Pro Tip: Always test with an optical power meter post-install. Return loss (RL) is the opposite headache—it's how much light bounces back toward the source due to reflections from imperfections, like air gaps or poor polish. It is also called. Beginning with software release 1. As shown in the figures above, the OCWR Testing setup for reflectance or return loss tests of connectors or passive fiber components per industry standards (TIA FOTP-107 or IEC 61300-3-6) using a light source. Insertion Loss (IL) is a critical performance parameter for Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies, defined as the total degradation of optical signal power that occurs when the assembly is inserted into a link. It represents the measurable amount of light lost between two fixed points, primarily due to. Scientifically, optical return loss (ORL) is the inverse of reflectance, and has the opposite sign, e. -50dB reflectance is 50dB return loss. However, there is a widely conflicting common usage of these and related terms, so unfortunately there is no safe assumption about which is what, so it's. How the HP 8153A/HP 81534A measure return loss of fiber optic components? If a system component, such as a connector, reflects too much light back to the transmitter, the modulation characteristics and the spectrum of the laser change. High- speed systems usually contain many components, hence.