OTDR

(Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)

How To Measure?

Present by Zarni
OTDR Parameters
With the wide variety of applications for OTDR testing, setting parameters accurately for the task at hand will ensure accurate measurements.
Using an auto-test function may be sufficient for some tests, but manual setting of parameters is still advisable given the variation in length, type,
and complexity of optical fiber runs. Once the correct parameters for testing a given fiber run have been established, these OTDR testing
configurations can be recalled from an instruments memory the next time the same or similar run is evaluated.
The OTDR can perform the following measurements:
* For each event: distance, loss, reflection
* For each fiber segment: segment length, segment loss dB or dB/Km, segment return loss (ORL)
* For the entire terminal system: chain length, chain loss dB, chain ORL
Fiber measurement with OTDR can be divided into three steps: parameter setting, data acquisition, and curve analysis.

 Pulse Width
 Dead Zone
 Distance Range
 Averaging Time
 Resolution
 Wavelength
Pulse Width
Setting the adjustable pulse width determines the duration of the pulse being emitted into the fiber link. A shorter pulse width is usually selected for
shorter cable lengths, since this will maximize resolution, while minimizing energy output. Short pulse widths are especially useful for evaluating
segments of cable that are closer to the OTDR. Since these shorter pulse widths will also produce shorter dead zones, you will have a greater ability
to detect events close to a connection or splice. Longer pulse width settings may be called for when testing a longer cable run, since more optical
energy is required to produce sufficient backscatter at great distances from the OTDR.

Dead Zones
When the OTDR detector becomes saturated by a highly reflective interface in the fiber link, the recovery period for the OTDR translates to a
distance from the event, known as a dead zone, which is essentially a portion of the cable for which no data will be available. Air gaps, bad splices,
flat fiber end faces (connectors or the fiber end) and other incidences producing high Fresnel reflection are the usual causes of dead zones.
Distance Range
The distance range setting on an OTDR controls the display range for the amount of cable to be presented on the screen. It also defines the rate of
pulse emission, since each pulse must be returned to the detector before the next pulse is sent out.
Setting this parameter appropriately requires accurate documentation of the optical fiber link. If the OTDR has preset distance range settings, you
should choose the shortest setting that is still longer than the maximum fiber length. For example, if the instrument has settings of 10, 100, 200 and
500 kilometers, and your actual fiber link is 150 kilometers, you would select the 200-kilometer setting.

Averaging Time
In general, more accurate measurements are usually produced by averaging multiple repetitions of the same test. This same principle holds true
with OTDR measurements. Longer averaging times, translating to more repetitions of the same test, will produce a measurement with an improved
signal-to-noise ratio, but take longer to capture. For conditions where accuracy and noise are less critical, a “real-time measurement”, with no
averaging function, could be sufficient. However, for circumstances where distance and loss data must be as precise as possible, longer averaging
times might be justified.
Resolution
The OTDR has four main resolution indicators: sample resolution, display resolution (also called readout resolution), event resolution, and distance
resolution. The sampling resolution is the minimum distance between the two sampling points, which determines the ability of the OTDR to locate
events. The sampling resolution is related to the choice of pulse width and distance range size. The display resolution is the minimum value the
instrument can display. The OTDR subdivides each sampling interval by the microprocessing system so that the cursor can move within the
sampling interval. The shortest distance the cursor moves is the horizontal display resolution and the displayed minimum attenuation vertical
display resolution.

Wavelength
The behavior of the optical system is directly related to the transmission wavelength. Different wavelengths have different attenuation
characteristics of optical fibers and different behaviors in the optical fiber connection: In the same optical fiber, the 1550 nm is more sensitive to
bending than the 1310 nm optical fiber, and the 1550 nm attenuation is smaller than the unit length of 1310 nm. Solder or connector losses are
higher at 1310 nm than at 1550 nm. For this reason, the optical fiber test should be the same as the wavelength transmitted by the system, which
means that the 1550 nm optical system needs to select the wavelength of 1550 nm.
Wavelengths typically range from 800 nm to 1600 nm, but by far the most common wavelengths actually used in fiber optics are 850 nm, 1300 nm,
and 1550 nm. Multimode fiber is designed to operate at 850 nm and 1300 nm, while single-mode fiber is optimized for 1310 nm and 1550 nm
Experience and skills
(1) Simple identification of optical fiber quality, manufacturer and specifications.
(2) Understanding optical fiber cable quantity, routing, distributing plan and As built drawing.
(3) Wavelength, Distance, Pulse Width, Resolution, Average Time selection, etc.
(4) Before the optical fiber connector is connected to the OTDR, it must be carefully cleaned, including the output connector of the OTDR and the
live connector under test.
(5) Ensure that you clearly understand the meanings of the symbols BEFORE using the equipment for the safety purposes.
 Anritsu MT9083 Series

