FO Design

Fiber Optic Network Design
A Fiber Optic Training Program

Preparation For FOA CFOS/D Certification
Fiber Optic Netw ork Design © 2009-11, The Fiber Optic Assn. Inc.
1
What Is “Fiber Optic Design”?
• Specialized process leading to fiber optic installation

• Working with:
– Architects and Engineers
– Licensed Contractors
– Consultants, manufacturer-certified contractors, vendors, etc
• Requiring in-depth knowledge of
– Fiber optic components and systems
– Fiber optic installation processes
– Standards and codes, local regulations: you MUST know the
local legal requirements before undertaking any project!
• Preparation for FOA CFOS/D Certification
2
Why Use Fiber Optics?
• Economics
• Speed
• Distance
• Weight/size
• Freedom from interference
• Electrical isolation
• Security
3
What Communications Medium To Use -
Fiber Optics, Copper Or Wireless?
Fiber Copper Wireless
? ?
Distance

? ?
Bandwidth/
bitrate 
?
EMI
 Shielded
- -
Terrain

4
Fiber Optic Applications
Review For Designers
Fiber optics” is not all the same. “Outside plant” refers tp fiber optics as
used outdoors in telephone networks or CATV. “Premises” fiber optics
is used in buildings and on campuses.
Outside Plant: Telephone companies, CATV and the Internet all use lots
of fiber optics, most of which is outside buildings. It hangs from poles,
is buried underground, pulled through conduit or is even submerged
underwater. Most of it goes relatively long distances, from a few
thousand feet to hundreds of miles, over what we call “singlemode”
fiber.
Premises Cabling: By contrast, premises cabling involves cables
installed in buildings for LANs or security systems. It involves short
lengths, rarely longer than a few hundred to two thousand feet, of mostly
“multimode” fiber.
Both these applications are unique in the components they use, the
installation methods and the testing procedures, but they share many 5
of
the basic principles we learn in this course

Cable Installation - OSP Buried
Cable Installation - OSP Buried
Know the installation method - direct buried, conduit or innerduct,
aerial, etc. and have an experienced crew leading the install. This is not
a time for inexperienced people learning on the job. Bring along some
new personnel as helpers so they can learn from the experienced ones.
Know limits in tension and bend radius for the cable you are installing.
Attach pulling eyes properly to the strength members and jacket.
Despool cable by rolling it off the spool, not pulling off the sides of the
spool, as that will put a twist in the cable and perhaps kink it.
Figure 8 the cable on the ground for midspan pulls to avoid putting a
twist in the cable.
The biggest cause of fiber optic network failure (and equally for other
buried utilities) is “backhoe fade!” Never dig until you know what is
underground where you plan to dig! A new nationwide service is
available: dial 811 to get information on buried utilities before you6 dig
Cable Pulling - OSP
• Use powered capstans for

applying tension on long
pulls through conduit or
innerduct
• Use automated tension
control
• Apply lubricant as needed
7
Cable Installation - OSP Aerial
• Aerial cable can be self

supporting (ADSS),
supported by a messenger
or, as used by many
electrical utilities, inside the
optical power ground wire
8
OSP -Splicing
• OSP splicing is generally

done in trailers or tents
• Control temperature, dust,
etc.
9
Splice Closures
• Enclosures hold one to

dozens of splice trays
• Provide entry for multiple
cables
• Seal completely for
environment
• Most can be re-entered
• Choose for cable and
application
10
Breakout Kits For Termination
• For loose tube cables, the

250 micron fibers need
protection for termination
• Use a breakout kit
• Each tube has a kit and each
fiber has a color-coded tube
11
FTTH: Fiber To the Home
12
Premises Installation
• Cable may be suspended,

placed in cable trays or pulled in
conduit or fire-rated innerduct
• All cable must meet fire codes
• Mixed with copper cables, fiber
should be run on top or
suspended below cable trays
13
Premises Installation - Codes
• All cable and cable

installations must meet
building and fire codes
• All penetrations of fire-rated
walls must be firestopped
14
Options in Premises Installation
Preterminated Cable Systems
• Use preterminated cables in
pulling eyes instead of
terminating on site after
installation
• Completely modularized,
preterminated systems
which include patch panels
15
Option: Air - Blown Fiber
• Install “cable” with open tubes

