FREE On-Line Optic Fiber Network and Advanced OTDR Operators Training Course.


Click the links below to access the VanGuard Data Free On-Line Training Material


VGD101a: Fundamentals of Optic Fiber Network: A detailed introduction to the theory of optic fibre components and the history of optical communications including the history of digital communications and the advancements in the technology from Morse Code right through to the current day where many millions of phone calls and Internet traffic can be transmitted on a single optic fiber.


VGD101b: Advanced Fiber Optic Theory: (Licensed Access Only) Covers advanced theoretical aspects of optical transmission required to completely master OTDR operation such as light propagation and how light is contained and travels long distances with very little loss in an optic fiber, IOR, wavelengths and the causes of optical attenuation


VGD201: OTDR Operation for High Quality Traces: A Practical and hands on OTDR Training lesson including detailed explanations with real world examples of OTDR parameter selection such as Pulse Width, Wavelength, Acquisition Time and IOR required to produce high quality OTDR Traces. Practical assessment and demonstrations tasks provided using the VanGuard Data OTDR Emulation software


VGD301: Advanced OTDR Trace Analysis: (Licensed Access Only) A deep dive into OTDR trace analysis covering all aspects of how to interpret and measure fibre quality from the trace. Includes measuring quality, distance and attenuation of reflective and non-reflective events. Practical assessment and demonstrations tasks provided using the VanGuard Data OTDR Emulation software


VGD402: Advanced OTDR Testing Concepts: (Licensed Access Only) For highly experienced OTDR operators looking to better understand concepts such as optical reflectance and back scatter, pressure points, gainers and ghosts. Including their causes and how to measure and identify from an OTDR trace using techniques such as multi-wavelength and bi-directional trace analysis. Practical assessment and demonstrations tasks provided using the VanGuard Data OTDR Emulation software


VGD101a: Fundamentals of Optic Fiber Network

  • History Of Digital Communications
  • Overview of Optical Communications
  • What is Optic Fiber
    • Optic Fiber Construction
    • Fiber Types – Multi Mode and Single Mode Operation
  • Methods For Joining Optic fiber
    • Overview of Optical Communications
    • Reflectance and Attenuation
    • Reflective Events – Through Connectors (PC, APC etc)
    • Non-Reflective Event – Splices
  • Optic fibre Components
    • Identifying Fibre Types
      • Single Mode
      • Multi Mode
    • Optical Connectors
      • Physical Connector Types
      • Connector Polishing
      • Angled Vs Flat Connectors


VGD101b: Advanced Fiber Optic Theory (Licensed Access Only)

  • Light Propagation in an Optical Fibre
    • What is Refraction?
    • Refraction Vs. Reflection
    • Total Internal Refraction and the Critical Angle
  • Index Of Refraction (IOR)
  • Optical Wavelengths
  • Measuring Optical Power
    • The Watt as an Absolute Value
    • The Decibel
      • Power Ratio
      • Logarithm
      • Total Internal Refraction and the Critical Angle
  • Causes of Optical Attenuation
    • Absorption
    • Optical Scattering (Rayleigh Scattering).
    • Optical Event Attenuation


    • VGD201: OTDR Operation for High Quality Traces

    • OTDR Emulator used in this training.
    • What is an OTDR?
    • OTDR Functional Block Diagram
    • Returned / Measured Optical Power
      • Backscatter
      • Reflection From Connectors
      • Reflection From the Start Connector
      • Reflection From the End Event
    • OTDR Parameters
      • Pulse Width
      • Wave Length
      • Trace Acquisition Time
      • Index Of Refraction (IOR)

    VGD301: Advanced OTDR Trace Analysis (Licensed Access Only)

    • OTDR Emulator used in this training.
    • OTDR Trace Analysis
      • Overview of an OTDR Trace
      • OTDR Trace components
    • Measuring Reflective Events
      • Identifying connector quality and condition
      • OTDR Dead Zones
      • Reflective event distance measurements
      • Reflective Event optical attenuation/li>
    • Measuring Non-Reflective Events
      • Reflective event distance measurements
      • Measuring Non-Reflective Event optical attenuation

    VGD401: Advanced OTDR Testing Concepts (Licensed Access Only)

    • Optical Backscatter.
    • Optical Return Loss (ORL)
    • OTDR / Optical Gainers
    • Optical Pressure Points
    • Bi-Directional OTDR Trace Analysis
    • OTDR Trace Reporting


    Click To Read More Details on the OTDR Emulator