Optical tester guards against signal attenuation: 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.

Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering has launched the IQS-3150 Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) for optical network testing and active component manufacturing applications. The VOA offers an attenuation range of 65dB and spectral uniformity (+/-0.03dB over the C-band) as well as an optional intelligent function (integrated power meter). This new IQS module can be used in an automated testing environment to simulate the loss of optical power or increased link attenuation.

It combines reliable performance, complete control of the signal level, advanced programming capabilities and user-friendliness inside a one-slot singlemode or multimode module within the IQS-500 Intelligent Test System.

The IQS-3150 VOA has been designed to meet the requirements of the most extensive manufacturing applications in which 24 x 7 operation over a period of five years or more is needed.

When equipped with the optional power meter, the instrument can be set to reach a calibrated output power level instead of a known level of attenuation.

This two-in-one option eliminates the need for an external power meter and simplifies test setups.

'Our variable optical attenuator represents a key building block in the development of a multitude of automated test stations for manufacturing, system verification or RandD applications', says Etienne Gagnon, Exfo's Vice-President of Optical and Protocol Product Management.

'A wide range of optical and protocol test modules can be combined to create high-performance test stations like those required for BER testing of transmission cards or gain and noise characterisation of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs)'.

'Combined with the integrated power meter option, this new VOA increases the flexibility and stability of such test stations'.

• 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

Optical tester guards against signal attenuation

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering has launched the IQS-3150 Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) for optical network testing and active component manufacturing applications.