Consolidated data management and post-processing tool that increases reporting productivity for connector endface inspection and all types of optical-layer testing including optical link mapping (iOLM), OTDR, ORL, loss, PMD and chromatic dispersion.
FTB-7400E – metro/OTDR
No-compromise versatility for metro and long-haul testing
Today’s fiber networks integrate long-haul and metro applications, making OTDR versatility a must. While long-haul architectures require high dynamic range values to reach greater distances, metro links demand an OTDR offering good resolution (short dead zones) due to the proximity of many connection points. Up to now, OTDR users had to compromise on one or the other and buy two units—a choice that they no longer have to make.
The FTB-7400E OTDR combines EXFO’s renowned optical performance and unparalleled software analysis with both short dead zones and high dynamic range values, delivering the versatility needed to test long-haul and metro links with a single OTDR.
With high dynamic range and short dead zones, the FTB-7400E measures end-to-end loss through multiplexers and demultiplexers, helping service providers speed up troubleshooting and maintain first-class quality of service (QoS) standards.
EXFO’s OTDR software: boosting productivity in the field
Auto and advanced modes: choose your testing approach
Streamline data acquisition in the field and report generation back at the office with EXFO’s powerful OTDR software. Choose from two testing approaches: Auto mode or Advanced mode.
Auto mode: one-touch testing
Ideal for basic, repetitive applications, the Auto mode shortens the learning curve for new OTDR users.
- Preset test parameters
- Choice of single- or dual-wavelength OTDR testing
- Convenient one-step event table
Advanced mode: flexibility for experts
For complete control over your test routine, select the Advanced mode. Manually set all acquisition parameters, including the index of refraction (IOR) and helix factor. Save time and get better results by fine-tuning acquisition parameters on the fly.
General OTDR software features
Great display legibility for outdoor work
For installation and maintenance crews, working outdoors goes with the territory. Switch between black and white display backgrounds as needed, and enjoy great legibility, even in the brightest daylight.
Smooth data management
This feature combines file autonaming with subset cable and fiber incrementation.
Universal OTDR compatibility
Based on the universal Bellcore format (.sor, Telcordia SR-4731), the software lets you access OTDR traces from various test and measurement manufacturers. You can therefore use the FTB-200 or the FTB-500 and still refer to your previously archived OTDR files.
FTB-500 platform OTDR software feature
Multiple-trace comparison
Multiple-trace viewing lets you quickly compare traces and detect anomalies within fibers of a tube, a ribbon or even a whole cable.
FTB-200 platform OTDR software features
Summary screen
View—at a glance—the pass/fail status for each tested wavelength. What’s more, the software automatically detects macrobends, which are also displayed in the summary screen.
Linear trace view
This feature virtually eliminates the need to analyze complex OTDR graphs. It provides a straighforward display of all events and related loss and ORL values. Easily toggle between OTDR traces and the linear view.
Fast-track data post-processing with FastReporter software
The optional FastReporter software package provides you with the post-processing tools and functionalities you need to meet such challenges, whatever the application. Designed for off-line analysis of field-acquired data, FastReporter offers a truly intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), which contributes to boosting productivity.
Live templating for OTDR testing
Benefit from one-step file management at any wavelength. Keep full control by adding or removing events manually, or add/remove events automatically using a reference. Get uniform, detailed cable reports.
Powerful batch processing
Automate repetitive operations on large numbers of OTDR test files, and optimize your productivity. Document an entire cable in a matter of seconds. Adjust your cable parameters and detection thresholds and perform batch analysis. Open OTDR files from various vendors’ equipment and convert them to the universal Telcordia format.
Bidirectional batch analysis
Analyze an entire cable in just two steps. View data for all events on all fibers, and at each wavelength, on a single screen.
Flexible reporting
Choose from various report templates, including loss and ORL, OTDR, PMD, CD and fiber characterization. Generate comprehensive cable reports in PDF, Excel or HTML format.
Time savers from EXFO’s OTDR viewer software
This free software brings you key data post-processing features such as:
- Pass/warning/fail threshold setup, which helps you meet ribbon and multifiber validation specifications
- Bidirectional trace analysis, which provides more accurate, averaged loss measurements for each event
- Multifiber testing using the Template Trace mode, which dynamically compares new OTDR results with a trace you assign as a reference.
FTB-7600E – ultra-long-haul OTDR
The FTB-7600E OTDR: for powerful ultra-long-haul testing
When distance is an issue, the FTB-7600E OTDR, with a dynamic range of up to 50.5 dB, is the solution. Taking full advantage of EXFO’s industry-leading expertise in OTDR development, this module can test over distances of up to 200 km.
Thanks to its unmatched linearity of ±0.03 dB/dB, this OTDR accurately locates faults on ultra-long links—without compromising on resolution and distance. It is offered in single and dual wavelength configurations (1310/1550/1625 nm).
This combination of quality and power makes the FTB-7600E an excellent choice for companies deploying and maintaining ultra-long-haul networks.
FTB-LTC/PSB/SPSB – launch test cable/pulse suppressor box
Choice of configurations
Typically, the length of an OTDR’s dead zone is equivalent to that of the optical pulse plus a few meters. The chosen launch test cable should therefore be longer than the pulse dead zone used for the tests. For instance, a 1 µs pulse is approximately 100 m long; selecting a 150 m SPSB or a 300 m LTC/PSB would therefore be appropriate.
