Working with FL150

The main application mode, FaultScout, is loaded by default when the test set is powered on.

The other test modes can be accessed via the Fiber Menu.

FaultScout Fiber Menu

 

FaultScout Test Setup

Available wavelengths are displayed.

FaultScout Setup Screen

 

Select Network tests using the drop-down menu: ONT to Splitter, Splitter to ONT, PON (1SPL) or P2P.

 

• ONT to Splitter: For drop fiber test when connected at Customer site. A splitter icon will show at far end if scatter is detected after splitter

• Splitter to ONT: For drop fiber test when connected at last splitter location. An ONT icon will be shown at far end if ONT is connected.

• PON (1Spl): Use this mode when testing ONT-OLT up to single 1x64 Splitter. (Connect at Customer site or FDP/FDT.)

• P2P: Use this mode for testing point-to-point fiber spans, not PON.

 

• Splice loss (dB) - Non-Reflective Event Loss. The range for this parameter is 0.001 dB to 9.99 dB in 0.001dB increments. For mated APC connectors, if there is no reflection, the loss reports as Splice.

• Connector Loss (dB) - Reflective Event Loss (connectors and mechanical splices). The range for this parameter is 0.001 dB to 9.99 dB in 0.001 dB increments.
  Recommended 0.5dB or 0.75dB for Singlemode fiber.

• Reflectance (dB) - Events in the Event table exceeding the set Reflectance value. The range for this parameter is -65.0 dB to -10.0 dB in 0.1 dB increments.

• Attenuation (dB/km) - Average Fiber Section Loss in dB/km that exceeds the set value.

• Total Loss (dB) - Total fiber loss in dB for Fiber-Under-Test (FUT) that exceeds the set value.

• Total ORL (dB) - Total Optical Return Loss in dB for Fiber-Under-Test (FUT) that exceeds the set value.

• Fiber Length (km, miles) - Total fiber length that exceeds set value.

The column heading displays the wavelength to which the Pass/Fail Thresholds apply.

To modify values, click the pencil icon to access the P/F threshold from the drop-down list. Then, tap Modify to Fill, Add, Rename, or Remove values.

• Front Panel Check: Tests FaultScout connection and displays warning indicating when the launch level is 1.5 dB lower than expected or if initial reflectance is too high (-45dB is default fail threshold). If needed, stop and clean connectors, or proceed with the bad connection.

  Mated APC connectors should not exceed -50dB Reflectance.

   

• OPM measurement: For dual PON 1490/1577nm, measure downstream signal before verifying drop fiber.

 

Setup About

About button

 

The About button shows the model, firmware version, and test wavelength.

 

 

Auto Save: To enable/disable autosave result.

Ask Before Save: Check this to be prompted to save after measurement is completed.

The following information can be pre-set to create a name and increment fiber or result number automatically. The filename will begin with the Index value, Result ID, Wavelength, Pulse Width, and S/N, if checked.

• Increment: Choose to increment Fiber ID or Trace ID (recommended).

• Job ID: Select the field to enter a default value that will be included in the filename.

• Cable ID: Select the field to enter a default value that will be included in the filename.

• Fiber ID - Select Add Index to auto-increment or select Add Date/Time. The filename will include details entered in this field automatically. The fiber count can be incremented in Trace ID or Fiber ID.

• Add Index (Fiber): Test counter. When saving test results, count auto increments and is added to the filename. To change the value, click Fiber Index and select Force to enter a specific value or Reset to reset the counter.

• Trace ID: Select Add Index to auto-increment or select Add Date/Time. The filename will include details entered in this field automatically. The test count can be incremented using Trace ID or Fiber ID, but Trace ID is recommended.

• Add Index (Result): Test counter. When saving test results, count auto increments and is added to the filename. To change the value, click Fiber Index and select Force to enter a specific value or Reset to reset the counter.

Autosave Parameters - Common

 

The following information can be pre-set and automatically saved in the file.

