FiberTrace User Manual
Complete guide to OSP fiber optic documentation
📑 Table of Contents
🚀 Getting Started
FiberTrace is a comprehensive Outside Plant (OSP) documentation system for fiber optic networks. It allows you to map fiber routes, document equipment, attach photos, and generate AI-powered reports.
📍 Map Fiber Routes
Draw aerial and underground fiber routes with accurate footage calculations.
🔧 Document Equipment
Place and track splices, handholes, poles, terminals, and more.
📸 Attach Photos
Upload site photos to any equipment marker for complete documentation.
🤖 AI Assistant
Get help with fiber specs, generate estimates, and analyze photos.
📁 Projects & Cable Plants
FiberTrace uses two types of projects:
Work Orders
Work Orders are for individual jobs - new installs, repairs, extensions. Create a new Work Order for each job you're working on.
Cable Plants
Cable Plants are your master network documentation. This is where you maintain the complete, authoritative record of your entire fiber network.
Work in Work Order projects, then merge completed work into your Cable Plant when the job is done. This keeps your master documentation clean and accurate.
Creating a Project
- Click the project name in the header (or "Select Project")
- Click + Work Order or + Cable Plant
- Enter a name for your project
- The project opens and you can start mapping
🛤️ Drawing Fiber Routes
Setting Up Your Cable
Before drawing, select your cable specifications in the left sidebar:
- Fiber Count - Choose from 12f to 576f. Each count has an automatic color.
- Route Type - Select Aerial or Underground (UG). Underground shows as dashed lines.
Fiber Count Colors
Drawing a Route
- Select the Route tool (or it's selected by default)
- Click on the map to start your route
- Continue clicking to add points along your path
- Double-click to finish the route
Use the map style buttons (Satellite, Map, Topo) in the bottom-left to switch views. Satellite view is great for tracing existing infrastructure.
🔧 Equipment & Markers
Place markers to document equipment locations. Click any marker tool, then click on the map to place it.
Structure Markers
Equipment Markers
Other Markers
✏️ Editing & Labels
Editing Markers
Click any marker on the map to see its info popup, then click Edit Details to modify:
- Name - Give it a meaningful label (e.g., "Main St Splice #3")
- Make/Model - Equipment manufacturer and model
- Serial Number - For asset tracking
- Install Date - When it was installed
- Condition - Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or Critical
- Notes - Any additional details
For Poles, you can also record:
- Pole Owner - Utility company (PacifiCorp, CenturyLink, etc.)
- Pole Class - Class rating
- Pole Height - Height in feet
Editing Routes
Click any route on the map or in the sidebar list to edit:
- Name - Label the route segment
- Fiber Count - Change fiber count (updates color automatically)
- Type - Switch between Aerial and Underground
- Zoom To - Center the map on this route
Moving Markers
Markers are draggable. Simply click and drag any marker to reposition it. Changes save automatically.
📸 Photos & Documentation
Adding Photos to Equipment
- Click a marker and click Edit Details
- Scroll down to the Photos section
- Click Add photos to upload images
- You can upload multiple photos at once
Viewing Photos
Click any photo thumbnail to view it full-size. From there you can:
- Click 🤖 Analyze to have AI analyze the photo for infrastructure details
Document splice closures, pole attachments, handhole contents, and any notable conditions. Good photos are invaluable for future maintenance and troubleshooting.
🤖 AI Tools
FiberTrace includes AI-powered tools to help with your work. Access them from the Tools tab in the right sidebar.
AI Chat
Ask questions about fiber optic specifications, splicing procedures, color codes, or anything telecom-related. The AI has context about your current project.
Photo Analysis
Upload a site photo and AI will analyze it to identify:
- Pole type, class, and condition
- Existing attachments and infrastructure
- Potential hazards or access issues
- Recommendations for installation
Cost Estimator
Generate cost estimates based on your project's routes and equipment. Includes material and labor breakdowns.
As-Built Generator
Create professional as-built documentation from your project data.
Permit Helper
Generate permit application narratives describing your project scope and methods.
Splice Diagram
Create splice assignments for connecting cables:
- Add incoming and outgoing cables with fiber counts
- Click 🤖 Optimize to get AI recommendations
- Follows TIA-598 color codes
🔗 Merging Projects
When a Work Order is complete, merge it into your Cable Plant to update your master documentation.
- Open your Cable Plant project
- Click the Merge button in the header
- Select one or more Work Order projects to merge
- Click Merge Selected
Merging copies routes and equipment into the target project. The source projects remain unchanged, so you keep a record of individual jobs.
📤 Exporting Data
KML Export
Click KML in the header to download your project as a KML file. This can be opened in:
- Google Earth
- Google Maps
- QGIS and other GIS software
Stake Sheet
Click Stake to open a printable stake sheet with all equipment coordinates for field crews.
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Finish route | Double-click |
| Undo last action | Click Undo button |
| Pan map | Click and drag |
| Zoom | Scroll wheel or +/- buttons |
❓ Need Help?
Use the AI Chat in the app to ask questions about fiber optic work. The AI assistant can help with:
- Cable specifications and bend radius
- TIA-598 color codes
- Splicing procedures
- Equipment selection
- Troubleshooting