Practical Fiber-Optics Technology: Certified Fiber Optics Professional (CFOP)

Introduction

The rapidly changing face of data communications and telecommunications has seen continued growth in the need to transfer enormous amounts of information across large distances. The technologies that were used extensively in the past such as coaxial cable, satellite, and microwave radio for transferring information were running out of capacity. With the introduction of fiber-optic communications systems, the solution to the problems of transmission capacity shortage and too noisy industrial environments has been successfully found. 

Fiber optic transmission has become one of the most exciting and rapidly changing fields in telecommunications engineering. An optical fiber is simply a very thin piece of glass that acts as a pipe, through which light can pass. The light that is passed down the glass fiber can be turned on and off to represent digital information or it can be gradually changed in amplitude, frequency, or phase to represent analog information. 

Fiber optic transmission systems have many advantages over conventional transmission systems. They are less affected by noise, do not conduct electricity, and therefore provide electrical isolation, carry extremely high data transmission rates, and carry data over very long distances. These and other advantages will be discussed in detail in this course. 

Fiber optic transmission systems are not perfect and there are difficulties involved in designing, implementing, and operating fiber optic communications systems. This course is designed to provide a thorough background to fiber optic communications systems and to illustrate the design and installation of these systems. The many pitfalls associated with the implementation of fiber optic systems will be discussed and workable solutions to these problems will be provided in this course. 

This course will provide an extensive overview of the construction, operation, and applications of optical fiber, with more emphasis on installation and troubleshooting. The course will give both the novice and the experienced participant a solid grasp of the principles and practical implementation of fiber optic cabling for industrial applications.

Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this course, each participant will be able to:-

• Get certified as a “Certified Fiber Optics Professional (CFOP)”
• Apply state of the art fiber optics technology and installation practices
• Specify and describe fiber optic communications systems in total
• Gain practical hands-on experience in jointing, splicing and testing fiber optic systems and use correct procedures for cable installation and termination
• Design and install a fully operational fiber optics system
• Implement the latest approaches in troubleshooting fiber optics
• Learn optical fiber communications basics
• Understand optical fiber networks
• Learn occupational safety requirements
• Understand the different types and standards related to optical fiber, such as G651 to G657, OM 1, 2, 3, & 4
• Understand how an optical fiber network is built up
• Practice cable preparation, color codes
• Use of different types of fiber splicing equipment including mechanical and fusion splicing techniques
• Practice network pre-test & basic post-testing methods

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting.

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for engineers and other technical staff within the instrumentation, control, communications, telecommunications, electrical, and IT fields. This includes project, maintenance, and consulting staff, systems, and application engineers.

Course Outline

Fiber Optic Communications

• What is a laser
• Classification of lasers & their use
• Live fiber identification
• Visual fault identification
• Fiber  handling
• Volatile liquid handling 

Fiber Optic Networks

• Legacy networks
• CATV (HFC)
• Metro core 
• FTTx
• LAN

Safety

• Health and safety
• LASER safety
• Fiber disposal
• Glass fiber handling
• Liquid storage

Types of Optical Fiber 

• Multimode & Single-mode
• Underground, overhead, tight buffer and brake-out cord
• Single, loose tube & ribbon cables

Cable Preparation

• Preparation for splicing
• Color code
• Arrangement in the fiber tray and closures
• Different closure types
• Different cable jointing techniques

Splicing

• Techniques of splicing
• Fusion splicing
• Mechanical splicing

Termination

• Fan-out cord 
• Pigtail cord
• ODF`s

Connectorisation

• FC , SC, ST, LC types

Network Testing

• Pre- installation test
• Loss budget calculation
• Link distance calculation
• Power budget calculation