Simulation method of reflectance measurement error using the OTDR

This letter presents an algorithm relating two different optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) reflectance measurement methods. From the impulse response of an OTDR, and the attenuation and reflectance values of a reflective event supplied by the OTDR operating according to a first classical implemented method, the algorithm allows the determination of the reflectance that would be measured according to a second more accurate method. Over a 10-dB comparison range the deviations between experimental results and those obtained with the proposed algorithm do not exceed 0.5 dB.