• Blow special fiber into the tubes
• Allows easy installation but
requires special equipment
• Requires special fibers
• Expensive but easy upgrades
• Premises or OSP – used in metro
and FTTH applications
16
The Design Process-
Part 1, Planning
• What network(s) and network equipment types are to
be used?
• How long must links be?
• Where will the cable be placed?
• How will splices and terminations be done and
placed?
• What testing is required?
• What documentation is necessary?
• What standards are relevant?
17
Establish The Link Route
• Communications assumes
links from point A to point B
• Determine the link
– Path
– Distance
– Obstacles
• Determine the
communications needs
– Protocol
– Bandwidth
18
Cable Installation Planning
For Either Premises or OSP - PLAN FIRST
• Review the prints
• Survey the site
• Determine exact cable path and length
• Determine location of splices and
terminations
• Do a loss budget
• Plan timing of the pull
– Components to job site
– Equipment
– Security guards if needed overnight
19
Cable Plant Documentation
• It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of cable plant

documentation
• Design - assign reference IDs for all components, create drawings, lists
of components used
• Estimating - design documentation has all components, just add pricing
and add up
• Installation - follow the directions created in design
• Testing - compare losses to loss budget for pass/fail
• Troubleshooting - determine problems and trace them down
• Restoration - aids troubleshooting and repair
20
Network Types
• Choose the networking equipment appropriate for the

application
– Communications types: data, voice, video, other
– Network architecture: star, ring, link
– Data speeds
– Analog or digital
– Link distance
21
Choosing Communications Equipment
• Communications equipment
must be compatible with
customer requirements:
– Link protocol
– Distance requirements
– Available fibers
• Consider future expansion
• Equipment determine the
maximum loss of the cable
plant which will be calculated
in the loss budget
22
Fiber Optic Data Links
23
Fiber Optic Link Performance
24
Link Distances
• Network equipment dictates fiber type

– Long distance: SM fiber
– Medium distances: singlemode or multimode
– Short distances: multimode unless very high speed
Fiber Length Data Rate Source

Multimode Short <100 MB/s 850nm LED
Long >100 MB/s 1300 LED
Short >1 GB/s 850 VCSEL
Long >1 GB/s 1300 Laser
Singlemode Short To 10 GB/s 1300 Laser
Long To 10 GB/s 1550 Laser
25
Fiber Optic Link Power Budget
• Every network has a limit on link loss

– Fiber loss
– Connector and splice loss
– Installation stress (to be avoided)
• High speeds have bandwidth penalty on MM fiber
26
27
TIA-568 Max (and Typical) Component Losses
MM fiber SM fiber
3.5 dB/km @ 850 nm (3) 0.5 dB/km @

Fiber
1.5 dB/km at 1300 nm (1) 1310 or 1550 nm
Connector 0.75 dB (0.3) 0.75 dB (0.1)
Splice 0.3 dB (0.2) 0.3 dB (0.05)
28
Example - 2 km MM fiber link with 5 conn, 1 splice
Component Component Spec Calculated Loss
3.5 dB/km @ 850 nm 7 dB @ 850 nm

Fiber - 2 km
1.5 dB/km at 1300 nm 3 dB at 1300 nm
Connectors-5 0.75 dB 3.75 dB
Splices -1 0.3 dB 0.3 dB
11.05 dB @ 850 nm
Total
7.05 dB at 1300 nm
29
FTTH PON (Fiber to the Home)
Splitter 1:2 1:4 1:8 1:16 1:32
Ideal loss
(dB) 3 6 9 12 15
Excess
loss 1 1 2 3 4
(dB,max)
Actual
loss 4 7 11 15 19
(dB, max)
30
Cable Placement - Outside Plant
• Where will the cable be installed

– buried in conduit
– direct buried
– aerial on messenger
– aerial self-supporting
– underwater
• All the same or mixed?
• OSP Cable: loose tube, water-blocked, armored if
needed
31
Cable Placement - Premises
• Cable type
– Distribution
– Breakout
– Simplex or zipcord
• Indoor cable must be NEC rated for flammability
– Riser for most applications
– Plenum if in air handling areas or installed in conduit
• Cable management
– Cable trays
– Racks
– Firestopping
32
Hardware Placement
• OSP
– Splice closures
– CEVs
– Huts
– Pedestals
• Premises
– Wall or rack mount patch panels
– Wall outlets
33
The Design Process- Part 2
• What components are to be used?

