Metrology ---------------------------------------------------------------------

As communications systems become more complex, increased monitoring is required to determine the health of fiber optic systems, bandwidth limitations and problems spots or breaks.  Modern metrology systems can probe these complex networks to identify performance limitations.

An undersea telecom backbone can carry over 5 TB of data in modern wavelength division multiplexed cable systems.  These systems can be disrupted by breakage due to seismic activity, shipping anchors or sabotage, and quick restoration extremely important due to the cost of the repair ship, which can be over $1M per day. 

If the cable is carrying large amounts of data, these lost billings can dwarf the expense of the repair mission, so precise location of the break is crucial.  A new tool to accurately locate breaks in long, fiber optic cable systems an OTDR metrology system based on narrowband RIO planex lasers.