4.Fiber Optic Reflector

What is a Fiber Optic Reflector?

Fiber optic reflector is a passive optical device construct with a short segment of optical fiber, using FBG fiber gratings or filters,

It reflects specific wavelengths of light and transmits all others that are not within the specific reflection wavelength range.

With its low insertion loss at the transmission wavelength range and high reflectance at the reflected wavelength range, it is an ideal optical termination for link monitoring of FTTx networks.

Uses of Fiber Optic Reflectors

Fiber optic reflectors are suitable for both point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTMP) networks.

They often install at subscriber’s homes to highlight these positions in the OTDR trace by distinct reflections of the test signal.

The fiber optic reflector can mount on the ONU side. The OTDR can detect the intensity of the optical signal reflected by the reflector. It compares the return loss between the normal line and the faulty link to determine whether the fiber in the link is damaged or broken.

Fiber optic reflectors can also use for PON OTDR testing, central room reflectivity testing, and communication system link detection.

They are particularly useful in FTTx networks, where the coverage of the optical network is getting larger. The maintenance of the entire optical network and the rapid and accurate detection of network faults are important.