Fibre Characterisation FAQs

What is fibre characterisation?

Fibre characterisation is defined as conducting a series of tests on an installed link in order to assess its general quality and its specific ability to support a particular application or applications. As data rates increase and systems become more complex there are many factors that can impair system performance.

So how is ‘fibre characterisation’ different from just testing fibres?

Well historically, when long distance singlemode fibre links were commissioned it was common practice just to be concerned with the losses of the installed links usually at just two wavelengths - 1310nm and 1550nm. However, with DWDM systems and CWDM systems operating over wider wavelength ranges then the ability of the infrastructure to support these other wavelengths may also need to be verified. In addition, as data rates increase from 2.5Gb/s to 10Gb/s and up to 40Gb/s then the dispersion characteristics of the fibre become much more critical and additional tests are required including chromatic dispersion and polarisation mode dispersion. With PMD the performance of the fibre can vary significantly from fibre to fibre within the same cable and so it is often necessary to measure every fibre and keep detailed records of which fibres can support which data rates.

Fibre characterisation is the process of carrying out a comprehensive suite of tests that fully assess the capabilities of a fibre infrastructure.

Why is OTT offering this service?

We are not just a training company. First and foremost we are experts in fibre optic technology. That expertise feeds each of the services that we provide. Done properly fibre characterisation is complex and needs a real understanding of many issues and parameters if it is to provide relevant and useful information to the customer.

We began offering this service because there were few independent organisations with the appropriate expertise available to do it. Those organisations that did offer the service, such as fibre suppliers, often had a vested interest in the outcome so the customer could not always trust the results they were given. Many other organisations claim to offer a service but do not understand all the issues so they may use out-of-date or inappropriate equipment or test methods resulting in meaningless results. Importantly many often lack the required systems knowledge to interpret the results and so provide useful information.

As the need for fibre characterisation grew we also developed the unique Certified Fibre Characterisation Engineer training programme, launched in 2005, to make sure that other providers know what they are doing too and to give users a benchmark they can use to assess their suppliers.

What are the benefits of using OTT for testing services?

Why use OTT for your specialist fibre optic testing?

… because you need more than just data

Many organisations have found that our unique background brings a multitude of benefits. Our heritage as a training company not only means that we have an in-depth understanding of the technology & the issues, but also that we can present the outcome of tests in a clear, meaningful & customer friendly way, making difficult issues and concepts simple and approachable. Conversely our experience of carrying out a wide range of fibre characterisation projects means that we are not just academics, we do appreciate the practicalities of the real world.

By using OTT for your testing you get:

• test methods and results you can trust
• results you can access, explore and share easily
• reports you can understand
• information visually presented in web pages, the way you're used to viewing information today
• documentation and results that are accessible at different depths for different job roles
• professional, authoritative test reports from the UK's principal designated expert in fibre optic testing

Are you independent?

We are an independent company. But when it comes to fibre characterisation we do have a range of preferred equipment and test methods. Those preferences come from a wealth of technical knowledge and expertise, actual experience (and our trainees’ experience) with a wide range of different equipment, and a real understanding of the practical issues of carrying out fibre characterisation in the field. However when we are giving equipment advice we will always consider your specific requirements and situation and advise accordingly.

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