EXFO offers three types of launch cables:
- The FTB-LTC module combines with an FTB-7000 series OTDR module in the FTB-500 or FTB-200 platform
- The stand-alone PSB comes in a rugged, compact carrying case
- The portable SPSB comes in a soft, easy-to-carry-everywhere pouch
How it works
Link characterization is often performed using an OTDR. But even though an OTDR has the shortest dead zones, because of the way loss is measured in a link, it does not allow the characterization of the first and last connectors without using a launch test cable, also called a pulse suppressor box. Here’s why.
The loss value associated with an event is the difference between the backscattering levels measured before and after the event. To account for the OTDR’s dead zone, obtaining a backscattering level before the first connector requires inserting a certain length of fiber between the OTDR port and the first connector of the fiber under test. At the other end of the link, the same length of fiber is added after the last connector of the “receive” cable.
In order to obtain an accurate, complete picture of the system’s loss—which is a critical aspect of fiber commissioning—a launch test cable should always be used at both ends of the fiber link.
SPSB-EF – Encircled Flux Launch Mode Conditioner
Tier-1/2 solutions with controlled source launch conditions for maximum accuracy and repeatability designed to remove uncertainty from multimode fiber testing.
TK-SWITCH MPO Test Kit – iOLM-based automated MPO cable characterization solution
The simpler way
Testing MPO and MTP connectorized links can be tricky when using legacy processes and equipment, that’s why we’ve come up with a versatile, scalable and automated solution to meet today’s network challenges.
Faster-than-ever testing
Automate test sequences with a push of a button thanks to the intelligent multifiber algorithm (iMF) feature.
Versatile solution
Test, certify, and troubleshoot single-fiber and multifiber with the same equipment set.
FastReporter – data post-processing software
The perils of data analysis, the old way
From handheld loss, ORL, FIP, OTDR and iOLM testing to advanced optical characterization—including PMD and chromatic dispersion—the analysis of fiber-optic test and measurement data comes with its load of challenges. Editing and analyzing multiple measurement files and properly documenting networks are vital tasks that would usually require hours of work and technician time. There’s also the risk of results misinterpretation and human error to be factored in with manual operations.
In today’s highly competitive communications landscape, you can’t risk all that. And you don’t have to. EXFO’s leading expertise in automation is here to help. Let FastReporter do all the post-processing work so that you can close more jobs better and faster.
FastReporter equips you with the right post-processing functionalities to overcome the challenges of analyzing fiber-optic test and measurement data, whatever the application. Designed for off-line or live analysis of field-acquired data, FastReporter has a highly intuitive interface for ease of use.
With a single software to manage data and generate reports for all your optical-layer test applications, you are on the right path towards high efficiency and productivity.
That’s not all. FastReporter is now included in EXFO’s TestFlow–an innovative cloud-based field test management solution. You can now benefit from faster job completion thanks to the automated diagnosis of measurements and batch results analysis.
Get more from FastReporter through your TestFlow Account
- Cloud-based centralized job management
- Comprehensive and automated results validation
- Job results reporting with custom templates
- Extensive result post-processing
- Test result auto-upload
- Result repository and viewing
Optical Wave Expert – DWDM Channel Checker and OTDR
The Optical Wave Expert integrates channel power validation and reflectometry characterization on a single port. This means that technicians can automatically identify faulty channels and follow through with fault location by leveraging intelligent OTDR capabilities.
The smart toggle to the OTDR mode is done automatically, without having to set any parameters. Technicians can now obtain instant channel power readings through an intuitive GUI and seamlessly benefit from tunable OTDR capabilities. The field-proven MaxTester platform provides a rugged and compact form factor that is purpose-built around practicality and efficiency.
The integration of channel checker and OTDR capabilities on a single port means less unnecessary manipulation of the optical fiber and improved field efficiency. This translates into faster mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) and makes the trial and error approach–which can disable nodes–obsolete.
FTB 5GPro – complete, all-in-one 4G and 5G test solution
FTB 5GPro test kit—helping you get 5G networks up and running fast
A versatile solution empowering field technicians and contractors to efficiently test fiber, RF and the transport network—from the core to the tower and all the way to your subscribers.
- Fiber connector inspection
- Fiber link characterization
- Optical transceiver validation
- Multi-protocol testing (CPRI, eCPRI/ORAN and Ethernet up to 100G)
- Timing & synchronization
- RF spectrum analysis
- Intelligent RF spectrum analysis over CPRI
- Full line-rate gigabit speed testing for validating enterprise and residential customers’ QoE
Nova Fiber – Remote fiber testing system
Fiber network lifecycle management
Nova Fiber provides end-to-end link testing, diagnostic and proactive monitoring for any type of fiber network, including passive optical networks (PON) in the FTTP context. This OTDR-based technology, characterized by EXFO’s built-in intelligence and automation, delivers greater efficiency and ease of use, without cutting back on performance and flexibility. Nova Fiber mobile application empowers FTTP field technicians to remotely trigger OTDR tests. This is orchestrated via a cloud-native application server. From end-to-end link loss measurements, to link continuity, OTDR link quality check is done at the touch of a button with contextual guidance such as expected loss budget available for users on the spot. The solution’s cloud-native management software is referenced as FMS (Fiber Management System). It is an innovative platform to control the remote test units, namely RTU-2 (for P2P and PON) and FG-750 (for P2P) based on containers and microservices technology.