It is essential to reduce the losses in optical fiber, to ensure that performance of the internet is not drastically affected by signal loss.
In this article, our experts explain the most prevalent causes of losses and the various methods of reducing losses.
Causes Of Signal Loss
Extrinsic Losses
Optical signal loss can be caused by the following extrinsic factors:
Splicing Losses
The technique of joining optical fiber cables joined end-to-end, too ensure uninterrupted transmission of light signals is known as splicing. Splicing loss occurs when power is lost at the spliced joint which is usually is inevitable. Multimode fiber cables are more susceptible than single-mode fiber.
Insertion Losses
Insertion losses or connector losses is a form of extrinsic losses that arises when a device or a connector is introduced to an optical fiber transmission line.
Bending Losses
Improper optical fiber cable handling is the biggest cause of loss caused by bending of the cable. There can be bending -micro bending which is a smaller or minor bend, and macro bending which is a larger optical fiber cable bend.
Intrinsic Loss
Optical signal loss can be caused by the following intrinsic factors
Absorption losses
Signal losses that occurs when the light photons interact with different components of the fiber such as the glass, ions from metal or electrons and alters into another form of energy, like heat.
Scattering Losses
Scattering losses is a form of Intrinsic optical loss that happen when the signal scatters after hitting microscopic variations in the density of glass that occur during the fiber manufacturing process.
Dispersion Loss
Dispersion loss happens when signal transmission is altered. Dispersion losses in fiber optics can be sub-divided in to two types: intermodal which happens in multimode fibers and intramodal that happens in single-mode fiber optic cables.
How to Reduce Losses in Optical Fiber
It is imperative for the fiber optic professional to ensure that when the connection is established that the output power in within the sensitivity of the receiving device, as well as have enough power left to allow for signal degradation over time.
Here are some widely used approaches in fiber link design and installation:
- It is important that high-quality cables are adapted with cables and devices of similar properties.
- Focus on the different system protections especially electrical, lightening, anti-corrosion and anti-mechanical damage protection.
- Heat-shrinkable tubes provide better protection against signal loss.
- Ensure that the connectors are clean.
- A major part of designing a fiber optic network installation is choosing the best route and methods to ensure minimal fiber loss.
- The number of joints in a system can be minimized by using complete discs to configuration, a single fiber optic cable disc above 500 meters.
- The processing and environment requirements must be strictly followed when fiber optic splicing.
- To ensure that connected joints are not leaking light professional must patch and close coupling perfectly.
- The problem of insertion loss can be minimized by using qualified connectors. A optical fiber professional should ensure that the insertion loss value is kept below 0.3dB and the other loss levels are maintained to be less than 0.2dB.
- Work only with qualified construction professionals that can ensure high quality of construction.
