EXFO FTB-700 User Manual

FTB-700 Series

OTDR for FTB-1

User Guide

Copyright © 2006–2013 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, be it electronically, mechanically, or by any other means such as photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of EXFO Inc. (EXFO).

Information provided by EXFO is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by EXFO for its use nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent rights of EXFO.

EXFO’s Commerce And Government Entities (CAGE) code under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is 0L8C3.

The information contained in this publication is subject to change without notice.

Trademarks

EXFO’s trademarks have been identified as such. However, the presence or absence of such identification does not affect the legal status of any trademark.

Units of Measurement

Units of measurement in this publication conform to SI standards and practices.

Patents

Feature(s) of this product is/are protected by one or more of US patent 6,612,750; and Canadian patent 2,800,361 and equivalent patents pending and/or granted in other countries.

Version number: 20.0.0

ii FTB-700 Series

Contents

Certification Information ..................................................................................................... viii

1 Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR .................................................................... 1

Main Features .........................................................................................................................2

Trace Acquisition Modes .........................................................................................................2

Optional Software Packages ...................................................................................................3

Data Post-Processing ..............................................................................................................3

Bidirectional Analysis Application ...........................................................................................4

OTDR Basic Principles ..............................................................................................................5

Conventions ............................................................................................................................7

2 Safety Information ....................................................................................... 9

General Safety Information .....................................................................................................9

Other Safety Symbols on Your Unit .......................................................................................10

Laser Safety Information .......................................................................................................11

3 Getting Started with Your OTDR ............................................................... 13

Inserting and Removing Test Modules ..................................................................................13

Starting Module Applications ...............................................................................................18

Timer ....................................................................................................................................20

4 Preparing Your OTDR for a Test ................................................................. 21

Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI) .........................................................................21

Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers ...............................................................................22

Naming Trace Files Automatically .........................................................................................24

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check ..................................................................28

Setting Macrobend Parameters .............................................................................................29

5 Testing Fibers in Auto Mode ...................................................................... 31

6 Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode ............................................................. 35

Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time ...............................................................................40

Setting the IOR, RBS Coefficient, and Helix Factor ................................................................41

Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time .................................................43

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature ...................................................................................46

Enabling or Disabling Analysis After Acquisition ...................................................................48

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds ..................................................................................................50

Setting a Default Span Start and Span End ...........................................................................55

OTDR iii

Contents

7 Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional) ..............................................57

Template Principle .................................................................................................................57

Restrictions of Template Mode ..............................................................................................58

Acquiring the Reference Trace ..............................................................................................60

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode ......................................................................................62

Selecting a Reference Trace ...................................................................................................69

8 Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode ...........................................................71

Acquiring Traces in Fault Finder Mode ..................................................................................71

Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically ...............................................................................74

Selecting the Default File Format for the Fault Finder Traces .................................................76

Enabling or Disabling the Confirmation of Fault Finder File Name ........................................78

Enabling or Disabling the Storage Feature ............................................................................80

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check for Fault Finder .........................................81

Enabling or Disabling the Touchscreen Keyboard ..................................................................83

Setting Trace Display Parameters ..........................................................................................84

Selecting the Distance Units .................................................................................................86

9 Customizing Your OTDR ..............................................................................89

Selecting the Default File Format ..........................................................................................89

Enabling or Disabling File Name Confirmation .....................................................................91

Selecting the Distance Units .................................................................................................93

Customizing the Acquisition Distance Range Values .............................................................95

Customizing the Acquisition Time Values .............................................................................97

Enabling or Disabling the Touchscreen Keyboard ..................................................................99

Displaying or Hiding the Optional Features ........................................................................100

iv FTB-700 Series

Contents

10 Analyzing Traces and Events ................................................................... 101

Graph View .........................................................................................................................102

Linear View .........................................................................................................................104

Summary Table ...................................................................................................................106

Events Tab ...........................................................................................................................108

Measure Tab .......................................................................................................................112

Trace Info. Tab ....................................................................................................................112

Displaying the Graph in Full Screen ....................................................................................113

Selecting the Default View ..................................................................................................115

Automatically Displaying the Event Table after Acquisitions ...............................................117

Automatically Zooming in on the Fiber Span ......................................................................118

Using Zoom Controls ..........................................................................................................119

Setting Trace Display Parameters ........................................................................................122

Customizing the Event Table ...............................................................................................124

Displaying or Hiding a Trace ...............................................................................................126

Clearing Traces from the Display .........................................................................................128

Viewing and Modifying Current Trace Settings ...................................................................129

Modifying Events ................................................................................................................134

Inserting Events ..................................................................................................................138

Deleting Events ...................................................................................................................140

Managing Comments .........................................................................................................142

Changing the Attenuation of Fiber Sections .......................................................................144

Setting the Analysis Detection Thresholds ..........................................................................146

Analyzing or Reanalyzing a Trace ........................................................................................149

Analyzing the Fiber on a Specific Fiber Span .......................................................................151

Enabling or Disabling the Detection of Reflective Ends of Fiber ..........................................152

Swapping Traces .................................................................................................................155

Opening Trace Files .............................................................................................................156

11 Analyzing the Results Manually .............................................................. 161

Selecting the Attenuation and Loss Values that Will Be Displayed ......................................161

Using Markers .....................................................................................................................163

Getting Event Distances and Relative Powers ......................................................................164

Getting Event Loss (Four-Point and Least-Square Approximation) ......................................165

Getting Attenuation (Two-Point and Least-Square Approximation) ....................................170

