The Telecommunications Industry Association has published a new telecommunications systems bulletin: Optical Return Loss Meters -- Measurement and Application Issues, TSB-142.
The purpose of this document is to build awareness of the performance and application issues affecting instruments used to measure optical return loss and reflectance on both the component and the system level. Different instruments can be used to measure optical return loss and reflectance of system components such as connectors, filters, isolators, diodes, subsystems, cable assemblies and an entire fiber span. Under certain circumstances, these instruments might measure the reflection of a point defect or the cumulative reflected power of a whole system.
In order to compare the performance criteria of instruments used to measure optical return loss and to develop an understanding of their functionality and the measurement uncertainty associated with their use, some terminology and common application issues are compiled. TSB-142 is intended to combine criteria, parameters and issues that help users of these test instruments understand common phenomena associated with them.
TSB-142 was formulated under the cognizance of TIA FO-4.5 Subcommittee on Fiber Optic Metrology and released in September. A TSB is not a standard, but rather contains technical material that may be valuable to industry and users.
The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.