A Simple Overview of Optical Power Meter

Optical Power Meter is used to measure the absolute optical power or the relative length of optical fiber optical power loss. In Fiber Optic Systems, measuring optic power is the most basic, and it very like electronics multi-meter. In fiber optic measurement, Optical Power Meter is a heavy-duty commonly used table.

Through the measurement of the absolute power of the transmitting end optical network, a power meter to be able to evaluate the performance of the light end equipment. With a power meter and stabilized light source used in combination, it is possible to measure the connection loss, test continuity and help evaluate the transmission quality of fiber link.

Multi-purpose Optical Measuring Instruments

In view of the user’s specific application, want to choose suitable optical power meter, should pay close attention to the following points:

1. Choose the optimal probe type and interface type

2. Evaluation calibration accuracy and manufacturing calibration procedures, and the requirements of the fiber and connector range match.

3. Make sure the type and your range of measurement and display resolution consistent.

4. Have direct insertion loss measurement dB function.

Unit of the optical power is dbm. The specification of the fiber transceiver or switch the light emitting and receiving optical power, typically light emitting less than 0dbm minimum optical power that can be received by the receiving end is called sensitivity, is able to receive the maximum optical power less to the sensitivity value of the unit is db (dbm-dbm = db), called dynamic range.

The light-emitting power subtracting the receiving sensitivity is permissible fiber attenuation values ​​of the test the actual light emitting power by subtracting the actual received optical power value of fiber attenuation (db), the receiver receives the optimum value of the optical power is the maximum optical power that can be received – (dynamic range / 2), but generally not so good due to each of the optical transceiver and the optical module the dynamic range is not the same, so the fiber concrete to allow attenuation of the number depends on the actual situation. Generally allowed attenuation is about 15-30dB.

Some manual, only the light emitting power and the transmission distance of the two parameters, and sometimes the attenuation per km of optical fiber transmission distance calculated, mostly 0.5dB/km minimum transmission distance is divided by 0.5, which is able to receive a maximum light power, if the received optical power is higher than this value, the optical transceiver may be burned. With maximum transmission distance is divided by 0.5, is the sensitivity, if the received optical power is lower than this value, the link may be unreasonable.

There are two ways of connecting optical fibers, one is fixedly connected to an active connection, the fixed connection is welded, with special equipment by the discharge, the fiber melted so that the two optical fiber connected together, the advantage is small attenuation. The disadvantage is operation complex poor flexibility.

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