Meter measures high-speed passive networks: News from Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering

Note: Readers of the free Electronicstalk email newsletter will have read this news when it was announced. Find out how to register for your free copy now.

New from EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering, the PPM-352B-EG passive optical network (PON) power meter is optimised for Ethernet PON (EPON) and gigabit PON (GPON) architectures. EPON and GPON are essential technologies of the future in fibre-to-the-x (FTTx) networks. Both EPON and GPON deliver more upstream and downstream bandwidth than current technologies being deployed.

However, the upstream 1.25Gbit/s burst signal transmitted by the optical network terminal (ONT) at the customer premises imposes much more stringent requirements on transmission systems such as transceivers.

The same constraints apply for test solutions.

The PPM-352B-EG PON power meter provides simultaneous measurement, display and pass/warning/fail analysis of all signal types.

It can determine the power of different signals including upstream voice and data at 1310nm, downstream voice and data at 1490nm, and downstream video at 1550nm.

As many as 10 threshold sets can be pre-defined to ensure measurements fall within acceptable ranges.

Both one-port and two-port configurations are available on the PON power meter for one-way or pass-through testing.

The second setup is highly prised by many customers since it allows full communication between the optical line terminal (OLT) and ONT during testing.

As well, an extended-range option is available for testing at the central office or anywhere before the PON splitter.

This latest model in EXFO's extensive suite of PON power meters enables field technicians to carry out service activation and troubleshooting tasks on broadband PON (BPON), EPON and GPON systems.

It is being showcased at OFC/NFOEC, Booth 1401, in Anaheim, California, until 9th March 2006.

'EXFO was first-to-market with its unique PON power meter more than 18 months ago to meet the requirements of early adopters of FTTx networks', said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO's Vice-President of Optical-Layer Testing.

'Now, we have expanded our product offering to satisfy the demands of network operators worldwide, including those confronted with upstream burst detection challenges in higher-speed GPON and EPON networks'.

'This latest product release confirms our leadership position in FTTx testing'.

• Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering: contact details and other news
• Email this news to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page

Meter measures high-speed passive networks

The PPM-352B-EG passive optical network power meter is optimised for Ethernet PON and gigabit PON architectures.