Characterization of Losses in GPON Access Networks sing OTDR Measurements

Svend Hopland
+47 97700805 svend.hopland@telenor.com

Abstract
In this paper, we have described and provided evidence for the difficulties in measuring through 32-splitters and 64-splitters with OTDRs designed for PON-measurements. In a field investigation on installed access network, using standard OTDRs at multiple wavelengths, we have measured SC-APC connector losses as well as fibre attenuation coefficients, and provided the wavelength dependence, average values and standard deviations. We have found that SC-APC connectors loss have average loss values close to 0.3 dB with a slight increase at the longer wavelengths. However, the connector loss standard deviations are of the order 40-65 % of the average values at all wavelengths. Average fibre attenuation coefficient values at all wavelengths are slightly higher than the very low average attenuation coefficients found in our transport network, but we have shown that these deviations may be attributable to individual OTDR noise and dead zone characteristics. The standard deviations in measured attenuations coefficients are high due to short fibre lengths. In the GPON loss budget, the standard deviations for connector losses as well as for attenuation coefficients must be taken into account.

It is of great interest to investigate the magnitude and the wavelength dependence of the losses of the different components in GPON access networks.

2. Characterization of OTDRs
The OTDR method is commonly used for field characterization of transport networks as well as for access networks. However, the measurements in access networks are more complex due to short fibre lengths, high losses in splitters and multiple branches that produce overlap signals. As a consequence, OTDRs optimized for PON-measurements have emerged. These OTDRs have increased dynamic ranges and a wider selection of pulse widths compared with standard OTDRs in order to deal with the different tasks. Also, their signal processing software is improved in order to be able to resolve the large difference in backscatter levels when measuring through a splitter. Table 1 shows actual dynamic ranges of the 3 different PONOTDRs and one of the standard OTDRs used in the measurements. Normally, a OTDRs dynamic range is specified for its longest pulse width, and the values in table 1 may therefore not be directly comparable. However, dynamic ranges of PON OTDRs are usually more than 5 dB higher than in a standard OTDR. Table 1. Dynamic Ranges of OTDRs used in this investigation

Keywords: Access; OTDR; splitter; connector; attenuation.

1. Introduction
Telenor has established the technology, systems, processes and competence to deliver FTTH and is currently in the starting phase of building the next generation access infrastructure [1]. GPONs are cost effective and promising architectures for the access network, and has been adopted by many telecom operators worldwide as well as Telenor. Between the Optical Line Termination (OLT) and the Optical Network Termination (ONT), optical components such as cabled fibres, splices, connectors and splitters are used to construct the access link. The maximum transmission distance between OLT and ONT depends on the attenuations in the different components, and particularly the splitter loss has a large influence on the loss budget. The fibres used in access networks are recommended to be bending resistant and various macro bend loss requirements are defined in ITU-T recommendation G.657 [2]. Telenor uses the G.652.D fibre qualified according to G.657.A1 in most parts of the access network [3]. As the main splitting blocks we use 32and 64-splitters with SC-APC connectors on both sides. At present, 1310 nm is commonly used as the upstream wavelength and 1490 nm as the downstream wavelength. However, in the future one foresee to use WDM in PONs, and low losses of all the optical components are desirable up to at least 1625 nm.

Another important parameter of the OTDR is the extent of the dead zone, which is usually specified for the shortest pulse length and after a well defined reflective event. This does not always give a good indication of what may be encountered in actual practice. In a real case such as measuring through a splitter, one have to search the optimal settings of the OTDRs in order to obtain a sufficiently strong backscatter signal after the splitter and at the same time to minimize the extent of the dead zone. As a result, the actual form and extent of the dead zone will become apparent. It has proved very difficult to resolve the backscatter curve on the far side of 32-splitters and 64-splitters into loss features such as fibre attenuation or local loss due to fibre bend.

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3. Measurements
3.1 What do we want to measure?
When measuring through a splitter, we obviously want to find the splitter loss. In addition, we want to find the fibre attenuation coefficient and the location and magnitude of local fibre loss such as splices, connectors and fibre bends close to the splitter position at the far side of the splitter. We have investigated to what extent the PON-OTDRs are able to fulfil some of these requirements.

