Delaire USA offers fiber-optic test links for 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet optical transceivers

Sept. 24, 2014
Delaire USA says its 8800 Family of Fiber Optic Test Links simplifies 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet testing in both field and lab/production applications. The system is designed to provide a test link for each of the 40GbE and 100GbE variants. The 8800 family approximates each standard’s worst-case fiber lengths, and worst-case bandwidths, using real fiber.

Delaire USA says its 8800 Family of Fiber Optic Test Links simplifies 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet testing in both field and lab/production applications. The system is designed to provide a test link for each of the 40GbE and 100GbE variants. The 8800 family approximates each standard’s worst-case fiber lengths, and worst-case bandwidths, using real fiber.

Each bench-top and rack-mounted unit contains spools of fiber that Delaire USA asserts are within an accuracy of +/- 0.06%. For 40GbE there are four spools of engineered OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber; there are 10 spools for 100GbE uses 10 spools. Connectors are mounted on the front panel.

The company sees the fiber-optic test links as useful in a variety of applications. For example, data center network installers can conduct Layer 1 tests on routers and servers at their facilities – therefore, before arriving at installation sites – to avoid installation and commissioning delays. System manufacturers can use the units to qualify transceivers and maintain quality and performance levels. Optical transceiver manufacturers can qualify designs to the relevant IEEE 802.3ba standard and perform final acceptance test sets in production applications.

"You now have a quick way to test transceivers against the 40GE and 100GE standard. Just drop the Delaire USA Fiber Optic Test Link in-between two transceivers, fire them up, and measure performance the way you normally do. It's that simple," said Lorraine Hallock, CEO of Delaire USA. "Now you'll know how they perform against the Ethernet standard."

Delaire USA says the 8800 Fiber Optic Test Links have begun shipping to customers.

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