EXFO unveils next-generation OTDR for FTTP, access, and metro networks

April 15, 2004 Quebec City, Canada -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. has released the FTB-7000D Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), access, and metropolitan networks.The singlemode OTDR, the latest in a series of interchangeable test modules housed inside the FTB-400 and FTB-100B field-testing platforms, provides unparalleled performance with the shortest event dead zones in the industry at 1 m, contend company representatives.The FTB-7000D also delivers trace acquisitions that are four times faster than the industry standard of three minutes, says the company. When installing a metro network, this translates into reduced testing time and cost savings. The new OTDR module is offered in two triple-wavelength configurations: 1310/1490/1550 nm for FTTP access network testing and 1310/1550/1625 nm for metro network testing. The introduction of the FTB-7000D OTDR coincides with the release of a new ToolBox software solution. The new release includes passive optical network (PON) optimization to test through high-port-count splitters up to 1x32 ports, as well as multi-trace comparison to accelerate multi-fiber analysis while installing a new high fiber count cable."The FTB-7000D OTDR is ideal for FTTP, access and metro networks because it provides the best dead zone performance in the industry to characterize events that are very closely spaced," asserts �tienne Gagnon, EXFO's vice president of Physical-Layer Product Management. "Our customers are more and more concerned about the full characterization of their fiber network, even between their transmission equipment and the central office's fiber distribution panel. The new FTB-7000 OTDR generation will fully meet that requirement. Furthermore, this unit will also measure at 1490 nm, an important wavelength for the fiber characterization of FTTP networks."