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Optical time domain reflectometry — a performance comparison of the analogue and photon counting techniques

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Abstract

This paper analyses and compares the performances of direct-detection Optical Time Domain Reflectometry systems using (a) photon counting and (b) analogue front-ends. Simple system models and a range equation have been developed to aid comparison. It is shown that the relative performances depend upon the number of signal averages. But, in the limit of the maximum range there is little to choose between the two for the state of the art systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. British Telecom Research Laboratories Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, UK

    P. Healey

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  1. P. Healey
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Healey, P. Optical time domain reflectometry — a performance comparison of the analogue and photon counting techniques. Opt Quant Electron 16, 267–276 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00619382

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00619382

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