Fiber optic attenuator is a kind of optical device that can reduce the energy of optical signal. It is used to attenuate the input optical power and avoid the distortion of the optical receiver caused by the ultra strong input optical power.
As an optical passive device, the fiber attenuator is used to debug the optical power attenuation performance, calibrate the optical fiber instrument and attenuate the optical fiber signal in the optical communication system. The product is made of attenuating optical fiber doped with metal ions, which can adjust the optical power to the required level.
Standards: IEC 61300-2, GR 910, IEC 61754-4,ROHS, UL 94 V0, CE
- Production Step 1: Ferrule Crimping With Holder
- Production Step 2: Insert Fiber and Glue Dispense
- Production Step 3: Heat Oven The Ferrule
- Production Step 4: Assembly of Attenuato
- Production Step 5: Ferrule Polish and Grinding
- Production Step 6: Loss Test
- Production Step 7: Endface Inspection
- Production Step 8: 3D Interference Detection
- Production Step 9: Stickers & Package
Fiber Attenuator Types
According to the types attenuator in optical fiber, optical interfaces and different usage scenarios, we can roughly divide them into the following attenuator types:
Build Out Fiber Attenuator
Build out attenuator is female to male attenuator, which is the common type of fiber optic attenuator, also called plug in attenuator. This type of attenuator one side is female interface, the other side is male interface. The attenuation can be range from 0dB, 1dB, 2dB, 3dB, 5dB… 10dB,… 15dB, …20db… to 30dB. There will be sticker with attenuation loss value (dB) on each product itself. Each one is fixed attenuation, when place order, please specify the attenuation loss value and fiber mold (single mode fiber attenuator or multimode fiber attenuator), then we can offer the best optical attenuator price to you. Most of the time, the price is the same for different attenuation values. However, prices are different according to different interfaces.
Fixed Optical Attenuator
Fixed optical attenautor is female to female attenuator, whose attenuation value is fixed, both sides are female interfaces like fiber optic adapters. From outer appearance, if not have labels with xxdB, it should be adapters. The attenuation can be range from 0dB,1dB, 2dB, 3dB, 5dB to 30dB. Each one is fixed attenuation, like 5db attenuator means this attenuator can only attenuate 5dB optical power. So when place order, please specify the attenuation loss value and fiber type too. Most of the time, the price is the same for different attenuation value, different due to different interfaces.
Attenuator Variable
Attenuator variable here mainly indicate the MEMS VOA attenuator. MEMS (micro electro-mechanical systems) Variable Optical Attenuator for next generation, dynamically configurable optical networks. The attenuation loss range from 0-30dB for SC FC ST, 0-15dB fro LC attenuators. The main body is made of steel, and the both sides can be female or male connectors, multi-functions. Note: M=male; F=female
Inline Attenuator
Inline Attenuator is one type of variable optical attenuator (voa), it is manually-adjusted, used for precisely balancing the signal strengths in fiber circuits, or balancing an optical signal when evaluating the dynamic range of the measurement system. This VOA attenuator can be connected with various fiber optic connectors SC LC FC ST, simplex or duplex fibers, the input and output cable diameter can be 0.9mm, 2mm or 3mm, cable length is customize, so the variable optical attenuator price vary due to different length, connectors, and attenuation value. The Attenuation value is wide range from 0dB~60dB.
Fiber Attenuator Features
- Adopt high attenuation fiber with the cladding mode suppression design
- Excellent optic performance
- Easy connection with plug-in type structure
- Attenuation precise and high return loss
- In accordance with Bellcore (GR-910-Core) standard
- Wide attenuation 0-60dB
- CE, ROHS compliance
Optical Attenuator Pack Information
Yingda provides all kinds of package methods for customers, like PP bag, Blister box or Inner cardboard box with foam pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any price difference for 1dB, 2dB, 5dB, 10dB, 15dB attenuator？
Yingda offer the same price, don’t have any difference between different attenuation value.
How do you distinguish LC UPC Attenautor, LC APC Attenuator?
UPC APC is for ferrule type, due to the attenuator is metal material, so will use different dust cap color to distinguish. UPC=blue, APC=green.
Can you make plastic SC attenuator?
Standard material for attenuator SC is metal, but plastic is ok. House color blue is UPC, green is APC. The dust cap color can be the same or use white or green to make difference.
Why would you need a fiber optic attenuator?
Fiber attenuators are usually used to reduce the optical signal power to proper level when the light power is too strong, or else it may result in problems of the instruments, and more application for single mode fiber. It is mostly used in radio, communication and transmission line applications as volume controls in broadcasting stations and also can be used for matching circuits of different resistive impedance.
What is a fixed optical attenuator?
Fixed optical attenuator means the attenuation is fixed, not variable, that means in fiber optic signal, if the input power is 10dB but the receiver only can load 5dB, then you must weaken the signal at 5dB, when you need a 5dB attenuator to make it into the demand power, or else it may burn out due to excessive power load, which is the same as US fan 110V can not used on China socket 240V, or else will burn out once plugged in.
Every fixed optical attenuator will have label to show how much attenuation it is, like 1dB attenuator, 5dB attenuator, 15dB attenuator, etc.
What is the variable optical attenuator?
Variable optical attenuator means the attenuation level of optical signal can be adjusted, such as from 1 dB to 20dB, or even 60dB. Yingda mainly can offer two types of variable attenuators, one is mems variable optical attenuator, the other is inline attenuator, which is like patch cord with 2 connectors at both sides, in the middle is a collimator to adjust at your wish.
Mems variable optical Attenuator can adjust from 1-30 dB, inline optical attenuator can be adjust from 0-60 dB.
