In the fiber optic network systems, that is the true that the power level of an optical signal, either in free space or in an optical fiber are not always the same. For example, for fiber optic receivers, too much light can overload it and degrade the bit error ratio. In order to achieve the best bit error ratio, the light power must be reduced, this time an optical attenuator is need to balance the power of the light by reducing the higher power and fit for the fluent signal transmissions between different devices.
The working principle of the fiber optic attenuator can be compared to a sunglass, which absorbs the extra light energy and protect you eyes from being dazzled. Attenuators typically have a working wavelength range (usually from 1310 to 1550nm) in which they absorb the light energy equally. An important characteristic of a good fiber attenuator is that they should not reflect the light instead, they should absorb the extra light without being damaged. Since the light power used in fiber optic communications are fairly low, they usually can be absorbed without noticeable damage to the attenuator itself.
Fiber optic attenuators are used for reducing the power of the light in the fiber optic network. two types fiber optic attenuators, fixed value fiber optic attenuator refer to the attenuator that can reduce the power of fiber light at a fixed value loss, for example, 2dB. Their applications include telecommunication networks, optical fiber test facility, LAN and CATV systems. Fixed value fiber optic attenuators are composed of four groups: Fixed-Plug in type, fixed adapter Type attenuator, fixed In-line type attenuator, and Fixed Hybrid Adapter type. While adjustable fiber optic attenuator refer to the attenuator that can generate an adjustable Loss to the fiber optic link, they are general used for testing and measurement, but they also have a wide usage in EDFA for equalizing the light power among different channels. Variable Fiber optic attenuators are composed of three groups: Variable plug-in type, Variable adapter type, Variable In-line type and Manual VOA type.
The attenuators can be female to female which is called bulkhead fiber optic attenuator or male to female which is also called a plug fiber optic attenuator. Bulkhead and plug types are designed without cables; another type inline fiber optic attenuator is designed with a piece of fiber optic cable.Wide range variable & inline fiber optic attenuators .the inline fiber optic attenuators are with more accurate attenuation compared with traditional connector type fiber optic attenuators. Variable in-line Optical attenuators are often used with an optical power meter in the optic amplifier systems to balance the gain across the different operating wavelengths.
A wide range of fiber optic attenuators are supplied at ingellen.com which includes LC, SC, and ST, FC, MU, E2000, Fixed Adaptor Type Attenuators, Fixed In Line Type Attenuators, Variable Attenuator Instrument and Variable attenuators. Our fiber optic attenuators are manufactured according to international standard and are compartible with the fiber optic products currently available in the international market.
The optical attenuator is an essential component where optical signal levels need to be adjusted over a wide range of powers. To make the reliable measurements, one must consider the characteristics interactions of fiber optic light source. Optical light sources are used with the fiber optic power meter to test the fiber system loss, which can offered in a variety of types including LED, halogen and laser. With the optical attenuator and optical power meter calibration system, the attenuation can be easily modified to any level required for telecom and CATV network.
