• Mixed and bulk payload generation and analysis from 64 kbit/s to 10 Gbit/s
• High-order mappings: STS-1/3c/12c/48c/192c and AU-3/AU-4/AU-4-4c/16c/64c
• Low-order mappings: VT1.5/2/6, TU-11/12/2/3
• Unframed optical signal testing at 10 Gbit/s rate
• Section/RS, Line/MS, high-order and low-order path overhead manipulation and monitoring
• Section/RS, Line/MS, high-order and low-order path alarm/error generation and monitoring
• High-order and low-order pointer generation and monitoring
• K1/K2 OH byte capture
• Tandem connection monitoring
• Performance monitoring: G.821, G.826, G.828, G.829, M.2100, M.2101
• Frequency analysis and power measurement
• Frequency offset generation
• Payload block and replace 
• Automatic protection switching and service disruption time measurements
• Multichannel SDT measurements and real-time error/alarm monitoring for all STS-1/AU-4 channels
• Round-trip delay measurements
• DS1/DS3 auto detection of line code, framing and test pattern 
• Dual DS1/DS3 receiver testing
• Independent transmitter and receiver testing
• Through mode analysis
• Intrusive through mode
• Programmable error/alarm injection
• DS1 FDL
• DS1 loopcodes and NI/CSU loopback emulation 
• Fractional T1/E1 testing
• DS3 FEAC

Optical Transport Network Testing

OTN as per ITU-T G.709 has recently introduced two new concepts: ODU0 and ODUflex. ODU0 is a new virtual container of 1.25 Gbit/s bandwidth specifically defined for efficiently mapping Gigabit Ethernet services over OTN. As for ODUflex, it is the most efficient sub-wavelength bandwidth management capability for transport line rates of 10 Gbit/s, 40 Gbit/s and upcoming 100 Gbit/s. ODUflex allows providers to interconnect routers in ways that enable efficient bandwidth growth in steps of 1.25 Gbit/s, eliminating the need to allocate a full fixed-rate ODU container to each connection and allowing service providers to transport efficiently and seamlessly across lower-cost optical infrastructures.

With OTN deployments rapidly increasing, so does the need for smaller field-oriented OTN test equipment. The FTB-8120/8130 Transport Blazer modules offer OTN test capabilities for verifying compliancy with ITU-T G.709 standards. The tests include:

• OTU1 (2.7 Gbit/s) and OTU2 (10.7 Gbit/s) bit rates
• ODU0 (1.25 Gbit/s) container with Gigabit Ethernet and SONET/SDH client signals mapping
• ODUflex with Ethernet client signal mapping
• Over-clocked OTU2 rates: OTU1e (11.0491 Gbit/s), OTU2e (11.0957 Gbit/s), OTU1f (11.2701 Gbit/s) and OTU2f (11.3176 Gbit/s)
• Unframed optical signal testing at 10.7 Gbit/s, 11.0491 Gbit/s, 11.0957 Gbit/s, 11.2701 Gbit/s and 11.3176 Gbit/s
• Synchronous mapping of SONET/SDH signals within OTN as well as synchronous and asynchronous demapping
• Forward error correction (FEC) testing
• Service disruption time (SDT) measurements
• Multichannel SDT measurements and real-time error/alarm monitoring for all ODU0 channels
• Round-trip delay (RTD) measurements
• OTU, ODU, OPU overhead manipulation and monitoring
• OTU, ODU (including ODU TCM), OPU layer alarms/errors generation and analysis
• OTU, ODU (including ODU TCM) trace messages
• Mux/demux of ODU1/ODU2 testing—generation of four ODU1 into a single ODU2 structure and transporting it over a single wavelength
• ODU multiplexing alarm-generation and analysis
• Through mode analysis
• Intrusive Through mode
• EoOTN testing using internally generated 10 GigE LAN and mapping onto OTU1e and OTU2e rates
• 10 GigE LAN mapping into OTU2 using GFP-F 

Scalable, High-Performance Testing

Next-Generation SONET/SDH Testing

Available next-generation SONET/SDH test functionalities include generic framing procedure (GFP), virtual concatenation (VCAT) and link capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS). These options are available on the FTB-8120NG/8130NG modules when installed in  the FTB-500 platform.

Ethernet Add/Drop Interface

In addition to its internal PRBS generator, each FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer module includes one 10/100/1000M Ethernet (RJ-45 interface) and one Gigabit Ethernet (SFP) interface. These interfaces can be used to interconnect with an FTB-8510B Packet Blazer Ethernet test module or an external Ethernet device (e.g., switch, router, etc.), delivering the industry’s first data-integrated next-generation SONET/SDH test solution for advanced Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH service emulation and analysis—ideal for lab or field test applications.

