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EXFO Launches First Pol-Mux Optical Spectrum Analyzer for Coherent 40G/100G DWDM Systems

QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, January 23, 2014 — EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) announced today the addition of the first coherent Pol-Mux 40G/100G optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) testing capabilities, called WDM-Aware Pol-Mux, to its FTB/IQS‑5240S-P and FTB/IQS-5240BP Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs).

With more and more operators deploying 40G or 100G coherent systems on metro and long‑haul dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) networks to meet the ever-increasing demand for bandwidth, Pol-Mux OSNR and the use of a Pol-Mux OSA have become essential requirements for commissioning and troubleshooting networks. That’s because recent 40G/100G coherent systems featuring polarization multiplexing have made it impossible to carry out OSNR measurements with traditional methods like the IEC method (out-of-band) or in-band methods. In a supporting video interview, Jean-Sébastien Tassé, Product Manager, Optical Business Unit, EXFO, explains how EXFO is reaffirming its leadership innovation with the release of WDM-Aware Pol-Mux, a new OSNR method.

Key product features include:

  • An OSNR measurement of coherent channels based on ASE noise
  • Automation of OSNR measurements based on the channel turn off method, saving time and reducing risk of human errors
  • Availability on our FTB-200 and FTB-500 platforms for easy portability

In keeping with EXFO’s commitment towards scalable, long-term solutions, these new Pol-Mux capabilities are available as a software option that can be added to EXFO’s existing in-band OSAs (FTB/IQS-5240S-P and FTB/IQS-5240BP) to easily transform them into Pol-Mux OSAs.

“This approach is the first and only 100G-ready coherent Pol-Mux OSNR method available in the industry. These newly launched capabilities provide network operators with the ability to resolve some of their biggest high speed challenges, such as reducing OPEX, thereby removing the uncertainty of test results for first-time-right testing,” added Etienne Gagnon, Vice-President of EXFO’s Test and Measurement Division.

To learn more about EXFO’s FTB-5240S-P/BP Optical Spectrum Analyzers with OSNR testing capability, watch the new product video and visit our FTB-5240S-P/BP product page.

About EXFO

Listed on the NASDAQ and TSX stock exchanges, EXFO is among the leading providers of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireline and wireless network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecommunications industry. The company offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks—from the core to the edge. Key technologies supported include VDSL2, ADSL2+, 3G, 4G/LTE, IMS, Ethernet, OTN, FTTx, and various optical technologies accounting for more than 35% of the portable fiber-optic test market. EXFO has a staff of approximately 1600 people in 25 countries, supporting more than 2000 telecom customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.EXFO.com and follow us on the EXFO Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube.