CD and PMD Testing - What's It All About?
By Tony LoweTechnical Sales Specialist
EXFO America
Dispersion is a phenomenon that causes an optical signal to split into its component parts as it travels within an optical fiber. Over distance, these components become separated in time, causing the signal to spread or become "smeared," which results in data errors.
This session explains dispersion theory, the causes and effects of dispersion, and explains testing and measurement tools and procedures.
Types of Dispersion - Three types of dispersion are identified: Chromatic Dispersion (CD), Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD), Intermodal Disperson (IMD) (Multimode Fiber).
Causes - Discussed are the various causes of dispersion, including glass impurities, polarization states, imperfect fiber geometry, localized heat or vibration, and other factors.
Contributing Factors - How data rates, transmission distance and other factors increase the potential for dispersion.
Effects - Addressed are bit rate errors that result from dispersion, and consequences for fiber optic networks affected by dispersion.
Susceptibility - Explains why dispersion is of particular concern for long haul applications and LANs operating at high data rates.
Test and Measurement - Explains the challenges of testing for dispersion, and the best testing and measurement solutions currently available.
Compensating for Dispersion - Equipment and approaches for mitigating the problem of dispersion.
This is an important and informative session, especially for anyone involved in the deployment of 40-Gbt/sec or higher optical networks or long-haul fiber links.
2011 NFOC Exhibitors
