Black Box Fiber Meter User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2003. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAY 2003
TS1250A
Fiber Meter
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]

1
PRECAUTIONS FOR HANDLING FIBEROPTIC CABLING
Precautions for Handling Fiberoptic Cabling
Observe the following precautions when handling fiberoptic
cabling:
• Fibers can be broken by poor handling, especially at
connectors.
• Dirt is harmful to fiberoptic connectors.
• Clean the ends of connectors with alcohol cleaning pads
before testing or reassembling equipment.
• Do not bend fibers too tightly, especially near connectors.
• Do not drop connectors on hard surfaces.
• Do not touch the ends of the connectors with your fingers.
• Do not leave connectors without dust caps.

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FIBER METER
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
ST is a registered trademark of American Telephone
and Telegraph Company.
Windows and Windows NT are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the United States and/or other countries.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are
acknowledged to be the property of the trademark owners.

3
CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1 Test Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.1 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.2 What the Package Includes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.4 The Handset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.5 Battery Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.5.1 Low Battery Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.2 Changing the Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5.3 Recharging the NiMH
Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.6 Changing Performance Modules . . . . . . . . 18
3. Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.1 Set the Test Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.2 Set the Number of Connections. . . . . . . . . 24
3.3 Set the Number of Splices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.4 Set the Core Diameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.5 Set the Length Measurement Units . . . . . . 26

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Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
3.6 Set the PowerDown Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.7 Adjust the Backlighting Time . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.8 Set the Power Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.9 Set the Baud Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.10 Set the Flow Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.11 Set the Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.12 Set the Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3.13 Set Audible Tones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.14 Set the Circuit Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.15 Set the Company Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
3.16 Reset to Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4. Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5. Autotest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5.1 Set the Loss Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5.2 Set the Reference Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.2.1 OFSTP-14A Method B Reference . . 43
5.2.2 OFSTP-14A Method A Reference . . 46
5.3 Autotest Optical Power Measurements . . . 49
5.4 Autotest Using One-Way Testing . . . . . . . . 50

5
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
5.5 Autotest Using Two-Way Testing . . . . . . . . 54
5.6 Changing the Cable Test Standard . . . . . . 56
5.7 Save Autotest Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
5.8 Enter a Circuit Identification Name. . . . . . 60
6. Extended Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.1 LinkTalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.2 Manual Power Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
6.3 Manual LED Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
6.4 Manual Multimode Loopback
Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
6.5 Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
6.6 Download Firmware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
6.7 Upload Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
7. Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
7.1 View Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
7.2 Print Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
7.3 Sample Autotest Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
7.4 Delete Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
7.5 Change Serial Port Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

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Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
Appendix. Report Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
A.1 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
A.1.1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
A.1.2 Installation Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . 83
A.2 Report Manager Components . . . . . . . . . . 84
A.2.1 Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
A.2.2 Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
A.2.3 Status Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
A.2.4 Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
A.3 Setting Up Report Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
A.3.1 Detecting the COM Port . . . . . . . . . 87
A.3.2 Connecting the Fiber Meter
to a PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
A.4 Using Report Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
A.4.1 Upload Test Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
A.4.2 View Test Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
A.4.3 Print Test Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
A.4.4 Save Test Reports to Disk . . . . . . . . . 93
A.4.5 Load Test Reports from Disk. . . . . . 95
A.4.6 Download Firmware
to the Fiber Meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

