Testing Fiber for the Future
Outside plant fiber optic networks are getting faster. Upgrading older cable plants to higher speeds or testing new installations to ensure they can support future needs requires testing fibers more extensively—a process called fiber characterization. How well do you understand it?
1. 1. Some fiber optic cables have been in use for ______ years or more.
Correct Answer: 30
2. 2. When those early fibers were installed, networks operated at speeds of ______.
Correct Answer: Up to 140 megabits per second (Mbps)
3. 3. Today’s typical new fiber optic network operates at speeds in the ______ range.
Correct Answer: 10–100 Gbps
4. 4. At network speeds above 10 Gbps, ______ becomes a limiting factor and should be tested.
Correct Answer: Dispersion
5. 5. Chromatic dispersion (CD) is caused by ______.
Correct Answer: The light of different wavelengths traveling at different speeds
6. 6. Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) may be caused by ______.
Correct Answer: All of the above
7. 7. Both CD and PMD can be corrected by using special compensating fibers.
Correct Answer: False
8. 8. The first test for characterizing an installed fiber is ______.
Correct Answer: Inspect connectors for condition and cleanliness
9. 9. The attenuation of the fiber over a broad wavelength range is needed for fibers that are to be used for______.
Correct Answer: Dense wavelength division multiplexing
10. 10. The pass/fail characteristics for CD and PMD test results on a cable plant may be determined by ______.
Correct Answer: Any or all of the above
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