Curriculum
- Class Introduction: Set the students at ease with a description of your technical background. Explain the hands on and knowledge requirements that must be met to earn the FOI certification through the FOA
- Student Introduction
- Classroom Rules
- Fiber Optic safety
- Fiber Optic Course Intro (Syllabus Review)
- Trace the evolution of light communication
- Summarize the evolution of optical fiber technology
- Track the evolution of optical fiber application
- Describe the role of fiber optics and high-speed internet access
- Describe the basic parts of a fiber optic link
- Describe the basic operation of a fiber optic transmitter and receiver
- Explain the difference between db and dbm
- Describe light as electromagnetic energy
- Describe the refraction of light
- Lab work for the rest of the day
- Describe the NEC fiber optic cable types
- Describe the NEC listing requirements for cables
- Explain the difference between a listed and non-listed fiber optic cable
- Describe TIA 598 C color coding scheme for premises cable jackets
- Describe how to read sequential markings and determine cable length
- Describe intrinsic factors extrinsic factors
- Explain how a mechanical splice creates a low loss interconnection
- Explain how a fusion splicer creates a low loss interconnection
- Describe the basic operation of a fusion splicer
- Describe how to align the optic fibers in a fusion splicer
- Explain how to assemble and protect a fusion splice
- Lab work for rest of the day
- Describe the basic operation and types of LED light sources used in fiber optic communication
- Describe the basic operation and types of laser light sources used in fiber optic communication
- Describe LED performance characteristics
- Describe laser performance characteristics
- Describe the difference between a serial and parallel laser transmitter
- Describe the laser types and wavelengths associated with serial and parallel laser transmitters
- Explain the safety classification of light sources used in fiber optic communication
- Describe the basic operation of a photodiode
- Describe the basic components of a fiber optic receiver
- Explain dynamic range and operating wavelength
- Explain why an optical attenuator may be used in a communication link
- Explain manufacture installation cable specifications
- Discuss ANSI/TIA 568-C performance specifications for cables recognized in premises cabling:
- Inside Plant
- Indoor-Outdoor Cable
- Outside Plant Cable
- Drop Cable
- Describe commonly used installation hardware
- Lab work for the rest of the day
- Explain why test equipment calibration should be traceable to NIST calibration standard
- Describe the types of fiber optic test equipment that can be used to test for continuity
- Explain the use of a visual fault locator (VFL) when troubleshooting a fiber span
- Describe the basic operation of a multimode and single-mode OLTS
- Define the purpose of a mode filter
- Explain why a single turn 30 mm in diameter loop must be applied to transmit jumper when measuring a single mode link attenuation in accordance with ANSI/TIA 526-7
- Explain why five small radius nonoverlapping loops around a mandrel may be required on the transmit jumper when measuring multimode link attenuation in accordance with ANSI/TIA-516-14-A
- Explain why multimode insertion loss measurement require a modal controller on the transmit jumper
- Summarize the basic overview of an OTDR and what it is used for in fiber optics
- Prepare for the FOA certification test
- Take the FOA test
- Receive your FOA Cert.