7
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
1. Specifications
1.1 Test Standards
Test Standard 850 nm 1300 nm Propagation Length
TIA 568A Horizontal 2.0 dB 2.0 dB N/A 90 m
(62.5 µm and 50 µm)
TIA 568A Backbone Equation 1 Equation 2 N/A 2000 m
(62.5 µm)
IEC 11801 Horizontal Equation 3 Equation 4 N/A 500 m
(62.5 µm and 50 µm)
IEC 11801 Backbone Equation 3 Equation 4 N/A 90 m
62.5 µm and 50 µm)
1000BASE-SX 62.5 µm 2.53 dB N/A N/A 275 m
1000BASE-SX 50 µm 3.43 dB N/A N/A 550 m
1000BASE-LX N/A 2.32 dB N/A 550 m
Equation 1: Max Loss = (# of mated connectors x 0.75) + (# of splices x 0.3) + (length x
3.75 dB/km)
Equation 2: Max Loss = (# of mated connectors x 0.75) + (# of splices x 0.3) + (length x
1.5 dB/km)
Equation 3: Max Loss = (# of mated connectors x 0.75) + (# of splices x 0.3) + (length x
3.5 dB/km)
Equation 4: Max Loss = (# of mated connectors x 0.75) + (# of splices x 0.3) + (length x
1.0 dB/km)

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1.2 General
Wavelengths Measured: 850 nm, 1300 nm
Multimode Length: Range: 6600 ft. (2011.7 m);
Resolution: 1 ft. (0.3 m)
Multimode Length Accuracy: 0 to 1000 ft. (0 to 304.8 m)
± 2 ft. (± 0.6 m) ± 2% ± IOR uncertainty;
1001 to 6600 ft. (305.1 to 2011.7 m) ± 2 ft. (± 0.6 m)
± 3% ± IOR uncertainty
Multimode Propagation Delay: Range: 10 to 10,000 ns
Multimode Loss: Dynamic Range: +3 dBm to -50 dBm;
Resolution: 0.01 dB/dBm;
Accuracy: ± 0.3 dB @ -20 dBm
Photodiode Detector: Indium Gallium Arsenide
(InGaAs)
Light Source: Light-emitting diode (LED) over
multimode fiber
Display: (1) Backlit, graphical LCD per handset
Connectors: (1) DB9 serial port, (2) ST®per handset

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Figure 1-1. Serial port pin assignments.
User Controls: (10) Buttons: F1, F2, F3, F4, ESC,
up arrow, down arrow, ENTER, Power, Backlight;
(1) 6-position rotary dial (positions include SETUP,
CAL, RESULTS, AUTOTEST, EXTENDED
FUNCTIONS, and REMOTE)
Operating Humidity: 10 to 90%, noncondensing
Temperature Range: Operating: 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C);
Storage: -4 to +140°F (-20 to +60°C)
Power Source (per handset): Batteries: 8 AA alkaline
batteries, AC/mains battery eliminator and charger,
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery
pack (optional);
Battery-Charge Life: 12 hours
Size: 12"H x 3.9"W x 2.5"D (30.5 x 9.9 x 6.4 cm)
Weight: 2.4 lb. (1.1 kg)

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FIBER METER
2. Introduction
2.1 Description
The Fiber Meter certifies multimode fiber in pairs by
comparing bi-directional, dual-wavelength 850-nm and
1300-nm loss, length, and propagation delay
measurements against a user-selected industry testing
standard. It also provides pass-fail results. The Fiber
Meter uses an automated link loss budget calculation as
part of the pass-fail determination.
The Fiber Meter can store up 2000 Autotest records
(1000 in each handset). The Autotest reports can be
printed directly to a serial printer or uploaded to a PC
using Report Manager. See the Appendix for more
information.
2.2 What the Package Includes
• (2) Fiber Meter handsets
• (4) Test jumpers
• (2) Earphones
• (16) AA alkaline batteries

11
• (1) Carrying case
• (2) Handset impact cases
• (1) PC interface cable
• (1) Report Manager software
• (1) AC/mains battery eliminator and charger
If any of these items are missing or damaged, contact
Black Box at 724-746-5500.
2.3 Features
• Tests two multimode fibers with one setup.
• Measures bi-directional loss at 850 nm and
1300 nm simultaneously.
• Calculates the link loss budget.
• Measures cable length to 2000 m.
• Measures propagation delay.
• Performs pass-fail certification against cabling
standards and network requirements.
CHAPTER 2: Introduction

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FIBER METER
• Determines margin beyond pass-fail limits.
• Stores up to 2000 Autotest reports.
• Uploads test reports to a PC for archiving and
printing.
• Contains a built-in audio communication system.

