Integrated OTDR and DWDM tester

Test & Measurement

25 October 2000 Test & Measurement

Wavetek Wandel Goltermann has announced what it calls the world's highest performing portable OTDR for fibre network installation and maintenance. The MTSe combines a universal platform with a wide range of plug-in test modules for fibre test applications from 635 to 1625 nm, including dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM).

A de facto industry standard for field OTDRs, Wavetek Wandel Goltermann's existing MTS range is widely used by network operators, installers and contractors. Upgraded and enhanced, the MTSe is a faster, more flexible version and offers greater functionality than its predecessor, says WWG. With the same field-ruggedness and user-friendly interface, the new tester is also claimed to be the first to offer a single, integrated field test solution for OTDR measurements and DWDM testing.

Four times faster and four times more precise than the previous generation MTS, in OTDR mode, it acquires data at the rate of up to 10 sweep scans per second with unprecedented 128 000 data points. MTSe is particularly suitable for testing cables with high fibre counts. For fast data processing, the MTSe can be used with the new WWG WinCable PC software which automates the analysis, presentation and storage of large amounts of fibre-optic cable test data. For example, on a cable with 144 fibres, over 70% of processing time can be saved for bidirectional OTDR testing.

A wide range of OTDR plug-in test modules is available for MTSe including short-haul (SR), medium-haul (DR), long-haul (VHD), very long-haul and 1625 nm. Other modules include dense WDM, visual fault locators, optical talk sets and a range of light sources and power meters. Two modules can be plugged into the MTSe at a time and the user can quickly swap between OTDR and DWDM functions.

The DWDM module facilitates measurement of all the key parameters including wavelength/frequency, channel spacing, power and optical signal-to-noise ratio. A highly cost effective solution for DWDM network maintenance in the C-band (1525-1570 nm), the module is about 75% of the cost of an optical spectrum analyser.

MTSe features the same intuitive menu-based interface that is already familiar to MTS users. Whichever modules are installed, the interface and functionality of the instrument remain the same, reducing the need for re-training and further increasing productivity and reliability. A new Ethernet interface option makes it easy to download large files for further analysis.

The robust, compact and lightweight 3,5 kg MTSe has a hardened plastic case and protected in/out connectors to ensure reliable performance even in harsh outdoor conditions.

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Integrated OTDR and DWDM tester

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