August 12, 2004 Richardson, TX -- Anritsu recently introduced two OTDR modules featuring a wide dynamic range and short dead zone--in what the company claims is a uniquely small form factor. The compact design of the OTDR modules make them ideal for integrating into systems for conducting maintenance on optical communications lines as well as for detecting intrusions, flooding, or other disasters that can have an adverse affect on network performance.
Two modules are available in the series: The MW9077A for 1310-nm wavelength applications and the MW9077A1 for 1550-nm wavelength. The MW9077A/A1 achieve a dynamic range of 41 dB (at 25 ° C) and 39 dB (at 55 ° C), with strong performance over the full -5 ° C to +55 ° C range. The modules have short dead zones of 2 m (typical) for Fresnel reflection and 20 m for backscattered light, plus a minimum sampling resolution of 5 cm.
The MW9077A/A1 can average multiple measurements to obtain a loss profile with little noise as well as sweep at approximately one-second intervals. This flexibility allows the OTDR modules to identify problems quickly in an optical network or to serve as a monitoring tool that tracks fiber quality changes to avoid network failures. Important MW9077A/A1 measurement capabilities include total fiber loss, interval loss between connectors, optical fiber length, splice loss, and connector loss. In addition, reflection (return loss) can be measured.
With its unusually small size of less than 40 cu. in. (200- x 130- x 25-mm), the MW9077A/A1 can easily be configured into fiber monitoring systems, say company representatives. Anritsu has designed the MW9077A/A1 with a 10M/100M Ethernet interface for achieving the fast data transfers that are needed in demanding real-time applications. An RS-232C interface is also provided. Both interfaces enable external control for setting all parameters and performing all measurements.
The MW9077A and MW9077A1 are priced starting at $9,500 with quantity discounts available.