Designing an optical network starts with one essential step: calculating the optical link. In this short and sharp #brainsnack video, James F. Merchant walks you through the fundamentals, common pitfalls, and practical tips to ensure your link design works not just in theory — but in the real world. Whether you're a network engineer, product manager, or just curious about fiber optics, this video will help you understand: ✅ How to determine the optical power budget ✅ What losses to account for ✅ Why real-world measurements matter more than theory ✅ Common pitfalls like overload levels and dispersion ✅ How to avoid damaging your transceivers ✅ What to do when in doubt 0:00 – Introduction & Why Link Calculation Matters 0:17 – Power Budget & Losses Explained 1:40 – Real-World vs. Theoretical Calculations 2:30 – Lab Testing & Common Pitfalls 4:20 – What to do when in doubt 💬 Leave a comment if you found this helpful or have questions! 🔔 Subscribe to get your regular dose of #brainsnack 📞 Need help with your network design? Contact our Customer Solution Engineers at HUBER+SUHNER. #OpticalNetworking #FiberOptics #WDM #NetworkDesign #EngineeringTips #Telecom #Brainsnack #HUBERSUHNER