Power launching and the testing of optic power

loss between two optical fibers in ST connectors.

Optical Systems: Lab 2 Report

Maged Abdou 115589

Lab Supervisor Eng. Mohamed Elnaggar
March 27th, 2015

Lab 2 Experiment

Abstract
The main aim for this lab is to generate 6 signals dictated by the
user as a number of samples. We will be forming the unit impulse
signal, unit impulse signal, exponential growing signal,
exponential decaying signal, sine signal and a random signal.
These will be plotted on one graph.

Lab 2 Experiment

Table of contents
1.

1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.

Lab 2

2.

Procedure and Results

Objective
Purpose
Material and Apparatus
Overview

2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.

3.

Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Discussion

References

List of Figures
Figure 1 Unit Impulse Function
Figure 2 Unit Impulse Function
Figure 3 Exponential Growing Signal
Figure 4 Sine Signal

Lab 2 Experiment

(1) Lab 2
1.1. Objective

This is a laboratory investigation. It is planned to build up the

understanding of the testing technique and the testing and count method
identifying with optical force loss between two ended optical filaments.
There are few techniques used to test connector loss. In this lab, we are
utilizing the launch cable method without mode stripping
We will test the connector loss of just the shortest filaments separately,
create
comprehension of the connector loss, testing methodology and compute
the loss value in various units.

1.2. Purpose

Optical power loss in optical fibers is the reason we utilize regenerators or

enhancers in the line. The greater part of the loss for the most part happens
at the purpose of interfacing two fibers connected.
It is imperative that the loss at this association point be kept to a base.
Testing connector loss is vital to the comprehension of how to keep it to a
base or in other words minimal.
We will figure out how to set up the testing method effectively, how to
measure and calculate the loss, how to change over that loss between
various units and how the loss perhaps influenced by outside variables.
Once the loss and the purposes for it are comprehended, the understudy
will have figured out how to forestall it in later calculations

Lab 2 Experiment

1.3. Material and Apparatus

1 set LED power source and a power meter

1 set of ST adapters for the source
1meter 1 ST to ST cable adapter

Figure 1 Power Meter used in our Experiment Lab 2

Figure 2 Light Source Used in our Experiment

Lab 2 Experiment

1.4. Overview

We will choose the shortest link as our launch.

We will adjust the meter against the power at the output of the best launch
cable.
We will test the connector loss of just the shortest link we have.
Each end of each of the short cables will be tried against the Standard
dispatch cable.

Fiber
Connection
Splicers

Connectors
ST
Connector

Lab 2 Experiment

(2) Procedure and Results

2.1

Step One

1. Connect the source and the meter with the shortest fiber such that end
a is connected to the source; record the reading from the meter
2. Connect the source and the meter with the shortest fiber after inversing
its ends (i.e. end b is connected to the source); record the reading from
the meter

Table 1 Step one meter read in dbM

Group Name

a End end into

source (End 1)

b end into
source (End 2)

comments

Wire 1

-15.70

-15.28

Significant loss

Wire 2

-16.36

-15.28

End a has a high

loss whilst b is not
the best

Wire 3

-14.63

-15.50

Least loss but not

the best

Wire 4

-14.50

-15.51

(best Cable)
This will be
P1 = -14.50

Lab 2 Experiment

2.2

Step Two

Insert the cable under test between the ST to ST connector and the meter
one at a time. Try both ends of the cable one end at a time. Record your
readings in the table below. Remember, your initial reading, P1, is the
starting power level found in STEP 0NE

Table 2 Meter Read in dBm

Group
Name

Connector Loss

a end
into the
source

b end
into the
source

a in source

b in source

(-14.5)P1 P2

P1 P2

Wire 1

-16.0

-21.1

1.5

6.6

Wire 2

-16.9

-16.99

2.4

2.49

Wire 3

-16.42

-15.77

1.92

1.27

Lab 2 Experiment

2.3

Step Three

Convert all of the dBm readings to the corresponding values in watts and
mill-watts. Construct the following table and fill in the results of
measurements, organize and present all calculations.

P2, a in the source

P2, b in the source

Connector Loss
a in
source

b in source

dBm

mW

dBm

mW

dBm mW dBm

mW

-16

25.1

-21.1

7.76

1.5

1.4

6.6

4.57

-16.9

20.4

-16.99

20

2.4

1.73 2.49

1.77

-16.42

22.8

-15.77

26.49

1.92 1.55 1.27

1.34

Lab 2 Experiment

2.4

Discussion

Analyze the readings in STEP one and select the fiber and
orientation with the least loss.

Figure 5 This is the first step we did

Figure 6 This is the second step we did

The best cable is the wire 4 with -14.50 dBm as its the least.

