Symbols used

Connector plug

or

Mated pair connector

loss = 1.5dB

Fibre Optic Span

Jumper or patchcord

Mechanical or fusion
splice = 0.3dB

Splice (fusion or mechanical

ISO11801:2002
Mated connector pair

Reference lead

Symbols as per BS 7718

Enclosure

Tables from Standard 11801:2002

Maximum cable attenuation dB/km
OM1, OM2 and OM3
Multimode

OS1 Single-mode

Wavelength

850 nm

1300 nm

1310 nm

1550 nm

Attenuation

3.5

1.5

1.0

1.0

Note:Attenuation is in dB/km
Minimum modal bandwidth MHz x km
Overfilled launch bandwidth
Wavelength
Optical fibre Core diameter
type
m
OM1

50 or 62.5

Effective laser launch bandwidth

850 nm

1300 nm

850 nm

200

500

Not specified

OM2
50 or 62.5
500
500
Not specified
OM3
50
1500
500
2000
Note Effective laser launch bandwidth is assured using differential mode delay (DMD) as specified in
IEC/PAS 60793-1-49. Optical fibres that meet only the overfilled launch modal bandwidth may not
support some applications specified in Annex F.

Note:Bandwidth is in MHz/km

System requirements
Two existing buildings on a campus are to have an FDDI fibre ring installed as a fibre
backbone

Building A is a four story building with a front and back block as labelled

Building B is a three story building

It has been decided that six FDDI switches are to be used with each link
having a power budget of 11dB operating at 850nm

Building A
Front Block
Building B

Building A
Back Block

Network switches are to be installed in the following locations:

Node 1: Ground floor equipment room, Front block Building A
Node 2: Second floor telecoms closet, Front block Building A
Node 3: Fourth floor telecoms closet, Front block Building A
Node 4: Fourth floor telecoms closet, Backblock Building A
Node 5: Ground floor telecoms closet, Backblock Building A
Node 6: Second floor telecoms closet, Building B

The approximate cable pathway distances are:

Node 1 to Node 2: 90 m
Node 2 to Node 3: 72 m
Node 3 to Node 4: 121 m
Node 4 to Node 5: 63 m
Node 5 to Node 6: 135 m

A direct cable pathway from node 6 to node 1 is to be avoided. Note this

means that installing an extra piece of cable directly between node 6 and 1 can
not be done.
The system is dual FDDI ring structure using 62.5/125 micron fibre.
Note that each length of cable cannot be connected directly to the FDDI
equipment but must first be terminated in a patch panel.
Assume fusion splicing is used to connect pigtails

Exercise questions
Keeping in mind that future upgrade is a likely requirement
1. Sketch a nodal plan for the system identifying the cable routes between nodes.
Code the routes as R1, R2 etc
2. Develop an outline bill of materials for the system to include:
a. Suggested cable type (number of fibres, etc.)
b. Route cable lengths required and total cable length required
c. 19" Cabinets and patchpanels
d. Patchcords
e. Connector adapters
f. Ancillary hardware such as pigtails, splice holders etc.
3. Sketch a fibre level plan of the system, identifying the active fibres between
nodes, the dark fibres and the enclosures.
4. Check the power budget for at least 2 fibre spans and justify why you picked
them for the power budget analysis.
5. Upgrade options for the future, what steps did you take considering that the
system is likely to be upgraded in the future? Mind, this is a very open
statement.