Alta Telecom Optical Fiber Characterization Experience

Alta Telecom has 22 years of experience in the telecommunications field. Alta Telecom has multiple teams available with a full complement of test equipment for Fiber Optical Characterization services. We have completed optical characterization of more than 250,000 route kilometers of Long Haul Optical Fiber. We have performed optical characterization of more than 35,000 Fibers in a Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network. Our services are available globally. Let us fine-tune your fiber optical cable plant for optimum network performance.

Optical Fiber Characterization

Optical Fiber Characterization is critical for the following types of networks:

	Metro DWDM Optical Networks
	Metro CWDM Optical Networks
	Long Haul DWDM Optical Networks
	Network upgrade to add Optical Switches (OEO / OOO)

Alta Telecom can test, analyze and document your fiber optical cable plant for optimal performance. Our Optical Fiber Characterization performance tests and evaluations will result in reduced capital expenses (CAPEX) and operations expenses (OPEX). We will also help make the necessary cost effective corrections or adjustments to help maximize embedded fiber capacity utilization.

After completion of Optical Fiber Characterizations tests we can determine the compatibility of the fiber with new DWDM equipment. We can also determine the number of wavelengths that can be deployed on the fiber for DWDM traffic. We can identify fiber capacity for higher order optical rates (10Gb/s, 40Gb/s). We can determine the best locations for dispersion compensation or OEO repeaters. We will recommend cost effective upgrades needed for the fiber cable plant if necessary.

Why do you need fiber optical characterization?

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) with close channel spacing and higher rate network elements (NEs) demand peak performing fiber cable plant. Optical Fiber Characterization tests your embedded fiber cable plant to verify that fiber infrastructure will support the new multiplexer equipment being placed into service and provides fine-tuning for peak performance.

Service providers and Enterprises should have their fiber plant verified for optical characteristics when:

	Planning to increase the capacity of the network on existing fibers
	Planning to deploy high output laser based products (i.e. Raman)
	Planning to deploy higher rate DWDM Systems on embedded fibers
	Planning to deploy new equipment on old fibers previously not in service
	Planning to deploy next generation optical equipment

Attenuation Vs. Dispersion

The balancing act of optimizing your fiber optical network is dependent on optimization of your network for the impact of attenuation and dispersion on each fiber optic link.

Points to consider:

	Understand which operating optical windows the fibers support. Check cable manufacturer spec on the attenuation performance at 1310nm, 1550nm, and 1620nm.
	Low attenuation on a fiber link may not correspond to the lowest dispersion window.
	DWDM Equipment to be placed in service may reach limitations based on fiber attenuation (optical loss) or dispersion.
	When deploying all optical switching, understand how a redundant protection path may change the length of a circuit and the attenuation (optical loss) or dispersion window. Map out the traffic flow across the entire network.
	System dispersion tolerance changes as higher speed network equipment is deployed such as change of equipment from 2.5Gb/s to 10Gb/s.
	Maintain documentation on any legacy fibers cables that are deployed in the network.

Optical Fiber Characterization Services

Alta Telecom can perform customized Optical Fiber Characterization Services to fit your exact needs. Customers can choose from the following tests on embedded fibers:

	Optical Link Loss
	Optical Return Loss measurements
	Optical Reflection points
	Chromatic Dispersion (CD)
	Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD)
	Optical Spectrum Analysis (OSA)

Optical Fiber Characterization tests & reports covers the identification of all problem areas, recommendations and/or corrective actions for peek performance. A detailed report is provided for:

	Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) tests
	Chromatic Dispersion (CD) test
	Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) tests
	Optical Spectrum Analysis (OSA)
	Span length identification
	Optical Link Loss & Reflections
	Bad splice points, patch panels, patch cords, connectors, etc.
	Damaged or poor quality & continuity of fibers
	Poorly installed fibers exceeding bending radius
	Specify the locations and type of Dispersion Compensation Module (DCM) for correction of dispersion
	Assess the ability of the fibers to support new DWDM equipment

Alta Telecom uses the following types of test equipment:

	Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR)
	Chromatic Dispersion (CD) Test Set
	Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) Test Set
	Optical Power Meter and Laser/Light Source
	Optical Fiber Microscope

Contact Information

Alta Telecom is available to provide services globally. Let us fine tune your fiber cable plant for optimum network performance.

Request a Proposal: fc@altatelecom.com
Alta Telecom Main Website: http://www.altatelecom.com

US Headquarters:

Alta Telecom Inc.
4830 River Green Parkway Suite 100
Duluth, GA 30096-9409
Phone: 770.662.0540
Main Fax: 770.263.7057

Canadian Offices:

ATI Telecom International Co.
Suite 330 First Edmonton Place
10665 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S9
Phone: 780.424.9100
FAX: 780.424.9777

ATI Telecom International Co.

338 Keewatin Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 2R9

Phone: 204.953.1450

FAX: 204.953.1455

United Kingdom Office:

Alta Communications (UK) Ltd.
Centaur House - Ancells Business Park
Ancells Road
Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2UJ (UK)
Phone: +44 870 735 8164
FAX: +44 870 735 8165

Company History

Alta Telecom International (ATI) began operations in 1981 and in 1984, its sister company, Alta Telecom Inc. (Alta) was incorporated in Georgia. As subsidiaries of AGT Limited (now Telus), one of the largest operating telcos in Canada, Alta and ATI offered full EF&I services worldwide.

In 1993, Alta and ATI were reorganized into a privately held company, but continued to maintain an affiliation with AGT/Telus, allowing us to utilize their extensive engineering and other technical personnel to complement our own resources. This relationship continues to exist today and similar agreements have been established with other telcos in Canada.

In February of 1998, Alta/ATI was acquired by CIENA Corporation and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquisition was made by CIENA to meet its needs for testing, engineering, installation and other services associated with the deployment of their DWDM optical networking products. Alta/ATI was selected for its proven technical experience and reputation in the industry. While owned by CIENA, Alta/ATI continued to provide services to other manufacturers and telecommunications service providers in optical networking, digital switching, wireline, and wireless communications.

In November of 2001, Alta/ATI was again reorganized into a privately held company. As an independent company, our goal is to be the recognized leader in providing the highest quality technical services to equipment manufacturers, service providers and other network operators in the global telecommunications marketplace.

In February of 2003 Alta/ATI acquired KEY Telecom Services, Inc, a Winnipeg, Manitoba based telecom services company. KEY Telecom has been integrated under the ATI Telecom name.

In September of 2003 Alta/ATI opened office in London, UK to serve customers in Europe. Our office in London is operated under the Alta Communications (UK) Ltd. name.