Is your company entering the fiber optic cable assembly business and is opening a factory to become a fiber optic manufacturing company? During your research, you may find that most devices are not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, the seller must properly configure the critical fiber test equipment – the passive component tester (PCT) to support your product requirements.
When I talk to companies that are in this business and researching PCT, I ask many questions about the fiber optic assembly patch cords they intend to make. Why? Having a clear understanding of the product helps us clarify your test equipment requirements and ensure you get an accurate quote. But here's the problem: you're probably in the early stages of opening a store, and you may not have all the answers. So where would you start?
Start here: Answer these 7 basic questions. This will help you prepare to order a PCT with the correct test set configuration for your fiber optic products.
A passive component tester is a combination of firmware and hardware that, as mentioned earlier, must be properly configured for your specific product. Many PCTs provide the following functions:
(1) Insertion loss/return loss module, including light source and detector
(2) Switching modules, from 4 to 48 (or more) channels
(3) Chassis that can accommodate the above modules, which can accommodate 3 or 8 slots
While the features above may seem simple, every test equipment seller worth your salt will ask surprising questions about the product you intend to test. First, here are 7 basic questions you're ready to answer. Your answers will guide you in choosing a PCT with the correct test set configuration, the most economical solution for your requirements.
Single mode jumper
Question 1. What type of fiber will you be testing: singlemode patch cord, multimode patch cord, or both?
While this may seem like an obvious question, some believe that passive component testers can test both singlemode and multimode fiber. However, different modules are required to test singlemode and multimode. Remember that no test module is universal.
Question 2: What type of fiber optic connector do you have?
You will need to clarify the connector type for each fiber optic cable assembly to be tested to obtain the correct launch fiber and detector adapter. (Typically, both ends of a fiber optic assembly do not have the same connector.) For example, a Viavi MAP can be used to measure individual insertion loss or total link loss if both ends of a patch cord contain any of the following connector types - 200 PCT.
(1) FC or FC/APC connector
(2) SC or FC/APC connector
(3) ST connector
(4) LC or LC/APC connector
(5) MTP/MPO connector
Question 3: How many channels do you need?
Recently, I visited a fiber optic fiber assembly manufacturer in Mexico. The company is making large 144-fiber fiber optic assemblies. It would be prohibitively expensive for them to use a passive component tester with 144 channels to test all the fibers simultaneously. Instead, they used a 24-lane switch and tested 24 fibers in batches. In this case, the manufacturer does not need to measure all connectors at once. How many fibers do you need to measure simultaneously? When researching passive component testers, be sure to ask how many channels each device has.
Question 4: Is the ability to test return loss (RL) required?
Do your customer specifications require you to measure return loss? If so, the passive component tester of your choice must provide this capability. Many end customers require return loss testing. This is based on the idea that a good and consistent RL value indicates that the manufacturing process is precise and stable.
Question 5: Will you measure the insertion loss (IL) at each end individually – or will you measure the total insertion loss?
The single MTJ main test patch cord method assumes you are making a patch cord with connectors on both ends. Typically, optical fibers have zero loss over their short lengths. This means that all losses are related to the connector - the way it is assembled, polished, etc. If you connect a jumper wire into a circuit already referenced, and connect both ends of the jumper wire, you will get the total loss of the jumper wire. When connecting both ends of a patch cord, the test equipment cannot discern the source of the loss.
To measure individual insertion loss, you will need to purchase a PCT that provides this capability. Measuring a single IL is beneficial as this can help ensure that your cable assembly process is stable and consistent.
If the insertion loss on one end of the fiber is high and the insertion loss on the other end is low, there is some variation in the process that you need to investigate.
Question 6: Which measurement wavelengths do you need?
In most cases, companies and government communication entities (fiber-to-the-office (FTTO) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)) connecting data centers around the world have standardized measurement wavelengths. When researching passive component testers, clarify whether they support the following wavelengths:
1. Multimode: 850mm and 1300mm
2. Single-mode standard modules: 1310mm and 1550mm
3. The full wavelength version of single mode is added: 1490mm and 1625mm for complete FTTX coverage
Question 7: What will the future hold?
I see a growing trend as manufacturers enter the fiber optic cable assembly market. Often, their initial product is very simple. Soon, however, they will make the leap from competitive "commodity" products to more complex products with higher added value and higher profit margins.
When entering this market, you may initially only need relatively simple entry-level test equipment. Based on my experience working with many companies entering the fiber optic market, it will likely expand to more complex products. These new products will require different test set configurations for your passive component tester. At this stage of the buying process, take a moment to consider future product expansions. If possible, buy for now and for the future.
Summarize thoughts
When you're researching passive component testers to "build a shop," I'd love to guide you through the selection process. Purchasing the correct fiber test equipment is critical. Your decision-making process should enable PCT to have the correct test set configuration that meets your current product requirements and ideally supports future expansion.