Getting Reflectance ............................................................................................................172

Getting Optical Return Loss (ORL) .......................................................................................173

12 Managing Trace Files from the OTDR Test Application .......................... 175

Saving a Trace in a Different Format ...................................................................................175

OTDR Trace File Compatibility .............................................................................................176

Copying, Moving, Renaming, or Deleting Trace Files ..........................................................178

OTDR v

Contents

13 Creating and Generating Reports ............................................................179

Adding Information to the Test Results ...............................................................................179

Generating a Report ...........................................................................................................181

14 Using the OTDR as a Light Source ............................................................187

15 Analyzing Traces with the Bidirectional Analysis Application

(Optional) ..................................................................................................191

Starting and Exiting the Bidirectional Analysis Application .................................................193

Creating Bidirectional Measurement Files ...........................................................................195

Opening Existing Bidirectional Measurement Files ..............................................................199

Displaying Traces and Bidirectional Measurement ..............................................................200

Viewing Results ..................................................................................................................202

Reanalyzing Traces and Regenerating the Bidirectional Measurement ................................213

Modifying the Alignment of Unidirectional Traces ..............................................................215

Using Zoom Controls ..........................................................................................................219

Using Markers to Edit Events ..............................................................................................223

Inserting Events ..................................................................................................................225

Modifying Events ................................................................................................................229

Deleting Events ...................................................................................................................233

Changing the Attenuation of Fiber Sections .......................................................................235

Setting General Parameters ................................................................................................238

Customizing the Events Table .............................................................................................241

Saving the Span-Start and Span-End Information ...............................................................244

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds ................................................................................................245

Modifying Trace Analysis Settings .......................................................................................250

Saving Traces ......................................................................................................................255

Exporting Unidirectional Traces from Bidirectional Files ......................................................257

Adding Information to the Test Results ...............................................................................259

Creating Reports .................................................................................................................261

16 Maintenance ..............................................................................................265

Cleaning EUI Connectors ....................................................................................................265

Verifying Your OTDR ...........................................................................................................268

Recalibrating the Unit .........................................................................................................276

Recycling and Disposal (Applies to European Union Only) ..................................................277

17 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................279

Contacting the Technical Support Group ............................................................................282

Transportation ....................................................................................................................283

vi FTB-700 Series

Contents

18 Warranty ................................................................................................... 285

General Information ...........................................................................................................285

Liability ...............................................................................................................................286

Exclusions ...........................................................................................................................286

Certification ........................................................................................................................286

Service and Repairs .............................................................................................................287

EXFO Service Centers Worldwide ........................................................................................288

A Technical Specifications ........................................................................... 289

B Description of Event Types ...................................................................... 293

Span Start ..........................................................................................................................294

Span End ...........................................................................................................................294

Short Fibers .......................................................................................................................294

Continuous Fiber ...............................................................................................................295

End of Analysis ..................................................................................................................296

Non-Reflective Event ..........................................................................................................297

Reflective Event .................................................................................................................298

Positive Event .....................................................................................................................299

Launch Level ......................................................................................................................300

Fiber Section ......................................................................................................................301

Merged Event ....................................................................................................................302

Echo ..................................................................................................................................308

Reflective Event (Possible Echo) .........................................................................................309

Index .............................................................................................................. 311

OTDR vii

Certification Information

North America Regulatory Statement

This unit was certified by an agency approved in both Canada and the United States of America. It has been evaluated according to applicable North American approved standards for product safety for use in Canada and the United States.

Electronic test and measurement equipment is exempt from FCC part 15, subpart B compliance in the United States of America and from ICES-003 compliance in Canada. However, EXFO Inc. makes reasonable efforts to ensure compliance to the applicable standards.

The limits set by these standards are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the user guide, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

Modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

European Community Declaration of Conformity

An electronic version of the declaration of conformity for your product is available on our website at www.exfo.com. Refer to the product’s page on the Web site for details.

viii FTB-700 Series

1 Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

OTDR port (singlemode)

OTDR port (singlemode live and On-line power meter)

Active LED

FTB-720 / FTB-720G / FTB-720G+

FTB-730 / FTB-730G / FTB-730G+

OTDR port (singlemode)

OTDR port (multimode)

Active LED

OTDR port (singlemode live)

The FTB-700 OTDR allows you to characterize a fiber-optic span, usually optical fiber sections joined by splices and connectors. The optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) provides an inside view of the fiber, and can calculate fiber length, attenuation, breaks, total return loss, and splice, connector and total losses.

OTDR 1

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Main Features

The OTDR:

 Offers impressive dynamic range with short dead zones

 Performs quick acquisitions with low noise levels to enable accurate

low-loss splice location.

 Acquires OTDR traces made of up to 256 000 points that provide a

sampling resolution as fine as 4 cm.

 Includes a light source.

Trace Acquisition Modes

The OTDR application provides the following trace acquisition modes:

 Auto: Automatically calculates fiber length, sets acquisition

parameters, acquires traces, and displays event tables and acquired traces.

 Advanced: Offers all the tools needed to perform integral OTDR tests

and measurements and gives you control over all test parameters.

 Template (optional): Tests fibers and compares the results to a

reference trace that was previously acquired and analyzed. This allows you to save time when testing a large number of fibers. Reference trace documentation is also automatically copied to new acquisitions.

 Fault Finder: Rapidly locates fiber ends and displays the length of the

fiber under test. This allows you to perform quick tests without having to set all the acquisition parameters.

2 FTB-700 Series

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Optional Software Packages

There are two optional software packages offered with the application.

