Reducing downtime in any type of network calls for accurate measurement of optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), but ROADM and 40 Gbit/s networks present a unique challenge, as the existing OSNR measurement methods yield incorrect results. EXFO’s WDM-Aware technology is the answer to this challenge, providing reliable in-band OSNR measurement.
Choice without Compromise
The FTB-5240S and FTB-5240BP Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA) series covers your DWDM applications and all channel spacings, from 25 GHz DWDM to CWDM. This is what we call “no-compromise performance,” whatever your network specificities and testing requirements.
Nimble OSA Meets Supertech Platforms
The FTB-5240S OSA test module, housed in either the FTB-500 Platform or the FTB-200 Compact Platform, is purpose-built for fast and accurate dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) network commissioning and high-speed networking up to 40 Gbit/s.
Housing the FTB-5240S in the FTB-200 platform makes it the smallest high-performance portable solution for spectral characterization of next-generation networks on the market. When equipped with in-band OSNR measurement capabilities, this versatile OSA can also be combined with the FTB-8140 Transport Blazer 40/43 Gigabit SONET/SDH/OTN Test Module to create a unique test solution for commissioning reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs), packet optical transport platforms (POT-Ps) and 40 Gbit/s systems.
Impairment Identification for Faster Troubleshooting
Operators want to reduce their OPEX, yet WDM networks are becoming increasingly complex, with new technologies being deployed (tighter channel spacing, polarization-multiplexed signals, etc.) that increase the number of potential causes for failure. While past impairment types were relatively few and well-known (excessive loss, high dispersion, excessive ASE noise, etc.), these newly deployed technologies give rise to previously uncommon impairments, such as crosstalk and non-linear effects. As such, telecommunications companies need to find ways to identify these impairments and their impact on signal degradation.
This is now possible with EXFO’s WDM Investigator, which provides detailed information about the signal and noise for each channel. This efficient impairment identification makes it possible to pinpoint the defective component more rapidly, thus decreasing troubleshooting time and OPEX. The WDM Investigator provides information on link characteristics, such as the presence of polarization-multiplexed signals or the presence of carved noise due to filters or ROADMs. It also checks the presence of several types of impairments (crosstalk, non-linear effects, carrier leakage and PMD pulse spreading), and gives an assessment of their severity (OK, warning, risk).
Payback in Just a Few Tickets
A single unsuccessful troubleshooting ticket can cost astronomical amounts. Each truck roll costs approximately $200 to $300 per hour for the truck, equipment and technician alone. Replacing the wrong 40G transmitter card will amount to another $10 000 or more, and service-level-agreement (SLA) penalties, which can take effect as early as one hour after failure of business services, cost around $10 000 per hour, per channel. Add it all up, and a single troubleshooting ticket can cost between $20 000 and $30 000. The WDM Investigator helps avoid lengthy troubleshooting, and pays for itself in just a few tickets.
Powerful Features for Simple Network Testing
The application software of the FTB-5240S/BP OSAs has been designed to optimize all testing operations—boosting productivity.
Favorites Button
The Favorites button enables direct access to your defined configuration list—right in the field.
i-in-Band
Intelligent setup and analysis on a per-channel basis based on the bit rate, modulation scheme, as well as the network configuration experienced by the wavelength (ROADM filters, etc.).
Referencing
Deploy and commission your network from day one. Then, as maintenance, upgrades and troubleshooting occur, compare the latest measurement with the original ones. Rapidly and directly see all changes, those made on purpose and otherwise.
General and Specific
Have all of the DWDM results as well as manual specific information supplied by up to four markers directly available on a single screen. No more toggling between pages to perform full analysis.
SCPI Commands
It is now possible to control the OSA remotely with a full-featured WDM mode SCPI command set.
Print to PDF
Generate a PDF report directly from the unit, making it much quicker and easier to convert reports into an e-mail-friendly format.
Intuitive On-Graph Peak Detection Level
Clearly see and differentiate between the signal and the noise. Analyze only that which merits analysis, no more false-peak analysis or low-power peaks ignored.
Drift Measurements
You can monitor power, wavelengths and OSNR over time. Follow the evolution of these critical parameters, set relative or absolute thresholds and get alarm notifications when they are crossed. You can also visualize the current and historical status of all channels in a single interface called drift dashboard, which enables you to view the WDM trace of any acquisition that displays a change of state (i.e., when a threshold is crossed). You can also build a drift trace from historical DWDM acquisition.
Advanced EDFA Analysis
Since amplifiers are critical elements in all networks, it is crucial to ensure that they are optimized, that the gain is well-distributed and that the output power is flat. Now, you can further optimize EDFAs by measuring key parameters such as gain per channel, noise figure, gain flatness and gain slope. More importantly, you can save and print this valuable information.
Accurate Spectral Transmittance
With the advent of larger spectral content through the implementation of 40G and 100G, knowing the bandwidth of a given filter as well as the residual network bandwidth guarantees proper transmission. The Spectral Transmittance software feature compares the filtered wavelength to the nominal one, showing insertion loss, channel isolation and bandwidth at different power levels.
Laser Analysis
Make sure that your transmitters are within specifications. With the DFB Laser Analysis feature, you can characterize a DFB laser source for central wavelength, peak power, bandwidth, SMSR, and much more. Automatically characterize Fabry-Perot lasers for central wavelength, RMS width and full-width half-max (FWHM).
Faster Is Always Better
Testing speed is critical, which is why EXFO’s FTB-5240S and FTB-5240BP OSAs can complete a scan and display the results in less than one second—that’s fast enough for highly efficient network element adjustments on the go.
High-Power Option
With today’s high-power signals making their way into the DWDM space, it is critical to have an OSA that can measure these signals accurately without risking damage to your test equipment. The FTB-5240S matches this need, offering a high-power option (FTB-5240S-HPW) allowing up to +23 dBm input power per channel. The option is available with or without the i-in-band capability.
EXFO Connect
EXFO Connect pushes and stores test equipment automatically in the cloud, allowing you to streamline test operation from build-out to maintenance.
EXpert Test Tools on the FTB-200 Platform
EXpert Test Tools is a series of platform-based software testing tools that enhance the value of the FTB-200 platform, providing additional testing capabilities without the need for additional modules or units.
- EXpert VoIP generates a voice-over-IP call directly from the test platform to validate performance during service turn-up and troubleshooting.
- Supports a wide range of signaling protocols, including SIP, SCCP, H.248/Megaco and H.323
- Supports MOS and R-factor quality metrics
- Simplifies testing with configurable pass/fail thresholds and RTP metrics
- EXpert IP integrates six commonly used datacom test tools into one platform-based application to ensure field technicians are prepared for a wide range of testing needs.
- Rapidly performs debugging sequences with VLAN scan and LAN discovery
- Validates end-to-end ping and traceroute
- Verifies FTP performance and HTTP availability
- This powerful IPTV quality assessment solution enables set-top-box emulation and passive monitoring of IPTV streams, allowing quick and easy pass/fail verification of IPTV installations.
- Real-time video preview
- Analyzes up to 10 video streams
- Comprehensive QoS and QoE metrics, including MOS score