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OpenSOD

The Open Standard OTDR Data (OpenSOD) format. It provides an open-source and standardized way to store and exchange Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) measurement data.

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OpenSOD

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What is OpenSOD?

An attractive screenshot of a code sample OpenSOD (Open Standard OTDR Data) is a new open-source data format for storing and exchanging Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) measurement data. Created by BaldrAI, OpenSOD addresses critical limitations in the current industry-standard SOR (Standard OTDR Record) format by providing a truly open, accessible alternative for fiber optic testing data.

The Problem with Current Standards

The fiber optic testing industry has been stuck with the proprietary SOR format, which creates significant barriers:

  • Licensing Restrictions: The current SOR standard (SR-4731 Issue 2) is owned by Ericsson and requires expensive licensing that explicitly prohibits creating “derivative works” - including both open-source and closed-source software
  • Fragmented Implementations: Every OTDR vendor has their own interpretation of various fields, leading to compatibility issues across different devices and software
  • Limited Innovation: The restrictive licensing has stifled development of modern analysis tools and interoperability solutions

Why OpenSOD Matters

OpenSOD was developed through legal reverse-engineering under UK/EU law (Directive 91/250/EEC, Article 6), allowing for interoperability without licensing restrictions. Released under Apache License Version 2, it’s freely available for commercial and open-source use.

Industry Modernization

Fiber-optic management is described as being “in the Stone Age” - OpenSOD represents a step toward 21st-century fiber network management, enabling:

  • Better integration with modern software tools
  • Real-time data sharing and collaboration
  • Advanced analytics and AI-powered fault detection
  • Cross-platform compatibility

Enhanced Interoperability

The accompanying C#/.Net library can read both OpenSOD (SOD files) and traditional SR-4731 (SOR files), providing a bridge between legacy systems and modern implementations.

Ecosystem Development

OpenSOD enables the development of next-generation tools like OpenOTDR, a modern OTDR reporting solution that integrates traces with GIS data, provides advanced labeling, and builds comprehensive reports across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms.

Technical Implementation

  • File Extension: .SOD (recommended)
  • Official Implementation: OTDRFile C# library
  • Compatibility: Maintains interoperability with existing standards where possible
  • Documentation: RFC0001 provides the initial specification

Who Should Care?

Fiber Network Operators: Reduce deployment times, improve fault detection, and modernize reporting workflows

Software Developers: Build innovative OTDR analysis tools without licensing restrictions or legal concerns

Equipment Manufacturers: Implement open standards that improve customer interoperability and reduce support overhead

Testing Technicians: Access better tools for trace analysis, comparison, and reporting that streamline daily workflows

System Integrators: Develop solutions that work across multiple vendor ecosystems without proprietary format limitations

The Bottom Line

OpenSOD represents a fundamental shift toward open standards in fiber optic testing. By eliminating licensing barriers and providing a modern, extensible format, it enables innovation that has been stifled for decades. Whether you’re managing fiber networks, developing analysis software, or conducting field testing, OpenSOD offers the freedom and flexibility to build better solutions for the digital infrastructure that powers our connected world.

Disclaimer

This library is written without knowledge of Ericsson’s (or any other rights holder’s) intellectual property and has been constructed independently by the Authors. Any compatibility with the Standard OTDR Record as defined by SR-4731 (Issue 2) or any derivative or preceding works thereof is circumstantial and is not guaranteed by the authors.

Using this library with the intent of being compliant with any formats other than the format defined by OpenSOD RFC 0001 is at your own risk.

If readers require a library that is fully compatible with the SOR format as defined by SR-4731 (or derivatives), then they should purchase the relevant documents from the rights holders of that standard.

License

The software in this repository is released under the Apache License 2.0. A copy of this license has been provided in the file LICENSE.md. For a helpful summary of the license check out: https://choosealicense.com/licenses/apache-2.0/

Copyright 2024 BaldrAI Ltd.

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