With the optional Auto Diagnostic (AD) software package you can:

 Have access to the “linear view”, which displays the events

sequentially, from left to right.

 Find macrobends and view the related information.

 View the summary table, which gives, for each wavelength, the global

status of the results, the span loss and span ORL values.

 Test in Fault Finder mode, to rapidly locate fiber ends.

With the optional Event Characterization (EC) software package you can:

 Have access to the OTDR Bidirectional application and perform a

bidirectional analysis on two unidirectional OTDR traces.

 Test in Template Mode, test fibers and compare the results to a

reference trace.

Data Post-Processing

You can install the FastReporter application (available on the DVD that came with your product) on a computer to view and analyze traces without having to use the FTB-1 and an OTDR. You can also access more features such as:

 customized printout

 batch printing

 conversion of traces to many formats such as Telcordia or ASCII

OTDR 3

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Bidirectional Analysis Application

Note: This function is available with the optional Event Characterization (EC)

software package only.

You can improve the accuracy of your loss measurements with the bidirectional analysis application (available with OTSView). This utility uses OTDR acquisitions from both ends of a fiber span (singlemode traces only) to average loss results for each event.

4 FTB-700 Series

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Distance

c n

---

=

OTDR Basic Principles

An OTDR sends short pulses of light into a fiber. Light scattering occurs in the fiber due to discontinuities such as connectors, splices, bends, and faults. An OTDR then detects and analyzes the backscattered signals. The signal strength is measured for specific intervals of time and is used to characterize events.

The OTDR calculates distances as follows:

where

c = speed of light in a vacuum (2.998 x 10

t = time delay from the launch of the pulse to the reception of the

pulse

n = index of refraction of the fiber under test (as specified by the

manufacturer)

m/s)

OTDR 5

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Microprocessor

Pulse generator

Avalanche

photodetector (APD)

Display

Reflections come back to the OTDR

Set of

instructions

Light pulses

Analog-to-digital

converter (A/D)

Returned signal

Analyzed signal

Laser diode

Optical coupler

OTDR

port

Fiber

OTDR Basic Principles

An OTDR uses the effects of Rayleigh scattering and Fresnel reflection to measure the fiber’s condition, but the Fresnel reflection is tens of thousands of times greater in power level than the backscatter.

 Rayleigh scattering occurs when a pulse travels down the fiber and

small variations in the material, such as variations and discontinuities in the index of refraction, cause light to be scattered in all directions. However, the phenomenon of small amounts of light being reflected directly back toward the transmitter is called backscattering.

 Fresnel reflections occur when the light traveling down the fiber

encounters abrupt changes in material density that may occur at connections or breaks where an air gap exists. A very large quantity of light is reflected, as compared with the Rayleigh scattering. The strength of the reflection depends on the degree of change in the index of refraction.

When the full trace is displayed, each point represents an average of many sampling points. You will have to zoom to see each point.

6 FTB-700 Series

Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Conventions

Before using the product described in this guide, you should understand the following conventions:

WARNING

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. Do not proceed unless you understand and meet the required conditions.

CAUTION

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. Do not proceed unless you understand and meet the required conditions.

CAUTION

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in component damage. Do not proceed unless you understand and meet the required conditions.

Conventions

IMPORTANT

Refers to information about this product you should not overlook.

OTDR 7

2 Safety Information

General Safety Information

WARNING

Do not install or terminate fibers while a light source is active. Never look directly into a live fiber and ensure that your eyes are protected at all times.

WARNING

The use of controls, adjustments and procedures other than those specified herein may result in exposure to hazardous situations or impair the protection provided by this unit.

IMPORTANT

When you see the following symbol on your unit , make sure that you refer to the instructions provided in your user documentation. Ensure that you understand and meet the required conditions before using your product.

IMPORTANT

Other safety instructions relevant for your product are located throughout this documentation, depending on the action to perform. Make sure to read them carefully when they apply to your situation.

OTDR 9

Safety Information

Other Safety Symbols on Your Unit

One or more of the following symbols may also appear on your unit.

Symbol Meaning

Direct current

Alternating current

Both direct and alternating current

The unit is equipped with an earth (ground) terminal.

The unit is equipped with a protective conductor terminal.

The unit is equipped with a frame or chassis terminal.

On (Power)

Off (Power)

10 FTB-700 Series

Safety Information

Affixed to module’s side panel

Laser Safety Information

Your instrument is a Class 1M laser product in compliance with standards IEC 60825-1: 2007 and 21 CFR 1040.10, except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007. Invisible laser radiation may be encountered at the output port.

WARNING

Viewing the laser output with certain optical instrument (for example, eye loupes, magnifiers, and microscopes) within a distance of 100 mm may pose an eye hazard.

The following label(s) indicate that the product contains a Class 1M source:

For more information on product safety and equipment ratings, refer to the user documentation of your platform.

OTDR 11

3 Getting Started with Your

OTDR

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

CAUTION

Never insert or remove a module while the FTB-1 is turned on. This will result in immediate and irreparable damage to both the module and unit.

CAUTION

To avoid damaging your unit, use it only with modules approved by EXFO.

To insert a module into the FTB-1:

1. Turn off your unit (Shutdown).

2. Position the unit so that its front panel rests on a flat surface such as a

table.

OTDR 13

Getting Started with Your OTDR

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

Place the module on the platform making sure that the bumpers and the shorter sides of the module are flush with those of the platform. If necessary, slightly move the module until alignment is correct.

