Certified Fiber Optic Specialist, Fiber Characterization (FOA) (CFOS/FC) - 2 Day Course
FOA Fiber Characterization CFOS/FC
CFOS/FC- Fiber Characterization (Skills-based) This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic testing for the purposes of characterizing long distance fibers used in very high speed WDM networks. It is intended for technicians involved in the design, installation or testing of fiber networks.
This course is sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA), the largest professional society of fiber optics in the world. FOA courses offered by International Network Consultants are recognized by The US Department of Labor.
Exam Fee and Text Book Included in Tuition!
Learning Objectives
Classroom sessions covering theory of singlemode fiber characteristics (SA, CD, PMD), test equipment, test methods and standards
Inspecting and cleaning connectors correctly as a preparation for any testing
Review of insertion loss testing and optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR testing)
Focus on advanced tests and methods (spectral attenuation (SA), chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD)
Understanding of measurement errors in tests
Course may be taught with hands-on lab for field techs or without hands-on labs for planners, designers and engineers
Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in testing labs as appropriate
Students must pass the certification tests with a grades of 70% or better and show their abilities to splice, dress, and test fiber optics at an advanced level.
Requirements
Prerequisites: CFOT, CFOS/T recommended
Typical Field Experience For Direct Fiber Characterization Specialist Certification Based On Field Experience
To qualify for the CFOS/FC certification, the field testing experience needs to meet the following requirements for field techs:
Microscope inspection of connectors
VFL testing of hundreds of links
Insertion loss tests on hundreds of links
OTDR tests on on hundreds of links (with sample test reports and traces)
Chromatic dispersion (CD) testing
Polarization mode disperson (PMD) testing
Spectral attenuation (SA, also called attenuation profile or AP) testing
Manufacturer's training on testing will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification.
Engineering and design personnel should have experience in designing long haul fiber networks and working with field techs in the testing and installation.
Course Objective:
Program prepares the student to take the Specialist in Fiber Characterization Fiber Optics Certification Exam given at the end of class.
Course Description:
This 2-day, 16-hour program is designed to offer advanced training to anyone involved with the assessment and performance of fiber optics networks. A focal point in the program is to offer a general, easy to understand, approach to fiber optics assessment and performance standards with little theory and considerable hands on activities. This comprehensive program explains the variety of assessment and performance standards, equipment and technological approaches used in fiber network assessment and performance and how to choose among them.
Method of assessing whether the corse objective was met:
Along with chapter tests, class discussions, and substantial hands-on activities, the Specialist Fiber Optics Certification Test (both written and practical) is given and graded at the end of the class. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program.
Contact (Instructional) Hours:
16 – Hours - Actual hours may vary depending on number of students.
Particular Physical Demand(s) on student:
Students must be able to see, manipulate, and hold small tools and test equipment. Students must be able to read and speak the English language. Students must have the ability to announce to anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or are currently on and active. Further, student must be able to hear and react to the announcement from anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or currently active. Finally, students considering this or any other fiber optics course must understand that, because of safety issues in dealing high-power lasers and microscopes, the ability to communicate these important announcements to co-workers and the ability to hear and react to these announcements from co-workers is required once in the field working in this industry.
