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PSB/SPSB - Launch test cable/pulse suppressor box

Used in conjunction with an OTDR, the PSB/SPSB covers the OTDR's dead zone, enabling loss measurement on the first and last connections of a fiber under test.

Key features

Installation/troubleshooting/OTDR testing essential: covers the OTDR’s dead zone, enabling loss measurement on the first and last connections of a fiber under test
Increase the life of the OTDR connector by reducing the number of matings on the OTDR connector
Singlemode and multimode fiber models
Wide selection of connectors for quick connection to most OTDR and patch panel ports

Portable SPSB and stand-alone PSB: available in lengths of 150, 300, 500, 1000 and 2200 m

Applications

OTDR testing

Description

Choice of configurations

Typically, the length of an OTDR’s dead zone is equivalent to that of the optical pulse plus a few meters. The chosen launch test cable should therefore be longer than the pulse dead zone used for the tests. For instance, a 1 µs pulse is approximately 100 m long; selecting a 150 m SPSB or a 300 m PSB would therefore be appropriate.

EXFO offers three types of launch cables:

  • The stand-alone PSB comes in a rugged, compact carrying case
  • The portable SPSB comes in a soft, easy-to-carry-everywhere pouch

How it works

Link characterization is often performed using an OTDR. But even though an OTDR has the shortest dead zones, because of the way loss is measured in a link, it does not allow the characterization of the first and last connectors without using a launch test cable, also called a pulse suppressor box. Here’s why.

The loss value associated with an event is the difference between the backscattering levels measured before and after the event. To account for the OTDR’s dead zone, obtaining a backscattering level before the first connector requires inserting a certain length of fiber between the OTDR port and the first connector of the fiber under test. At the other end of the link, the same length of fiber is added after the last connector of the “receive” cable.

In order to obtain an accurate, complete picture of the system’s loss—which is a critical aspect of fiber commissioning—a launch test cable should always be used at both ends of the fiber link.

Awards and reviews

Innovation and leadership have always been front and center at EXFO. Each year, we strive to develop solutions that will ensure superior customer experience in smarter, modern networks. Being recognized as such is always a great honor. Learn more about our awards:

Resources

All resources
Brochures and catalogs
OTDR and iOLM selection guide - English (May 20, 2019)
Brochures and catalogs
OTDR and iOLM selection guide - 中文 (May 20, 2019)
Application notes
Pulse Selection vs. Dead Zone - English (May 04, 2014)
Application notes
Pulse Selection vs. Dead Zone - 中文 (May 04, 2014)
User manual
PSB and FTB-PSB for FTB-400 - English (November 15, 2015)
Application notes
Guide to Using and Selecting the Right Launch Fibers for OTDR Test Sets - English (March 18, 2014)
Application notes
Guide to Using and Selecting the Right Launch Fibers for OTDR Test Sets - 中文 (March 18, 2014)
Multimedia trainings
Getting Started with the MAX-940 Data Center and Enterprise Tier-1 Testing (MAX-940 Fiber-Certifier part 1) - English (January 11, 2017)
Reference posters
OTDR/iOLM - English (March 08, 2019)
Reference posters
OTDR/iOLM - 中文 (March 08, 2019)
Reference posters
OTDR/iOLM - Español (March 08, 2019)
Reference posters
FTTdp and G.fast - English (February 01, 2015)
Reference posters
FTTdp and G.fast - 中文 (February 01, 2015)
Spec sheet
FTB-LTC/PSB/SPSB Launch Test Cable/Pulse Suppressor Boxes - English (May 30, 2018)
Spec sheet
FTB-LTC/PSB/SPSB Launch Test Cable/Pulse Suppressor Boxes - 中文 (May 30, 2018)
Brochures and catalogs
EXFO Expert-Level Field Test Solutions - English (October 19, 2015)
Flyers and pamphlets
Beginner’s guide to OTDR testing – How to read an OTDR trace - English (November 25, 2022)
Flyers and pamphlets
Beginner’s guide to OTDR testing – How to read an OTDR trace - Français (November 25, 2022)

Support