14 FTB-700 Series

Getting Started with Your OTDR

Turn screws

clockwise

Back panel

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

3. Using a flat screwdriver, turn the screws (4) clockwise until they are tightened.

This will secure the module into its “seated” position.

When you turn on the unit, the startup sequence will automatically detect the module.

OTDR 15

Getting Started with Your OTDR

Turn screws

counterclockwise

Back panel

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

To remove a module from the FTB-1:

1. Turn off your unit (Shutdown).

2. Position the unit so that its front panel rests on a flat surface such as a

table.

3. Using a flat screwdriver, turn the screws (4) counterclockwise until they are loose. Since they are captive screws, you cannot remove them completely.

16 FTB-700 Series

Getting Started with Your OTDR

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

4. Hold the module by its sides (NOT by the connectors) and pull it up.

CAUTION

Pulling a module by its connectors could seriously damage both the module and connector. Always pull a module by its casing.

OTDR 17

Starting Module Applications

Your modules can be configured and controlled from their dedicated applications in Mini ToolBox.

To start a module application:

From Mini ToolBox, at the bottom of the window, press the button corresponding to the desired application.

18 FTB-700 Series

Starting Module Applications

For the FTB-700G Series, from Mini ToolBox, select the OTDR module, then press the button corresponding to the desired application. Only one application can run at a time, either NetBlazer or one OTDR application.

Note: To start the NetBlazer application, refer either to the Transport Application

user guide or to the Ethernet/Packet Sync/FC/Wireless user guide for more information.

OTDR 19

Timer

Data

display

Function

Ta bs

Button bar

To start the Power Meter or Probe application:

From Main Menu, press Power Meter or Probe.

The main window (shown below) contains all the commands required to control the OTDR:

Note: Due to screen resolution, the appearance of your OTDR application may

vary slightly from the illustrations presented in this user guide.

Timer

Once the acquisition has begun, a timer is displayed on the right-hand side of the screen, indicating the remaining time until the next acquisition.

20 FTB-700 Series

4 Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Bare metal

(or blue border)

indicates UPC

option

Green border indicates APC

option

2 3 4

Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI)

The EUI fixed baseplate is available for connectors with angled (APC) or non-angled (UPC) polishing. A green border around the baseplate indicates that it is for APC-type connectors.

To install an EUI connector adapter onto the EUI baseplate:

1. Hold the EUI connector adapter so the dust cap opens downwards.

2. Close the dust cap in order to hold the connector adapter more firmly.

3. Insert the connector adapter into the baseplate.

4. While pushing firmly, turn the connector adapter clockwise on the

baseplate to lock it in place.

OTDR 21

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers

To ensure maximum power and to avoid erroneous readings:

 Always inspect fiber ends and make sure that they are clean as

explained below before inserting them into the port. EXFO is not responsible for damage or errors caused by bad fiber cleaning or handling.

 Ensure that your patchcord has appropriate connectors. Joining

mismatched connectors will damage the ferrules.

To connect the fiber-optic cable to the port:

1. Inspect the fiber using a fiber inspection microscope. If the fiber is

clean, proceed to connecting it to the port. If the fiber is dirty, clean it as explained below.

2. Clean the fiber ends as follows:

IMPORTANT

2a. Gently wipe the fiber end with a lint-free swab dipped in isopropyl

alcohol.

2b. Use compressed air to dry completely.

2c. Visually inspect the fiber end to ensure its cleanliness.

22 FTB-700 Series

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers

3. Carefully align the connector and port to prevent the fiber end from touching the outside of the port or rubbing against other surfaces.

If your connector features a key, ensure that it is fully fitted into the port’s corresponding notch.

4. Push the connector in so that the fiber-optic cable is firmly in place, thus ensuring adequate contact.

If your connector features a screwsleeve, tighten the connector enough to firmly maintain the fiber in place. Do not overtighten, as this will damage the fiber and the port.

Note: If your fiber-optic cable is not properly aligned and/or connected, you will

notice heavy loss and reflection.

EXFO uses good quality connectors in compliance with EIA-455-21A standards.

To keep connectors clean and in good condition, EXFO strongly recommends inspecting them with a fiber inspection probe before connecting them. Failure to do so will result in permanent damage to the connectors and degradation in measurements.

OTDR 23

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Naming Trace Files Automatically

Each time you start an acquisition, the application suggests a file name based on autonaming settings. This file name appears on the upper part of the graph and the linear view.

The file name is made of a static part (alphanumeric) and a variable part (numeric) that will be incremented or decremented, according to your selection, as follows:

If you choose incrementation... If you choose decrementation...

Variable part increases until it reaches the highest possible value with the selected number of digits (for example, 99 for 2 digits), then restarts at 0.

After saving a result, the unit prepares the next file name by incrementing (or decrementing) the suffix.

Note: If you choose not to save a particular trace file, the suggested file name will

remain available for the next trace you acquire.

This function is particularly useful when working in Template mode or when testing multiple-fiber cables.

If you deactivate the automatic file naming function, the application will prompt you to specify a file name. The default file name is Unnamed.trc.

By default, traces are saved in native (.trc) format, but you can configure your unit to save them in Bellcore (.sor) format (see Selecting the Default File Format on page 89).

Variable part decreases until it reaches 0, then restarts at the highest possible value with the selected number of digits (for example, 99 for 2 digits).

24 FTB-700 Series

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Naming Trace Files Automatically

Note: If you select the Bellcore (.sor) format, the unit will create one file per

wavelength (for example, TRACE001_1310.sor and TRACE001_1550.sor, if you included both 1310 nm and 1550 nm in your test). The native format contains all wavelengths in a single file.

