As users call in with questions we will post answers to the most frequently
asked questions here:
Question: I try downloading data into OWL Reporter software
from my Fiber OWL meter, and it tells me that no device was found. How do
I download my data from my Fiber OWL?
Answer: You need to be at the
Download Data screen in order to download data to OWL Reporter. Follow
these steps to get to the Download Data screen:
1) Press the
MENU key to get to the Main Menu.
2)
Select the menu option for Stored Readings or Stored Data.
3)
Select the menu option for Download Data.
4)
Follow the on-screen instructions. If the screen displays a question
asking you to press Yes or No to download; do NOT press any
buttons at this time. You must leave this screen displayed on the meter in
order to download to OWL Reporter.
5) From OWL Reporter,
press the Download button. Your data should download into the software,
and your meter will return you to the Stored Data menu.
Question: When using the Fiber OWL or Micro OWL what does the
term "site" mean? (Click here for more
detailed information about sites)
Answer: A site is a group or groups of
fiber cables that have the same characteristics ( fiber type, length, in line
connections, and splices ). Because fiber runs of this type will usually
terminate at the same location they are referred to as a site.
Note:
When using fiber loss wizard to certify fiber runs, a separate site must be used
for each group of fibers that have different characteristics. The fiber wizard
should then be run for each site to enter the fiber characteristics of that
site.
Question: How do I use the Fiber OWL or Micro OWL to do
bi-directional testing?
Answer: If using one fiber meter and light
source, first run the fiber loss wizard for the site that you will be testing
and enter the fiber characteristics. Next, test all of the runs in one direction
first and append the letter "A" to the end of the fiber name when
saving the data ( OFFICE-A00, ..., OFFICE-A07). Next, test all of the runs in
the opposite direction but in the same sequence and save the data with the same
name but add the letter "B" to the end instead of "A"
(OFFICE-B00, ..., OFFICE-B07).
If using two meters and light sources to test
in both directions simultaneously, set up the same site in both meters and use
the same site name. When storing data use the same fiber run names but append
the letter "A" in one direction and "B" in the other.
Download the data from one meter into the OWL reporter software and save the
data to a file. Then download the data from the other meter and save it to the
same file name and choose the merge option.
Question: How do I display the
loss in my fiber link on my meter?
Answer: The Fiber OWL, Micro OWL,
WaveTester and ZOOM optical power meters are all capable of displaying the optical
loss in a link. Optical loss measurements are always given in dB.
A power meter, a light source, and at
least one patch cord are required to measure the optical loss in a fiber
link. Optical loss measurement is a two step process: setting a
reference, and testing the fiber link.
To set the reference in the meter,
otherwise known as "zeroing", attach the light source to the
meter via the patch cord. Make sure that the units are powered on,
and are set to the same wavelength (e.g. 850nm). You may now set the
reference in the meter. Each meter has a different way of setting
zero, so consult the manual for instructions. Double check your zero
point by setting the meter to dB mode. The number on the display
should be approximately 0.00 dB.
Once you have set the zero point in the
meter, you are now ready to test your fiber link.
PLEASE NOTE: do not disturb the
connection to the light source.
If you disconnect the patch cord from the light source between the time
you zeroed the meter and tested the link, then your reference, or zero,
point will be invalid. If you are testing at two wavelengths, then
either a duplex patch cord, or two patch cords, are recommended -- one for
each light source port on the light source.
Disconnect the patch cord from the
meter, and take the meter to one end of the link, and the light source to
the other end. Connect the meter and the light source to the fiber
being tested. Set the meter to display units in dB. The
resultant number will show the amount of loss in the link as a negative
number.
Example: We are testing a fiber link at
850nm. When we connect our 850nm light source to the meter, the dBm
reading is -20.10. We toggle to dB mode and see that the meter shows
a reading of 0.00 dB.
When we disconnect the patch cord from
the meter, take the units to opposite ends of the fiber link, and connect
them to the fiber under test, our meter shows -1.24 dB. What this
means is that the fiber link is losing 1.24 dB of optical power due to the
total loss of the passive components of the fiber link (fiber loss,
connector loss, and splice loss).
Optical loss can be used for PASS/FAIL
readings as well. The actual optical loss number on the meter is
compared with the theoretical PASS/FAIL threshold calculated on your link
budget calculation sheet. A link will PASS when the number on the
meter is between zero and the PASS/FAIL number. Likewise, a link
will FAIL when the number is lower than the PASS/FAIL number.
You may download our Link
Budget Calculation Worksheet by clicking on the link.
