Hollow-Core Fiber OTDR Test Kit

Key features

Hollow-core fiber unidirectional and bidirectional post-processing software.

Hollow-core fiber range up to 150 km (assuming 0.1dB/km fiber).

Support multiple fiber types (HCF and SMF), each with its own IOR, on a single OTDR trace.

Hybrid cable testing (HCF and SMF) with automated parameter adjustment.

Dynamic range up to 46 dB (based on SMF measurement).

Applications

Hollow-core fiber characterization, maintenance and troubleshooting

Ultra-low latency data transmission for financial trading networks and data center interconnects

High-capacity transmission for long-haul and high-speed signals

Built for accurate HCF validation

EXFO’s Hollow-Core Fiber OTDR Test Kit includes a high-power OTDR combined with dedicated external PC analysis software enabling users to:

Dynamically adjust the IOR for hybrid cables

Decouple the gas signal around the fiber optic signal splice

Measure actual splice loss and reflectivity

Identify problems related to the HCF-SMF transition splice

Evaluate overall cable loss and ORL

Evaluate HCF section loss and attenuation

Discover how our expertise and purpose-built solution addresses the unique testing challenges of hollow-core fiber.

EXFO at the core of HCF testing

Hollow-core fiber (HCF) carries light through air or gas instead of glass. This fundamental change speeds up the propagation of light by an incredible 40%, features an unprecedented reduction in latency and cuts distortion—all game changing for telecom networks. But because it behaves differently than standard fiber, traditional OTDRs fall short when it comes to testing.

EXFO’s HCF OTDR dynamic range is ideal for HCF characterization. Plus, our dedicated uni- and bi-directional analysis software extracts key fiber parameters such as loss, optical return loss (ORL), and length. The adapted analysis also enables splice loss and reflectivity measurements that make this a unique and essential solution for hollow-core fiber testing.  