Edge propagating optical time domain reflectometer and method of using the same

A method of performing OTDR measurements along a fiber span, the method including the steps of:

• a) initializing a fiber span;
• b) injecting an optical signal into an input port of an optical fiber span, the optical signal defined as exhibiting a propagating transition edge;
• c) measuring return, reflected optical power received at the input port from the propagating transition edge, wherein the measuring is performed at a predetermined sampling rate for an extended period of time until the propagating transition edge reaches a far-end termination of the fiber span, creating a plurality of measured power samples;
• d) storing the plurality of measured power samples in a database;
• e) determining an appropriate resolution factor for creating an OTDR trace exhibiting a desired level of detail;
• f) performing a difference calculation on the plurality of measured power samples, using the appropriate resolution factor as the space between the difference calculation endpoints;
• and
• g) providing the results of the difference calculation performed in step f) as OTDR measurement data.