What Is an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)?
An optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is a precise instrument used for detecting breaks or damage in optical fibers.
The operational principle involves illuminating the optical fiber with laser light and measuring the internally reflected light, allowing for the assessment of propagation loss within the fiber. As laser light traverses the optical fiber, propagation loss gradually occurs, but the presence of breaks or damage leads to a sudden increase in loss. The OTDR measures the time it takes for laser light to travel and reflect within the optical fiber and calculates the propagation loss based on this time. One of its prominent features is its ability to perform non-contact measurements.
OTDRs are invaluable tools in the maintenance and operation of optical fiber networks, assisting in quality assessment and anomaly detection during the manufacturing and inspection of optical fibers. They also play a critical role in research and development for characterizing optical fiber properties.