Low cost fiber optic teaching aid with wide dynamic range optical power meter and bandwidth analyzer

Abstract

Fiber optic communication technology is an essential component in any Electrical Engineering curriculum. Unfortunately the expensive fiber optic communication equipment is a major drawback in teaching fiber optics theories and principles especially in the 3 rd world countries. This paper presents a development of a low cost Fiber optic power meter and a bandwidth analyzer to be used in laboratories as a teaching aid. Both power meter and analyzer are designed to operate at 850nm, 1310nm and 1550nm optical wavelengths. Analyzer measures the bandwidth of a modulated optical signal up to 500 MHz. The logarithmic amplifier enhances the power meter dynamic range. The cost of the product is less than 100 US dollars at small scale production and can be further reduced if mass produced.