• Fiber type(s)
• Cable type(s)
• Connector type(s)
• Splice type(s)
• Installation hardware type(s)
34
Fiber Optic Components
• Cable protects fibers in the application environment

• Connectors join fibers or connect to active devices so
they can be disconnected for rerouting, testing, etc.
• Splices join two fibers permanently
• Hardware provides the mounting, protection, etc. for
connectors or splices
• Test equipment checks performance
35
Choosing A Fiber
• Dictated by networking equipment and the application

(link lengths)
• SM
– Standard (G.652)
– Cutoff shifted (G654)
– Low water peak (G.652)
– Dispersion shifted (G.653)
– Non-zero dispersion shifted (G.654)
36
Choosing A Fiber
• Dictated by networking equipment and the application

(link lengths)
• MM
– 62.5/125 FDDI grade (160/500 MHz-km BW)
– 62.5/125 high performance (200/500 BW, OM1)
– 50/125 (500/500 BW, OM2)
– 50/125 Laser-optimized (2000/500 BW,OM3)
37
Choosing Fiber
• Install the best multimode fiber (e.g. OM-3 laser-

optimized)
• Include spare fibers
• Include singlemode fibers in multimode cable (called
a “hybrid” cable)
• Include fibers in copper cables (rare, called
“composite” cable)
• Avoid mixing 50/125 and 62.5/125 fiber in one cable
plant!
38
Choosing A Fiber Optic Cable
• General Selection Criteria

– Cost
– Proper for the application (premises or OSP, building, riser,
plenum, aerial, direct burial, submarine, etc.)
– Enough fiber for redundancy, upgrades
– Meets environmental requirements
– Choose hardware to fit cable needs
39
Choosing Fiber Optic Cable - OSP
• Fiber type
– SM, MM SI/GI, hybrid
– Determined by distance/bitrate
• Cable type - Outdoors
– Loose tube in conduit/innerduct
– Armored direct burial
– Aerial
– OPGW
40
Choosing Fiber Optic Cable - Premises
• Fiber type
– SM, MM SI/GI, hybrid
– Determined by distance/bitrate
• Cable type - Indoors
– Tight buffer
• Simplex
• Zipcord
• Distribution
• Breakout
• Must be rated for indoor use
41
Specifications For Fiber Optic Cable
• Installation Specifications • Environmental Specifications

– Temperature
– Tensile load
– Long term bend radius
– Bend radius – Electrical codes
– Diameter/construction – Long term tensile load
– Temperature – Flame retardance
– Rodent penetration
– Water resistance
– Crush loads
– Abrasion resistance
– Resistance to chemicals
– Impact resistance
– Vibration
42
Choosing A Cable - OSP
• Loose tube = higher pulling forces, easy to water

block
• Ribbon cable has higher fiber count per size
• Water block by gel or dry powder
• Armor for direct burial
• Messenger, “8,” OPGW or ADSS for aerial
• Special underwater cables
43
Cable Specifications - OSP
• Typical Performance Specifications
– Tensile load: 600 lbs max.
– Strength members: fiberglass & Kevlar®
– Gel or dry water blocking
– Armor as required
– Temperature range -40 to +60 C
– Jacket: black polyethelene
44
Choosing A Cable - Premises
• Zipcord or simplex for patchcords

