Difference between Laser Light Source and LED Light Source

As the wide application of fiber optic system, optical light source plays a more and more important part in it. We known a basic optical fiber system consists of a transmitter, an optical fiber and a receiver. The fiber optic light source, as an important component of the transmitter is modulated by a suitable drive circuit in accordance with the signals to be transmitted. Optical light source are also needed for performing fiber optic network testing to measure the fiber optic loss in the cable plant. Light source are offered in a variety of types including LED, halogen and laser. Among which, LED and Laser light source are two types of semiconductor light sources. The following article will discuss about some differences between laser and Led light source.
Basically, both kind of light source must be able to turn on and off millions to billons of times per second while projecting a near microscopic beam of light into an optical fiber. During the working process of optical signals, they are both supposed to be switched on and off rapidly and accurately enough to properly transmit the signals.
General difference between them as that LEDS is the standard light source which is short for light-emitting diodes. Laser light source like gas lasers may be mainly used in some special cases. Lasers are more powerful and operate at faster speeds than LEDs, and they can also transmit light farther with fewer errors. Laser are also much more expensive than LEDs.
LED fiber optic light source are made of materials that influence the wavelengths of light that are emitted. A basic LED light source is a semiconductor diode with a p region and an n region. When the LED is forward biased, current flows through the LED. As current flows through the LED, the junction where the p and n regions meet emits random photons. LEDs emitting in the window of 820 to 870 nm are usually gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAIAs). Laser is also a semiconductor diode with a p and an n region like LED, but it provide stimulated emission rather than the simplex spontaneous emission of LEDs. The main difference between a LED and a laser is that the laser has an optical cavity required for lasting. The cavity is formed by cleaving the opposite end of the chip to form highly parallel, reflective, mirror like finishes.
VCSEL is a popular laser source for high speed networking, which consist of two oppositely oppositely-doped Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBR) with a cavity layer. It combines high bandwidth with low cost and is an ideal choice for the gigabit networking options.
Different wavelengths travel through a fiber at different velocities as a result of material dispersion. What should always keep in mind is that both Laser and LED will not emit a single wavelength, but a range of wavelength that is known as the spectral width of the source. Fiber optic light source is always works with the fiber optic power meter. During the working process, it collimated beams of light and aim right down the center of the narrow single mode core and propagates in essentially a single mode transmission. By more questions about fiber optic test equipment, such as visual fault locators, optical power meter, OTDR testers, and more. please go for FiberStore webstore.

Krone-LSA-PLUS Insertion Punch Down Tools from FiberStore

As we get from Wikipedia, a punch down tool refer to a small hand tool used to inset wires into IDC (insulation-displacement connectors) of the punch down blocks, typical 110 block, patch panels, keystone modules, or other surface mount boxes. It is also called Krone tool. By using the Krone punchdown tool, technician that work for telecommunication and network can maker a faster, more uniform conections in the Krone wiring blocks with less effort.
Punch down tools are impact sized, and consist of a handle, an internal spring mechanism, and a removable slotted blade. To use the punch down tool, position the wires into a slotted post, press the punch down tool on the top of the wire, with a single push, the spring loaded mechanism will trigger the blade at just the right point to seat, cutting the insulation and securing the wire. There are ON/OFF selector for you to turn on or off the cutting function.
Krone tool is named after the Krone LSA PLUS connector, Krone LSA PLUS is an IDC (insulation-displacement connectors) for telecommunications, which is alternative to 110 block in European. Compared to 110, krone can be easily identified by its contact slots arranged at a 45 degree angle to the wire. FiberStore Krone-LSA-PLUS Insertion/Punch Down Tool is right a highly reliable and cost connection solution for today’s telecommunication and data networks, the design of which use our unique Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC) technique that can clamps the wires at a 45° angle, and greatly removing the chances of a poor termination and increasing the wiring productivity. Our LSA PLUS Krone tool is perfect for applications in telecommunication, broadcast system, and audio connections and their associated control systems.
Product Key Features:
Combined the impacted punch down and torque tool function
Build-in screwdriver & wire- pull function
The LSA-Plus insertion tool with sensor is the key to unparalleled contact reliability and guarantees fast and clean working.
Simply applying pressure with the tool enables the wire to be trimmed and connected in a gas-tight connection in a single action.

