Optical Return Loss Measurement Function

KI 7340 ORL function

The KI 7340 series Two Way Optical Return Loss Test Set (LTS) performs fully featured ORL measurement.

The instruments are supplied with accessories and instructions to enable verification of instrument performance, and help perform practical measurements.

The ORL meter is accurate without warm up, and generally no other user set-up. In conformance with Bellcore/Telcordia requirements, it is possible to set a user offset or reference a residual value, however this isn't usually needed. One button push does it all. This is important, since users often have a poor understanding of issues affecting fiber back reflection, so very simple operation is a real requirement.

ORL can be measured in manual mode with one instrument. This mode is equivalent to a classic ORL meter.

ORL can also be measured automatically using two instruments in two-way Autotest mode. In this mode, the handling of ORL measurement is fully integrated into both two way Autotest and the associated KITS™ software, so full ORL testing is achieved at both ends of the link, on top of loss testing ,with no extra labor required.

Optical Return loss measurements usually fall into two distinct classes. One of these is the measurement of an installed cable system. This is very easy to do, with a measurement in the range of 25 - 30 dB. For this application, either PC or APC connectors are adequate. The other class is measuring the performance of individual components, such as an isolator, and for this an extended range is required, typically around 50 dB. For this extended range application, it is advisable to order instruments with APC connectors. The ORL option performs both of these effortlessly, and is capable of operation up to 65 dB.

The extended range ORL optiotion OPT092 covers a problem that during extended range testing using two-way Autotest, each instrument effectively acts as an optical terminator for the other instrument. This is called the Port Isolation in our specification sheet. Typically, the level of isolation achieved will limit the ORL range, however the usual 30 dB is adequate for typical testing. OPT092 extends this range to 50 dB, which is most commonly useful for component testing. Note that this option is only relevant where two instruments are used hooked up to each end of the device under test. For example, both the loss and return loss of a patchlead or other device can be measured and recorded in a few seconds, with only one mouse click and one set-up.

In addition, the Kingfisher KI7340 series Two Way LTS measures Two-Way loss and absolute power, has a 190 - 360 hour battery life, interchangeable connectors, and is backed by a 3 year warranty and calibration.