To configure the automatic file naming:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

2. Select the Acquisition tab.

3. Press Default Trace Information.

OTDR 25

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Number of digits composing the variable part

Value at which the autonumbering sequence starts

The variable part will

increase or decrease

depending on your

choice

Naming Trace Files Automatically

4. Fill out the required information in the corresponding boxes and select the direction for your trace files.

5. Press the button appearing next to the Fiber ID box to change the contents of the fiber identification.

6. Change the criteria as needed, then press OK to confirm your new settings and return to the Default Trace Information window.

26 FTB-700 Series

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

This preview is

updated

automatically as you

make your selections

Items that can be

included in the file

name

To select the separator in the automatic numbering section

To add personalized information not included in the filename criteria

To modify the order of appearance of the selected components in the file name

Naming Trace Files Automatically

7. Press File Autonaming to set up the trace file name options.

8. In the File Name window, select the desired components to include in

the file name. You can change the order of apparition with the up and down arrow buttons.

OTDR 27

9. Press OK to confirm your new settings.

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check

Note: This function is available in all OTDR modes. However, the first connector

check parameter used in Fault Finder mode is independent from the one used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

The first connector check feature is used to verify that the fibers are properly connected to the OTDR. It verifies the injection level and displays a message when an unusually high loss occurs at the first connection, which could indicate that no fiber is connected to the OTDR port. By default, this feature is not enabled.

Note: The first connector check is only performed when you test at singlemode

wavelengths.

To enable or disable the first connector check:

1. From the Main Menu, press OTDR Setup then press the General tab.

2. To enable the first connector check, select the First connector check

box.

To disable it, clear the box.

28 FTB-700 Series

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Setting Macrobend Parameters

Note: This function is available with the Auto Diagnostic (AD) optional software

package only.

Note: This function is available both in Advanced and Auto modes.

Your unit can locate macrobends by comparing the loss values measured at a certain location, for a certain wavelength (for example, 1310 nm) with the loss values measured at the corresponding location, but for a greater wavelength (for example, 1550 nm).

The unit will identify a macrobend when comparing two loss values if:

 Of the two loss values, the greater loss occurred at the greater

wavelength.

AND

 The difference between the two loss values exceeds the defined delta

loss value. The default delta loss value is 0.5 dB (which is suitable for most fibers), but you can modify it.

You can also disable macrobend detection.

Note: Macrobend detection is only possible with singlemode wavelengths.

Filtered wavelengths or wavelengths of dedicated OTDR ports are not available for macrobend detection.

For information on how the information about macrobends is available after an acquisition, see Linear View on page 104 and Summary Table on page 106.

OTDR 29

Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Setting Macrobend Parameters

To set macrobend parameters:

1. From the Main Menu, press OTDR Setup then select the General tab.

2. To enable the macrobend detection, select the Show macrobend

check box.

To disable it, clear the check box.

3. If necessary, set the delta value as follows:

3a. From the Wavelengths list, select the pair of wavelengths for

which you want to define the delta value.

Only the combinations of wavelengths your module can support will be available.

For more significant results, EXFO recommends to always select the combination of wavelengths including the smallest possible wavelength and the greatest wavelength (for example, if your module supports 1310 nm, 1550 nm, and 1625 nm, you would select the 1310 nm/1625 nm combination).

3b. In the Delta (loss) box, enter the desired value.

3c. Repeat steps 3a and 3b for all combinations of wavelengths.

To revert to default settings:

1. Press Default.

2. When the application prompts you, answer Yes if you want to apply the

settings to all combinations of wavelengths.

30 FTB-700 Series

5 Testing Fibers in Auto Mode

Auto mode automatically evaluates fiber length, sets acquisition parameters, acquires traces, and displays event tables and acquired traces.

In Auto mode, you can set the following parameters directly:

 Test w a ve lengt h s ( all selected by default)

 Fiber type (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode) for models

supporting these fiber types

 Autorange acquisition time

 IOR (group index), RBS coefficient and helix factor

For all other parameters, the application uses those defined in Advanced mode, except that analysis is always performed after acquisitions.

If you ever need to modify other parameters, go to Advanced mode (see

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode on page 35 and Preparing Your OTDR for a Test on page 21).

In Auto mode, the application will automatically evaluate the best settings according to the fiber link currently connected to the unit (in less than 5 seconds). If you interrupt it, no data will be displayed.

Fiber characteristics are evaluated only once per session. Other fibers you connect to, within the same cable, will be tested with the same settings. When you start testing another link, you can reset these parameters.

Once this evaluation is complete, the application starts acquiring the trace. The trace display is continually updated.

Note: You can interrupt the acquisition at any time. The application will display

the information acquired to that point.

OTDR 31

Testing Fibers in Auto Mode

Event

pane

Tra ce

display

Once the acquisition is complete or interrupted, the analysis starts for acquisitions of 5 seconds or more.

After analysis, the trace is displayed and events appear in the events table.

The application will also display status messages if you have selected to display pass/fail messages (see Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds on page 50).

You can save the trace after analysis. If former results have not been saved yet, the application prompts you to save them before starting a new acquisition.

32 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Auto Mode

To acquire traces in Auto mode:

1. Clean the connectors properly.

2. Connect a fiber to the OTDR port.

If your unit is equipped with two OTDR ports, ensure that you connect the fiber to the appropriate port (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode), depending on the wavelength you intend to use.

