Fiber Optics Installer (FOI) Certification Exam Guide

Bill Woodward has served four terms as chairman of the Electronics Technicians Association, International and is a principal electrical engineer based in Chesapeake, VA. He is also the committee chairman of the ETA fiber optic installer (FOI), fiber optic technician (FOT), and fiber optic designer (FOD) certification programs.

• Introduction xxviiAssessment Test xxxiiChapter 1 History of Fiber Optics and Broadband Access 1Evolution of Light in Communication 2Early Forms of Light Communication 2The Quest for Data Transmission 3Evolution of Optical Fiber Manufacturing Technology 4Controlling the Course of Light 4Extending Fiber’s Reach 6Evolution of Optical Fiber Integration and Application 7Broadband since the Turn of the Century 8The Role of Fiber Optics in Broadband 9Broadband Speed and Access at the Turn of the Century and Today 9Summary 10Exam Essentials 11Review Questions 12Chapter Exercises 13Recognize the Refraction of Light 13Identify Total Internal Reflection 13Detect Crosstalk between Multiple Optical Fibers 14Recognize Attenuation in an Optical Fiber 14Chapter 2 Principles of Fiber-Optic Transmission 15The Fiber-Optic Link 16Transmitter 17Receiver 17Optical Fibers 18Connectors 18Decibels (dB) 19Calculating dB Power Loss and Power Gain 20Expressing dB in Percentages 21The Rules of Thumb 24Absolute Power 25Summary 28Exam Essentials 28Review Questions 29Chapter Exercises 31Calculate the Decibel Value of a Gain or Loss in Power 31Calculate the Gain or Loss in Power from a Known Decibel Value 31Calculate the Gain or Loss in Power Using the dB Rules of Thumb 31Convert dBm to a Power Measurement 32Convert a Power Measurement to dBm 32Chapter 3 Basic Principles of Light 33Light as Electromagnetic Energy 34Wavelength and Frequency 35Characteristics of Electromagnetic Radiation 37The Electromagnetic Spectrum 38Refraction 41What Causes Refraction? 42Calculating the Index of Refraction 44Total Internal Reflection 45Fresnel Reflections 48Summary 49Exam Essentials 50Review Questions 51Chapter Exercises 54Convert Various Wavelengths to Corresponding Frequencies 54Convert Various Frequencies to Corresponding Wavelengths 54Calculate the Amount of Energy in a Photon Using Planck’s Constant 54Calculate the Speed of Light through a Transparent Medium Using Its Refractive Index 54Use Snell’s Law to Calculate the Critical Angle of Incidence 55Calculate the Loss in Decibels from a Fresnel Reflection 55Chapter 4 Optical Fiber Construction and Theory 57Optical Fiber Components 58Core 59Cladding 59Coating 60Standards 61Materials 62Tensile Strength 65Manufacturing Optical Fiber 65Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) 67Outside Vapor Deposition (OVD) 68Vapor Axial Deposition (VAD) 68Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD) 68Mode 69Calculating the Numerical Aperture and Modes 70Refractive Index Profiles 71Summary 75Exam Essentials 76Review Questions 77Chapter Exercises 80Select the Proper Optical Fiber Coating for a Harsh Environment 80Identify an Industry Standard that Defines the Specific Performance Characteristics on an Optical Fiber 80Identify an Optical Fiber from Its Refractive Index Profile 80Calculate the Numerical Aperture of an Optical Fiber 81Calculate the Number of Modes in an Optical Fiber 81Chapter 5 Optical Fiber Characteristics 83It All Adds Up 85Dispersion 86Modal Dispersion 87Material Dispersion 88Waveguide Dispersion 89Chromatic Dispersion 89Polarization-Mode Dispersion 93How Dispersion Affects Bandwidth 94Attenuation 95Absorption 96Scattering 97Total Attenuation 97Bending Losses 98Microbends 99Macrobends 99Numerical Aperture 102Equilibrium Mode Distribution 104Fiber Specifications and Standards 105Revisions and Addendums 106Mirroring of Performance Specifications 106Premises Standards 107Single-Mode ITU Standards 110Multimode ITU and IEC Standards 116Specialty Optical Fibers 117Summary 118Exam Essentials 118Review Questions 119Chapter Exercises 123Calculate the Attenuation in dB for a Length of Optical Fiber 123Calculate the Usable Bandwidth for a Length of Optical Fiber 123Calculate the Total Macrobending Loss in a Single-Mode Fiber-Optic Cable 124Calculate