2 3 4 5

1 Power key
2 Dedicated function keys and Numeric keypad
3 LCD display
4 Softkeys
5 Rotary knob
6 6 ESC (Escape) key
7 Arrow key set
7 8 Enter key
8 9 Start key
10 Top Menu key
9 11 Softkeys

1 1
1 1 0
Power Key
Power
Press the Power key to power the unit up/down.

Dedicated Function Keys

VLD

0 VLD key – this key is reserved for future expansion.

1 Backlight key – this key is used to adjust the brightness of the

backlight.
Save

3 Save key – Press this key to access the Save screen.

File

4 File key – Press this key to enter the Load screen to recall previously saved traces.
 Note The File key is not active at the Top Menu screen and in the OTDR (Construction),
Light Source, Visual Fault Locate applications.
Setup

5 Setup key – Press this key to access the General setups at the Top Menu level and the various
Application setups when in a Test Application mode.
 History

6 History key – This key is not active as of the current software release.

Print

7 Print key – Press this key to access the Print functions.

Numeric Keypad
The Numeric keypad can be used for
the following:
• Entering numeric values in the various
System and Test Application menus. -
Press the BS key when you need to
backspace. Each press backspaces the
text cursor one character space.
• As short cut keys to select the desired
character groups when in the various
Save screen functions.
• When not being used for dialog input,
keys 1 through 7 also have dedicated
functions
Softkeys

F1 The MT9083 Series have six softkeys on the front panel, located
to the right of the LCD screen, and numbered f1 through f6.
Each softkey’s function is designated by the current operating
F2
mode of the unit and is labeled on the screen to the left of the
key.
F3

F4

F5

F6
Rotary Knob

The Rotary knob is used for the following:

General Setups –
• Turn the Rotary knob to scroll through menu selections.
• Press the Rotary knob to make a selection.

OTDR mode –
Turn the Rotary knob to:
• Make precise cursor placements.
• Scroll through menu selections. Press the Rotary knob to:
• Switch the active cursor.
• Make selections.

Loss Test Set mode –

• Turn the Rotary knob to scroll the highlight up and down in the
Loss Table.
ESC (Escape) Key

ESC The ESC (Escape) key is used for the following: General Setups –
• Close a currently open setup menu.
• Return to the previous screen. OTDR mode –
• Close a currently open setup menu.
• Stop the current trace data collect that is in progress.
Arrow Key Set The Arrow (Left/Right/Up/Down) key set is used for the following:

Left Arrow key –

• General Setups –
- Press the Left Arrow key to move the cursor in a text box to the left.
• OTDR mode –
- Horizontally contracts a portion of the trace for wider examination.
- Moves the cursor in a text box to the left.

Right Arrow key –

• General Setups
- Press the Right Arrow key to move the cursor in a text box to the right.
• OTDR mode –
- Horizontally expands a portion of the trace for closer examination.
- Moves the cursor in a text box to the right
Arrow Key Set Up Arrow key –
• General Setups
- Press the Up Arrow key to move to the next higher item in a pop-up menu.

• OTDR mode –
- Vertically expands a portion of the trace for closer examination.
- Moves to the next higher item in a pop-up menu.

• Loss Test Set mode –

- Move the highlight to the next higher row in the Loss Table.

Down Arrow key –

• General Setups
- Press the Down Arrow key to move to the next lower item in a pop-up menu.

• OTDR mode –
- Vertically contracts a portion of the trace for wider examination.
- Moves to the next lower item in a pop-up menu.

