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loss), a power meter will measure loss as a negative number on this test.
Some manufacturers of optical loss test sets (some of whom came into the
fiber optic instrument game recently) make the OLTS read loss as a positive
number, highly confusing. Transmitter and receiver power are measured in
dBm. The loss of the cable plant is in dB.
The power budget loss of cable plant is calculated in dB, but we use dBm
when measured the cable plant loss using power meter and light source.
Therefore to relate the calculated and measure values, we deduct measured
values in dBm and will get the unit back to dB. For example, if the optical
power injected was -22 dBm and the power received at the other end -23 dBm,
then the optical loss of the link would be -22 - (-23) = 1 dB. The calculated
value in dB gives positive number and measured value in dBm gives negative
number.
In general dBm and dB are confusing for many technicians. In fact the answer
is easy. dBm is absolute power measurement and dB is used for calculation
matters only. Also dB is used when you want to know the loss of a link in a
network. When doing so you tell your powermeter, that its result in dBm should
be used as a zero reference. Now put the link in between the both patch cords
still on the source and the power meter and you can read the loss in dB. This is
only to make things easy because if you change to dBm mode again you will
find a result in dBm. If you deduct this value from the original value you will
have the result in dB again. Most confusion comes up when an equipment guy
and a passive guy start talking. The second one thinks in dB, because he has
to guarantee a certain loss in the link. The equipment guy only thinks in dBm
because his equipment has a certain output in dBm and a certain sensitivity in
dBm. His power budget is the difference between the output in dBm and the
sensitivity in dBm minus 4 dB(depends on how much reserve you need). So if
the output is 0 dBm and the sensitivity minus 10 dBm he can affort to loose 10
dB minus 4 dB is 6 dB. When measuring with a power meter on the end of the
link the reading should be -6dBm and not -6dB, because you don't know what
is the reference. Here the confusion starts between the two guys, because
they don't think alike. So to make things easy: always talk and measure dBm
for trouble shooting in networks and dB for testing the passive link only, after
you have been able to set a proper reference. If not also use dBm and do the
math yourselves afterwards.
dB is a percentage value and is used for three types of measurements in fiber
optics.
1. Attenuation (power loss) - such as fiber/cable, connectors, splices, splitters
and spans.
1. Gain - optical amplifiers/amplification.
1. Reflectance - This could be optical return loss (ORL) or component
reflectance such as a SC/UPC or APC connector value.
View: www.fibercasa.com or cs04fibercasa.blogspot.com
For more information