CAUTION

Never connect a live fiber to the OTDR port without a proper setup. Any incoming optical power ranging from –65 dBm to –40 dBm will affect the OTDR acquisition. The way the acquisition will be affected depends on the selected pulse width. Any incoming signal greater than 10 dBm could damage your OTDR permanently. For live-fiber testing, refer to the SM Live port specifications for the characteristics of the built-in filter.

3. Set the autorange acquisition time (see Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time on page 40).

4. Go to the OTDR tab.

5. If your OTDR supports singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode

wavelengths, under Wavelengths, from the list, select the desired fiber type (for live-fiber testing, select SM Live; for C fiber, select 50 μm and for D fiber, select 62.5 μm).

OTDR 33

Testing Fibers in Auto Mode

6. Select the boxes corresponding to the desired test wavelengths. You must select at least one wavelength.

7. If you want to clear the settings the OTDR has determined to start with a new set of OTDR settings, press Reset.

8. Press Start or from the keypad.

If the first connector check feature is enabled, a message will appear if there is a problem with the injection level (see Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check on page 28).

9. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing Quick Save in the button bar.

The application will use a file name based on the autonaming parameters you defined (see Naming Trace Files Automatically on page 24). This file name appears at the top of the graph and at the top of the linear view table.

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file. From this dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

9a. If necessary, change the folder to which the file will be saved by

pressing the Location button.

9b. If necessary, specify a file name.

IMPORTANT

If you specify the name of an existing trace, the original file will be overwritten and only the new file will be available.

10. Press OK to confirm.

34 FTB-700 Series

6 Testing Fibers in Advanced

Mode

Advanced mode offers all the tools you need to perform complete OTDR tests and measurements manually and gives you control over all test parameters.

Note: Most parameters can only be set if you select Advanced mode first. Once

you have finished selecting your settings, you can simply return to the test mode you prefer.

By default, in Advanced mode, all available test wavelengths are selected.

In this mode, you can either set the acquisition parameters yourself or let the application determine the most appropriate values.

In the latter case, the application will automatically evaluate the best settings according to the fiber link currently connected to the unit:

 The pulse width will be determined using a factory-defined

signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) requirement specified where the End-of-Fiber (EoF) event has been detected.

The EoF event detection algorithm uses the end-of-fiber threshold defined in the tab of the application setup. If you are not sure about which value to choose, revert to the factory default value for this parameter.

 The range will then be set automatically. This optimum value may

differ from the values currently associated with the Distance dial of the main window. In this case, the application will “add” the required value and mark it with a * symbol.

 The application uses the acquisition time defined in the Acquisition

tab of the OTDR setup (for more information, see Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time on page 40). The default value is 15 seconds. Longer

acquisitions give better OTDR results.

OTDR 35

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Event

pane

Tra ce

display

Although the application sets the acquisition parameters, you can modify these values as needed, even while the acquisition is in progress. The OTDR simply restarts the averaging each time a modification is made.

Note: You can interrupt the acquisition at any time. The application will display

the information acquired to that point.

Once the acquisition is complete or interrupted, the analysis starts for acquisitions of 5 seconds or more.

After analysis, the trace is displayed. Events appear both in the events table and in the linear view (if you purchased the optional software package).

The application will also display pass/fail messages if you have selected this feature. For more information, see Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds on page 50.

You can save the trace after analysis. If former results have not been saved yet, the application prompts you to save them before starting a new acquisition.

36 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

To acquire traces:

1. Clean the connectors properly (see Cleaning and Connecting Optical

Fibers on page 22).

2. Connect a fiber to the OTDR port.

If your unit is equipped with two OTDR ports, ensure that you connect the fiber to the appropriate port (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode), depending on the wavelength you intend to use.

CAUTION

3. If you want the application to provide automatic acquisition values, set the autorange acquisition time (see Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time on page 40).

4. If you want to set your own IOR (group index), RBS coefficient or helix factor, see Setting the IOR, RBS Coefficient, and Helix Factor on page 41.

5. Go to the OTDR tab.

6. If you want to test in high resolution, simply select the feature (see

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature on page 46).

OTDR 37

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

7. If your OTDR supports singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode wavelengths, under Wavelengths, from the list, select the desired fiber type (for live-fiber testing, select SM Live; for C fiber, select 50 μm and for D fiber, select 62.5 μm).

8. Select the boxes corresponding to the desired test wavelengths. You must select at least one wavelength.

9. Select the desired distance, pulse, and time values. For more information, see Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time on page 43.

10. Press Start or from the keypad. If the first connector check feature is enabled, a message will appear if there is a problem with the injection level (see Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check on page 28).

You can modify the acquisition parameters as needed, while the acquisition is in progress. The OTDR simply restarts the averaging each time a modification is made.

38 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

11. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing Quick Save in the button bar.

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file. From this dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

11a.If necessary, change the folder to which the file will be saved by

pressing the Location button.

11b.If necessary, specify a file name.

IMPORTANT

If you enter the name of an existing trace, the original file will be replaced with the new file.

12. Press OK to confirm.

OTDR 39

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time

Note: This function is available both in Advanced and Auto modes.

When performing automatic acquisitions in Advanced mode (see Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode on page 35) or before activating Auto mode (see Testing Fibers in Auto Mode on page 31), you can set an autorange

acquisition time for the OTDR to average acquisitions over a set time period.

The application uses this value to determine the best settings for the test.

Note: In Template mode, the acquisition time of the reference trace is used for all

trace acquisitions, not the autorange acquisition time.

To set the autorange acquisition time:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup then go to the Acquisition tab.

