RTFMS_Remote Fiber Monitoring System

• Remote Fiber Monitoring System

  Comprehensive real time fiber optic physical layer monitoring platform
• Remote Fiber Monitoring System

  • Analyses threats to fibers like data security, transient events, cable break, long term degradation of fibers
  • Predicts degradation of splices, connectors etc.
  • Events can be located with accuracy better than +/-10m along the entire link
  • Suited for both point to point links as well as FTTH networks
• Element Management System (EMS)


  Alerts operators and managers about events through instantaneous alarm notifications
• Web based, Secure Network Management System features

  • Alarms Monitoring of Fiber Intrusion, Fault, Degradation and other Network Events
  • Remote Management, Provisioning and configuration of Network Elements
  • Alarm forwarding via SMS and E-mail, Multi level Alarm Escalation workflow
  • On demand and periodic Fiber testing
  • Fiber Link Route Management
  • Extensive Reporting - Performance/Security/Fault reports for various user groups
  • Scheduled reporting of critical reports to the configured users via e-mail
  • Highly configurable, profile based user access to the functionalities and system entities (User access on Region /Element level etc) for authentication and security
  • Integration with 3rd party NMS/OSS via SNMP and XML/SOAP protocols
  • IPV6 Support, SNMP V3 support (and V2 for backward compatibility)
  • System configuration via Local Port
• Remote Fiber Testing System

  Provides the most efficient solution for monitoring the integrity of fiber optic cables in a network
• Given the vast number of optical fibers deployed in networks today and the time and cost it would take for humans to routinely and manually test each fiber, a remote fiber testing system allows for continuous and automated monitoring of fiber cables for breaks, degradations, and malicious tampering incidents
• Deploying a fiber monitoring system

  • Provides the advantage of continuous assurance of optimal service while alerting field technicians in real-time when issues arise to allow for faster repairs and issue resolution
  • Maximizes performance for the network users and saves the service provider significant operational costs and time when they can identify and locate issues quickly
• Added benefits of a fiber monitoring system

  • Ability for service providers to identify trends and issue areas
  • Tracking important fiber performance metrics over time
• OTDR


  Device that sends a light pulse and evaluates the signal reflections for identifying light loss/attenuation events in an optical fiber, which can include serious issues like a break to simply the end of the cable
• The OTDR monitoring signal is a light wavelength that is different from the wavelengths carrying data, so that the monitoring signal will not interfere with data transmission
• Remote Fiber Testing System

  • OTDR is typically paired with management software, a 1xN optical switch, and other components
  • Allows testing and monitoring of a number of connected fibers on a routine basis, then send alerts in real-time when an issue arises
• Management software


  Allows the user to configure the system in a wide variety of ways, depending on their unique monitoring needs
• When evaluating potential fiber monitoring systems, it is always a good idea to determine the primary goals and objectives related to your needs, then evaluate multiple systems to determine which will deliver maximum benefit
• Types of fiber issues

  • Accidental (ex: a fiber is broken during a construction project)
  • Malicious (ex: someone purposely cuts or tampers with a fiber)
  • Random or uncontrollable environmental event (ex: earthquake)
• Specific fiber issues that can be detected

  • Animals causing damage to cables and fiber strands
  • Fire damage
  • A hacker tapping a fiber attempting to steal data
  • Downed telecom poles and fiber cables from storms, severe winds, or ice
  • Submerged cables and network equipment during a flood
  • Excessive bends or breaks during network installation or service connections
  • Splices degrading over time or damaged accidentally during other handling and repairs
  • Fibers spliced back together to incorrect fibers in a cable during repairs
  • Hunters using aerial cables for target practice
• Primary benefits of a fiber testing & monitoring system

  • Time Savings / Reduced MTTR
  • Reduces or Eliminates Costly Repair Labor and Tasks
  • Improved Performance Monitoring and Advanced Warnings
  • Establish Baseline Fiber Performance References
  • Identifying Frequent Problem Areas
• Industry estimates show that for most service providers, the cost of simply starting up and rolling out a truck to investigate a fiber event can cost between $100 and $500
• By installing and utilizing a fiber monitoring system, truck rolls are reduced or completely eliminated, saving large sums of money and labor hours on an annual basis, not to mention maximizing network uptime for users and customers
• An installed fiber testing system can help to provide a level of performance monitoring in the sense that potential issues may be identified in advance of becoming a more serious issue
• Because these systems typically start by taking a baseline measurement of any connected fiber and then monitor continuously against that baseline, it then provides an improved understanding of the expected performance for a given fiber
• Utilizing this type of system can help to better spot areas of the network that may be experiencing more issues than others, allowing the network operator to improve safeguards or shift repair team resources to better address recurring problem areas
• With fiber serving as the backbone of virtually all communications networks, cities and utilities are similarly expected to maintain their networks and keep a high level of availability/uptime
• A single unexpected event can have a disastrous impact on your network, whether a bad driver knocks down a pole, a squirrel chews through a cable, or someone maliciously tampers or attempts to cut communications
• With many municipalities operating under budget constraints, a fiber monitoring system is a small investment that will pay for itself very quickly
• Remote fiber monitoring is also important for rural applications, as most rural installations have less support and resources than their major city counterparts