The Krone-LSA-PLUS punch down tool (above picture shows) is consist of a contact slot with flexible contact arms. There are arranged at 45° to the axis of the wire. Polishing contacts at a 45° angle leaves more wire between contact points and provides a more reliable, stress-resistant connection, which is superior to the other contacts that contacts at 90° angle produces a point of weakness subject to breakage. The wire (4) is pressed by the Insertion Tool (5) into the contact slot (2) cutting through the conductor insulation. By displacing ribs tightly grip the wire on both sides of the contact, ensuring the mechanical integrity of the connection. In a simple movement the Intertion tool will terminates the wire and cropping it to the desired length.
FiberStore is a one of the main online supplier of series of optical telecommunication and network products, including fiber optic cables, fiber optic transceiver, optical testers as well as various of fiber optic tools. Click and know more details about our Krone Punchdown tools.

Fiber Optic Cleavers Introduction

Fiber optic fusion splicing is always needed when we want to fuse two optical fibers together for the continuity of fiber optic cable plant. However, in the optical fiber fusion splicing process, fiber tips are required to have a smooth end face that is perpendicular to the fiber axis. Sufficiently perpendicular and planar fiber end face can be achieved via the fiber cleaving process.
Simply speaking, a fiber cleaver is a piece of tools of equipment to make a perfect fiber end face cut that will assure the quality of the joint of bare fibers in the optic fusion process, resulting in lower attention of the fiber connection line.
In the fiber cleaving process, the fiber is pressed against the little cut to force it to break at 90 angle and expose a mirror like fiber end face. The fiber is scratched with a very hard diamond edge scribing tool, which induces a sufficiently large surface crack, then the fiber cleaver applies a tensile stress to the fiber which caused the crack to expand rapidly across the fiber cross section. There are also types of fiber cleaves apply the tensile stress first and then scratch the fiber with the diamond edge scribing tool. A quality fiber cleaver is very essential in determining the fusion splicing loss. This is especially correct for some special fibers including dispersion-compensating fibers and erbium-doped fibers.
A fiber cleave is initiated by lightly scratching the surface of the fiber. When the fiber is thereafter pulled or bent, a crack will originate at the scratch and propagate rapidly across the width of the fiber. This produces a nearly flat cleave of an optical fiber. Under the direction of this idea, there developed a variety of commercial optical fiber cleaving tools in the market:
Some cleavers apply a tensile stress to the fiber while scratching the fiber's surface with a diamond edge. There are also other designs scratch the fiber surface first, and then apply tensile stress. Some cleaves apply a tensile stress which is uniform across the fiber cross section while others bend the fiber trough a tight radius, producing high tensile stresses on the outside of the bend.
Fiber optic cleaving tool is usually designed for cutting different number of fibers at a time. Single fiber cleaver and ribbon fiber cleaver are typical. They work on the same principles but ribbon cleaver is for simultaneously cleaving all the fibers in a ribbon cable, which is somewhat interior to that of a single fiber cleaver. Most today’s fiber cleavers are suitable for precision cleaving of all common single silica glass fibers. There are also some special cleaver designed ones for applications such as in research, measurement technology and production of optic components.
Under on-side conditions, most high precision cleavers produce a cleave angle deviation within 0.5° with very high reliability and low scattering. Diamond bladed presents the highest cleaver quality and can last over 10,000 cleaves.
It is easy for a modern fiber cleaver to cleave a 125um diameter fiber, but difficult to cleave >200um fibers. This is especially turn when the fiber is not crystalline. Besides, torsion will produce a non perpendicular endface.
Typical brand for fiber optic cleaver are Fujiura, Sumitomo, Furukawa, etc. Typical models of these brand are also available at FiberStore.
Take Sumitomo FC-6S and Fujikura CT-30 for example. The CT-30 cleaver are available fro either single or ribbon fiber splicing applications. It is idea for FTTx applications and equally at home in a splicing van or in a bucked truck. With The 16-position blade yields 48,000 single-fiber cleaves, or 4,000 12-fiber ribbon cleaves beforerequiring replacement, and the built-in scrap collector conveniently stores fiber shardsuntil they can be safely discarded. The FC-6 cleaver is available with a single fiber adapter for 250 to 900 micron coated single fibers. This cleaver is simple for users to operate by removing or installing the single fiber adapter and alternate between mass and single fiber cleaving.
Additional information on a variety of fiber cleaving equipments, please visit FiberStore Fiber Optic Cleavers page or contact our sales team by sales@fiberstore.com.

