Fiber Optic Reference Guide, 3rd Edition

15 TESTING & MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

Standardized measurement and testing techniques are important to precisely define the parameters under which a fiber optic system or any of its components will function. In evaluating the performance of a system, all the components that comprise the system must be considered. Techniques for measuring fiber optic systems fall into two major categories: functional testing and performance testing. Functional testing involves determining whether a component of the fiber optic system is operating. For example, testing fiber continuity with the use of an optical time-domain reflectometer represents functional testing. Performance testing involves how the system performs relative to the expected performance determined ...