This course gives students a practical understanding of fiber optic technology and the skills needed to install, test, and maintain it in broadband applications. Students will learn and practice connectorization, splicing, and testing in three full days of hands-on labs and live demonstrations.

Students will learn:

• Principles of light and transmission theory
• Terminology of fiber optics
• Fiber structure
• Active and PON design and installation
• Broadband fiber splicing, connectors and enclosures
• Complete testing from the remote site to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal)
• Testing customer premise install to ensure that it is broadband accessible
• Students will build and complete the hands-on portion of a FTTH system
• Hardware
• Connectorization
• Testing
• Troubleshooting

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Lectures are self-paced and provide valuable information that will help you pass the certification exam. Online access is accessible for 1 year from the date you register.  The lecture portion of this class is online and self-paced through our Learning Management System. Students receive a personal login to the platform providing access to lectures, study guides, practical exam, practice tests and technical exam. We recommend that the students complete the lecture before attending class. Lectures prepare students for the instructor led hands-on lab portion of the course.  On the last day of the class each student will take a 75-question multiple choice test and if they pass, they will receive their certification in 2-3 weeks.

Lecture Topics Include

• Introduction to Fiber Optics
  • Fiber Optic Advantages and Applications
  • Terminology and History
  • The Fundamentals of Light Propagation
  • Scales of Measurement and the Spectrum
  • Characteristics of Singlemode and Multimode
  • Manufacturing, Bandwidth and Linear Effects
• Cables
  • Cable Types, Construction and Specifications
  • Cable Marking
  • Selection Criteria
• Connectors and Terminations
  • Temporary and Permanent Connections
  • Connector Types
  • Mechanical and Environmental Considerations
  • Performance Specifications
  • Connector Loss Issues
  • Splicing Applications
• Splicing
  • Fusion and Mechanical
  • Fusion Splicing
  • Cable Marking
  • Mechanical Splicing
• Enclosures and Panels
  • Panels
  • Distribution, Patch and Splice Types
  • Application Issues and Selection Criteria
  • Aerial and Burial Enclosures
  • Re-Entry and Expansion Capabilities
  • Routing and Preparation
• Installation
  • Planning and Standards
  • Premise/LAN Methods
  • Outside Plant Methods
  • Aerial and Burial Techniques
  • Installation Tools and Equipment
• Test Equipment
  • Loss Testing Tools and Equipment
  • Standards and Methods
  • Return Loss, Bandwidth and Dispersion
  • OTDR Theory and Applications
  • Loss and System Budget Calculations
• Restoration and Maintenance
  • Tools and Equipment
  • Practical Applications
  • Time Saving Techniques
  • Record Keeping and Documentation
• System Components and Design Issues
  • Transmitters and Receivers
  • Passive Optical Components
  • Couplers and Splitters
  • WDM and DWDM Issues
• System Design Exercise
  • Tools and Equipment
  • Practical Applications
  • Time Saving Techniques

• Fiber Basics and Theory
• Broadband Architecture
• OLT Efficiency
• Passive Optical Network (PON) Systems: Applications, Networks, Design and Testing
• Active Systems: Applications, Networks, Design and Testing
• Splitters in PONs
• Splitter Signal Loss
• Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
• Cable Management
• Broadband Fiber Splicing, Connectorization, Construction and Testing
• OSP Concerns
• Connectors in OSP
• ITU Specifications
• Ribbon Considerations
• Hardened Connectors vs Field Splicing
• Broadband Delivery Options
• Active/PON (FTTH) Qualification and Troubleshooting

TL-01B – OSP Loose Tube Armored Cable Preparation

• Understand cable jacket markings.
• Properly prepare an OSP cable for jacket removal.
• Properly use a jacket stripper or ringing tool.
• Strip off the jacket using the pull strings.
• Strip off all inner binders using a seam ripper.
• Handle the buffer without damaging the fiber within.

TL-01E – Buffer Tube Fan Out Kit (BTFO)

• Set up and position an OSP cable in preparation for the BFTO assembly.
• Strip off the buffer tube using a ring cut tool.
• Clean the gel off all fibers within a buffer tube without damaging any of the fibers.
• Properly insert the individual fibers into the BFTO furcation tube module.
• Properly assembly and secure the completed BFTO housing onto the buffer tube.

 TL-02A – Fusion Splicing 

• Properly prepare an inside plant cable for mounting into a splice tray.
• Demonstrate the proper way to strip, clean, cleave, and fusion splice 900µm fiber.
• Properly pre-trim the individual fibers into the splice tray before fusion splicing.
• Properly set up and fusion splice the individual fibers together.
• Properly wrap (form & dress) the individual fibers back into the tray.

TL-03P – Mechanical Splice Connector

• Properly prepare a simplex cable for this connector termination method.
• Properly use a precision cleaver for this termination method.
• Successfully mate a cleaved cable end into a mechanical splice-on connector.
• Test the assembly to TIA Tier 1 standard.

TL-03F or TL-03Q – Splice-On Connector (Single Mode)

• To understand how to adapt a fusion splicer for a generic fuse-on connector.
• To demonstrate the ability to adapt fiber strip measurements to any fusion splicer.
• To perform a visual inspection when completed and properly test to TIA Tier 1 standard.

TL-04A – Mechanical Splice

• Perform a mechanical splice with < .3 dB of attenuation.
• Explain the benefits of Index Matching Gel.
• Use a precision cleaver to prepare fibers for splicing.
• Calculate A-B and B-A loss.

TL-05A – Pigtail Fusion Splice

• Perform a fusion splice with ≤ 0.1 dB of attenuation.
• Use a precision cleaver to prepare fibers for splicing.
• Calculate A-B and B-A loss.

TL-06A – Power Meter & Light Source Testing

• Use a VFL (Visual Fault Locator).
• Understand the functions of Light Source & Power Meters.
• Properly calibrate or reference the instruments prior to testing.
• Test fiber optic segments and record the results.
• Know the purpose of and how to connect reference patch cords.
• Make accurate loss measurements.
• Perform Bi-Directional Testing.
• Know storage and download capabilities for reporting.

TL-07A – Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) Testing

• Make a reliable connection from the OTDR to the Fiber Under Test. (FUT).
• Use a USB optical probe to inspect the connectors.
• Be familiar with launch or pulse suppressor boxes and cables.
• Determine parameters to set up classic OTDR.
• Interpret typical reflective events in an OTDR trace test
• Know parameters that help make more accurate location of breaks.
• Use an OTDR in a real-time mode during cable installation and splicing.
• Save and print OTDR trace reports.

TL-18C FTTX Assembly & Testing

• Understand how to properly set-up a broadband type cabling system.
• Understand how broadband segments and their components are put together and taken apart.
• Demonstrate that each individual component can pass light.
• Test and analyze the individual cable components using various testing devices.
• Demonstrate that the entire assembled segment can pass light.
• Test and analyze the entire assembled segments including a using an OTDR.

TL20-A – Determining Power and Loss Budgets

• The student will learn to evaluate a simple campus fiber segment.
• The student will learn to determine if a fiber segment will perform properly.

Prerequisites: None

Knowledge or experience in the areas of Fiber Optic Advantages and Applications, Cables, Connectors and Terminations, Enclosures and Panels, and Test Equipment would be helpful, but is not required.

Target Audience

Students that have a desire to work in the field testing and terminating fiber optic networks leading to a certification.