Best Practices for Optical Fiber Installation Sprint ALU 2.5 Program

1. Connector Inspection • All connectors must be inspected

thoroughly

2. Endface Cleaning • All fiber endfaces must be cleaned to

meet IEC and Sprint standards

3. Insertion dB Loss Testing • Follow Sprint build-specific guidelines

o ALU o Samsung o NSN

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ALU Fiber Link Architecture

Radios

Trunk Cable (Riser) (12 fibers, 6 LC pairs to MPO)

Distribution Enclosure

BTS

Sector Jumpers (3 pairs MPO to LC) (Housing 3 spare LC pairs)

Protective Cylinder

Sector Jumpers (3 pairs LC to LC)

MPO Connection

Sector Cable – BTS to FDP

Three cables will run from BTS to Fiber Distribution Panel per sector. Each individual cable will route from BTS to corresponding color-coded trunk cable. Sector cables must be labeled at BTS end to aid in dB loss testing procedure.

Trunk Cable (Riser)

Riser will contain three cables of 12 fibers (6 pairs) each. Top of riser cable will be a 12 fiber MPO connector. Pairs at the bottom of riser will be installed into appropriate ports in the Fiber Distribution Panel. Each set of six pairs contains: Red/Blue/Green – Primary Orange/Yellow/Purple – Spare

Sector Cable – Riser to RRU

Each sector jumper contains 12 fibers (6 pairs) Top of sector cable will be 6 LC pairs. Each set of six pairs contains: Red/Blue/Green – Primary Orange/Yellow/Purple – Spare Bottom of sector jumper will be a 12 fiber MPO connector to interface with riser.

Orange/Yellow/Purple LC pairs will be stored in protective cylinder after dB loss test has been performed

Remote Radio Unit (RRU)

Each RRU represents one sector (Alpha, Beta, Gamma) Three LC duplex ports on each RRU accept LC riser pairs: Red/Blue/Green

Acceptable Testing Practices to Follow

DO:

• Inspect all fiber optic connectors to acceptable standard

• Use Video Inspection Scope – VIS 300 or VIS 400 recommended

• Always clean connectors before mating – Note: One-click MPO connector cleaners available

• Use industry-accepted connector end caps to protect endfaces

DON’T:

• Touch the endface of a fiber connector

• Install a connector into the Sprint system without first inspecting and cleaning the connector surface

Fingerprint: NOT GOOD

Dust/Debris: NOT GOOD

Cleaned with wet/dry method: ACCEPTABLE

Auto PASS/FAIL Results (VIS 400) Scoped image of MPO connector

Video Inspection Scopes (USB)

• Provide microscopic view of fiber endfaces – some models allow technicians to save images to be reported

• Inspecting is the ONLY way to know for sure that fiber endfaces are clean • Always inspect fibers before making any connection

Section 2.1 Video Inspection Microscopes

Direct View Scopes Avoid Eye Damage on Live Fibers

• When viewing an endface close-up, any dirt, debris, or defect will stand out

• If this debris blocks light coming from core/cladding area, fiber will not function efficiently

• If debris is trapped between mated ferrules, they can be permanently damaged and need to be replaced

Section 2.1 Video Inspection Microscopes

Debris

Core

Single Fiber MPO Connector

Criteria Table

There are four “zones” on the fiber endface as outlined in the IEC document. Each zone has been assigned a limit to the amount of debris and/or scratches it may contain. Whether the fiber is single Mode or Multi Mode, PC, UPC, or APC will affect zone size and criteria.

Adhesive Zone

Section 2.2 IEC 61300-3-35 Criteria

Connector Cleaning Methods

• Dry Clean Method: MPO One-Click • 400-500 Cleanings

• Dry Clean Method: LC One-Click • 400-500 Cleanings

• Dry Clean Method: Cletop • 400-500 Cleanings

• Wet/Dry Clean Method: SQR Pad and Pen • 100 Cleanings

Section 2.3 Connector Cleaning Methods

• IEC Recommends:

• 3 dry clean

• 2 wet/dry clean

Acceptable Connector Images

Single Fiber MPO Connector

Section 2.4 Inspection Procedures

Automated Analysis: Smartphone or Tablet

Wi-Fi Access Device

Sprint ALU 2.5 Inspection Procedures

• All connectors must be inspected and cleaned to meet acceptable standards.

• All inspected fiber endface images must be saved to provide proof of connector cleanliness.

• Images will be included in closeout reports where required.

