Use of optical power meter

Used to measure absolute optical power or relative loss of optical power through a section of optical fiber. In fiber optic systems, measuring optical power is the most basic, much like a multimeter in electronics. In the optical fiber measurement, the optical power meter is a heavy load commonly used meter. By measuring the absolute power of the transmitter or optical network, an optical power meter can evaluate the performance of the optical device. Using an optical power meter in combination with a stable light source can measure connection loss, check continuity, and help evaluate the transmission quality of optical fiber links.
Method of operation
For the specific application of the user, to choose a suitable optical power meter, the following points should be paid attention to:
1. Choose the best probe type and interface type
2. Evaluate the calibration accuracy and manufacturing calibration procedures to match your optical fiber and connector requirements.
3. Make sure that these models are consistent with your measurement range and display resolution. 
4. With the dB function of direct insertion loss measurement. 
Choose the right model
1. Make sure that these models are consistent with your measurement range and display resolution. 
2, with the dB function of direct insertion loss measurement. 
3, select the best probe type and interface type
4. Evaluate the calibration accuracy and manufacturing calibration procedures to match your optical fiber and connector requirements. 
Precautions
The unit of optical power is dbm. It has its luminous and received optical power in the manual of the fiber optic transceiver or switch. Usually the luminous is less than 0dbm. The minimum optical power that the receiving end can receive is called sensitivity, and the maximum optical power that can be received is subtracted The unit of the sensitivity value is db (dbm-dbm=db), which is called the dynamic range. The luminous power minus the receiving sensitivity is the allowable fiber attenuation value. The actual luminous power during the test minus the actual received optical power value It is the optical fiber attenuation (db). The best value of the optical power received by the receiving end is the maximum optical power that can be received-(dynamic range / 2), but it is generally not so good. Due to the dynamics of each optical transceiver and optical module The range is different, so the specific allowable attenuation of the fiber depends on the actual situation. Generally speaking, the allowable attenuation is about 15-30db.
Some manuals will only have two parameters: luminous power and transmission distance. Sometimes it will explain the transmission distance calculated by the fiber attenuation per kilometer, mostly 0.5db/km. Divide the minimum transmission distance by 0.5, which is the maximum light that can be received. Power, if the received optical power is higher than this value, the optical transceiver may be burned out. Divide the maximum transmission distance by 0.5, which is the sensitivity. If the received optical power is lower than this value, the link may not work.
There are two ways to connect optical fibers, one is fixed connection and the other is movable connection. Fixed connection is fusion splicing. It uses special equipment to melt the optical fiber to connect the two optical fibers together. The advantage is that the attenuation is small, but the disadvantage is The operation is complex and flexible. The active connection is through the connector, usually connected to the ODF. The advantage is simple and flexible. The disadvantage is large attenuation. Generally speaking, the attenuation of an active connection is equivalent to one kilometer of optical fiber. The attenuation of the optical fiber can be estimated as follows: including fixed and active connections, the optical fiber attenuation per kilometer is 0.5db, if the active connection is quite small, this value can be 0.4db, and the pure optical fiber does not include the active connection, which can be reduced to 0.3db, the theoretical value is pure The optical fiber is 0.2db/km; for insurance purposes, 0.5 is better in most cases.
Fiber test TX and RX must be tested separately. In the case of single fiber, since only one fiber is used, of course it only needs to be tested once. According to the production company, the realization principle of single fiber is wavelength division multiplexing.
What is an optical power meter is used to measure absolute optical power or relative loss of optical power through a section of optical fiber. In fiber optic systems, it is very much like a multimeter in electronics. In the optical fiber measurement, the optical power meter is a heavy load commonly used meter. By measuring the absolute power of the transmitter or optical network, an optical power meter can evaluate the performance of the optical device. Using an optical power meter in combination with a stable light source can measure connection loss, check continuity, and help evaluate the transmission quality of optical fiber links.
For the specific application of the user, to choose a suitable optical power meter, the following points should be paid attention to:
1. Choose the best probe type and interface type
2. Evaluate the calibration accuracy and manufacturing calibration procedures to match your optical fiber and connector requirements.
3. Make sure these models are consistent with your measurement range and display resolution.
4. With the dB function of direct insertion loss measurement.