New Test Station Fully Characterizes Fiber Spools in Just 30 Seconds
Two years ago in Los Angeles at OFC 2015, Photon Kinetics introduced the 2300 Fiber Analysis System, the first test system to combine fiber geometry and cut-off wavelength, two of the most common short sample fiber measurements, at a single “Short Sample Test Station”. The impact of such a system was clear, fiber manufacturers could now reduce fiber handling and preparation time by over 50%, plus both measurements could be performed in just 15 seconds, faster than ever before.
At OFC 2017, Photon Kinetics is introducing the counterpart to the Short Sample Test Station, the Full Length Test Station, which combines 6 of the most common measurements fiber manufacturers perform on full fiber spool lengths. Comprised of the industry-leading 8000 Production and Laboratory OTDR, plus the new 2880 Fiber Analysis System, the Full Length Test Station performs all OTDR tests, plus fiber length, spectral attenuation, mode field diameter, chromatic dispersion and interferometric polarization mode dispersion with just one fiber coupling operation. Similar to the Short Sample Test Station, the Full Length Station eliminates the redundant fiber handling and preparation time associated with the conventional approach of multiple, separate test systems and completes all six measurements in an unprecedented 30
seconds.
“We’re very excited about so many aspects of this new Full Length Test Station”, said Warren Hill, Vice-President, Marketing and Sales of Photon Kinetics. “We’ve combined the fastest, highest performing OTDR,with a new version of the fastest, highest performing dispersion test system and our powerful PKSL software application to create a single test station that will deliver unprecedented fiber test productivity. Not only will it
help fiber manufacturers to significantly reduce testing time and expense, but it will also be invaluable to those planning production capacity expansions.” Mr. Hill concluded, “Just as with our Short Sample Test Station, the Full Length Test Station is a comprehensive solution that addresses fiber preparation and alignment time, measurement time, as well as the time associated with test setup and results handling. It truly represents the most efficient solution available today for testing optical fibers.”