• Loss Test Set mode –

- Move the highlight to the next lower row in the Loss Table.
Enter Key The Enter key is used for the following:

Enter
Setups (General and Application specific) –
• Press the Enter key to open the currently highlighted menu selection.
• Press the Enter key when in a pop-up menu to save any changes made and close the menu.

OTDR mode –
• Press the Enter key to toggle the active cursor.

Start Key Press the Start key, when in OTDR mode, and Fiber Visualizer mode and VIP mode, to start a one-
key automated test.
Start

 Note The Start key does not apply to the following applications:
• Loss Test Set
• Optical Power Meter
• Light Source
• Visual Fault Locate
Top Menu Key The Top Menu, which lists the functions of the MT9083 Series, is displayed whenever the Top Menu
key is pressed.
Top
Menu
Soft Key The MT9083 Series have four softkeys on the
front panel, located to the under of the LCD
F1 screen, and numbered F1 through F4. Each
softkey’s function is designated by the current
F2 operating mode of the unit and is labeled on the
screen to the left of the key.

F3

F4
OTDR Block Diagram
Operation of OTDR

 If there are discontinuities in the optical cable, then scattering of light takes place.
 Especially, where there is change in refractive index then light passing through optical cable gets scattered.
 Some of the scattered light moves towards the sources, that means in backward direction. It is called as backscattered light.
 OTDR uses this backscattered light to make its measurements.
 A Pulsating laser, generates optical pulses and using optical circular or directional couplers; these pulses are passing to optical
cable.
 In the optical cable; due to various reasons; the scattering of light takes place.
 Again using optical circulator, this backscattered light is passed to the optical defector.
 Using signal processing block; the signal is converted into the proper form for display.
Reading OTDR Result

The OTDR function provides the capability

for measuring connection loss, fiber loss, and
distance of an optical fiber. You can locate
defects and faults, and determine the
amount of signal loss at any point in an
optical fiber. The Analysis function
automatically detects event positions such as
splice points with loss exceeding the preset
threshold or return loss, and lists the data in
an event table.
Reading Type of loss at Event

Splice Loss

Connector Loss

Connector Loss

Fiber End
OTDR Trace View

 Vertical axis(Y) has optical attenuation in terms of dB.

 Horizontal axis(X) has distance.
 Different losses are shown here with different events.
Reading Type of loss at OTDR Trace View

1. OTDR input
2. Fusion splice
3. Mechanical splice connector
4. Fusion splice
5. End of cable
6. Diffusion tail
7. Non-reflective loser
8. Reflective splice connector
9. Fresnel reflection
10. Rayleigh backscatter
11. Non-reflective gainer
12. Reflective end
13. Noise floor
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Patch-Cord connect to FAT
MPT FAT@TGG

After clean the connectors, You have to connect patch-cord to FAT port.
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Patch-Cord connect OTDR module
Connect to OTDR Connect to OTDR

After clean the connectors, You have to connect patch-cord to the fiber of the OTDR module port.
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Power On
Pressing Power Key Powering Up

Power Key
Press the Power key to power the unit up.
Power And then the unit start to powering up. You will see “Now loading…..” display.
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OTDR Top Menu
Unit Top Menu

Top Menu Key You will see Top Menu on the OTDR display.
The Top Menu, which lists the functions of the MT9083 Series, is displayed whenever the Top Menu key
Top
Menu is pressed.
You can move others functions like Power Meter, Light Source. Etc.. by using Rotary Knob/Arrow Key.
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OTDR(Standard)
Enter to OTDR(Standard) OTDR(Standard)

Enter Key Press the Enter key to toggle the active cursor(OTDR(Standard)).
And then you will see OTDR mode display in screen.
Enter
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Selecting Wavelength
1310nm 1550nm

Softkeys Press F3 Key to select Wavelength. This Unit has 1310nm and 1550nm for the ODTR module.

