Loopback Test: A Fiber Optic Transceiver Performance Test

A loopback test is a hardware or software method that feeds a received signal or data back to the sender. It is utilized as a help in debugging physical connection problems.

In fiber optic communication network equipment, the fiber optic transceiver is the most primary component. It runs precisely the same like your computer's Ethernet card. A fiber optic transceiver has two ports: a transmitter port and a receiver port. As the name implies, the transmitter port sends out laser signals to a linked transceiver, and the receiver port receives the laser signals from the other transceiver.

Typically, a fiber optic module is utilized in every fiber optic transceiver manufacturing company. It is to ensure that a transceiver is working perfectly well as designed, instead of using another transceiver as its partner. Basically, a loopback module right away routes the laser signal from the transmitter port back to the receiver port. Through this, we can match the transmitted pattern with the received pattern to ensure they are the same and are working without errors.

The most popular types of of loopback modules available at this time are SC, LC and MRRJ connector types. On the other hand, every connector type is divided by the fiber type, connector polish type and attenuation.
Fiber type: Three fiber types are available for each connector type. These are 50/125um multimode, 62.5/125um multimode and 9/125um single mode.

Connector Polish Type: For multimode type fibers, only PC polish is available. Alternatively, the single mode fiber has two connector polish types available: the UPC polish and the APC polish.

Working Wavelength: Working wavelength is another factor in picking the right fibe optic loopback module for your specific application. For the multimode applications, available wavelengths are 850nm, 1310nm; and for single mode applications, the only available wavelength is 1550nm.

Attenuation, you can identify how the signal power level should be decreased because the receiver port cannot handle very high power. There are constantly attenuations introduced by fibers, equipment and physical environment in a real fiber optic network. As a result, the transmitter power is attenuated to a safe level by way of the network prior to reaching the other receiver. Attenuation usually must be added to protect the receiver since you are routing the transmitter directly back to the receiver.

You should determine the amount of attenuation that must be added that is contingent your transceiver type. You have a wide range of attenuation options for you to choose, from 0dB, 1dB, 2dB to 24dB.

What's more, there is a wider range of fiber optics devices like transceiver modules, base converters and fiber optic cables available for your every communication network needs. It's up to you to decide which ones you want.

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Rahim Bidgoli is a honored writer for various technical industry authorities. He has spent the better part of her last 5 years announcing events, statistics, strategies, and other news. Bidgoli has been accredited globally with degrees from multiple countries. He speaks 3 languages and also has a strong finance background. Bidgoli is expected to play a big part in the technical infrastructure and urbanization journalism for years to come.

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