JDSU In-Service PMD analyzer enables PMD test on live links

JDSU (NASDAQ: JDSU) (TSX: JDU) has introduced the In-Service PMD (I-PMD) analyzer feature for its T-BERD/MTS-8000 field test platform. The I-PMD analyzer enables network operators to qualify fiber-optic networks and test polarization mode dispersion (PMD) on live routes without disrupting services, JDSU says.

PMD has become a more critical factor as data rates climb to 40 and 100 Gbps. JDSU says it developed I-PMD in collaboration with a U.S. Tier 1 service provider to meet the challenges PMD now causes.

Operators can place the I-PMD test analyzer anywhere in the network at any time to gather data on PMD, in-band optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), and transmission problems. The analyzer captures all relevant data in a single snapshot, which reduces troubleshooting time. JDSU says I-PMD also reduces the number of technicians required to troubleshoot a problem in half and reduces the number of test instruments for a technician to carry by three.

"With new applications being delivered to customers every day, communication service providers are requiring a more sophisticated way to measure key performance metrics from live traffic in order to deliver the highest-caliber customer experience," said Enzo DiLuigi, vice president and general manager in JDSU's Communications Test and Measurement business segment. "JDSU's I-PMD solution quickly identifies risks to service degradation and outages, and virtually eliminates network downtime, which are top priorities for network service providers."

JDSU first demonstrated the concept at OFC/NFOEC last March. The company has posted a video of this demonstration on its website.

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