13
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.4 The Handset
Figure 2-1. Handset components.
ST fiber connectors
Performance module connection
Display screen
Function buttons: F1, F2, F3, and F4 are
software defined. The Display Screen for the
selected function defines their operation.
ESC: The Escape
key aborts the
current action or
returns to the
preceding screen.
The up and down arrows scroll
through menus and screens.
The Enter key accepts the
highlighted selection.
Power:
Powers the
Fiber Meter on
and off.
Backlighting: Adjusts the
backlighting for the display
screen and adjusts the contrast
using the arrows.
Rotary dial: Selects a test or
function. Table 2-1 describes the
dial selections.
Serial port
connection:
Uploads test
reports to a
printer or PC.
Downloads
firmware.
12- to 16-VDC, 300-mA connector for
attaching the AC adapter.
Earphone jack: Used for
plugging in a microphone or
earphone.

14
FIBER METER
Table 2-1. Rotary dial selections.
Selection Description
AUTOTEST Performs the automated testing of a pair of multimode optical
fibers.
RESULTS Views Autotest reports, prints reports from the Fiber Meter,
and changes the serial settings during printing.
CAL Calibrates the cable index of refraction (IOR) and sets the
Autotest reference power.
SETUP Defines each of the basic operational settings for the Fiber
Meter including:
• Test Mode
• Number of Connections
• Number of Splices
• Core Diameter
• Units
• PowerDown
• Backlighting
• Power Frequency
• Baud Rate
• Flow Control
• Date
• Time
• Audible Tones
• Circuit Names
• Company Name
• Reset to Defaults
Each of the SETUP functions has a default value that is
established by the factory. See Chapter 3 for specific
instructions.

15
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
Table 2-1 (continued). Rotary dial selections.
Selection Description
REMOTE Places the Fiber Meter handset into Remote mode.
EXTENDED Performs extended operations including:
FUNCTIONS
• LinkTalk
• Manual Power Meter mode
• Manual LED Source mode
• Manual Multimode Loopback Measurements
• Self-Test
• Download Firmware
• Upload Reports
2.5 Battery Information
Each Fiber Meter handset is shipped with eight AA
alkaline batteries. The Fiber Meter handset can also be
equipped with an optional rechargeable Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) battery pack. (Call Technical Support
at 724-746-5500 for details.)

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FIBER METER
2.5.1 L OW
B ATTERY M ESSAGE
A low battery message appears on the display screen
when it is time to replace the batteries. When the low
battery message is shown, you have 60 seconds to save
your test results before the Fiber Meter automatically
shuts itself off.
IMPORTANT
The Fiber Meter memory is powered from an internal, long-
life lithium cell. This cell permits stored test results and
setup conditions to remain saved in non-volatile memory
when you replace the AA alkaline batteries or rechargeable
battery pack. The lithium cell should last for years.
Replacement of the lithium cell must be performed by an
authorized service representative.
2.5.2 C HANGING THE B ATTERIES
To change the alkaline batteries in the handset:
1. Remove the battery compartment cover, located
on the back of the instrument. See Figure 2-2.
Figure 2-2. Removing the battery compartment cover.

17
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2. Remove the old batteries.
3. Install new batteries, paying attention to the
polarity markings on the inside of the battery well.
See Figure 2-3. Then close the battery
compartment.
Figure 2-3. Installing new batteries.
4. Press the Power button to continue regular
operations.
2.5.3 R ECHARGING THE N I MH B ATTERY P ACK
When the AC/mains adapter is used and the Fiber
Meter is powered off, the tester goes into a sleep mode.
When the optional NiMH rechargeable battery pack is
installed, the tester goes into a Recharge mode. A fully
discharged battery pack can take approximately 10 to 12
hours to recharge to full capacity.