Fiber Inspection

1.25mm ferrules (LC connectors)

MPO/MTP Connectors

Pre-Test Inspection (LC Connectors)

• Inspect (and clean if necessary) both ends of all sector cables that will run between the BTS cabinet and junction panel at the tower bottom.

• Inspect (and clean if necessary) all connectors at base-end of riser (trunk) cable.

• Inspect (and clean if necessary) all connectors at RRU-end of sector cable that will run between riser and RRU including spare fibers prior to installation into protective cylinder.

• Save and archive all endface images after performing inspection and cleaning procedures to meet IEC 61300-3-35.

Pre-Test Inspection (LC Connectors) Cont.

Pre-Test Inspection (MPO Connectors)

• Inspect (and clean if necessary) MPO connector at top-end of riser cable.

• Inspect (and clean if necessary) MPO connector at riser-end of sector cable that will run from riser to RRU.

• MPO connectors contain 12 fiber endfaces in a row. Technicians will save 12 images per riser/sector cable using the manual grading method in the inSpec software.

Pre-Test Inspection (MPO Connectors) Cont.

System Insertion dB Loss Testing

• General Testing Guidelines 6.0 dB @ 850nm loss budget for complete system loopback fiber testing

DLS 350 LED for Multi Mode RP460 @ 850nm for MM

Appropriate connectors for wireless build must be used – Contact ODM for assistance

MPO Connector LC Connector

Testing Procedure:

Light Source & Power Meter remain at tower bottom

Loopback

Used for duplex fiber runs (paired)

Loopback (Paired Fiber Runs)

1 Connect the RP 460 power meter, DLS 350 LED light source, clipped orange multimode cable, and multimode loopback module as shown above. Power on both the Power Meter and Light Source. Set both units to 850nm. Set the RP 460 Power Meter to dBm mode.

2 Make sure the Power Meter is reading within the appropriate power level for the light source. The DLS 350 outputs between -22 and -26 dBm when connected in the loopback configuration. If the reading is not within this range, inspect and clean all optical fiber connector endfaces.

3 Hold the dB/dBm button on the power meter to set the reference on the device. Your power meter should read 0.00dB.

Pre-Test dB Loss

• Pre-Test is performed in warehouse upon receipt of cables

• Loopback method

• The following cables must be tested for loss as a pre-test – BTS to FDP jumpers – 3dB budget

– Riser pairs – 3dB budget

– Sector cable pairs – 3dB budget

• Pre-Test results do not need to be saved or reported. Any cable that exceeds loss budget must be reported.

System dB Loss Test

• Performed on-site after installation of all fibers

• Loopback method

• FIRST: Test 3 pairs of spare trunk and sector cables (per sector) These run from bottom of trunk to storage cylinder at tower top – 1. Orange – 2. Yellow – 3. Purple

• THEN: Test 3 pairs of primary trunk and sector cables (per sector) These

run from BTS to RRU – 1. Red – 2. Blue – 3. Green

Half of sector cables at tower top will not run to RRU. They will be installed into a small protective cylinder for later use. Insert the loopback module here.

The cables that do not run to the RRU will not have corresponding runs to the BTS cabinet. Insert the multimode clipped cable attached to the DLS 350 and RP 460 here.

System dB Loss Test Cont.

BTS

Half of sector cables at tower top will run to RRU. Insert the loopback module here.

The sector cables that are installed into the RRU will have corresponding sector cables running from the BTS to the fiber distribution panel. Insert the multimode clipped cable attached to the DLS 350 and RP 460 here.

System dB Loss Test Cont.

dB Loss Closeout Reporting

Once all loss readings for cellular build have been saved to power meter, plug the device into computer and open report software

Set color code and loss budget to match your build

Dump data from power meter to upload readings to software. Export the readings to Excel to complete the report

Sample Closeout Report

Sprint ALU Accessory Kit

Sprint ALU Accessory Kits

AC 807 For TTK 650

• DLS 350 LED Light Source

• AC 4600 MM Loopback Module

• AC 533 MM Clipped Loopback Jumper

• AC 176 MPO Inspection Tip for VIS 400 Inspection Scope

• MPO One-Click Cleaner

AC 806 For TTK 500

• AC 4600 MM Loopback Module

• AC 533 MM Clipped Loopback Jumper

• AC 176 MPO Inspection Tip for VIS 400 Inspection Scope

• MPO One-Click Cleaner

Note* For additional cleaning and accessory items please call ODM at 603-524-8350 or visit us at http://www.odm-inc.com/Accessories.html.

Technical Support

Optical Design Manufacturing, Inc. Phone: 603-524-8350

Email: tech.support@odm-inc.com Visit ODM’s YouTube Page

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