EXFO MaxTester 700G OTDR series combines intelligence and automation in tablet-style instrument

EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO) (TSX: EXF) has used the FTTH Conference in Tampa, FL, to launch the tablet-inspired MaxTester 700B OTDR Series. The line of three handheld fiber test and measurement instruments is designed to enable technicians with a minimum of fiber experience to quickly and accurately assess fiber connections and troubleshoot potential problems.

The MaxTester combines automation and intelligence to enable technicians to rapidly and easily evaluate network connections. Should a problem be found, the system will automatically diagnose the likely causes and offer suggestions for repair, according to EXFO sources here at the show.

The line’s table-inspired design features a 7-inch, outdoor-enhanced touchscreen that EXFO asserts is the largest in the industry for a handheld device. The system is small and light enough to fit in one hand, yet large enough to provide clear presentation of results, the company adds. It also features an icon-based GUI in a Windows-like environment. The system is powered by a 12-hour rechargeable battery and is available at what EXFO describes as “budget-friendly price points.”

The series includes three models, optimized for last-mile drop cables, access and mobile backhaul, and FTTH/PON, respectively. It is designed to replace the company’s AXS-100/110 OTDR Series and brings the company’s iOLM capabilities to the handheld market. The iOLM OTDR-based application is powered by EXFO’s Link-Aware technology, which combines an intelligent and dynamic multipulse approach with multiple wavelengths.

“These solutions are a direct response to customer feedback, reflecting their need for compact, budget-friendly, powerful, yet intuitive testing tools inspired by tablets and smartphones,” said Étienne Gagnon, vice-president of EXFO’s Test and Measurement Division. “Our new MaxTester 700B Series combines our quality-designed OTDR with a unique form factor to provide unmatched user experience and make daily test routines more simple and efficient.”

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