• Orig. Location: (Originating location) where fiber starts

• Term. Location: (Terminating location) where fiber ends

• Comments: Add information about the fiber ends, comment about the result, status, or any other meaningful information about connector, application, or case. This information will be included in the test report.

• Node ID: Node ID

• Account: Account number

• Tech ID: Operator ID (automatically populated when synchronized with R-Server)

• Tech Name: Operator name (automatically populated when synchronized with R-Server)

• PDF Report: The PDF report can be exported using the System File Management.

• Autosave Results: To view or export a saved result, select the Results button. Files can be accessed by selecting Files Saved or USB in the Results menu.

 

View Setup

Tap the Display button to access the Display Settings screen and set display options.

 

Display/Interface Settings

 

• Grid Division: Fixed (even integer) or Auto (variable values)
• Grid Color: Light (grey) or Dark (red)
• Trace Antialiasing: Check for thinner trace line.
• Show Fiber Sections: Check to display details such as length and loss (dB/kM) of fiber between events on the Event table.
• Auto Zoom Trace: Use this mode to auto zoom in to view Span Begin to End in the viewing window at the conclusion of the test.
• Distance Unit: Select the distance unit type for fiber length (Kilometers, Meters, Kilofeet, Feet, or Miles).
• Cleanup Trace List Before Measurement: Select to delete OTDR traces saved in temporary buffer before beginning measurements to avoid buffer overflow. The OTDR can display up to ten traces simultaneously (i.e., an active trace and nine additional traces).
• Real Time Refresh Rate: Select how often screen is refreshed for live viewing.
  Select a low refresh rate when doing a quick length and loss measurement of short fibers without saving results. A low refresh rate allows more averaging between display update so the fiber loss can be measured without needing to stop the test.
  Select a high refresh rate to detect live changes on the fiber between display refresh (less averaging between refresh updates).
  
• Real Time Button: Show the RT button on the right side menu.
• Measurement Target Tab: Select the tab to display after taking a measurement.

 

 

Measure Cables

Use the Measure button to measure the Launch/Receive cables and populate the result into the Length field automatically.

To measure cable length:

1. Click the Measure button. The Launch and Receive Fiber Measurement screen is displayed.

2. Select which cable (Launch only, Receive only, or Launch and Receive) to measure. To measure both cables (Launch and Receive), connect the cables together, but this requires a connection to have -55dB reflectance. Then, click OK. The Launch and Receive Cable Measurement screen is displayed.

FaultScout Setup > SPAN: Auto Measure Launch Fiber

 

3. Tap Measure to begin. After the measurement is completed, the measured lengths will populate the fields automatically. To reject the values, click Abort. To accept the values, click OK. The new measured length(s) populate the Launch and Receive Cable Calibration (Span settings) screen.

If the Launch and Receive option is selected and the cables are not connected, you will receive a “Can’t find the R>=-55dB coupling event, try measuring each cable individually”.

 

Events

If a KNOWN event does not appear, try the following:

• Check an adjust Analysis threshold levels.

• If testing Long Fiber, make sure the range > FUT (fiber under test); increase time to 3 minutes.

• Change the test mode for which to optimize. For example, if optimizing for DZ mode, change to DR and vice versa.

• Use V-Scout.

Event Table

The Events table is available in all measurement modes. Select the Events tab to display the trace with events. The Event table displays all events found during the analysis including those added manually.

Merged event details follow in Event table and are tagged with an asterisk *.

 

Event Table

 

The Event table is displayed automatically when the Events tab is selected. It can be minimized by tapping the plus symbol just above the left of table. This optimizes the display area and allows better viewing of the OTDR trace.

Use Up/Down arrows to navigate the event table and to display or move to the highlighted

event.

Use the green Left/Right arrows to move the marker between the start and end of fiber being

tested.

To maximize the Event table, select the cross symbol again.

The right arrow green brackets (Span Start) indicate the 0km location and the left arrow (Span End) is the end. The reported total loss and ORL is from this area of the trace only. For example, if there is a 1000m launch cable between the OTDR and FUT, then the Span Start of 0km is set at the end of 1000m.

