towers are replacing coaxial cables to the antennas with smaller,
lighter fiber optic cables. Cell towers (sites) are connected to the
telco network on fiber optics also. Fiber is also being used to
connect small cells in urban areas and DAS (distributed antenna
systems) inside large buildings.
WiFi also depends on fiber op[tics
as
the backbones of LANs that connect access points and fiber to sites
for line-of-sight WiFi for longer distance connections in urban or
rural areas.
This certification will cover all types of wireless
systems, explain how they use fiber for connections into their
networks.
Note: This is an FOA applications certification.
The certification can be taken by management or designers who will not
be doing installation without a CFOT. Installers of fiber optic
cabling for wireless systems should always have a CFOT.
Knowledge
This assumes the tech has the basic knowledge of a
CFOT or equivalent.
Wireless Systems
Cellular – towers, small cells, DAS
Public safety - FirstNet
WiFi – LAN, metro, rural
Cellular site technology
Tower antenna connection types: coax or fiber/coax
with passive antennas and all fiber systems with active antennas,
Fiber to small cells
Fiber used in DAS
Backhaul, fronthaul, C-RAN
WiFi Technology
WiFi in LANs
WiFi for line-of-sight links
Super WiFi and WiMax
WiFi and DAS in premises cabling networks
Free space optics
Skills
Those taking this course may be working in several
areas - design, installation, service, even management. The skills for
installation are similar to the CFOT but those with other job
functions may need specialized skills appropriate to their total job
responsibility, e,g,
network design or project management.
Skills - Installation
CFOT skills (cables, splicing, termination -
generally prepolished/splice-on
connectors, testing - PONs)
For prefab systems, special handling, installation,
cleaning, testing
Abilities - Installation
CFOT abilities
To get started on FOA certification:
Use the Fiber U Self-Study programs to prepare for the FOA Exams