2. Go to the Autorange acquisition time box and press the up or down

arrow to select your preference. The default value is 30 seconds.

3. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the OTDR application.

40 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting the IOR, RBS Coefficient, and Helix Factor

Note: This function is available both in Advanced and Auto modes.

You s ho u ld s et t he I O R ( g rou p in dex ) , RBS coefficient and helix factor before performing tests in order to apply them to all newly acquired traces. However, if you are in Advanced mode, you can also set them at a later time in the Trace Info. tab to reanalyze a specific trace.

 The index of refraction (IOR) value (also known as group index) is

used to convert time-of-flight to distance. Having the proper IOR is crucial for all OTDR measurements associated with distance (event position, attenuation, section length, total length, etc.). IOR is provided by the cable or fiber manufacturer.

The test application determines a default value for each wavelength. You can set the IOR value for each available wavelength. You should verify this information before each test.

 The Rayleigh backscatter (RBS) coefficient represents the amount of

backscatter in a particular fiber. The RBS coefficient is used in the calculation of event loss and reflectance, and it can usually be obtained from the cable manufacturer.

The test application determines a default value for each wavelength. You can set the RBS coefficient for each available wavelength.

 The helix factor takes into consideration the difference between the

length of the cable and the length of the fiber inside the cable. Fibers within a cable are spiraling around the cable core. The helix factor describes the pitch of that spiral.

By setting the helix factor, the length of the OTDR distance axis is always equivalent to the physical length of the cable (not the fiber).

OTDR 41

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Wavelength for which

RBS and IOR will be

defined

Index of refraction

Rayleigh backscatter

coefficient

Setting the IOR, RBS Coefficient, and Helix Factor

To set the IOR, RBS, and helix factor parameters:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

2. From the OTDR Setup window, go to the Acquisition tab.

3. Use the up or down arrow located on the side of the wavelength box to

select the desired wavelength.

IMPORTANT

Change the default RBS coefficient only if you have values provided by the fiber manufacturer. If you set this parameter incorrectly, your reflectance measurements will be inaccurate.

4. Select the default settings by pressing Default. When the application prompts you, answer Yes only if you want to apply the new settings to all wavelengths.

Enter your own values in the boxes, for each available wavelength.

Note: You cannot define a different helix factor for each wavelength. This value

takes into account the difference between the length of the cable and the length of the fiber inside the cable; it does not vary with wavelengths.

42 FTB-700 Series

5. Press Exit OTDR Setup.

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time

The distance range, pulse width and acquisition time are set with the controls in the Advanced main window.

 Distance: corresponds to the distance range of the fiber span to be

tested according to the selected measurement units (see Selecting the Distance Units on page 93).

Changing the distance range alters the available settings of the pulse width and leaves only the settings available for the specified range. You can select either Auto or one of the predefined values.

You can customize the available distance range values (see Customizing the Acquisition Distance Range Values on page 95). If you select Auto, the application will evaluate the fiber length and set the acquisition parameters accordingly.

 Pulse: corresponds to the pulse width for the test. A longer pulse

allows you to probe further along the fiber, but results in less resolution. A shorter pulse width provides higher resolution, but less distance range. The available distance ranges and pulse widths depend on your OTDR model.

Note: Not all pulse widths are compatible with all distance ranges.

You can select either Auto or one of the predefined values. If you select Auto, the application will evaluate the fiber type and length and set the acquisition parameters accordingly.

OTDR 43

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time

 Time: corresponds to the acquisition duration (period during which

results will be averaged). Generally, longer acquisition times generate cleaner traces (this is especially true with long-distance traces) because as the acquisition time increases, more of the noise is averaged out. This averaging increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the OTDR’s ability to detect small events.

The time settings will also determine how the timer (displayed in the toolbar) counts time during testing (see Timer on page 39).

If the predefined values do not suit your needs, you can customize one or all of them. For more information, see Customizing the Acquisition Time Values on page 97.

In addition to the displayed values, the following time modes are available:

 Real: used to immediately view changes in the fiber under test. In

this mode, the SNR of the trace is lower and the trace is refreshed instead of averaged until you press Stop.

You can alternate between real mode and averaging time interval mode while an acquisition is in progress.

Note: The Real item will be available if only one wavelength is selected.

 Auto: the application will use the autorange acquisition time that

you have previously defined (see Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time on page 40). It will also evaluate the fiber type and length and

set the acquisition parameters accordingly.

You can use the same distance range, pulse width and acquisition time parameters for testing at all wavelengths on a multiwavelength OTDR.

IMPORTANT

To test using the high-resolution feature, the acquisition time must be of at least 15 seconds.

44 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Parameter-setting dials

Selection marker

Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time

To set the parameters:

From the OTDR tab:

 Press the dial corresponding to the parameter you wish to set (the

selection marker will move clockwise).

 Press directly the value to select it. The selection marker will go to that

value immediately.

If you want the application to provide automatic acquisition values, move at least one dial to the Auto position. The other dials are automatically set accordingly.

Note: If your OTDR supports singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode

wavelengths, settings would be applied to either singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode wavelengths, depending on the selected fiber type (same settings for 50 μm and 62.5 μm).

OTDR 45

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature

To use the same pulse and acquisition time for all wavelengths:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup, then go to the Acquisition

tab.

2. Select the Apply settings to all wavelengths box.

The modifications you make to pulse, time, and range settings will now be applied to all wavelengths.

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature

You can select the high-resolution feature to obtain more data points per acquisition. This way, the data points will be closer to each other, which will result in a greater distance resolution for the trace.