• Distribution for longer backbones
• Breakout for ruggedness, short backbones
• Blown-in fiber is an option
• Armor for crowded areas like underfloor in data
centers or in trays with many copper cables
• Must be NEC rated
45
Cable Specifications - Premises
• Performance Specifications
– Tensile load: 200-500 lbs max.
– Temperature range: -10 to +60 C
– Strength members: Kevlar®
– Jacket: UL Rated for application
• Do not install cable indoors without UL Rating!
46
Premises Cable Ratings and Markings
• All premises cables must carry identification and ratings per the NEC
(National Electrical Code) paragraph 770. Cables without markings
should never be installed indoors as they will not pass inspections!
• These ratings are:
– OFN optical fiber non-conductive
– OFC optical fiber conductive
– OFNG or OFCG general purpose
– OFNR or OFCR riser rated cable for vertical runs
– OFNP or OFCP plenum rated cables for air-handling areas
– OFN-LS low smoke density
47
Cable Design Terminology
• Hybrid Cable
– Includes two fiber types, typically multimode
and singlemode
– Common in backbones - allows upgrades
• Composite Cable
– Includes fiber and copper conductors
– Power or signal on copper
48
Fiber Optic Cable
• Tight buffer (Zipcord)
• Distribution
• Loose Tube
• Tight buffer Breakout
49
Zipcord
• Used for patchcords or short

indoor runs
• Two 900 micron tight
buffered fibers, color coded
• Fibers can be directly
terminated
• Aramid strength members
• PVC jacket rated for
flammability
50
Distribution Cable Construction
• Most popular backbone cable
• Relatively high fiber density
• Bundled 900 micron tight
buffered fibers, color coded
• Fibers can be directly terminated
• Aramid strength members
• PVC jacket rated for flammability
51
Breakout Cable Construction
• Bundles of simplex cables

inside jacket
• Rugged cable for harsh
indoor environments
• Bulky and heavy compared
to distribution cable
• Directly terminate for
connections to equipment
52
Loose Tube Cable Construction
• Fibers are loose in tubes for

isolation from installation stress
• Tubes contain several individual
fibers (usually up to 12)
• Tubes and cable can be filled with
water-block
• Often pulled into conduit or
innerduct
• Usually spliced, must use breakout
kit to terminate
53
Armored Cable Construction
• Adds metal or dielectric

armor over cable to prevent
rodent damage
• Can be used in any
application to prevent
crushing, even indoors
• More difficult to prepare for
splicing or termination
54
Ribbon Cable Construction
• Provides maximum density

of fibers (most fibers in
smallest cable diameter)
• Ribbons have 12-24-36
individual fibers held by
plastic tape
• Ribbons are stacked in cable
tube or slotted core
• Can be mass-spliced
55
OPGW Cable Construction
• OPGW = optical power

ground wire
• Used as ground cable for
high-voltage power lines
• Fiber is immune to electrical
interference
• Fibers in loose tubes inside
welded hermetic metal tube
56
Air - Blown Fiber
An Alternative To Cable
• Install “cable” with open

tubes
• Blow special fiber into the
tubes
• Allows easy installation but
special equipment
• Requires special fibers
• Easy upgrades
• More expensive but allows
flexibility
57
Fiber Optic Cable Types
Type Application #Fibers
Tight buffer Building cable 1-48
Single fiber
Zipcord
Breakout
Distribution Building cable 6-144
Plenum
Loose Tube OSP 6-144+
Aerial
Submarine
Ribbon OSP 72-288+
Aerial
Submarine
58
Choosing Hardware - Connectors
• Connectors are generally

chosen to fit equipment or
match current usage
• Hybrid patchcords can be used
to connect unmatched hardware
or equipment
• Termination type
(adhesive/polish,
prepolished/splice) is at
customer option
• SM is usually fusion-spliced
pigtails
• Must meet environmental
requirements
59
Choosing A Connector
• Use most popular: SC, ST, LC

• If equipment and cable plant do not match, use
hybrid cable assemblies
• Use connectors with FOCIS documents
• Look for multiple sources
• Pick termination type for loss, reliability, cost
• SM should fusion splice on pigtails for best specs
60
Connector Identifier
ST LC
SC
61
TIA Connector Intermateability Standards
• FOCIS = Fiber Optic Connector Interconnection