F3 Recommendation to select wavelength;

 Select 1310nm for uplink(Customer to FAT), 1550nm for downlink(FAT to Customer)
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Selecting Distance, Resolution and Pules Width
Distance Pulse width

Softkeys Press F4 Key to select Distance, Resolution and Pules Width. You can set up at the same time.
You can move cursor from Distance-Resolution-Pulse width by using Arrow Key.
F4
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Recommendation to select Distance, Resolution and Pules Width;

 Pules Width is measured in nanoseconds and can be converted to distance.(5ns/0.5m short, 1,000ns/100m medium
10,000ns/1,000m long pulse
 If you need short test times, you may compromise on a longer pulse width to reduce the noise.
 If you need more resolution, average more with shorter test pulses.
 Increasing the pulse width increases the pulse power and allows the OTDR to test longer fiber links.
 A general rule of the thumb for setting the pulse width on an OTDR is short distance > short pulse, long distance > long pulse.
 Anritsu MT9083 Series
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Distance:Resolution:Pulse width
Distance Range Resolution Pulse width Distance Range Resolution Pulse width Distance Range Resolution Pulse width
0.5 km Low Density 3 ns 1 km Low Density 3 ns 2.5 km Low Density 3 ns
10 ns High Density 10 ns High Density 10 ns
20 ns 20 ns 20 ns
30 ns 30 ns 30 ns
50 ns 50 ns 50 ns
100 ns 100 ns 100 ns

5 km Low Density 10 ns 10 km Low Density 20 ns 25 km Low Density 50 ns

High Density 20 ns High Density 30 ns High Density 100 ns
30 ns 50 ns 200 ns
50 ns 100 ns 500 ns
100 ns 200 ns 1000 ns
200 ns 500 ns

50 km Low Density 100 ns 100 &200 km Low Density 100 ns 300 km Low Density 100 ns
High Density 200 ns High Density 200 ns High Density 200 ns
500 ns Very High 500 ns Very High 500 ns
1000 ns 1000 ns 1000 ns
2000 ns 2000 ns 2000 ns
4000 ns 4000 ns 4000 ns
10000 ns 10000 ns
20000 ns 20000 ns
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Selecting Average Time

Softkeys Press F6 Key to go to next pages. And you will see Average Time at F1 Key.
Press F1 Key to select Average Time.
F6 F1
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Selecting Average Time

Press F1 Key to select Average Time. You can select 15Sec to 3Min Rotary Knob/Arrow Key.
Softkeys
Recommendation to select Average Time;
F1
 If you are trying to get longer distances with high resolution, using more averages with a short test pulse
will usually be the best choice. It will simply take longer to acquire each trace.
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Start to OTDR Test

Start Key Press the Start key or F1 Key, when in OTDR mode you already set up parameters.
You will see the “connection check level”
Start
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Connection Check Level

GOOD connection –

The gauge is green and yellow when connection is good. The closer the bar in the connection gauge extends to “HIGH” end,
the better the connection is.
If the gauge is yellow and red, the fiber needs cleaning.
Press Continue (f1) or Start key to start the measurement immediately.
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Connection Check Level

To correct a low connection level:

1. Press the ESC key or Cancel (f6) to abort the current test.
2. Clean all of the optical connectors.
3. Press the Start key or Manual Test (f1)to re-start the test.
4. If the Connection Check is still low, press the ESC key or Cancel (f6).
5. Switch the ends of the patch cord and press the Start key or Manual Test (f1) again.
6. If the Connection Check is still low, press the ESC key or Cancel (f6) and then replace the patch cord.
7. Press the Start key or Manual Test (f1) to re-start the test.

 Note Fibers shorter than approximately 48 meters (160 ft.) will generally result in a low connection.
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OTDR Result

After Press Continue (F1), OTDR evaluate the cable in a 15 seconds since we set up 15s on Average Time.

In This result:
Fiber length is 0.1370km(137m) and Total Loss is 2.657dB
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Save Result

After you pressed Save(Numeric 3) Key, it will enter to storage and confirm save trace by pressing F1 Key.

Note: You can create new folder. You can change the file name. You can recall the result. You can export to others storage as
SOR format. You can print out using supported printers.
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New Folder

Press F4 Key to create new folder.

Naming:
F1 Key >> Small Letter, F2 >> Capital Letter, F3 >> Symbols, F4 >> Space, F5 >> Backspace
When you finished naming, you have to press F6 >> OK.
 Thank you!
And
Any question….?

I will continue for others features of OTDR (Construction), Fiber Visualizer, Power
Meter, Light Source, VIP…