An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) provides information about what aspect of fiber optic cables?

An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is specifically designed to analyze the properties of fiber optic cables by sending pulses of light into the fiber and measuring the light that is reflected back. One of the primary functions of an OTDR is to evaluate light attenuation, which refers to the loss of signal strength as light travels through the fiber optic medium.

When the OTDR sends light pulses, any imperfections, connectors, splices, or breaks in the fiber will cause some of the light to be reflected back. By measuring the amount of light reflected at various points, the OTDR can determine the attenuation levels in decibels per kilometer (dB/km), indicating how much signal loss occurs due to distance and any inherent losses in the fiber itself. This information is crucial for diagnosing issues, ensuring the optimal performance of the optical network, and maintaining the integrity of the communication signal.

While the concepts of electrical resistance, signal bandwidth, and frequency response are important in other contexts of telecommunications and cabling, they are not the primary focus of OTDR technology, making attenuation the most relevant and correct aspect associated with its functionality.