Multiservice QoS Testing

Next-generation SONET/SDH networks are being deployed to transport a mix of services, such as voice, video and data access services. Used in conjunction with the FTB-8510B Packet Blazer Ethernet Test Module, EXFO’s FTB-8120NG/8130NG Transport Blazer test modules allow for the generation and analysis of multiple Ethernet test streams over a GFP-enabled SONET/SDH link. Each stream’s quality-of-service setting is user-configurable (via IP TOS, Diffserv, Ethernet 802.1 priority bits), providing a means of prequalifying delivery of multiple services over their multiservice provisioning platforms (MSPPs) and corresponding next-generation SONET/SDH networks.

SmartMode: Real-time Signal Structure Discovery and Monitoring

EXFO’s FTB-8120/8130 Transport Blazer supports a unique feature called SmartMode. This provides users with full visibility of all high-order (STS/AU) and low-order (VT/TU) mixed mappings within the incoming SONET/SDH and OTN test signal.

SmartMode automatically discovers the signal structure of the OC-n/STM-n line including mixed mappings and virtual concatenation (VCAT) members. In addition to this in-depth multichannel visibility, SmartMode performs real-time monitoring of all discovered high-order paths and user selected low-order paths simultaneously, providing users with the industry’s most powerful SONET/SDH multichannel monitoring and troubleshooting solution. Real-time monitoring allows users to easily isolate network faults, saving valuable time and minimizing service disruption. SmartMode also provides one-touch test case start, allowing users to quickly configure a desired test path.

Unsurpassed Configuration and Operational Flexibility

Multiplatform Support and Versatility

EXFO’s Transport Blazer series offers four hardware configurations:

• FTB-8120 supports SONET/SDH and OTN test functions to 2.7 Gbit/s
• FTB-8130 supports SONET/SDH and OTN test functions to 11.3 Gbit/s
• FTB-8120NG supports next-generation SONET/SDH and OTN test functions to 2.7 Gbit/s
• FTB-8130NG supports next-generation SONET/SDH and OTN test functions to 11.3 Gbit/s

The FTB-8120/8120NG and FTB-8130/8130NG Transport Blazer modules share a unique architecture that allows them to be supported and interchangeable on the FTB-500 Platform and the FTB-200 Compact Platform. This cross-platform support provides users with added flexibility by enabling them to select the appropriate platform that suits their testing needs. EXFO is the first and only test solution provider to offer this versatility, delivering single to multi-application test solutions with the same hardware module, which in turn dramatically reduces capital expenditures.

Once inserted into the FTB-200, the FTB-8120/FTB-8120NG orFTB-8130/FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules deliver DSn/PDH, SONET/SDH and OTN test functions in a small, lightweight platform, ideal for field technicians’ installation and commissioning needs. When combined with the FTB-200’s optional integrated high-precision power meter, visual fault locator and fiber scope, this solution provides all the critical test tools required for day-to-day activities, eliminating the need to carry and manage multiple test sets.

Using the FTB-500 platform provides users with an all-in-one solution supporting a mix of SONET/SDH, OTN, Ethernet, Fibre Channel and optical-layer test modules, making it the industry’s first truly integrated network testing platform. This modularity enables users to upgrade their systems in the field according to their testing needs. This multitechnology test platform is the ideal solution for field, central office and lab applications.

Product Option Flexibility

The Transport Blazer series provides customers with the flexibility to purchase SONET/SDH-only configurations and upgrade to next-generation SONET/SDH and/or OTN test functions to meet evolving needs. This avoids having to perform complete hardware and/or platform retrofits, therefore significantly decreasing capital and training expenses.

In addition, with the FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules, users can purchase one or more next-generation options (e.g., GFP, VCAT, LCAS) and/or OTN options (OTU1, OTU2) to customize their configuration as new needs arise. At any point, additional next-generation options are available via simple field upgrades.

Remote Management

Through the optional Visual Guardian Lite™ management software, the FTB-8120/FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130/FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules allow users to perform remote testing and data analysis, as well as remote monitoring via standard Ethernet.

Automated Test Scripting

The FTB-8120/8120NG and FTB-8130/8130NG Transport Blazer modules come with a built-in macro recorder allowing users to easily record their test actions and automatically create test scripts. This also allows them to build standard test routines that can be easily accessed and run by field technicians with little or no manual intervention.