The cutback technique is a destructive procedure used to measure certain transmission characteristics of optical fiber cables. The technique involves measuring the properties of a long length of cable, such as its attenuation and bandwidth, and then cutting the cable at a point near the launching end. The measurements are then repeated on the short length of the cable, and the results are subtracted from the results obtained on the long length to determine the characteristics of the residual long length.
The cutback technique is used to measure the attenuation and bandwidth of a cable, as well as other parameters, such as the signal-to-noise ratio. This technique is especially useful for measuring the attenuation of a cable, as it is a direct measure of the cable’s performance. Additionally, this technique can also be used to measure the bandwidth of a cable, since it allows for the measurement of the maximum bandwidth that can be expected from a certain length of cable.
The optical fiber cable is cut at a specific point near the launching end, and the measurements are repeated on the short length of the cable. The difference between the measurements obtained on the long and the short length of cable is then used to determine the residual characteristics of the long length of cable. This method is especially useful for measuring the characteristics of cables that have been installed in inaccessible locations, as it allows for accurate measurements without having to access the cables.
The cutback technique can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot problems with optical fiber cables. It is also used for quality control and assurance purposes, as it allows for the accurate measurement of the cable’s performance. Additionally, this technique can be used to compare the performance of different cables to determine which one is best suited for a particular application.