Event Types

Event Type Descriptions

Symbol	Event Type	Description
	Start of fiber	Start of the fiber under test.
	End of fiber	End of the fiber under test.
	Fiber section	Fiber section with attenuation.
	Reflective Event	Event with both loss and reflectance – typically caused by a crack, connection, or mechanical splice.
	Non-reflective Event	Event with loss but without reflectance – typically caused by a fusion splice, macrobend, or PON splitter.
	Gainer	Event with 'negative loss' as viewed by the OTDR – typically occurs when two fibers with different backscatter coefficients are spliced together. Usually a gainer will be seen as a normal event with 'positive' loss when tested from the opposite end of the fiber.
	Merged Event	Event that consists of two or more real events that are spaced too close together to be resolved or measured by the OTDR.

 

The Event is color coded depending on Threshold settings defined in the test setup (see Thresholds).

• Red indicates the event fails or exceeds the Pass threshold criteria.

• Green indicates the event passes the Fail threshold criteria.

Event Editing

To make changes permanent, you must re-save the trace.

 

Adding events

1. Ensure the Trace menu is active and the Event table is shown on the screen.

2. Position marker at the point where a new event will be inserted.

3. Tap Event<Add on the right sidebar. A new event number will appear on the trace and in the event table.

4. Select the new event in the event table and click Event<Modify on the right sidebar. Position the splice loss markers to measure the new event accurately.

5. Once markers are positioned, click the Accept button.

6. To analyze the new event, click Analysis before accepting. Click Cancel to exit the menu without saving changes.

 

Deleting events

1. Select the event in the Event table or by using the marker on the trace.

2. Use the left/right arrows to position the marker more accurately, if needed.

3. Once selected, tap Event<Delete on the right sidebar. The event will now be deleted from the event table and the event number will no longer appear on the trace.

 

Modifying events

1. Ensure the Trace menu is active and the Event table is shown on the screen.

2. Use the left/right arrows to highlight the event on the Event Table. Tap Event<Modify on the right sidebar. A marker with two small markers will appear on the trace.

3. When markers and measurement is performed, click the Accept button on the right sidebar.

4. To analyze the event, click Analysis before accepting. Click Cancel to exit the menu without saving changes.

• Span Begin - Position the marker at the end of the Launch fiber and tap the green Span Begin button to set the beginning of fiber under test (indicates 0km location).

• Span End - Position the marker at the end of the fiber under test and tap the green Span End (if launch box is used).

• Markers - Brings a marker onto the visible area of the display.

• Event – Add, delete, or make manual adjustments to the event table and reanalyze.

 

Measure

There are several methods available to manually measure fiber characteristics. Prior to performing manual measurements, it is important you become familiar with the Markers and Zooming capabilities of the unit.

 

Measure

 

Markers Controls

Markers are provided to measure distances accurately. Depending on the measurement mode and viewing window, one or more markers are available for use. The Markers can be moved using the touchscreen or using side rocker button to move the Active Marker.

The Markers display the following:

• Distance from the start of the trace to Marker "A"

• Distance from the start of the trace to Marker "B"

• Distance between Marker "A" and Marker "B"

As you move the Markers, the distance information updates automatically.

 

The active Marker is depicted by two small arrows pointing inwards at the base of the Marker.

The Marker is divided into a thick (bottom) and thin (top) line. To move Marker A or Marker B individually, select and drag the Marker on the thin portion of the marker. To move both Markers together, select and drag any Marker on the thick portion of the line.

If the Markers appear off screen, use the Markers button on the right side bar to display the Markers on screen.

If a marker is moved too close to another, both will move together to ensure minimal distance between them.

The markers can be moved separately or in tandem (or 5 markers simultaneously in the LSA attenuation measuring mode).

At the top of the screen next to the markers, the position of the marker with respect to the beginning of the optical fiber is indicated in kilometers, miles or feet.

The parameters of the trace corresponding to the markers' position and measurement mode will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.

 

Zoom/Scroll Controls

Zooming operations are possible in both Events and Measure mode.

