What is PD IEC/TR 62316 - OTDR and single-mode fibres?
An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a precision instrument used to locate events or faults along with a fibre link, typically within an optical communications network. The reliability and quality of an OTDR are based on its accuracy, measurement range, ability to resolve and measure closely spaced events, measurement speed, and ability to perform satisfactorily under various environmental extremes and after various types of physical abuse.
PD IEC/TR 62316 is a technical report, that aims to provide guidelines for the interpretation of backscattering traces, as obtained by traditional optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) – not including polarization OTDRs – for single-mode fibres. Also, backscattered power effects are discussed in the case of unidirectional trace.
PD IEC/TR 62316 describes measurement and interpretation of OTDR the backscattered power.
Who is PD IEC/TR 62316 - OTDR and single-mode fibres?
PD IEC/TR 62316 on OTDR and single-mode fibres for:
- Electrical engineers
- Telecommunications network engineers
- The professionals who are involved in the installation of optical fibre
- Optical fibre manufacturers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use PD IEC/TR 62316 - OTDR and single-mode fibres?
The power backscattered by optical fibre is measured using OTDRs. They are based on the principle of sending one pulse or typically a train of pulses from one fibre end and measuring the power back-reflected from the fibre at the same end. In OTDR traces, space and time are completely equivalent through the relation.
PD IEC/TR 62316 introduces methods of determining the attenuation of installed links by OTDR is performing bi-directional OTDR measurements and average both these traces. However, in some situations, it is difficult in practice to perform such bi-directional OTDR measurements, in particular fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) applications. In those cases, PD IEC/TR 62316 obtained by the processing of the optical backscattered light collected from one end only of the fibre can be used, called unidirectional traces.
PD IEC/TR 62316 helps to quickly evaluate the optical continuity of fibre and to estimate the link attenuation coefficient, which reliability, however, can be affected by several effects (such as perturbation changes in the fibre, backscatter coefficient changes, non-linearities, and ghosts).
What’s changed since the last update?
PD IEC/TR 62316:2017 supersedes PD IEC/TR 62316:2007, which is withdrawn. PD IEC/TR 62316:2017 includes some technical changes with respect to PD IEC/TR 62316:2007. These include:
- The scope has been extended to include single-mode fibres
- Backscattered power effects are discussed in case of unidirectional trace, including so-called losers and gainers
- Example of apparent splice loss evaluation for unidirectional OTDR measurements has been added:
- Description of launch and tail cords have been added
- Figures have been improved.