OTDR Testing
An Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer or OTDR is a sophisticated test instrument used to probe the characteristics of long optical fibers. They work by injecting a very brief pulse of light…
Fiber Optic Cable Testing
Fiber optic cable testing is done to ensure all installed cable lengths and connectors are functioning properly.
Fiber Optic Cable Connectors, Routing, and Safety
One of the most popular styles of single-fiber connector is the so-called “ST” style, which uses a quarter-turn locking barrel to secure the connector into its matching socket: Communication patch…
Multi-mode and Single-mode Optical Fibers
In any sort of waveguide – optical, electrical, or even acoustical (sound) – the signal energy may be able to propagate down the waveguide in different orientations. This is true…
Fiber Optic Sensors
Fiber Optic Sensing Applications Optical fibers find applications beyond electronic data cable replacement, though, which means they will be a growing presence in the field of industrial instrumentation above and…
Fiber Optic Cable Construction
Communication-grade optical fibers are manufactured from fused silica (SiO2) glass of exceptional purity. A single strand of optical fiber made from this glass called the “core” serves as a waveguide…
Fiber Optic Data Communication
An optical fiber is a “pipe” through which light flows. This is, of course, merely an analogy for how an optical fiber works, but it conveys the basic idea. The…
High-frequency Signal Cables
Electronic signals used in traditional instrumentation circuits are either DC or low-frequency AC in nature. Measurement and control values are represented in analog form by these signals, usually by the…
Inductive Coupling Effects
Magnetic fields, unlike electric fields, are exceedingly difficult to completely shield. Magnetic flux lines do not terminate, but rather loop. Thus, one cannot “stop” a magnetic field, only re-direct its…
Capacitive Coupling Effects
The fundamental principle invoked in shielding signal conductor(s) from external electric fields is that no substantial electric field can exist within a solid conductor. Electric fields exist due to imbalances…
