The FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
Lofl2
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
Reference
Guide
Measuring Reflectance or Return Loss
Reflectance
Reflectance (which has also been called "back reflection" or
optical return loss) of a connection is the amount of light that is
reflected back up the fiber toward the source by light
reflections off the interface of the polished end surface of the
mated connectors and air. It is also called fresnel reflection
and is caused by the light going through the change in index of
refraction at the interface between the fiber (n=~1.5) and air
(n=~1). Reflectance is primarily a problem with connectors but
may also affect mechanical splices which contain an index
matching gel to prevent reflectance.
——
Optical return loss (ORL) is sometimes used as meaning the
same as reflectance but, as the inverse of reflectance, has the
opposite sign, e.g. -50dB reflectance is 50dB return loss.
However, the term has been adopted by OTDR manufacturers
to mean something different - the total of all reflectance events
and total fiber backscatter over the entire length of fiber being
tested. See below for how OTDRs measure reflectance and
return loss.
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
dof 12
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
Connectors have different ferrule end finishes to reduce
reflectance as well as loss. Mechanical splices have index
matching gel to prevent reflections. Properly made fusion
splices will have no refelctance; a reflectance peak indicates
incomplete fusion or inclusion of an air bubble or other impurity
in the splice.
Reflectance is one component of the connector's loss,
representing about 0.3 dB loss for a non-contact or air-gap
connector where the two fibers do not make contact.
Minimizing the reflectance is necessary to get maximum
performance out of high bit rate laser systems and especially
AM modulated CATV systems. In multimode systems,
reflections are less of a problem but can add to background
noise in the fiber.
Since this is more a problem with singlemode systems,
manufacturers have concentrated on solving the problem for
their singlemode components but multimode connectors
benefit also since any reduction in reflectance also reduces
loss. Several schemes have been used to reduce reflectance,
mainly using a convex physical contact (PC) polish on the end
of the connector ferrule, which reduces the fresnel reflection
and reduces reflectance to ~-40 to -50 dB. The technique
involves polishing the end surface of the fiber to a convex
surface to ensure proper fiber contact. On singlemode fiber,
PC finishes work even better at a slight angle (8°) to almost
totally prevent reflectance (~ -60 dB). These connectors are
called APC or angled physical contact connectors.
Reflectance is defined by the amount of light reflected
compared to the power of the light being transmitted down the
fiber. Thus a 1% reflectance is -20 dB, which is about what you
get from a flat polished air gap connection, and 1 part per
million would be -60 dB, typical of an APC connector. Return
loss is the opposite, the amount of loss at the level of the
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. filexE:/OneDrive%20-%20CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
return signal, so -20 dB reflectance is 20 dB return loss.
Measuring Reflectance
There are two ways to measure reflectance. One method uses
a source and power meter with some accessories or an
instrument called an optical CW reflectometer (OCWR), while
the other method uses an optical time domain reflectometer (
OTDR.) Neither method is particularly accurate, about +/-1 dB
at best, but test equipment manufacturers often have readouts
to 0.01 dB which only confuses people who think that the
resolution of the instrument is the accuracy of the
measurement. The problem with reflectance is the large range
of the measurement which causes one of the two
measurements to be a very low optical power.
Typical reflectance measurements require a large dynamic
range, since reflectance is small for most current types of
connectors as shown in the table below.
‘Connector [Typical
Type Reflectance
Flat with air 20 dB
gap
Physical
Contact (PC) "30 tp -40 dB
Ultra PC '-40 to-50 dB
APC (angled) |-60 dB or higher,
Measuring over a 40 to 60 dB range is challenging, and
reflectance testing adds another problem, how to minimize the
errors from other reflecting parts of the cable being tested or
even fiber backscatter on longer fibers. Furthermore,
reflectance is sensitive to polarization effects which may not be
controllable in all test conditions.
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///EvOneDri
4of 12
20PHAN%20FP.
Note: Reflectance is incredibly sensitive to cleanliness of
the mating surfaces of the connectors. Before testing,
always inspect, clean and inspect connectors again to
ensure perfectly clean connectors.
OCWR Testing
Below is a diagram of a typical setup for reflectance or return
loss tests of connectors or patchcords per industry standards
(TIA FOTP-107 or IEC 61300-3-6) using a light source and
power meter. This test is typically used for terminated patch
cords when the loss and reflectance values are required
specifications. The method sends light from a source through a
coupler to the connection that is being tested. That connection
will typically consist of a reference connector which is used to
mate to the connector under test. The light reflected from that
connection is split by the coupler and part is measured by the
power meter.
Test
Test Signal
Termination
(absorbs all
light)
In order to calculate the reflectance or return loss, you need to
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///EvOneDri
§ of 12
20PHAN%20FP.
know the magnitude of the test signal and the split ratio of the
coupler, including the excess loss of the coupler. The coupler
will reduce the outgoing and reflectance power levels by 3 dB
plus some loss due to its inefficiency, typically ~ 3.5 dB..
You must also minimize the reflectance of other components in
the cable under test. There are two ways often used to
"terminate" or reduce the reflectance from the rest of the cable
under test. One method is to use an "optical termination" at the
end connector, typically done by inserting the end of the
connector ferrule into an index matching gel or liquid. The
index matching gel used for mechanical splices works well, but
mineral oil or alcohol works fairly well too. After the test, of
course, the connector ferrule needs careful cleaning with pure
isopropyl alcohol.