Standard
• Managed by TIA
• Covers dimensions that control the ability of
manufacturers to build connectors, adapters or
transceivers that will be compatible to all other
manufacturer’s products
62
TIA Connector Standards
• FOCIS 1: Biconic • FOCIS 10: Lucent LC

• FOCIS 2: ST • FOCIS 11: Siecor
• FOCIS 3: SC
SCDC/SCQC (not yet
approved)
• FOCIS 4: FC
• FOCIS 12: MT-RJ
• FOCIS 5: MTP/MPO
• FOCIS 13: LSH (LX-5)
• FOCIS 6: Panduit FJ
• FOCIS 14: SMC-SB
• FOCIS 7: 3M Volition
• FOCIS 15: MF
• FOCIS 8: Mini-MAC (Withdrawn)
• FOCIS 16: LSH
• FOCIS 9: Mini MPO (Withdrawn)
• FOCIS 17: MU
63
Fiber Optic Connector Specifications
• Loss
• Repeatability
• Environment (temp, humidity, stress, etc.)
• Reliability
• Back reflection (singlemode)
• Ease of termination
• Yield
• Cost
64
Fiber Optic Connectors
• Multimode
– ST, SC or LC
– Terminate in field
• Singlemode
– SC, LC, others
– Splice on factory-made pigtails
65
Do You Have To Field Terminate At All?
• Design a pre-terminated system that you just

install, plug in and test
• Order cable terminated at one end and install, then
terminate the other end.
• May be cost effective in new construction
66
Choosing A Splice
• Criteria
– Loss: fusion lowest
– Reflectance: fusion lowest
– Reliability: fusion best
– Cost: mechanical for small
quantities, fusion for large
numbers
67
Fiber Optic Splices
68
Fusion Or Mechanical Splicing?
• Fusion • Mechanical Splices

– Lowest loss – Minimal tooling
– Lowest back reflection – Low capital cost
– Strongest – High per splice cost
– Faster • Mostly used for restoration
– High capital cost and MM premises cabling
– Low per splice cost
• Generally used for OSP
construction
69
Choosing Hardware
• Appropriate for the

situation
• Installation
environment
• Components used
• Access
70
Patch Panels
• Wall mounted for small

number of connectors
(typically 6-24)
• Rack mount for large
numbers of connectors (24
per row on rack)
• Cable management is
always a challenge
– Storing excess length
– Avoiding kinking
71
Splice Trays
• Splices are stored in

splice trays
• Each tray stores 12 to 24
splices
• Splice trays go into rack
or outside plant
enclosures
• Requires 1-2 m of fiber
72
Splice Closures
• Splice closures hold one to

dozens of splice trays
• Provide entry for multiple cables
• Seal completely for environment
• Most can be re-entered
• Splicing and placement of
splices in closure in vans,
trailers, etc. requires long lengths
of fiber (up to 10m/30’ on each
cable end) that will be stored as
service loops.
73
The Design Process – Part 3
Design Review
• Will the design support the

networks?
• Component compatibilities
• Power budget
• Environmental
requirements
74
The Design Process- Part 4
Testing The Installed Network
• Every fiber in every cable

should be tested:
– Continuity
– Insertion loss
• Loss should be similar to
loss budget calculation
• OSP cables with splices or
difficult installation should be
tested with OTDR
• Keep records in
documentation for
troubleshooting
75
Cable, Connector & Splice Testing
• Continuity testing with visual

tracer/fault locator
• Insertion loss with source and
meter
• OTDR testing
• Troubleshooting
76
• Continuity testing with visual tracer/fault locator

• Also use for verifying mechanical splices or
prepolished/splice-type connectors
77
• Insertion loss with source and meter
78
• Loss is measured in “dB”

• dB means decibel
• Log scale: dB=10 log (power ratio)
– 10 dB= 10X
– 0 dB = 1X
– 3 dB = 2X
– -10dB = 0.1X
• dBm is dB referenced to 1 mw
– 0 dBm = 1 mw
– -10 dBm = 0.1 mw = 100w
79
• OTDR testing
80
• OTDR testing - mostly outside plant
81
Testing Plan
• Decide what needs testing for

– Continuity
– Insertion Loss
– OTDR
• Compare loss data to link power budget calculations
• Require documentation to show link data and
segment data to see if link loss is marginal
82
Troubleshooting Problems
• What Goes Wrong?