3.2 Experimental setup

In order to investigate the OTDRs ability to measure loss features after the splitter, the setup shown in Figure 1 was used.

Figure 2: Effect of pulse width using OTDR A

Figure 1: Setup during splitter measurements The input and output ports in our splitters are SC-APC connectors. Approximately 1 km of G.652D fibre with known attenuation coefficients at the measuring wavelengths is connected to the input port and one of the output ports. We have measured in the forward direction as well as in the reverse direction.

3.3 Measuring attenuation coefficient after splitter

In Figure 2 and Figure 3 are shown the effects of varying pulse width on the backscatter signal in the fibre at the output port of a 32-splitter for OTDR A and OTDR C, respectively. We note that for each OTDR, a rather high pulse width must be applied in order to obtain acceptable signal to noise ratio in the output fibre backscatter signal. This also introduced dead zones of considerable lengths, and it became clearly visible that dead zones of different forms and lengths appeared, depending on which OTDR and what wavelength was used. Not surprisingly, it was observed that these effects became even more pronounced when measuring through the 64splitters. 3.3.1 Attenuation coefficient results After finding the optimal OTDR settings in each case, we have tried to measure the attenuation coefficients in the output fibre. Several of the output ports where measured individually in order to resolve possible variations. When placing the cursors, care was taken to avoid visible dead zones appearing on the backscatter signals. A general observation was that seemingly straight backscatter curves, which are usually attributed to attenuation coefficients, only appeared on the last 500-700 m of the output fibre.

Figure 3: Effect of pulse width using OTDR C In Figure 4 and Figure 5 are shown the backscatter curves from individual measurements of several ports of a 32 splitter using OTDR A and a 64 splitter using OTDR B, respectively.

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Table 2: Accuracy of measured attenuation coefficient after the splitters

Figure 4: Attenuation coefficient measured after 32splitter using OTDR A

We observe from Table 2 that none of the OTDRs are in any case able to measure the attenuation coefficient with sufficient accuracy, within a distance of the output fibre (1 km) after the splitters, to determine whether the fibre attenuation coefficient has normal values or not. In addition, we can conclude that the observed distortions in the backscatter curves will make it difficult to measure and to decide whether or not other fibre faults are present. It may be possible in some of these cases to identify a local loss increase of some magnitude, but this has not been investigated further.

3.4 Measuring splitter loss

When measuring the splitter loss with the OTDR, we run into the problem of defining the splitter loss based on the backscatter signal. An example is shown in Figure 6, where the splitter loss is underestimated according to the normal definition and due to the elevated backscatter slope at the output fibre. Modified values for the splitter losses have been calculated by assuming equal values for the fibre attenuation coefficient on the output fibre as on the input fibre.

Figure 5: Attenuation coefficient measured after 64splitter using OTDR B Obviously, the found attenuation coefficients are highly inaccurate and are not usable to determine the actual value of the attenuation coefficient of the output fibre, which is known to be equal to the input fibre. In Table 2 are summarized the found attenuation coefficients using the different OTDRs to measure the 32-splitter and the 64-splitter, at the wavelengths 1310 nm, 1550 nm and 1625 nm. Figure 6: Splitter loss definition based on backscatter signal

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The magnitude of the splitter loss modifications are calculated using the measured attenuation coefficients in Table 2 and the 1100 m output fibre length, and range from 0.19 dB to + 1.55 dB. It should be noted that the measured splitter loss includes the losses of the input connector + 1 fusion splice (no coil) as well as the output connector + 1 fusion splice (no coil). 3.4.1 Splitter loss results We have measured the splitter losses at the different wavelengths in the forward direction as well as in the reverse direction with the different OTDRs. In addition, we have performed corresponding point to point measurements using power meter and detector for comparison. As a general rule the modified definition of OTDR splitter loss has been applied and we have measured several ports and the average value is calculated and presented. The variation in splitter loss values between ports has typically been in the region 0.1- 0.5 dB, which is of the same order as the found spread in SCAPC connector loss in Ch. 4.1, and may therefore largely be due to the connector shift when measuring on different ports. In Figure 7 the port average splitter loss measurements are summarized. We observe that a specific OTDR tends to indicate slightly higher or slightly lower loss value than the corresponding point to point measurement. For the 32 splitter, there seems to be a tendency to a slight decrease in splitter loss with increasing wavelength. The reverse loss values are in most cases slightly lower than the forward loss values. At 1625 nm in the forward direction and taking into all measured values, an average splitter loss value of 16.44 dB can be deduced.

