Loss measurement of each mode in few-mode fiber links with crosstalk-inducing points based on optical time domain reflectometry.

ABSTRACT

We propose a novel technique based on optical time domain reflectometry for characterizing the losses of transmission modes along few-mode fiber links. The technique estimates the transfer matrix at a crosstalk-inducing point from the measured backscattered waveforms and then eliminates the crosstalk influence of the point on the waveforms. Waveforms that are free from the crosstalk influence enable us to obtain the true losses independently of the crosstalk-inducing point. A proof-of-concept demonstration is performed on an optical fiber with a crosstalk-inducing splice and a bend, and the results show the usefulness of the proposed technique.