Introduction to Fiber-Optics
Fiber optics is the backbone of all of today's communications systems. The world is connected on submarine fiber optic cables that carry all of today's Internet data and phone conversations and even much of our video entertainment. If we look closer, you can see how those cables connect to more fiber optic cables that carry communications to almost every area of America. If we looked closer we'd find how close they come to every person in the country. Fiber optics is how all your communications services are provided locally - phone (both wireless and wired), Internet and even cable TV.
This five-day course has been developed with three days of classroom learning and two days of hands-on skills labs, review, and certification testing time. The labs provide the practical understanding and skills required to design, install, and maintain fiber optic networks. Students can attend the first three-days of this course either in person, or online via our instructor-led, remote classroom option.
This course is applicable to anyone working with fiber optic communications systems in telco/broadband, premises applications, and more. Students will learn how to splice, connect, test, and troubleshoot optical fiber networks. The following is a summary of just some of the course topics and hands on training covered
Fiber Basics
• Digital communications
• What is an optical fiber?
• Fiber coatings
• Optical fiber color coding
• Basic units of measure in fiber optics
• Standards committees
Optical Testing
• TIA-568 testing terminology
• Test methods
• Multimode launch conditions
• Optical loss testing
• Reference test methods
• Testing transmitter and receiver power
• OTDR deadzone
• Gainers on OTDR traces
• Testing through fiber optic splitters
• Documentation
Fiber Optic Transmission Theory
•The electromagnetic spectrum
• Fiber optic transmitters
• Fiber optic receivers
• Optical power
• The dBm scale
• Loss and attenuation
• Refraction
• Optical reflection
• Optical dispersion
• Bandwidth
Communication System Basics
• TIA-568 testing terminology
• Test methods
• Multimode launch conditions
• Optical loss testing
• Reference test methods
• Testing transmitter and receiver power
• OTDR deadzone
• Gainers on OTDR traces
• Testing through fiber optic splitters
• Documentation
OSP Installation
• Underground installation techniques
• Conduit and duct installation
• Cable pulling methods
• Tension monitoring
• Aerial installation
• Mid-span (express) entries
Safety
• Fiber optic safety best practices
• Visual safety using fiber optic sources
• Wavelengths and the eye
• Laser classifications
• Working with lasers
• Safety eyewear
• Working with optical fibers
• Personal protective equipment
• Chemicals
• Safety data sheets (SDS)
• The work area
• Installation practices