4. Measurements on installed access networks

It has become clear that it is not possible to measure fibre attenuation coefficient through our 32 and 64 splitters even with a special PON OTDR. Therefore, in our field investigation, we have avoided the splitter and measured only at the output port of the splitter and along the cable length between the splitter and the homes locations, using a G.652D launch fibre of approximately 1 km. In this case we can measure the attenuation coefficient of the launch fibre, the connector loss, and the attenuation coefficient of the fibre in the access cable. For this purpose, we have used several standard OTDRs covering 5 different wavelengths: 1310 nm, 1380 nm, 1550 nm, 1625 nm and 1642 nm. We have investigated several PON sites, and the cable types have been micro cables in ducts and aerial cables for access network. The fibre lengths in the measured cables have ranged from 520 m to 770 m. We have optimized the OTDR settings in order to achieve the best possible backscatter fibre attenuation coefficient readings. Therefore, the distances between the cursors have in general been slightly less than the full length of the fibres. Since the measured fibre lengths are very short, the accuracy of single measurements of attenuation coefficient will generally be rather poor, and statistical material is needed. Furthermore, since each OTDR has its own individual noise pattern and dead zones characteristics, its average attenuation coefficient readings may deviate from expected values in a specific manner. The accuracy of the individual connector loss measurement should be acceptable since we have relatively good readings of attenuation coefficients on both sides of the connector location. It should be noted that the measured connector loss includes the loss of 1 fusion splice with fibre coil.

4.1 Connector loss results

In Figure 8 and Figure 9 are shown wavelength dependence of the losses of 72 individual APC-connectors from the field investigation and the corresponding average values and standard deviations at the measured wavelengths, respectively.

Figure 7: Port average splitter loss values For the 64 splitter, there is no clear wavelength dependence of the splitter losses. Obviously, the spread in loss values are higher than for the 32 splitter and the reverse loss values are in most cases slightly higher than the forward loss values. At 1625 nm in the forward direction and taking into account all measured values, an average splitter loss value of 19.97 dB can be deduced.

Figure 8: Individual APC connector loss vs. wavelength

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If we assume that no additional losses are present in the installed access fibres, we would expect that the average attenuation coefficients here should be nearly equal to transport network values. However, we would expect a much larger spread in values. The results of the field access cable measurements performed at 1550 nm are shown in Figure 11. We note that the average value is slightly higher than in the transport network, while the standard deviation is approximately 10 times higher.

Figure 9: Average values and standard deviations of APC connector losses We note that the many connectors have nearly constant wavelength dependent loss. Some connectors exhibit a slight decrease in loss with increasing wavelength, while others show a slight increase in loss with increasing wavelength. In total, the average loss value is close to 0.3 dB at wavelengths 1310-1550 nm, with a slight increase at the longer wavelengths 1625 nm and 1642 nm. However, the connector loss standard deviation are significant and of the order 40-65 % of the average values at all wavelengths. Since the number of connectors between the OLT and the ONT in a GPON system is small, we have to take this into proper account when considering the total loss budget. Figure 11: Attenuation coefficient at in access network Similar histograms have been graphically analyzed at the other wavelengths and a summary of all measurement results are given in Figures 12 and Figure 13. Here, average values and standard deviations are shown. For comparison, corresponding values for transport network measurements are included. We have also shown the results of the average attenuation coefficient of the launch fibre for the 500-700 m nearest to the splitter utput connector, which is performed simultaneously. The launch fibre is standard G.652D type and should have coefficient values close to those found in transport fibres for all wavelengths other than the water peak wavelength, where one would expect a lower value due to reduced water peak compared to transport network of year 2003. Except for the 1383 nm values, we observe from Figure 12 and Figure 13 that the average attenuation values are slightly higher than the corresponding transport network values, and that the standard deviations of are typically 10 times higher. We note that in Figure 12 abnormal wavelength dependence appears, indicating a 1625 nm value that is higher than the 1642 nm value, which is not according to known loss theory in cabled fibres. If we consider the deviations from expected values at the different wavelengths observed in the launch fibre, we note that similar deviations can be found in the access fibres. One may therefore argue that this deviation pattern is caused by the individual OTDR noise and dead zone characteristics when measuring on short fibre lengths. Therefore, the true average values of access fibre attenuation coefficients may likely be closer to transport average attenuation coefficient values than indicated in Figure 12. Obviously, since the number of fibre lengths between the OLT and the ONT in a GPON system is small, one have to take the standard