Working Principle and Characteristics of OTDR

OTDR, the full name of which is Optical Time Domain Reflectometer, is a precise optoelectronic integrated fiber optic test equipment that produced by use of the backscatter during the Rayleigh scattering and Fresnel reflecting in the optical transmission. OTDR tester are widely used for optical cable maintenance and construction, and it can be used for the evaluating the fiber cable length, measuring optical transmission and connection attenuation, detecting the fault location of the fiber links, etc.
During the process of OTDR testing, the instrument inject a higher power laser or fiber optic light source pulse into a fiber from one end of the fiber cable, at the OTDR port to receive the return information. When the optical pulse is transmitted through the fiber, due to the nature of the fiber itself, the connector, the engagement points, bending or other similar event, there will be a scattered reflection. Part of the scattering and reflection will return to the OTDR. Useful information returned will be measured by the OTDR detector, and act as the time or curve segments of fibers at different positions. By recording the time used of the signals from transmission to returning, the transmission speed of the light in the glass fibers, the distance can be calculated.
OTDR testing has some limitation when it come to the applications for measuring the outside able plant loss. The OTDR tester will not be always sufficiently for testing. The OTDR will not work well with short cables in a building or LAN environment. The source and power meter should be used for these tasks as a result of the OTDR is not equipped to show actual cable plant loss.
OTDR use Rayleigh scatting and Fresnel reflection to characterize fibers’ characteristics. Rayleigh scattering refers to the irregular scattering generated when the optical signals transmitting in the fiber. OTDR only measure the scattered light back on the OTDR port. The backscatter signal show the attenuation degree (loss/distance) of the optical fiber, and will be tracked as a downward curve, illustrating the power of backscatter is decreasing, this is because that both transmission signal and backscatter loss are attenuated.
Given the optical parameters, Rayleigh scattering power can be marked, if the wavelength is know, it is proportional with the pulse width of the signal: the longer the pulse width, the stronger backscatter power. Rayleigh scattering power is also related to the wavelength of transmitted signal: the shorter the wavelength, the power is stronger. That is to say, the backscatter loose generated by the trajectory of 1310nm will higher than that of 1550nm signals.
In the higher wavelength region (more than 1500nm), the Rayleigh scattering will continue to decrease, and the other one phenomenon which called infrared attenuation (or absorption) will appear to increase and cause an increase the overall attenuation values. Therefore, 1550nm wavelength is the lowest attenuation, this also explains why it is a long distance communication wavelength. Naturally, these phenomena will return to affect the OTDR. OTDR of 1550nm wavelength is also have low attenuation, so it can be used for long distance testing. While as the high attenuation wavelength 1310nm or 1625nm, OTDR testing distance is bound to be limited, because the test equipment need to test a sharp front in the OTDR trace, and the end of the spikes will quickly fall into the noise area.
Fresnel reflection is discrete reflection, which is caused by the individual point of the whole fibers. These points are caused by a change in reverse coefficient elements such as glass and the air gap. At these points, there will be a strong backscattering light reflected back. Therefore, OTDR is using the information of Fresnel reflection to locate the connection point, fiber optic terminal or breakpoints.
An OTDR tester is essentially an optical radar: it sends out a flash of bright light, and measures the intensity of echo or reflections. This weak signal is averaged to reduce detection noise, and computation is used to display a trace and make a number of mathematical deductions.