2x1
Coupler
Test
Test Signal
Mandre! Wrap’
(tight,
attenuates
light)
The other method to use for singlemode fiber is to use a very
tight mandrel wrap - abot 10 turns on a 1/4" or 6 mm mandrel.
This should attenuate the signal enough that the reflections
from additional components will be minimized. (Remember the
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
6 of 12
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
light will be attenuated in both directions, so if you introduce a
30 dB loss, the total loss will be 60 dB.) This method only
works on singlemode fiber and has some drawbacks. It may
leave the cable jacket stretched out more than it can recover
from, so the cable will always look bad in the area where the
mandrel wrap was done. It will not work on patchcords made
from "bend-insensitive" fiber.
Here is the 1-2-3 of making OCWR reflectance tests.
First determine the power level of the test souce. It needs to
be fairly powerful if you expect to measure low reflectance.
Attach a power meter to the test connector and measure the
power level.
For this example, let's say it is 0 dBm.
2x1
Coupler
Next you need to terminate the test connector and determine
the "noise floor" for the measurement which can include
contributions from the coupler and any other devices in the test
setup.
At -60 dBm, we have a low power level for noise, but it could
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. file:///E:/OneDrive%20-%20CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP..
be a problem if we tried to check APC connectors.
2X1
Coupler
Termination!
(absorbs all
light)
Now attach your device to test to the reference connector.
Terminate the far end using either index matching gel or the
mandrel wrap method (which is necessary on a long cable
which has not only reflectance but backscatter to consider.
This is why this is a patchcord test, as long cables are not
possible to test this way.)
Tofl2 29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
8 of 12
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
Reference
Connectors:
Test
Termination!
(absorbs all
light)
The power meter reads -41.9 dBm. We need to calibrate the
measurement for the coupler, let's add 3.5 dB, so we have
-38.4 dB down from the 0 dBm test signal or a reflectance of
-38.4 dB (ORL 38.4 dB.) Since Our noise floor was -60 dBm,
or ~ 1% (-20 dB) of the reflectance we measured, we can
ignore it.
OCWR and Long Cables
The OCWR technique is really designed to work on
patchcords. Since the natural backscatter of the fiber adds to
the measured reflectance, longer cable runs will include a
significant amount of backscattered light. There are instances
where the total of all reflectances and backscatter is called
“optical return loss" (ORL) and is measured as a indicator of
the effect of the cable plant on laser transmitters. Some
OTDRs can also calculate ORL for this same definition.
Reflectance Testing By OTDR
The OTDR can measure the amount of light that's returned
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
9 of 12
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
from both backscatter of the fiber and reflected from a
connector or splice, leading to two independent tests,
reflectance and optical return loss.
Reflectance At An Event
The amount of light reflected at a joint between two fibers is
determined by the differences in the index of refraction of the
two fibers joined, a function of the composition of the glass in
the fiber, or any air in the gap between the fibers, common with
terminations and mechanical splices. Generally speaking,
connectors will show reflectance peaks on OTDR traces,
mechanical splices may show reflectance peaks and fusion
splices will show no reflectance.
Reflectance
In an OTDR, the peak that identifies a reflective event is
measured and reflectance calculated. Higher peaks indicate
higher reflectance. In order to measure reflectance, the peak
must not saturate the OTDR receiver, indicated by a flat-
topped reflectance peak (below.) For instance this is an OTDR
trace where reflectance cannot be accurately measured. It will
only indicate a value less than actual.
29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///EvOneDri
Bs,
20PHAN%20FP.
Saturated Peak
Calculating reflectance in an OTDR is a complicated process
involving the baseline of the OTDR, backscatter level and
power in the reflected peak as shown in the diagram below.
Since reflectance is defined as a fraction of the power in the
test signal, the OTDR must calculate the test power from the
backscatter level of the fiber, based on the typical backscatter
coefficient of the fiber being tested.
10 of 12 29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. files///E/OneDrive
A2CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
Signal Level
(Calculated) Ah hk
Reflectance
Backscatter
Coefficient
Y__ Reflectance
Peak
Backscatter
Level
Marker 1 : Marker 2
The OTDR measures the backscatter level just before the
peak being measured, applies a correction for the pulse width
of the OTDR test pulse, then calculates the test signal level. It
then measures the power of the refelctacne peak and
calculates the reflectance. The indirect way this is measured
causes reflectance measurements with an OTDR have a fairly
high measurement uncertainty, but have the advantage of
showing where reflective events are located so they can be
corrected if necessary. By choosing the reflectance
measurement and putting the right (blue) cursor on the peak of
the reflection and the left (red) cursor just to the left of the
reflection, the OTDR will measure the reflectance.
Optical Return Loss (ORL)
lof lz 29/May/2023, 10:51 AMThe FOA Reference For Fiber Optics - Measuring Reflectance or Retur. filexE:/OneDrive%20-%20CONG%20TY %20CO%20PHAN%20FP.
The OTDR generally tests ORL by calculating the total all the
light reflected from reflective events plus the total backscatter
from the entire length of fiber being tested. This ORL
measurement is sometimes used as a specification for very
high speed systems as ORL can be a contributor to noise in a
transmission link. It is not a reflectance test of an individual
event and should not be confused with that test.
More information on OTDRs.
Return to the Table of Contents of the FOA Online Reference
Guide.
(C)2018, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.
12 of 12 29/May/2023, 10:51 AM