Pearson Technologies recently updated three Fiber-To-The-Home/Passive Optical Network (FTTH/PON) hands-on training programs. One is an installation program, another a design program, and the third is a combination of design and installation. “Since the principles for design and installation of both FTTH/PON and optical LANs are similar, these programs develop the knowledge, skills and abilities (SKAs) for both,” Pearson Technologies said when announcing the updates.
FiberPro™ 5-FTTH/PON: This 24-hour design program develops KSAs through PowerPoint presentations (45%) and hands-on activities. The presentations develop the understanding essential for success during design, Pearson explains. This understanding includes the language of PONs and fiber products, product types and advantages, specifications for those products, and cost factors.
The hands-on activities reinforce knowledge and develop skills. These hands-on activities include development of specifications for fiber, cable, connectors, splices, passive devices, optoelectronics; and acceptance values for insertion loss and OTDR test results. During the hands-on activities, trainees create a design package consisting of specifications for all components, acceptance values for interpretation of test results, and cost estimate.
FiberPro™ 4-FTTH/PON: First presented in 2015, this 24-hour installation program consists of PowerPoint presentations (~26%) and hands-on activities. The presentations develop the knowledge essential for success during FTTH/PON installation.
The hands-on activities develop the skills and abilities for all steps from receipt of materials to verification of proper operation. These steps include cable preparation; midspan fusion splicing (loose-tube-to-loose-tube, loose-tube-to-tight-tube, pigtail splicing, and mechanical splicing); splice-on connector (SOC) installation; connector inspection, evaluation, and cleaning; insertion loss testing; OTDR testing and interpretation; calculation of acceptance values for interpretation of test results; and activation of a link over the completed cable plant. During the hands-on activities, trainees install, certify, and verify proper operation of a 7-segment, 960-meter PON cable plant, suitable for any application including FTTH, FTTx, OLAN or an ITS network.
FiberPro™ 8-FTTH/PON: The 40-hour program combines the non-overlapping modules of the FiberPro™ 5 and FiberPro™ 4. During the design hands-on activities, trainees create a design package consisting of specifications for all components, acceptance values for interpretation of test results, and a cost estimate. Upon completion of the installation hands-on activities, trainees assemble, test, certify and verify proper operation of a 7-segment, 960-meer PON cable plant, suitable for any application.
With an additional 8 to 12 hours, Fiber Optic Association (FOA) certification (CFOS/S, CFOS/D) is available. Pearson Technologies can provide more details on those FOA certifications.