Guide to Choose A Fiber Optic Connector Polisher

Fiber optic polishing machine has made a big progress since 1990s. Earliest connector termination job are done by manual and labor intensive process, fiber connector polishing was manually done by one single person. With the development of fiber optic network, it requires much more higher efficiency. The fiber optic patch cord manufacturers ever make up it by adding more operators but it still could not catch up with the demand. Until emerge of current automatic polishing machine, fiber connector polishing has meet the requirement of high volume, high quality and consistent.
Quality Fiber Connection Termination is very important for the fiber optic communication system. Fiber optic connector polishing is one of the most important steps for the whole process of terminating fiber connector since bad polished connectors will increase the insertion loss and back reflection which will make you malfunction.
Automatic fiber connector polishing machine are produced according to a set of industry standard and specifications. It can produce large volumes of connectors in a consistent way, and it considered to be cost effective as labor is significantly reduced. Article here is written to help you how to make wise decision when choosing a perfect fiber polishing machine for your specific requirement. Flow the standard mentioned below when purchasing an automatic connector polishing machine.
Polishing Machines with Adjustable Pressure are Preferred
The fiber connector’s finished end-face geometry is generated by the combination of the loading pressure and the hardness of the polishing surface. To optimize the connector end-face, the polishing pressure should be adjustable with clearly marked divisions of measurement.
The four corner hold-downs are also important. Hold-down fasteners in all four corners of the connector holder evenly distribute film pressure to minimize off-center polishing. If you use the center pressure from above, it will allow the possibility of wiggling or vibration the connector holder. By this method, you will increase the vertex offset and leads to inconsistent finishes.
Besides, you should also consider the polishing pad. The polishing pad is conjunction with the four corner hold-downs, is used to distribute the pressures evenly across the polishing area. Since the pads are resilient, they will help to control the radius of curvature as the ferrule is pressed into the pad during the polishing process. There are so many pads for different types of connectors, you should choose the proper one according to your need.
Make sure that you can easily change the holders for different types of connectors
To improve the production output and lower labor cost, you should make sure that you can easily and quickly change different types of connector holders. Typical connector polishing machine should be able to handle most types of fiber connectors such as FC/UPC, SC/UPC, ST/UPC, LC/UPC, MU/UPC, APC, MT-RJ, E2000, SMA905, FA and so on. Besides, the precision of the connector holders are also very critical. The connector holders should be machined to exacting tolerances so that ferrules can be precisely posited for the polishing work.
Removable polishing platens are necessary for the machine
Make sure that the polishing platens can be removable, so that it can not be easily contaminated and its working life will prolong. The polishing platens are the mechanical part that holds the polishing films and polish against the connector end-face.
The polishing motion pattern should be optimized for consistent result while conserving polishing films
As we know, the polishing motion is very critical factor in determining connector’s end-face quality. Polishing motion is the surface which performing the polishing job with the connector. The motion must perform a evenly balanced pressure across all sides, otherwise, the connector will surfer deformed end-face geometry.
Choose the manufacture who can fit for your custom requirement
A qualified manufacturer should have the ability to fit for your different specifications for the polishing film types, timer settings, lubrication and connector holders. Besides, an industry standard compliance test report from the manufacturer can be an important criterion to evaluate a good fiber polishing supplier. It is always a best idea to compare at least 3 different models from 3 vendors so you can choose the best one that meets your particular requirement.
FiberStore is specializes in supplying a full range of fiber optic testing, fiber optic splicing, fiber optic cleaning, fiber optic polishing and fiber optic inspection equipments and tools. Contact us for more detail information.

Fiber Identifier Supplied by FiberStore

As we know, fiber identifier is an essential tool for fiber optic lossless installation and maintenance work, which can be used for both single mode and multimode optical fiber probing anywhere. In the fiber optic maintenance, installation, wiring and recovery period, we often need to find and isolate a specific optical fiber without interrupting the operations. By inject a 1310 or 1550 optical signals with specific modulated signal from one end into the optical fiber, with the fiber identify on the way to find it out. It can also used to indentify the traffic direction that indicated by LED with illumination. In the working process of the fiber indentify, use the appropriate chuck, firmly grip the bare fiber or pigtails into the testing area, turn on the tool to start testing. During this process, the fiber optic identifier won’t generate harm or damages to the fiber cable.
Why we need to the fiber identifier?
During out daily fiber optic maintenance work, we often need to cutover, splice or connect the fiber optic cables. In order to accurately detect the working conditions of the fiber core, we always need use an optical identifier to determine. If traffic is present on the fiber under test, an audible tone can be heard.

