?What is an OTDR device

The word OTDR is an abbreviation of the term Optical time domain reflectometer, which means light reflectometry in the time domain or light reflector in the time domain.

OTDR test uses

OTDR test is a test that is used for troubleshooting in laser networks. The uses of OTDR testing are briefly listed below.

Conducting OTDR test to check fiber in long distances above 250 meters and ensure that it is healthy
Perform OTDR testing for cable joints and ensure they are correct.
Conducting OTDR testing to find issues and problems caused by improper installation of cables.
If we are trying to repair the cables after the cables are cut, using the OTRD test will help us to find the place of the cut.
Performing the OTRD test can also confirm the quality of the installation of cable joints

The next case where the OTDR test has a significant impact is single-mode optical fiber cables, in which we are not sure of the connection of their connectors, we can easily identify its authenticity by using the OTDR test.

How OTDR works:

The OTDR device injects a series of optical pulses into the fiber network under test, and the device detects the end of the optical fiber network by the refraction of light in such a way that light spreads from the other end of the optical fiber, that is, at the end of the optical fiber. can be There is another mode where the light is reflected from a point along the length of the optical fiber, and this reflection causes the light to be reflected back. These reflected and scattered lights are used to determine the characteristics of the optical fiber.

With this method, the OTDR device can measure the impedance of the cable that has been tested; The power of return pulses is calculated and added together and integrated.
The data generated by the OTDR is usually used to produce a picture called a trace, which contains very valuable information, and this information can be used for future reference to solve a possible problem.
The method of graphical representation of the obtained results is also drawn in the form of a time interval along the optical fiber. The quality and reliability of an OTDR depends on its measurement accuracy, measurement intervals, accuracy in measuring events at close distances, speed OTDR’s ability to measure and perform work depends on various external factors.