Wireless fibre inspection for smart devices - 29 April 2015 - Lambda Test

Wireless fibre inspection for smart devices
29 April 2015, Test & Measurement

Exfo has added Wi-Fi connectivity to its fully automated test process, along with the flexibility and ease-of-use of Android smart devices, in an effort to make connector certification accessible to anyone, anywhere. The new solution takes the form of the FIP-435B fully automated wireless fibre inspection probe for its portfolio of portable fibre-optic test equipment.

By downloading the ConnectorMax2 mobile application from the Google Play store, smartphone or tablet users can turn their device into a fully-fledged fibre inspection solution, without any compromise on functionality or results accuracy.

Users simply connect the FIP-435B to the connector port, and the probe will automatically detect the connection, locate and centre the fibre image, adjust and optimise the focus and capture, run the pass/fail analysis as per selected standards, and even save and report the results. The whole process takes just slightly longer than cleaning a connector port, making it difficult to justify overlooking this critical step.

The probe is particularly useful in fibre-to-the-antenna (FTTA) applications. Firstly, the automation enables tower crews usually more familiar with copper or RF technology to quickly level up on fibre testing. Secondly, the LED indicator on the probe immediately gives the pass/fail verdict for the connector end-face without even having to look at the smart device screen. This allows climbers to reach the top of the towers with their smartphone in their pocket and with only the FIP-435B in hand.

The probe is self-powered via an onboard rechargeable battery that lasts for a full day in the field; this prevents the unit from draining the smartphone’s battery. Free from any wire, any cumbersome battery pack or any external Wi-Fi adaptor, the FIP-435B provides test ergonomics and freedom of operation to the end user to concentrate on the testing tasks. This new wireless series of inspection probes also include a semi-automated version – the FIP-425B – which offers the same features as the FTB-435B with the exception of the autofocus function.

Users can also benefit from smart device connectivity to sync results and reports to cloud servers from any location via e-mail or other communication means available through the mobile device. This enables contractors to integrate and comply with current workflow and processes in the case where operators have already made the switch to smart devices.

For more information contact Chris Nel, Lambda Test Equipment, +27 (0)12 349 1341, chris@lambdatest.co.za, www.lambdatest.co.za