FiberStore, a reputable online stocking distributor of fiber optic tools and a complete range of fiber optic related products, has recently released a reliable and portable optical fiber identifier AFI400, which is specially designed for engineers and technicians that work in the construction and maintenance of optical fiber communication and optical fiber CATV systems. These AFI400 fiber identifier is idea to indentify excessive problem fibers (excessive loss, dark, live fiber) that may be caused by misalignment of mechanical splices or poor connections. This optimized device can indentifies multiple signal frequencies including 270HZ, 1Khz and 2Khz and used for testing H0.25, 0.25mm, 0.9mm, 3.0mm fiber. It operates at a wavelength range of 800nm to 1700nm and works. Powered by 2 units of 1.5V AA alkaline batteries, it can work at least ten hours on a full charge. Besides, the fiber chuck , with mechanical damping design, can ensure that no fiber damages occurred. Meantime, it has both sound and light alarm function and key lock function, making it easier and more comfortable to operate.
Features
Support to detect optical signals without disrupting traffic
Based on non-destructive technology
Indicate the signal direction in fiber
Detect a variety of optical tones, 270Hz, 1kHz and 2kHz
Build in visible fault locator 1mW or 10mW optional;
Battery low indication
Specifications
Working wavelength: 800-1700nm
Type identification signal CW, 270HZ ± 5%, 1KHZ ± 5%, 2KHZ ± 5%
Probe Model: Ø1mm InGaAs2pcs
Adapter type (mm) Ø 0.25 Ø 0.9/2.0/3.0 used for bare fiber pigtail
Signal direction: LED indicates
Optical frequency: 270Hz, 1KHz, 2KHz LED indicator shows
Batteries: Powered by 2 units of 1.5V AA alkaline batteries
Operating Temperature (° C) -10 ~ +60
Storage temperature (° C) -25 ~ +70
FiberStore is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of high performance optical fiber tools and network equipment. For our optical fiber identifier, we provide one year warranty for that. You can also buy this AFI400 at a large quantity with the wholesale price. If you are the one have such requirement, why not contact us, I’m sure you will get good surprise on our product and service.

Introducing A Series of Fiber Optic Tool Kits from FiberStore

In the fiber optic industry, fiber optic kit is considered to be very important and can be classified into different categories which inlcudes all the types of tools that are required to finish a special With so options that you can easily choose the one per you need. Buying these fiber optic tools kits is also not a hard job, since there are so many online shops, FiberStore among which is one of the most qualified one, selling all kinds of fiber optic tools kits including optic splicing tools, fiber optic testing tools, fiber optic polishing tools and fiber optic cleaning tools, etc. Buying a fiber optic tool kit is not a hard job only if you have selected a good online shop. FiberStore is what I’d glade to recommend, because you can almost get whatever you need for your fiber optic installation and maintenance works with high quality. Besides, the price for the kits are always very cheap and reasonable.
Let’s go through some typical types of their fiber optic kits with the functions.
Fiber Connector Termination Tool kit
The fiber connector termination tool kit, FiberStore model FB-3601, also called universal connectorization epoxy tool kit. They include all the tools necessary for hand-polishing termination of epoxy optic connectors such as FC, SC, ST, LC, etc:
Fiber cable jacket stripper to remove outer jacket from optical cables
Fiber cable strippers to remove fiber coatings to expose the bare fiber cladding
Kevlar scissors KC-1 to cut the yellow strength member inside fiber jacket
Universal Connector Crimp Tool for FC, SC, ST, LC
Carbide Scribe Tool to scribe the bare fiber
EPO-TEK 353ND Epox for fixing the fiber inside the connector, Epoxy Application Syringe dispensing into the connector
Heat cure oven to cure the epoxy (either 220V or 110V)
Other misc. items for cleaning such as Kimwipes, Thermometer, Isopropyl alcohol, etc.
Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing Tool Kit
FiberStore fiber fusion splicing tool kit HW-6300N is perfect for your fiber fusion splicing job. Content listed:
Fiber jacket stripper FS-5021 to remove outer jacket from optical cables
Fiber optic stripper CFS-2 to remove fiber coatings (900um tight buffer or 250um UV coating layer) to expose the bare fiber cladding
7'' Lineman's Pliers, 6'' Bent nose Pliers and 6'' Needle Node Pliers
Steel Wire Rope Cutter to cut the yellow strength member inside fiber jacket
High precision fiber cleaver
Other misc. items for cleaning such as Kimwipes, Screwdriver, Carrying Tool Case, etc.
FTTH Fiber Optic Test Tool Kit
The FTTH Fiber Optic Test Tool Kit FS-1001 is a kind of kit that including tools, testers, fiber cleaver and some other product that are very useful in the fiber optic installation and maintenance works, the items in it can cut, strip, test the fibers.
Fiber Optic Cleaning Kit
Fiber cleaner is highly recommended as a kind of very important tool for electrical manufactures. FiberStore fiber cleaning kit includes everything from lint free wipes to different types of swaps. They also include a type of fast drying, residue free cleaning solvent which remove organic and ionic soils.
Except for the several fiber optic tool kits mentioned above, FiberStore also provides some other fiber optic tool kits including optical fiber construction, fiber optic polishing tool kit. contents in the kits maybe changed a little without notice as time goes, if you are not sure about before placing an order, you can make contact with the sales to make a confirm.