Detector Adapter Reflections

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Detector Adapter Reflections• In order to take consistent, accurate and reliable measurements it
is important to have detector adapters that are designed with thesame type of material.
• JGR has done a great deal of testing to produce low reflection
detector adapters that are consistent and do not influence ILmeasurements.

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Detector Adapter Reflections• Even if a material is black it does not mean that it will absorb/
reflect the same amount of light as another black material. It canstill vary in reflectivity and influence measurements.
• The images below show the possible differences between a JGRdetector adapter and a Non-JGR detector adapter that was notproperly designed and tested.

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JGR FCDA101

Non-JGRFC Adapter

LOW AMOUNT OF
REFLECTION

HIGH AMOUNT OFREFLECTION

Detector Adapter Reflections• Detector adapters that have not been designed and tested forconsistency will make unreliable and inaccurate measurements.
• JGR has seen variations up to ± 0.3dB in IL measurements due toNon-JGR detector adapters.
• All of JGR’s detector adapters are made using the same material toprovide the most consistent and accurate results possible.

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Detector Adapter Reflections• In today’s market, many IL specifications are very low. This makes
consistency between detector adapters very important.
• To demonstrate how using inconsistent detector adapters will affecttest results, a couple examples will be shown in the following slides.
• Note: a BR5 reads Relative Power to indicate loss or gain.
(Ex. -0.15dB = loss, 0.15dB = gain)• The adapters that will be used in the following examples are:
- a JGR FC DA101 detector adapter- a Non-JGR detector adapter with 0.1dB of gain due to highreflections.

Typical simplex IL specification:
0.15dB or less = PASS
0.16dB of more= FAIL
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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False PASS
• A false PASS will be explained first.
• A reference is taken using a JGR FC DA101 detector adapter.

JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNT OF
REFLECTION

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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False PASS
• A connection is made between the reference jumper and the DUT.
• The DUT is then connected to the Non-JGR detector adapter.
• This setup tests the IL of the FC/APC-FC/APC connection shown below.

Non-JGRSC Adapter

HIGH AMOUNT OFREFLECTION

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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False PASS
• The IL on the meter in this example is 0.07dB which is a PASSINGresult.
• The operator is unaware that the Non-JGR adapter has 0.1dB of gain
because of the highly reflective material used to manufacture it.
• The DUT false PASSES but without the 0.1dB of gain from the adapter
the DUT should actually FAIL.
• See the calculation below.

-0.07dB (Insertion Loss)-0.10dB (Gain from Non-JGR)
0.17dB (Real IL)

Non-JGR
SCAdapterHIGH
AMOUNT OFREFLECTION
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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False PASS
• Due to the highly reflective material of the Non-JGR adapter, more lightreflects internally and strikes the detector of the meter.
• This inconsistency in reflection adds gain during the measurement.
• This is why it is not advised to use a Non-JGR detector adapter duringthe measurement because these added reflections decrease the real IL
resulting in a false PASS.
Referenced with low reflections

JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNTOFREFLECTION

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Measured with high reflections

JGR FCDA101
Non-JGR
SCAdapterHIGH
AMOUNTLOWAMOUNTOFOF
REFLECTION
REFLECTION

Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False PASS
• Using JGR adapters, it is possible to see that the DUT FAILS.
Staying consistent with JGR’s detector adapters (using them forthe reference and the measurement) will show the real IL of theconnection. An example of the correct measurement is shown
below.
JGRDA103

JGR
DA101

This shows that the DUT FAILS
the testing.
(IL is greater than 0.15dB)

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Detector Adapter Reflections• The below diagrams give a visual representation of why JGR’s
adapters are consistent.
• Since they are made with the same material, they all reflect thesame amount of light so there is no influence on the measurement.
Referenced with low reflections

JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNTOF REFLECTION

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Measured with low reflections

JGR SCDA103

LOW AMOUNTOF REFLECTION

Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False FAIL
• A false FAIL case will now be explained.
• A reference is taken using the highly reflective Non-JGR adapter.
• 0.1dB of gain is unknowingly referenced out due to reflections fromthe Non-JGR adapters material.

Non-JGRSC
Non-JGR
Adapter
SCAdapter

HIGH
HIGH AMOUNTAMOUNT OF
REFLECTION
OF REFLECTION

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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False FAIL
• A connection is made between the reference jumper and the DUT.
• The DUT is then connected to JGR’s FC DA101.
• This setup will test the IL of the SC/UPC-SC/UPC connection shownbelow.

JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNT OF
REFLECTION

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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False FAIL
• The IL on the meter in this example is 0.16dB which is a FAILINGresult.
• The operator is unaware that due to the highly reflective material of
the Non-JGR detector adapter, 0.1dB of gain was referenced out.
• The DUT false FAILS, because without the 0.1dB of gain referenced
out, the DUT should PASS.
• See the calculation below.
0.16dB (Insertion Loss)+ -0.10dB (Gain referenced out)
0.06dB (Real IL)
JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNTOF REFLECTION
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Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False FAIL
• Due to the highly reflective material of the Non-JGR adapter, more
light reflects internally and strikes the detector.
• This inconsistency in reflection adds gain during the reference.
• When making the switch to the JGR adapter for the measurement,
the reflections are reduced making the IL appear to increase
resulting in a false FAIL.
Referenced with high reflections
reflections

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Measured with low

Non-JGR
SCAdapter

JGR FCDA101

HIGH AMOUNT OF
REFLECTION

LOW AMOUNT OF
REFLECTION

Detector Adapter Reflections
Example: False FAIL
• Using JGR adapters it is possible to see that the DUT PASSES.
• Staying consistent with JGR’s detector adapters (using them forthe reference and the measurement) will show the real IL of theconnection. An example of the correct measurement is shown
below.

This shows that the DUT
passes the testing.
(IL specification is between
0 and 0.15dB)

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Detector Adapter Reflections• The below diagrams give a visual representation of why JGR’sadapters are consistent.
• Since they are made with the same material, they all reflect thesame amount of light so there is no variation from one to another.
Referenced with low reflections

Measured with low reflections

JGR SCDA103

JGR FCDA101

LOW AMOUNTOF REFLECTION

LOW AMOUNTOF REFLECTION

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Detector Adapter Reflections
Summary• Using Non-JGR adapters during testing is not advised by JGR.
The reflections are not controlled and can be unpredictable. Thiswill cause unreliable, inaccurate and inconsistent IL test results.
• By using JGR’s detector adapters throughout the test, customers
can be confident in their measurements.
• Through engineering, design, and testing, JGR can ensure that
their detector adapters will not have an impact on their ILmeasurements.
• Consistently using JGR detector adapters will make sure that you
can trust your test results saving you time and money.

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