Performance of low-cost commercial fiber-optic transceivers for reference frequency distribution

Precision time and frequency reference signals were effectively disseminated using high-quality intricate fiber-optic distribution systems. The quality of signals distributed by such systems is excellent, but the cost of these systems makes them unavailable to many potential users. A study of signal quality maintained using inexpensive commercial transmitter/receiver pairs is undertaken. Seven different transmitter/receiver pairs obtained from four different manufacturers were thoroughly tested using a 5 MHz sinusoid derived from a precision, temperature controlled, crystal-controlled oscillator. The electrical signal output from each fiber-optic receiver was tested for spectral purity, single-sideband phase noise, and AM noise, and the results are tabulated and discussed without identification of the manufacturer or the equipment model number.