 

Zoom Operations

 

• Zoom/Scroll icon - Toggle between and enable Zoom/Scroll mode. Zoom can also be performed using the left side rocker button.

  • Zoom mode - Magnifying glass icon appears on screen. Draw a rectangular box over the trace with the stylus to create a zoom area. Visible part of the trace in Preview window is marked with dotted rectangle.

  • Scroll mode – Trace can only be scrolled after zooming. After the Hand icon appears on screen, the trace can be dragged in any direction. The mode resets to Zoom immediately after one scroll operation has been completed.

• Zoom Out - Resets display area.

• Zoom Lock - Locks horizontal and vertical controls so zoom aspect is kept uniform.

 

Distance Measurements

Distance measurement - measure expanded trace view

 

The distance accuracy depends on the accuracy of optical fiber refraction index value setting.

 

Two Point Loss (2-Pt Loss)

The 2-Point Loss mode uses a data point at Marker A and Marker B to calculate the dB level difference between the two points. Usually the backscatter level value of Marker A is greater than the level of Marker B and a positive loss measurement is displayed. If the loss value is reported as a negative quantity, it is termed a "gainer". Measure loss between two points using the Loss (2-point) mode (using two markers):

The data at the bottom of the screen displays:

• Distance between markers A-B

• Loss between markers A-B in dB

• Attenuation between markers A-B

 

Two Point LSA (2-Pt LSA)

To increase the accuracy of a loss or attenuation measurement on a section of the trace the marker A and marker B can be approximated by a straight line. In this mode, a Least Squares Approximation technique is used to determine the best intercept values based on the marker positions. The length of these LSA sections is user selectable.

Select LSA from drop-down list - An approximation line will appear on the screen between markers. The data box at the bottom displays:

• Distance between marker A and B (km, miles, feet)

• Level difference in dB

• Attenuation based loss/distance

When using Realtime test mode, use the 2-Point LSA method to stabilize loss values. To reduce noise, change Display Real Time Refresh Rate to Low.

 

Splice Loss Measurement

Determines the Splice Loss in the optical fiber connection using the five markers method.

1. Select trace for measurement (if multiple traces are displayed on screen). The trace to be measured can be selected using the green arrow in the trace overview window.

2. Select Splice (Spl) from drop-down list.

3. Expand or zoom the trace horizontally and vertically (using Zoom Controls) and position event in the middle of the screen using the scroll function. Always ensure that a part of the trace is visible on either side of the event so you can place markers properly.

4. Position center marker on the event's rising or falling edge. You can use the rubber keypad to place the marker exactly, if needed.

5. Position the first two LSA interval indicators on a linear section of backscatter preceding the event and position the last two LSA indicators after the event, ensuring that only pre/post backscatter is used to make the measurement. The entire event including transition should not be included in either LSA intervals.

All four LSA interval indicators can be positioned independently in relation to the center Marker. When the center Marker is moved, the intervals will move simultaneously to maintain relative position.

 

The sections between the first two markers and the last two markers are approximated by straight lines (LSA). The value of event loss is defined by the position of the center marker.

The bottom of the screen displays:

• Spl (km, meters, miles or feet) - distance of center marker

• Loss of the event in dB based on the pre/post LSA sections and center marker

• Reflectance in dB if event is reflective

 

To view the Reflectance:

1. Select trace for measurement (if multiple traces are displayed on screen). The trace to be measured can be selected using the green arrow in the trace overview window.

2. Select Reflectance (Refl) from the drop-down list at the bottom of the screen.

3. Expand the trace horizontally and vertically (using Zoom Controls) to display the reflection correctly. The entire reflection will be displayed including a small section of the trace preceding and following the event.

4. Place the left marker on the base of the event's rising edge. The right marker is placed on the peak of the reflection or after the peak. The software will look for peak value.

 

The bottom of the screen displays:

• Distance of A cursor (reflection) from Start of test fiber

• Distance of B cursor (top of reflection) from Start of test fiber

• Distance between markers A->B

• Reflection for this even (-dB)