the Total Macrobending Loss in a Multimode Fiber-Optic Cable 124Calculate the Acceptance Angle for an Optical Fiber 125Determine the Latest Published Revision of a Standard Using the Internet 126Chapter 6 Safety 127Basic Safety 128Engineering Controls 129Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 129Good Work Habits 130Light Sources 130Federal Regulations and International Standards 131Laser Safety 137Handling Fiber 137Chemicals 139Isopropyl Alcohol 139Solvents 140Anaerobic Epoxy 141Site Safety 141Electrical 141Ladders 142Trenches 143Emergencies 143Injury 143Chemical Exposure 143Fire 144Summary 144Exam Essentials 144Review Questions 146Chapter Exercises 148Classify a Light Source Based on Optical Output Power and Wavelength 148Identify the Symptoms of Exposure to Solvents 148Calculate the Proper Distance the Base of a Ladder Should Be from a Wall 148Chapter 7 Fiber-Optic Cables 149Basic Cable 151Cable Components 153Buffer 153Strength Members 157Jacket 158Cable Types 161Cordage 161Distribution Cable 162Breakout Cable 163Armored Cable 163Messenger Cable 164Ribbon Cable 166Submarine Cable 166Aerospace Cable 168Hybrid Cable 170Composite Cable 170Cable Duty Specifications 171Cable Termination Methods 172Fanout Kit 172Breakout Kit 172Blown Fiber 174NEC Provisions for Fiber-Optic Cables and Raceways 174NEC Fiber-Optic Cable Types 175Cable Markings and Codes 178External Markings 178Color Codes 179Cable Numbers 181Sequential Markings 182Bend Radius Specifications 183Summary 183Exam Essentials 183Review Questions 185Chapter Exercises 189Determine the Cable Type from the NEC Markings 189Identify the Fiber Number from the Color Code 189Determine the Fiber Number from the Cable Markings 190Identify the Optical Fiber Type from the Color Code 190Determine the Optical Fiber Type from the Cable Markings 191Determine the Cable Length Using Sequential Markings 191Chapter 8 Splicing 193Why Splice? 194Splice Performance 194Intrinsic Factors 195Extrinsic Factors 200Splicing Safety 203Splicing Hazards 203Splicing Equipment 208Cleaning Materials 208Cleavers 211Mechanical Splice 214Fusion Splice 216Splicing Procedures 220Mechanical Splicing Procedure 220Fusion Splicing Procedure 225Splice Performance Requirements 236Summary 238Exam Essentials 238Review Questions 239Chapter Exercises 241Determine if the Splice Loss Is from an Intrinsic Factor 241Determine if the Splice Loss Is from an Extrinsic Factor 241Calculate the Potential Splice Loss from a Core Diameter Mismatch 241Troubleshoot a Fusion Splice 242Chapter 9 Connectors 243The Fiber-Optic Connector 245Ferrule 246Cap 247Strain Relief 249Body 251Connection Performance 253Intrinsic Factors 253Extrinsic Factors 255Geometry 256Interferometer 259Connector Types 267Single-Fiber Contact Connectors 267Single-Fiber Noncontact Connectors 271Multiple-Fiber Contact Connectors 272Connector Termination 281Tools 282Epoxy 292Abrasives 293Hand Polishing 295Assembling the Connector 295Machine Polishing 300Pre-polished Connectors 300Cleaning and Inspection 305Endface Cleaning 305Endface Inspection 314Connector Performance 325Connector Color Code 325Summary 326Exam Essentials 326Review Questions 328Chapter Exercises 332Evaluate Connector Endface Polishing 332Evaluate Connector Endface Cleaning 332Evaluate Connector Endface Geometry 334Identify an Optical Fiber Type from the Color of the Connector Strain Relief 334Chapter 10 Fiber-Optic Light Sources and Transmitters 335Semiconductor Light Sources 336LED Sources 337Laser Sources 338Light Source Performance Characteristics 339Output Pattern 339Source Wavelengths 343Source Spectral Output 345Source Output Power 347Source Modulation Speed 348Transmitter Performance Characteristics 348LED Transmitter Performance Characteristics 349LED Transmitter Applications 352Laser Transmitter Performance Characteristics 353Laser Transmitter Applications 358Higher Power Transmitters 362Light Source Safety 363Classifications 363Safe Handling Precautions 364Summary 364Exam Essentials 365Review Questions 366Chapter Exercises 369Determine the Minimum Optical Output Power for an LED Transmitter 369Determine the Maximum Optical Output Power for an LED Transmitter 370Determine the Minimum Optical