• Damage during installation from improper pulling
• Damage during termination or splicing
• High loss caused by improper splicing procedures
• High loss caused by improper termination procedures
83
Troubleshooting Issues
• One fiber or all fibers?

• Breaks or stress?
• Bad terminations or splices?
• Visual inspection of connectors
• Insertion loss testing
• Use visual fault locator as appropriate
• OTDR testing if link lengths are adequate
84
The Design Process-
Part 5, Estimating
• Estimating the cost of the installation allows

– Establishing budgets
– Confirming the reasonableness of bids
• Estimating allows comparisons of alternative designs
• Work with vendors to get best prices, best choices
for components
• Work within standards and look for multiple vendors
85
Estimating Process
• Takeoff (taking information off drawings)

• Site Visit
• Background Information
– Gather lists of components and hardware
– Cable types and lengths
– Look at each span separately to ensure cable
lengths are adequate between splice points
– Add extra cable for pulling, splicing (~10m/30’
per end) and terminating
– Tie quantities together (e.g. lengths of cable and
conduit, number of fibers and connectors)
86
Estimating Process - Costing
• Figure most expensive components first

• Know your labor rates
• Don’t forget setup time
• Test time
• Training and support costs
• Overhead
87
The Design Process-
Part 6. Writing Specifications For Cable Plants
• Specify route
• Specify network equipment or communication signals
• Should specify fiber type and connectors
• User may specify conn termination type if preferred
• User may specify cable and hardware types, but
should allow for alternate suggestions
• User should have specification for max loss based on
loss budget calculations
• Other standard specs
88

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Fiber Optic Network Design

A Fiber Optic Training Program

• Specialized process leading to fiber optic installation

Fiber Copper Wireless

the basic principles we learn in this course

• Use powered capstans for

• Aerial cable can be self

• OSP splicing is generally

• Enclosures hold one to

• For loose tube cables, the

• Cable may be suspended,

• All cable and cable

• Install “cable” with open tubes

• It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of cable plant

• Choose the networking equipment appropriate for the

• Network equipment dictates fiber type

Fiber Length Data Rate Source

• Every network has a limit on link loss

3.5 dB/km @ 850 nm (3) 0.5 dB/km @

Connector 0.75 dB (0.3) 0.75 dB (0.1)

Splice 0.3 dB (0.2) 0.3 dB (0.05)

Component Component Spec Calculated Loss

3.5 dB/km @ 850 nm 7 dB @ 850 nm

Connectors-5 0.75 dB 3.75 dB

Splices -1 0.3 dB 0.3 dB

Splitter 1:2 1:4 1:8 1:16 1:32

• Where will the cable be installed

• What components are to be used?

• Cable protects fibers in the application environment

• Dictated by networking equipment and the application

• Dictated by networking equipment and the application

• Install the best multimode fiber (e.g. OM-3 laser-

• General Selection Criteria

• Installation Specifications • Environmental Specifications

• Loose tube = higher pulling forces, easy to water

• Zipcord or simplex for patchcords

• Tight buffer (Zipcord)

• Tight buffer Breakout

• Used for patchcords or short

• Bundles of simplex cables

• Fibers are loose in tubes for

• Adds metal or dielectric

• Provides maximum density

• OPGW = optical power

• Install “cable” with open

• Connectors are generally

• Use most popular: SC, ST, LC

• FOCIS = Fiber Optic Connector Interconnection

• FOCIS 1: Biconic • FOCIS 10: Lucent LC

• Design a pre-terminated system that you just

• Fusion • Mechanical Splices

• Appropriate for the

• Wall mounted for small

• Splices are stored in

• Splice closures hold one to

• Will the design support the

• Every fiber in every cable

• Continuity testing with visual

• Continuity testing with visual tracer/fault locator

• Insertion loss with source and meter

• Loss is measured in “dB”

• OTDR testing - mostly outside plant

• Decide what needs testing for