AFL adds CWDM capabilities to WDM900 Lightwave Test Set

Aug. 26, 2014
AFL says it has added CWDM test capabilities to its WDM900 Lightwave Test Set. The test and measurement instrument now offers both CWDM and DWDM test capability from a single port.

AFL says it has added CWDM test capabilities to its WDM900 Lightwave Test Set. The test and measurement instrument now offers both CWDM and DWDM test capability from a single port.

The company originally launched the WDM900 with DWDM capability only (see "AFL WDM900 Lightwave Test Set offers DWDM test for cell backhaul and metro Ethernet networks"). The unit now is designed to simplify in-service testing of DWDM and CWDM access networks that support mobile backhaul, metro Ethernet, and CATV/broadband services.

“The WDM900 was designed with field use in mind and provides the perfect alternative to deploying an OSA [optical spectrum analyzer] into the field for testing or troubleshooting,” said Lee Kellett, director of product marketing at AFL. “The unit tests CWDM and DWDM from a single port, so technicians can test mixed networks and know they will get the right results every time.”

The WDM900’s features multiple display options. They include:

  • the Health Meter display, which graphically summarizes network performance on all channels with an easy-to-interpret, color-coded indicator
  • the Channel Detail display, launched by touching a channel, which shows graphically and numerically how the measured attributes compare to the acceptance criteria.

Technicians can customize performance requirements in the set up menu, which enables them to adjust pass/fail criteria as well as color codes for reporting pass/fail/borderline conditions.

Current WDM900 users can upgrade their DWDM units to add the CWDM functionality. Meanwhile, the DWDM-only model remains available.

For more information on field test equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.