Fiber U Free Self Study Programs

Fiber Optic Link Loss and Power Budgets - MiniCourse

power and link loss budget


Fiber Optic Loss and Power Budgets MiniCourse

Fiber U MiniCourses are courses on a specific topic that you can take in about an hour or less. They are based on questions people ask FOA all the time, so the topics are recommended by our readers.


Level: Intermediate

Intended For:
Designers of fiber optic communications networks
Users of fiber optic communications networks
Contractors and techs who install, operate test and maintain them.

Objectives: From this self-study program you should learn:
What is a link loss budget
What is a network power budget
How to calculate both link loss and power budgets
How to use link loss and power budgets in design and testing the cable plant

Prerequisites
You will need a basic understanding of fiber optics, e.g. training and a FOA CFOT certification or at least a familiarity with fiber optic technology.
For an quick, simple overview of fiber optics, you can use one of these three options: 1) the Fiber U self-study program Fiber Optics in Communications and How It Works, 2) the FOA YouTube Videos Fiber Optics and Communications and How To "Talk" Fiber Optics or 3) Lennie Lightwave's Guide To Fiber Optics  

For more comprehensive preparation, see the Fiber U Basic Fiber Optics self-study program or the printed FOA textbook FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics.


Fiber U Certificate of Completion
When you finish, you can take an online test on this course to qualify for a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion." The test cost for a Fiber U MiniCourse is $10US.


Introduction
Fiber optic link loss budgets and power budgets are very important for designing and testing fiber optic networks. During the design phase, the power budget of a network intended to be used on the cable plant being designed is necessary to compare to the link loss budget of the cable plant to ensure the cable plant and the network are compatible and there is sufficient loss margin for operation of the network. After the cable plant is installed, the link loss budget is used as the criteria for testing the loss of all the fibers in the cable plant, all of which should be within the loss budget.  


This course will introduce the concepts of link loss and power budgets and show how they are used in designing and testing fiber optic networks. It is intended for designers of fiber optics networks and techs who will be testing these networks.

Note: This course will require you use simple math to calculate loss budgets, but you may use the
FOA Loss Budget Calculator Online.

Assignments
For this lesson plan you will be instructed to watch the video, read the references and take a quiz (Test Your Knowledge) to complete the course.


Lesson Plans
Watch the videos, read the section in the FOA Guide and take the quiz. For this course, we recommend watching the videos first and then reading the FOA Guide page on Restoration. There is a short quiz you can use to check your comprehension. The Certificate of Completion test is based on those materials.

Videos
FOA Lecture 26 Loss Budgets

FOA Guide
Link Loss Budgets And Power Budgets
What Loss Should You Expecting When Testing Fiber Optic Cables
FOA Loss Budget Calculator Online


Test Your Comprehension
Fiber Optic Loss and Power Budget Quiz

Fiber U Certificate of  Completion
When you finish all the assignments you can take an online test on this course to qualify for a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion." The test cost is $10US.

Go here to take the Fiber U "Loss and Power Budgets-" Certificate of Completion test. Here are detail directions if this is your first time taking a
Fiber U Certificate of Completion exam.
 

This information is provided by The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. as a benefit to those interested in teaching, designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or using fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is intended to be used as an overview and/or basic guidelines and in no way should be considered to be complete or comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion of the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a basis for learning, as a reference and for creating their own documentation, project specifications, etc. Those working with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or field should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA assumes no liability for the use of any of this material.



 

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