53433-9 The complete, practical guide to testing fiber optic communication components and systems. Fiber optic networks are evolving rapidly - and so is the technology used to design, measure, and test them. Fiber Optic Test and Measurement is the first authoritative, complete guide to measuring both current optical networks and those on the horizon. It reflects the collective experience of Hewlett-Packard's world-class lightwave test and measurement organization, and presents extensive information that has had limited circulation to date. Learn how to characterize all three basic components of a fiber optic communication system: the optical transmitter, fiber medium, and optical receiver. Review each fundamental area of fiber optic measurement, including: * Optical power measurements using several types of photodetectors * Spectral measurements using diffraction gratings, Michelson interferometers and both heterodyne and homodyne spectrum analysis * Polarization measurements - increasingly important in high data rate networks that utilize optical amplifiers * Modulation measurements via frequency and time domain analyses The book's unprecedented coverage of advanced fiber technology will be invaluable to professionals implementing or maintaining new optical networks. Learn how to: * Test digital fiber systems to SONET/SDH international standards * Accurately characterize the behavior of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) fiber systems * Test two-port optical devices for insertion loss, reflectivity of components, chromatic and polarization mode dispersion, and the behavior of Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). This practical guide will help technicians, engineers, and scientists accurately measure and test fiber optic systems, without becoming experts in fiber optic theory. It will be equally useful for experienced fiber optic professionals and those new to the field.