Wire 2 end a into source is the worse with -16.36dBm

Wire 1 and wire 2 end b into source are the same with -15.28dBm
In my analysis, the next suitable would be wire 3 as its losses are less
than wire 1 and 2, and the values are closer to the chosen wire which
was wire 4

10

Lab 2 Experiment

Analyze the readings of the power loss for each connector in STEP
2.
In this step we will calculate the power loss of each connector
by subtracting p1 - p2
All values in the next step will be assumed to be in dBm
P1 is constant with -14.5
wire 1 a into source p2= -16.0
So now we can say the power level is at -16dBm and the connector
loss is 1.5dB
wire 1 b into source p2= -21.1
So now we can say the power level is at -21.1dBm and the
connector loss is 6.6dB
wire 2 a into source p2= -16.9
So now we can say the power level is at -16.9dBm and the
connector loss is 2.4dB
wire 2 b into source p2= -16.99
So now we can say the power level is at -16.99dBm and the
connector loss is 2.49dB
wire 3 a into source p2= -16.42
So now we can say the power level is at -16.42dBm and the
connector loss is 1.92dB
wire 3 b into source p2= -15.77
So now we can say the power level is at -15.77dBm and the
connector loss is 1.27dB

11

Lab 2 Experiment

Analyze the readings in STEP 3.

dBm or decibel-milliwatt is an electrical power unit in decibels (dB), referenced
to 1 milliwatt (mW). The power in decibel-milliwatts (P(dBm)) is equal to 10
times base 10 logarithm of the power in milliwatts (P(mW)). The units of dBm
and milliwatts are used quite a bit in communications and wireless. Both are units
of RF power.
As we can see in our results the connector loss is highly significant with atleast
ranging from 1.5dBm to 4.47dBm.
As we can see in the calcualtions done and number recorded the connector is not
as efficient or reliable as it contributes to a major loss, when a wire is considered
as a source and not the actual source.
Conclusions and observations about the dependence of losses on the
connectors.
The dependence of losses on connectors is correlated. As the connector is
worse, the losses are higher. Multimode connectors will have losses of 0.20.5 dB typically. Singlemode connectors, which are factory made and
fusion spliced on will have losses of 0.1-0.2 dB.
Multimode splices are usually made with mechanical splices, although
some fusion splicing is used. Fusion splicing of singlemode fiber will
typically have less than 0.05 dB
How, if you had to, would you re-write this lab?
First I would make sure that the readings are taken on straight line,
instead of bend. Second, all cables when measuring the loss, we must
make sure they are the same position as the previous cable and the next
cable. As bending at different angles will have different loses
depending on the curvature.
What you would change in it and why?
I would use several types of splices and repeat the experiment

12

Lab 2 Experiment

accordingly as the average readings will increase the accuracy of the

data.
What advise would you give to someone intending to do what you had
just finished?
Take more readings from your results, use several types of connectors and
make sure that all wires are straight and at the same position to prevent
lose from bending the wire.
Also, offer helpful hints on the handling and testing of connectors.
Any shaking will cause disturbance in the connectors, thus the loss reading
will be unstable and incorrect. Therefore I recommend taking the readings
in a stable environment and the connectors nor the wire to be shaking, as it
will cause loses and higher power loss.
Clean the surface of both wires where they connect to make sure there is
no power loss
Please write a conclusion about this exercise.
Same connectors, with same length, might have different loses depending
on the material and cable type used. Same wires maybe faulty or have
inconsistent connection between the connection and the gap. When the
wire was increased and acted as the source instead of the power source, the
losses increased which shows that signal not only is affected by the
connecter but also the length acts as a major factor in the power loss in the
signal sent over a longer wire.
Contrast what was intended to what was accomplished.
We have achieved the objectives of this experiment smoothly and without
any problems.
Explain the reason(s) for high connector loss you or others may have
had.

13

Lab 2 Experiment

Due to the bending of the wire, and due to the faultness of the actual
connectors, and the misconnection between the actual wire and the
connector
In addition, offer recommendation(s), based on your observations and
experience, on how to minimize high connector loss.
Please make sure the wire is straight, so the readings are fair for all and there will
definitely be less power loss.
Take more readings to improve your accuracy.
The connectors used must be off high quality, and the connectors must be
directly connected to the wire and the power source and the meter to prevent any
loss not due from the connector

One cause for optical power loss between two fibers is the misalignment of
the two fibers. Misalignment can be caused by improper polishing which
may have caused the surface of the fiber to be at an angle

In addition to the issue of angular misalignment, we have to be concerned

with axial misalignment.

14

Lab 2 Experiment

As optical power exits from an optical fiber, it exits at an angle described by

Snells law for ray optics. Provided the fibers are fully aligned and the
surfaces are just so perfect, maximum power will be transferred from one
fiber to the next. Under such conditions, the loss will be limited to the
inherent scattering and reflection.
Under such circumstances, when two fibers are brought close together, their
surfaces will touch (most but not all connectors are designed to allow
physical contact between the two fiber surfaces) and make a full and
smooth contact to allow the optical energy to cross from one fiber to the
next with only minimum loss.
When the surfaces are flat and clean, excessive loss may be due to axial
misalignment.

References
1.
Liu, Yuyu, and Huazhong Yang. High-Speed Optical Transceivers. Hackensack,
NJ: World Scientific, 2006. Print.

15