Fiber Optic Test and Measurement Review

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(More customer reviews)This is probably the most complete, accurate, and authoritative book I've seen that is devoted specifically to the science of testing fiber-optic systems and components.
The book begins by reviewing basic fiber-optic communications systems. It summarizes basic ideas in communications theory, characteristics of optical fiber, optical amplifiers, optical repeaters, O/E converters, and wavelength-division multiplexing. The first chapter also contains some useful background information about bit-error rates and waveform analysis. There are simple descriptions of multimode fiber, and basic explanations of things like numerical aperture, chromatic dispersion, and polarization characteristics of optical fiber. There is also some review material on active components such as Fabry-Perot lasers, distributed-feedback lasers, vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers, electrooptic modulators, and LEDs. The first chapter ends with a review of time and frequency measurements in photonic networks.
The material in the first chapter is pretty broad, and some of it is rather shallow. It's not really a good place to go for a primer on photonic networks, but the first chapter does help the reader review key concepts and ideas that are important in the book's later developments.
With the review completed, the book launches into detailed discussions about different types of measurements made in fiber-optic networks and on fiber-optic components. Generally, each chapter deals with a separate topic, and is written by a different author.
Chapter two discusses the nuances of making optical power measurements. While some may think that such measurements are trivial, Christian Hentschel (the author of chapter 2) does an excellent job of illustrating the precise engineering needed to make the most accurate measurements of optical power. Topics covered include temperature effects, spatial effects, noise, reflectivity, and compatibility with various fiber and connector types.
Chapter three is of special interest to anyone working in the field of wavelength-division multiplexing, as it's subject matter deals with optical spectrum analysis. A common theme throughout this book is to describe many of the different ways in which measurements can be performed. True to that theme, Joachim Vobis and Dennis Derickson (the authors of chapter 3) review the various ways in which spectral analysis can be performed. These include tunable filters like the Fabry-Perot interferometers as well as diffraction-based OSAs. The authors clearly prefer the grating OSA, and most of the chapter deals with specific nuances that must be considered in making such and instrument perform properly. Chapter four is similar to chapter three - it deals also with optical spectrum analysis. Chapter four, though, is devoted exclusively to the subject of wavelength meters that make spectral measurements using a Michelson interferometer and stabilized internal light source.
Chapter five covers high-resolution optical frequency analysis. Chapter 6 deals with polarization measurements, including a review of the Jones calculus and a nice explanation and description of the Stokes parameters and Poincare sphere. Chapter 7 describes intensity modulation and noise characterization of optical signals. Chapter 8 covers analysis of digital modulation on optical carriers, including some nice material on bit-error rates, eye-diagram analysis, mask measurements, and jitter analysis. Chapter 9 has some good information on insertion-loss measurements (another of those underestimated problems). Chapter 10 has a good review of optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) used in testing components, while chapter 11 explains the use of OTDRs in making measurements on optical fiber. Chapter 12 covers dispersion measurements, including both chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode dispersion. The last chapter explains the tests used to characterize erbium-doped optical fibers (EDFAs). This last chapter, especially, is well worth reading, though I found some of the test descriptions a little hard to follow.
The book ends with three very useful appendices. Appendix A is devoted to noise sources in optical measurements, appendix B to nonlinear limits for optical measurements (a must for anyone working with DWDM systems) and appendix C has some practical information regarding the care of optical connectors.
The book covers a tremendous amount of information. Its 642 pages are jam packed with just about everything you ever wanted to know about photonic test and measurement. And what it does not cover is usually described in excruciating detail in the complete list of references at the end of each chapter.
There are plenty of equations, but not much mathematical derivation. If you are up on your algebra and calculus you will have no difficulty following anything in this book. Its aim is practicality, and I'd say it hit a bull's eye.
The illustrations are done nicely; the explanations are (for the most part) clean, crisp, and concise. This is an excellent book that I highly recommend. I've marked it with yellow pen, dog-eared the corners of the pages, scribbled in the margins, spilt my drink on it at least once, broken the spine, and basically beat it to pieces. That's what you do with the really useful tools - the rest of them just sit on the shelf looking pretty and collecting dust.
If you make your living testing photonic systems, you really owe it to yourself to get and read this book.
Duwayne Anderson, February 28, 2000

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A complete guide to measuring both current optical networks and those on the horizon. Teaches how to characterize all three basic components of a fiber optic communication system: the optical transmitter, fiber medium, and optical receiver. DLC: Optical communications - Testing.

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