Yokogawa unveils AQ7280 Optical Time Domain Reflectometer line

Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corp. has expanded its optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) roster with the AQ7280 series. The nine models in the series cover various applications and wavelengths for test and measurement requirements in fiber-optic cable installation and maintenance. The company says it will release all nine models on September 29. The company is highlighting the new units at is booth at ECOC in Cannes, France this week. The AQ7280 succeeds the Yokogawa’s high-end AQ7275 OTDR, and can be used in the same wide array of network applications, including core, metro, and access networks. The AQ7280 features an 8.4-inch capacitive touchscreen that mimics the multi-touch functionality found in smartphones and other handheld devices. Along these lines, Yokogawa says the AQ7280 has been developed with ease of use in mind. They can be operated by operators who are not completely familiar with fiber-optic cable measurement techniques. The systems also work well in applications that require the ability to measure very long cable lengths, particularly in core networks.The nine models in the AQ7280 series include the AQ7285A, which Yokogawa asserts has an industry-leading 50-dB dynamic range suitable for long-distance measurements, and the AQ7283K, which can measure up to four different wavelengths. The company envisions that one or more of the members of the AQ7280 line will meet the requirements of communications carriers, cable installation companies, and others who need to evaluate the quality of fiber-optic cable installation and maintenance work or characterize losses and identify failure locations in fiber-optic cables. For more information on field test equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.