EXFO (News - Alert), a worldwide provider of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireless and wireline network operators and equipment manufacturers in the telecommunications industry, recently unveiled the FTB-720 iOLM, which will help to ramp up optical fiber assessments in data centers, LAN/WAN networks and access networks.

Data center operators and hired contractors that are recruited to complete fiber installation in facilities will benefit from leveraging the iOLM in three vital areas.

First, as the iOLM is a highly innovative application, it can help to deploy an extremely fast and cost-effective fiber deployment. Through not only reducing the global instrumentation training time but also the level of expertise usually required to perform such complex OTDR test and analysis, the iOLM will automatically set the right parameters and guide the installer to find the faults on the network all at the touch of a button. This results in a complete (A to Z) fiber-link characterization in seconds. Users don’t need to spend hours of training on the unit and moreover, don’t have to get back to their supervisors or level 2 expert technicians for support each time the problem becomes more complex. Users can quickly complete tasks and be ready for future tasks on a repetitive basis.

Second, EXFO`s Link-Aware (News - Alert) technology powers a flawless and much more reliable network characterization.  It will automate the OTDR acquisitions and combine all the results to then detect each event of the fiber link, bringing up all pertinent details on the event, including the probable cause of the fault and the potential fix/solution. The final results are presented in a form using visual icon representation, which, compared to a classic OTDR trace analysis, leaves no room for any kind of misinterpretation. The iOLM is an easy GO-NO GO test tool for any fiber installer.

Last but not least, reduced downtime can be achieved by utilizing the iOLM, as it boasts the ability to ensure each element of the fiber physical layer is well tested and corresponds to the required threshold/standards to prevent these costly downtime and repair jobs.

“Just like in virtually all types of networks, access, LAN/WAN and data center operators are currently looking for ways to deploy more quickly, yet more simply and with greater reliability,” said Étienne Gagnon, EXFO’s vice president of Product Management and Marketing said in a statement. “With its visual representation using icons for each link event and clear pass/fail verdicts, the iOLM enables any technician to easily perform tests that are absolutely accurate the first time. The addition of the iOLM to the FTB-720 module reiterates EXFO’s continued commitment toward developing this technology and helping customers significantly reduce operational expenses.”

Additionally, the iOLM can completely automate and reduce the complexity associated with the OTDR acquisition process in such a way that anyone with minimal optical skills can install and troubleshoot cables in a fast and accurate way. Not only does it simplify the test routine, but it also prompts the technician on the possible faults and provides true guidance on potential fix. The iOLM enables a single-ended way to install cables using launch and receive cables, just as with a traditional power meter and light source method but with the benefits of knowing which element is a high loss contributor to avoid network failures. 

Based on EXFO`s 17 years of world-leading OTDR expertise, the multi-pulse approach found in the iOLM provides a more complete and accurate fiber link characterization where every single element of the network is tested. By applying customizable pass/fail thresholds to each element type, the wireless telecommunications solution identifies all the potential faults of the fiber link so the installation team can quickly find and fix faults, immediately on the day of install. This prevents costly turn-up failures, network interruptions and repeat truck rolls usually required to troubleshoot and fix issues when the service is active.

In conclusion, the iOLM is aimed to the physical layer characterization (Fiber) so when it comes to expanding their wireless networks, telecom service providers deploying 3G/4G/LTE (News - Alert) need also to expand their backbone network with fibers; this is where the iOLM can definitively help, due to the fact that these operators are often going towards Cell Backhaul deployment to speed up their network expansion, where fiber is used to connect the cell tower site and also more and more to go up to the top of the tower.

Therefore, a tool like the FTB-720-iOLM can help speed up the cell tower activation as the iOLM can be used by any technician to test and characterize the fiber link. Along with a Fiber inspection probe, connector end-face analysis software and Ethernet testing module, this represents the ideal solution for fast and effective Cell Backhaul deployment.