Best in Test Finalists 2010: Fiber optics

-- Test & Measurement World, 12/22/2009 12:00:00 PM

Return to the entire list of Best in Test finalists for 2010.

--eyeD 360 Network Appliance, MDI
--HP3-60-P4 Advanced Handheld Display System with Integrated Power Meter, JDSU
--MP1800A Precode/Decode Option, Anritsu
--N4391A Optical Modulation Analyzer, Agilent Technologies
--Optical Vector Analyzer 5000, Luna Technologies

 

eyeD 360 Network Appliance
Mdi
www.monitoringdivision.com

Mdi's eyeD 360 network appliance helps network and test-and-measurement operators migrate networks to 10/40/100-Gbps rates. The device helps characterize fiber impairments that cause network failures or degradations or that impair network upgrades to higher rate classes. It also permits in-service fiber measurement of an end-to-end path without requiring the removal of all traffic from a suspect fiber.

The eyeD measures power level, OSNR (optical signal-to-noise ratio), CD (chromatic dispersion), and PMD (polarization-mode dispersion) to determine which in-service fibers are upgradable to 40 Gbps. It replaces four stand-alone monitoring devices and saves testing time and equipment expense, according to Mdi, because fibers do not have to be taken out of service for qualification.

Mdi says that with this appliance, operators need not disrupt service, can reduce equipment costs up to 90%, and need not replace test and measurement equipment as the network is changed for different bit rates, formats, and vendors.

Prices: 2-port version--$23,000; 16-port version--$32,000.

 

HP3-60-P4 Handheld Display System with Integrated Power Meter
JDSU
www.jdsu.com/test

Citing research that indicates that more than 75% of physical network troubleshooting is a result of optical fiber connectors that are dirty or have been damaged by dirt, JDSU reports that its HP3-60-P4 display system is a low-cost system for inspecting and testing fiber with a single device.

The HP3-60-P4 system provides high-quality image resolution in a compact, portable design. The integrated power meter offers quick and convenient field measurements of optical power and attenuation. Easy pushbutton operation makes the device simple and straightforward to use, while the inspect-test procedure establishes an optimal workflow, according to JDSU.

The system offers several benefits. It lets users inspect both sides of the fiber interconnect, reduces inspection time by more than 50%, eliminates the need to change inspection tips on the probe, prevents misplaced and mishandled inspection tips, and protects male (patchcord) ends from contamination, as it can be parked in the patchcord module.

Prices: $800 to $1250.

 

MP1800A Precode/Decode Option
Anritsu
www.us.anritsu.com

As the number of broadband subscribers worldwide grows and as next-generation networks continue to spread, optical modulation technologies are being developed to satisfy the demand for large-capacity core networks. The precode/decode option for Anritsu's MP1800A signal quality analyzers cuts R&D costs and time to market for such 100-Gbit and 40-Gbit core-networks, according to the company. The option supports fully automatic generation of modulation signals needed to evaluate 100-Gbit DP-QPSK and 40-Gbit DQPSK, DPSK, and ODB optical modulation technologies.

The MP1800A itself produces high-quality waveforms and has a high-performance receiver with a wide phase margin of >288° and a typical input sensitivity of 50 mVp-p. It supports optical devices from 0.1 to 112 Gbits, which Anritsu says is the widest range in its category.

Base price: $50,000.

 

N4391A Optical Modulation Analyzer
Agilent Technologies
www.agilent.com

The N4391A is a time-domain-based optical modulation analyzer that offers in-depth analysis of amplitude and phase-modulated optical signals. This instrument is based on wide-bandwidth, polarization-diverse coherent optical receiver technology, Agilent's 89600 vector signal analysis software, and the company's Infiniium Series 90000 oscilloscope. Unlike tools that can only analyze the amplitude of the optical signal, the N4391A offers analysis tools such as a constellation plane display of the demodulated signal and an error vector magnitude analysis display of the error compared to an ideal signal.

The instrument supports transmission rates greater than 100-Gbits and also supports DPSK and DQPSK (including polarization multiplexing). It offers an optical receiver bandwidth of >37 GHz (74 GHz optical), a choice of 34 digital modulation formats, and a choice of 20 customizable data-analysis tools.

Price: $200,000 to $400,000.

 

Optical Vector Analyzer 5000
Luna Technologies
www.lunatechnologies.com

Luna's Optical Vector Analyzer (OVA) 5000 provides single-measurement, all-parameter analysis of fiber-optic components and assemblies up to 150 m in length, from couplers to specialty fiber, including FBGs, arrayed waveguides, free-space filters, tunable devices, amplifiers, and photonic integrated circuits. The OVA is a fast, accurate, and economical instrument for loss, dispersion, and polarization measurements of optical networking equipment, and it offers a user-friendly interface and a small footprint.

A full C and L band characterization of all linear optical parameters can be completed in less than 3 s, and Luna says that its patented characterization technique allows customers who use the OVA in product development and manufacturing to reduce costs and time to market.

Price: $150,000.