FTBx-570: Single-Ended CD/PMD Tester | Fast & Reliable Fiber Characterization

Key features

Single-ended testing efficiency: Conduct CD/PMD tests on multiple links from a single location, minimizing truck rolls and reducing operational expenses.

Rapid and accurate: CD and PMD results in under 30 seconds.

Connectivity: Leverage cloud-hosted capabilities for job management and reporting with EXFO Exchange and ensure operational compliance across teams.

Extensive band coverage: Test O band and SCL bands.

Compact and portable: Housed in the FTB-1 V2 Pro, FTB-2 Pro and FTB-4 Pro for ultra portability.

Standards compliance: Adhere to industry standards (e.g., ITU-T G.650.3, EIA/TIA FOTP-175C, EIA/TIA FOTP-243 and IEC 61282-9).

Single-button operation: Avoid human errors and get the right results the first time.

User-friendly GUI: Benefit from a fully automated and highly intuitive interface.

Applications

Qualification up to 400G/800G and beyond

Metro, core, DCI and cellular/mobile xhaul network testing

Fully compliant fiber characterization (with OLTS and OTDR)

The need for CD/PMD testing

In high-speed networks, especially metro and edge networks, fiber characteristics like chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) can significantly impact performance. As transmission rates increase and distances extend, testing these parameters becomes critical to avoid data integrity issues and service disruptions.

CD and PMD can cause bit-error-rate (BER) to climb and with it, network unreliability. Testing these factors is crucial especially during upgrades that involve different fiber types, which may introduce varying dispersion characteristics.

Fully compliant fiber characterization

Did you know that full fiber characterization (as per ITU-T G.650.3) for links with 10 Gbit/s data rates and above requires testing CD and PMD, along with OTDR and OLTS tests?

Combine the FTBx-570 with EXFO’s OTDR (FTBx-730D) and OLTS (FTBx-945) modules for a comprehensive yet easy-to-use fiber characterization kit.

Why a fast, single-ended solution?

Cut down on CAPEX and OPEX

Traditional double-ended testing is resource-intensive, requiring two technicians and two truck rolls. With a reliable dispersion tester, it is not necessary for neither CD nor PMD measurements to be conducted from both ends of the link. Single-ended testing greatly simplifies logistics and slashes the time and resources needed by enabling one technician to complete the job in one visit. By adopting the FTBx-570’s single-ended testing, companies can reduce CAPEX and OPEX by minimizing equipment and labor costs involved in traditional double-ended approaches.

Greatly reduced test times

The FTBx-570 takes only 30 seconds per test—a new milestone for single-ended testing—and this significantly cuts down the operational time, particularly in large-scale deployments with thousands of fibers. This swift testing not only improves job efficiency but also allows for faster network rollouts and upgrades.

Compliance via full testing and connectivity

Complementing OTDR and OLTS tests, CD/PMD testing with the FTBx-570 allows full fiber characterization as per ITU-T G.650.3, ensuring that every fiber link is accurately tested and characterized for optimal performance.

Compliance is also achieved from an operational perspective through the device’s connectivity. The FTBx-570 connects to EXFO Exchange for cloud-hosted job management and reporting capabilities that ensures compliance across field teams.

Your competitive edge

The FTBx-570 is unique in providing a robust, cloud-connected, single-ended testing solution that is faster and more efficient than traditional methods. It equips field technicians with unprecedented efficiency and reliability in ensuring network performance.