4.2 Fibre attenuation results

Earlier, we have performed extensive OTDR measurements on installed fibre cables in our transport network at many different wavelengths [4]. Here, the fibre lengths have been typically multiple kilometres and the accuracy of the attenuation coefficient have been high and the standard deviation very small, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Attenuation coefficient in transport network 2003

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deviations of the attenuation coefficients into proper account in the total GPON loss budget.

We have found that SC-APC connectors have average loss values close to 0.3 dB at wavelengths 1310-1550 nm, with a slight increase at the longer wavelengths 1625 nm and 1642 nm. However, the connector loss standard deviations are significant and of the order 40-65 % of the average values at all wavelengths, which should be taken into proper account when considering the GPON loss budget. Due to the short lengths of 520-770 m, the accuracy of individual OTDR attenuation coefficient measurements is relatively poor. Thus statistical data show a high spread in attenuation coefficient values compared with corresponding data from measurements in our transport network where lengths are multiple kilometres. However, average values at all wavelengths are only slightly higher than the very low average attenuation coefficients found in our transport network. We have argued that these deviations may be attributable to individual OTDR noise and dead zone characteristics by comparing with average attenuation coefficients measured in the launch fibre. The high standard deviations in attenuation coefficients should be taken into proper account when considering the GPON loss budget.

Figure 12: Average attenuation coefficients in installed access network

6. Acknowledgments
Great thanks to Idar Gangs who have performed the field measurements.

7. References
[1] Jan Helge Hgvoll: Attacking the competitive Norwegian FTTH-market with GPON- Telenors strategy and experience so far, FTTH Council Europe Conference 24-25th February 2010, Lisbon, Portugal. [2] ITU-T Recommendation G.657: Characteristics of a bendingloss insensitive single-mode optical fibre and cable for the access network (11/2009). [3] S. Hopland: Investigation of bend loss performance of standard G.652.D fibres relative to the ITU-T bend loss requirements in optical access networks Proceedings International Wire & Cable Symposium, 10-13th November 2008, Providence, USA [4] S. Hopland:Fibre cable field loss measurements in a broad wavelength range. Contribution ITU-T meeting November 2004. White Paper COM15-12.

Figure 13: Standard deviations for attenuation coefficients in installed access network

5. Conclusions
In this investigation we have found that it is not possible to measure the fibre attenuation coefficient accurately through 32-splitters and 64-splitters using several 3-wavelength OTDRs specially designed for PON measurements. Dead zones of various forms and lengths make it difficult to detect and identify faulty fibre on the far side of the splitter. However, using point to point measurements as reference, we have been able to measure the splitter loss with reasonable accuracy using OTDR when a modified definition of the splitter loss based on the backscatter signal is applied. Based on average readings from 3 OTDRs and the point to point measurement, we have found the losses of 32-splitter and 64-splitter to be approximately 16.4 dB and 20 dB, respectively, at 1625 nm. The splitter losses at 1310 nm and 1550 nm have shown similar values with little variation with respect to wavelength and forward versus reverse measurement directions. In a field measurement survey using standard OTDRs covering 5 wavelengths 1310 nm, 1383 nm, 1550 nm, 1625 nm and 1642 nm, we have investigated SC-APC-connector losses and fibre attenuation coefficients in relatively short length micro duct and aerial access cables.

8. Pictures of Authors

Svend Hopland is chief engineer on optical fibre cables and fibre transmission in Telenor Norway Technology. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1985 with a PhD on optical fibres and joined Telenor in 1986. He is responsible for submarine cables and fibre cable specifications in Telenor. He has developed an advanced method for installing underwater cables along the Norwegian coast. In the later years, he has pioneered field measurements of fibre cable link losses in a broad wavelength range.

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