FOA CFOS/A study plan

Explain light propagation in step-index and graded-index multimode fiber and single-mode fiber, and predict how numerical aperture and core diameter affect modal dispersion

Calculate attenuation in dB and dB/km from launch and received power values, and convert between dBm and mW without a calculator error

Identify the loss mechanisms (absorption, Rayleigh scattering, macrobend, microbend) and match each to the wavelength window where it dominates

Describe how a source wavelength and detector type pair up in a typical link and why 850/1300 nm and 1310/1550 nm are the standard windows

Compare multimode categories OM1 through OM5 on core size, bandwidth-length product, and typical reach at 10G and 40G

Distinguish OS1 from OS2 single-mode fiber by cable construction, attenuation spec, and intended reach

Explain chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion qualitatively and state which fiber type and distance each affects most

Describe bend-insensitive single-mode fiber and the macrobend performance it improves at 1310, 1490, and 1550 nm

Explain coarse and dense wavelength division multiplexing, including typical channel spacing and why CWDM cannot cover the full 1260-1625 nm range in one system

Describe how erbium-doped fiber amplifiers work and where amplification is placed in a long-haul link

Calculate a simple optical link budget including connector loss, splice loss, fiber attenuation, and a design margin

Explain the role of the transceiver form factors (SFP, SFP+, QSFP) and how reach ratings map to fiber type and budget

Identify the components of an outside-plant cable assembly: buffer tube, strength members, armor, jacket, and their functions

Explain the difference between loose-tube, tight-buffer, and ribbon cable construction and where each is appropriate

Describe installation methods (conduit pull, air-blown, direct-buried) and the tension and bend-radius limits that apply to each

State the purpose of hardware such as closures, pedestals, and slack loops and the practice of storing slack for future splicing

Summarize the scope of the key standards and codes that govern installation: TIA-568 structured cabling, TIA-758 outside plant, NEC Article 770, and the relevant BICSI practices

Explain fire-rating requirements for indoor cable (riser vs plenum) and where each jacket type is required

Describe separation requirements between optical fiber cable and electrical power conductors in pathways

List the documentation typically required at handover: as-builts, splice schematics, link test records, and labeling conventions

Explain insertion loss and optical return loss testing with a light source and power meter, including reference-setting methods and why one-jumper vs two-jumper references differ

Describe OTDR operation, including dead zone, pulse width trade-offs, launch and receive cables, and how to read a trace

Calculate the bidirectional average splice loss from two OTDR traces and explain why averaging is required

Distinguish Tier 1 (loss/length) from Tier 2 (OTDR) testing and state which is required for certification of a given link

Diagnose common faults from test data: high loss at a connector, reflective event at a splice, non-reflective loss at a macrobend, and a shorted or dirty endface

Explain inspection and cleaning practice, including when to use a scope and why dry cleaning precedes wet-to-dry

Describe how polarity schemes (straight-through, crossover, and the array duplex methods) affect link function and how to test for them

Outline the steps of a structured troubleshooting process from symptom to root cause on a failed link

Re-derive the core calculations (dB conversion, loss budget, bidirectional splice loss) from memory under timed conditions

Complete a full-length practice set across all four domains and score each domain separately to find remaining weak areas

Review and correct every missed item by writing the underlying rule or formula in your own words

Recite the standards, fiber categories, and test-tier definitions from memory without notes