FTTX: Fiber To The Home, Curb, Business, etc.

FTTX - Fiber To The Home, Curb, Wireless, etc. Intended For: Technicians involved with designing, installing or operating FTTx networks Designers and installers involved in FTTX projects Managers and supervisors involved in FTTX projects Anyone new to fiber to the home, curb, etc. (FTTX) or who wants to learn how it works May be used to prepare for the FOA Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in FTTx certification (CFOS/H) Objectives: From this self-study program you should learn: What is FTTx? - Fiber to the home, premises, curb, node, etc. How FTTx developed and is growing worldwide Alternatives to FTTH Network architectures used in FTTx, specifications, advantages/disadvantages What is a "triple-play" system and how is it implemented? What are FTTx standards? BPON, GPON, EPON, RFOG, etc. How to plan, design and install a FTTx project How to test FTTx installations, especially PONs Prerequisites It is necessary to have a basic understanding of fiber optics, e.g. training and a FOA CFOT certification or at least a familiarity with the technology. For an quick, simple overview of fiber optics, you can use one of these three options: 1) the Fiber U self-study program Fiber Optics in Communications and How It Works, 2) the FOA YouTube Videos Fiber Optics and Communications and How To Talk Fiber Optics or 3) Lennie Lightwave's Guide To Fiber Optics  (online) also available as a free iBook on iTunes   For more comprehensive preparation, see the Fiber U Basic Fiber Optics self-study program or the printed FOA textbook FOA Reference Guide to Outside Plant Fiber Optics When you finish, you can take an online exam on this course to qualify for a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion." See below and Lesson 6 for instructions. Fiber is now gaining acceptance in the final frontier of telephone networks, the "last mile" - the connection to the home. Many homes are still connected with aging, low performance copper telephone wire that cannot support connection speeds for broadband access. The costs of maintaining these old copper cable plants is also extremely high and increasing. Phone companies, cities, utilities and commercial service providers are now realizing the ultimate choice for upgrading the subscriber connection is fiber to the premises or home (FTTP, FTTH, or FTTx) although fiber to the curb (FTTC) or fiber to wireless (FTTW) may be used where appropriate. The possibility of delivering new services (the "triple-play" of phone, Internet and video) and low priced components for with new network architectures make FTTx financially attractive for the first time. Companies are committing billions of dollars to plans for connecting millions of homes and offices with fiber.  CATV companies are considering fiber to replace coax, since the cost is reasonable and it offers unlimited bandwidth. Municipalities or private individuals are looking at installing their own FTTx systems when phone or CATV companies won't do it soon enough. Housing developers are learning about FTTx because their customers are demanding the highest bandwidth broadband connections. All these plans depend on finding or training adequate numbers of technicians. The FOA, working with operating companies, municipalities, installers and our approved schools has developed requirements for FTTx training and certification, with the goal of providing enough qualified FTTx installation technicians to make these plans possible. Those interested in learning about FTTx will find the courses good information on the current technology.  FOA Certified Fiber Optic Specialist in FTTx technician certification programs (CFOS/H)  are taught in many FOA-approved schools. Those working in the field may qualify to take FOA CFOS/H certification directly based on experience and studying this course. Prerequisites It is assumed that the student has a basic knowledge of fiber optics at least at the basic CFOT or CFOS/H level. Review of basic fiber optics can be done on the Fiber U website with either the Basic Fiber Optics or OSP Fiber Optics self-study courses. Student Assignments Students will be instructed to read the references, watch videos and take the quizzes (Test Your Knowledge) to complete the "classroom" part of the course. A FTTx design case study is included where a typical network is described and students will design the network on paper and answer questions on the case study. FOA Certification FOA offers a specialist certification in FTTx (CFOS/H)  that is available to any CFOT. Many FOA schools teach CFOS/H courses. Current FOA members with appropriate industry experience may apply to take the online course for credit toward their requirements for the CFOS/H certification and apply for the certification exam. Contact the FOA for more details and an application. Reference Materials For This Course The primary reference material for this course is online at the FOA Online Guide to Fiber Optics, FTTx Section which is regularly updated and expanded to cover new developments in FTTx. The video and textbook references are additional references. Online FOA Reference FOA Online Reference Guide to Fiber Optics, FTTx Section  Reference Textbook   The Fiber Optic Association Fiber To The Home Handbook: For Planners, Managers, Designers, Installers And Operators Of FTTH - Fiber To The Home - Networks.  Available from Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle versions. Also at your bookseller. also FOA Reference Guide to Outside Plant Fiber Optics, Appendix B  Videos FOA YouTube Videos, with individual links as appropriate You may, if you wish, watch the entire video and then watch the referenced sections for a second time for greater comprehension. Extra Credit Reading Assignments beyond the basics required for the course will be listed as extra credit. Let's Get Started: Lesson Plans Lesson Plan No. 1: Introduction To FTTx?   Lesson Plan No. 2, FTTx Architectures   Lesson Plan No. 3, FTTx PON Passive Optical Networks    Lesson Plan No. 4, Designing FTTx Networks & Case Study   Lesson Plan No. 5, Installing FTTx Networks Lesson Plan No. 6, Testing FTTx Networks   Lesson Plan No 7: Planning and Managing FTTx Networks  When you finish the assignments and case study, you can take an online exam on this course to qualify for a "Fiber U Certificate of Completion." The exam cost is $20US. More on the Fiber U Certificate of Completion. Here are detail directions if this is your first time taking a Fiber U Certificate of Completion exam. Go here to take the Fiber U FTTX Certificate of Completion exam. This information is provided by The Fiber Optic Association, Inc. as a benefit to those interested in teaching, designing, manufacturing, selling, installing or using fiber optic communications systems or networks. It is intended to be used as an overview and/or basic guidelines and in no way should be considered to be complete or comprehensive. These guidelines are strictly the opinion of the FOA and the reader is expected to use them as a basis for learning, as a reference and for creating their own documentation, project specifications, etc. Those working with fiber optics in the classroom, laboratory or field should follow all safety rules carefully. The FOA assumes no liability for the use of any of this material.

 

Table of Contents: The FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics (C)2021, The Fiber Optic Association, Inc.