What sort of splitters are required and where can they be purchased?
It is essential that you get a splitter which matches the link that you are tapping. It is possible to use a multi-mode splitter on a single-mode interface, but it introduces additional attenuation. The best combination is to match single-mode splitters with single-mode links and multi-mode splitters with multi-mode links. The ForeRunner card is multi-mode; the Apptel POINT cards are single-mode, but both kinds of cards should be able to work with both kinds of links. CAIDA uses two kinds of splitters from ADC. • The specifications for single-mode are: wideband, 1×2, 10/90 ratio, 1310nm and 1550nm, small ruggedized package, 3mm diameter reinforced cable pigtail option, angled polish SC/APC connector option. • The specifications for multi-mode are: multimode, 1×2, 50/50 ratio, 850nm, small ruggedized package, 3mm diameter reinforced cable pigtail option, standard polish SC/PC connector option You can feed a single-mode signal into a multi-mode receiver if the splitter is 80/20 or 90/10,
