Product Spotlight - Inline Fiber Optic Attenuators

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An optical attenuator is a device used to reduce the level of an optical signal, either in free space or in an optical fiber. They are commonly used in fiber optic communications. Optical attenuators used in fiber optic communications systems may use a variety of principles for their functioning. Those using the gap loss principle are sensitive to the modal distribution ahead of the attenuator, and should be used at or near the transmitting end, or they may introduce less loss than intended. Optical attenuators using absorptive or reflective techniques avoid this problem. Because an air gap is subject to variations from contamination etc, attenuators without air gaps (based on doping etc) are more stable over time. The basic types of optical attenuators are fixed, step-wise variable, and continuously variable. Inline attenuators are incorporated into patch cables. The alternative build out style attenuator is a small male-female adapter that can be added on to other cables. They may be used to test power level margins by temporarily adding a calibrated amount of signal loss, or may be installed permanently to properly match transmitter and receiver levels. To use these in-line Fiber Optics Attenuators just select the connector type you need ST, SC, LC, & FC Available, the Polish (PC, UPC or APC angled Polish) & the Decibel dB rating. All Attenuators are Serialized & manufactured in a IS9001 facility to Telcordia specifications. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Do you use Fiber Optic Attenuators in your system? Let us know in the comments below!