What parameter is critical for OTDR testing of a PON with significant splitter losses?

High dynamic range is a critical parameter for Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) testing of Passive Optical Networks (PONs) that experience significant splitter losses. The dynamic range of an OTDR refers to the maximum distance over which it can accurately measure loss and reflectance, which is essential when testing networks with high attenuation due to splitters. In PONs, multiple users share a single optical fiber through splitters, leading to increased loss in the system.

A high dynamic range allows the OTDR to discern between the reflected signals and background noise or loss caused by the splitter. It enables the device to effectively measure and diagnose issues over longer fiber runs, ensuring that network performance is optimal despite the inherent losses introduced by splitters.

While low insertion loss, average power, and signal frequency are all important parameters in optical testing, they do not specifically address the challenges posed by significant splitter losses as directly as dynamic range does. Low insertion loss is beneficial for overall system efficiency, average power influences signal integrity, and signal frequency affects bandwidth, but none of these factors directly enhance the ability to measure the extensive losses typical in a PON setup.