Output Power for a Laser Transmitter 371Determine the Maximum Optical Output Power for a Laser Transmitter 372Chapter 11 Fiber-Optic Detectors and Receivers 373Photodiode Fundamentals 374Other Types of Photodiode 375PIN Photodiode 376Avalanche Photodiode 376Photodiode Responsivity, Efficiency, and Speed 377Responsivity 377Quantum Efficiency 377Switching Speed 378Fiber-Optic Receiver 378Receptacle 379Optical Subassembly 379Electrical Subassembly 379Receiver Optical Performance Characteristics 381Dynamic Range 381Operating Wavelength 381Optical Attenuators 381Types of Attenuators 382Calculating the Attenuation Value 383Summary 383Exam Essentials 383Review Questions 384Chapter Exercises 385Calculate the Dynamic Range for an LED Receiver 385Calculate the Dynamic Range for a Laser Receiver 386Chapter 12 Cable Installation and Hardware 387Installation Specifications 389Bend Radius 390Tensile Rating 391Installation Hardware 395Pulling Eye 395Pull Box 396Splice Enclosures 397Patch Panels 400Installation Methods 404Tray and Duct 404Conduit 406Direct Burial 408Aerial 408Blown Fiber 408Wall Plate 411Cable Slack 411Fire Resistance Bonding and Grounding 412Fire Resistance 412Bonding and Grounding 414Cable Types 414Hardware Management 415Cleanliness 415Organization 415Clamps and Cable Ties 416Labeling Requirements and Documentation 417Documentation 420Polarity 421Electrical Codes 424The National Electrical Code (NEC) 424The Canadian Electrical Code 425The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) 425Summary 425Exam Essentials 426Review Questions 427Chapter Exercises 430Determine the Minimum Cable Bend Radius 430Determine the Maximum Cable Tensile Rating 430Determine the Fill Ratio for a Multiple-Cable Conduit Installation 431Chapter 13 Fiber-Optic System Advantages 433The Advantages of Optical Fiber over Copper 434Bandwidth 434Attenuation 438Electromagnetic Immunity 442Size and Weight 443Security 444Safety 445Summary 446Exam Essentials 446Review Questions 448Chapter Exercises 449Calculate the Bandwidth for a Length of Optical Fiber 449Calculate the Attenuation for a Length of Optical Fiber 451Chapter 14 Test Equipment and Link/Cable Testing 453Calibration Requirements 454Continuity Tester 455Visual Fault Locator 459Fiber Identifier 463Inline Optical Power Monitoring 466Inline Optical Power Monitor 467Inline Network Sensors 468Optical Return Loss Test Set 469Stabilized Light Source and Optical Power Meter 470Multimode OLTS 471Single-Mode OLTS 474Patch Cord 475Test Jumper 475Launch Conditions, Mode Filters, and Encircled Flux 477ANSI/TIA-526-14 Optical Loss Measurement Methods 480Method A, Two-Test Jumper Reference 482Method B, One-Test Jumper Reference 483Method C, Three-Test Jumper Reference 484Patch Cord Optical Power Loss Measurement 485Connector Insertion Loss Measurement 486Link Segment and Cabling Subsystem Performance Measurements 487Tier 1 Testing 488Documentation of OLTS Testing 489Tier 2 Testing 489Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer 490OTDR Theory 490OTDR Display 494OTDR Setup 496Cable Plant Test Setup 499Testing and Trace Analysis 502Documentation of OTDR Testing 510Emerging Testing Standards 511Summary 512Exam Essentials 512Review Questions 514Chapter Exercises 515Perform Optical Loss Measurement Testing of a Cable Plant 515Determine the Distance to a Break in the Optical Fiber with an OTDR 515Measure the Loss of a Cable Segment with an OTDR 516Measure the Loss of an Interconnection with an OTDR 517Measure the Loss of a Fusion Splice or Macrobend with an OTDR 517Appendix Answers to Review Questions 519Chapter 1: History of Fiber-Optics and Broadband Access 520Chapter 2: Principles of Fiber-Optic Transmission 520Chapter 3: Basic Principles of Light 521Chapter 4: Optical Fiber Construction and Theory 522Chapter 5: Optical Fiber Characteristics 523Chapter 6: Safety 525Chapter 7: Fiber-Optic Cables 525Chapter 8: Splicing 527Chapter 9: Connectors 527Chapter 10: Fiber-Optic Light Sources and Transmitters 529Chapter 11: Fiber-Optic Detectors and Receivers 530Chapter 12: Cable Installation and Hardware 531Chapter 13: Fiber-Optic System Advantages 532Chapter 14: Test Equipment and Link/Cable Testing 533Glossary 535Index 569