Note: When you test with the high-resolution feature, you should use a longer

averaging time to maintain a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that will be equivalent to the one you would have got with the standard resolution.

Note: You can use high resolution with any test mode (except when you monitor

fiber in real time), but you must be in Advanced mode to select it. In Template mode, you will have to acquire the reference trace using high resolution. This way, all subsequent acquisitions will use this feature automatically.

IMPORTANT

To test using the high-resolution feature, the acquisition time must be of at least 15 seconds.

46 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature

To enable the high-resolution feature:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

2. Go to the Acquisition tab.

3. Select the High-resolution acquisition box.

Note: If your OTDR supports singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode

wavelengths, the high-resolution feature will be activated either for the singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode wavelengths, depending on the selected fiber type.

4. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the main window.

OTDR 47

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Enabling or Disabling Analysis After Acquisition

The OTDR trace acquisition procedure will be completed by the analysis. You can either choose to automatically analyze each trace immediately after the acquisition, or perform the analysis whenever it suits you best.

When the analysis process is disabled, the Event table of a newly acquired trace will be empty.

You can also set a default fiber span, which will be applied during the analysis of all traces to display test results. For details, see Setting a Default Span Start and Span End on page 55.

Note: In Auto mode, the application always performs an analysis after the

acquisition.

48 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Enabling or Disabling Analysis After Acquisition

To enable or disable the analysis after trace acquisition:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

2. Go to the Analysis tab.

3. If you want the OTDR to automatically analyze an acquired trace,

select the Automatically analyze data after acquisition box.

If you clear the check box, the trace will be acquired without being analyzed.

Note: By default, traces are automatically analyzed as they are acquired.

4. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the main window.

OTDR 49

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

You can activate and set Pass/Fail threshold parameters for your tests.

You can set thresholds for splice loss, connector loss, reflectance, fiber section attenuation, span loss, span length, and span ORL. You can apply the same pass/fail thresholds to all test wavelengths or apply them separately to each one.

You can set different pass/fail thresholds for each available test wavelength. These pass/fail thresholds will be applied to the analysis results of all newly acquired traces with the corresponding wavelength.

By default, the application provides threshold values for the following wavelengths: 1310 nm, 1383 nm, 1390 nm, 1410 nm, 1490 nm, 1550 nm, 1625 nm, and 1650 nm. However, if you work with files containing other wavelengths, the application will automatically add these custom wavelengths to the list of available wavelengths. You will then be able to define thresholds for these new wavelengths. You can revert all thresholds to their default values, except if they are associated with custom wavelengths.

The loss, reflectance and attenuation thresholds that you set are applied to all events where such values can be measured. Setting these thresholds allows you either to ignore events with known lower values, or to ensure that all events are detected—even the ones for which very small values are measured.

50 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

The following table provides the default, minimum and maximum thresholds.

Test Default Minimum Maximum

Splice loss (dB) 1.000 0.015 5.000

Connector loss (dB) 1.000 0.015 5.000

Fiber section attenuation (dB/km) 0.400 0.000 5.000

Once the thresholds are set, the application will be able to perform Pass/Fail tests to determine the status of the various events (pass or fail).

The Pass/Fail test is performed on two occasions:

 when analyzing or reanalyzing a trace

 when you open a trace file

Values that are greater than the predefined thresholds are displayed in white on a red background in the events table.

The Pass/Fail threshold LED, located on the front of the unit, will also indicate the status (green for pass, red for fail).

You can also set the application to display pass/fail messages when the Pass/Fail test is performed.

OTDR 51

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Threshold to set

Value associated with the threshold to set

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

To set pass/fail thresholds:

1. From the button bar, select OTDR Setup, then select the Event Table

tab.

2. From the Wave l e n gth list, select the wavelength for which you want to set thresholds.

3. Select the boxes corresponding to the thresholds that you want to use, and enter the desired values in the appropriate fields.

Note: If you no longer want the application to take into account a particular

threshold, simply clear the corresponding box.

4. If you want the application to display messages when events fail the test, select Display Pass/Fail message.

52 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

5. If you want to apply the thresholds you have just defined to one or several other wavelengths, proceed as follows:

5a. Press the Copy to Other Wavelengths button.

5b. Select the boxes corresponding to the wavelengths for which you

want to use the same thresholds.

Note: You can use the Select All button to quickly select all boxes at the same

time.

5c. Press OK to confirm you selection.

6. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the main window.

OTDR 53

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

To revert to default threshold values and to delete custom wavelengths:

1. From the button bar, select OTDR Setup, then select the Event Table

tab.

2. Press the Revert to Factory Settings button.

3. When the application prompts you, confirm the modification with Yes .

All threshold values of all wavelengths are returned to their default values, except for thresholds that are associated with custom wavelengths.

When you revert thresholds to their default values, custom wavelengths will be deleted from the list of available wavelengths, except if a file using at least one of these wavelengths is still open.

IMPORTANT

54 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting a Default Span Start and Span End

By default, the span start and span end of a fiber are assigned, respectively, to the first event (the launch level event) and the last event (often a non-reflective or reflective end event) of a trace.

You can change the default fiber span that will be applied during the initial trace analysis.

You can set the span start and span end on a particular event or at a certain distance value from the beginning or end of the trace. You can even define a fiber span for short fibers by placing the span start and the span end on the same event.

 By default, the number of available events is set to 10 and, therefore,

does not necessarily reflect the actual number of events displayed.

 When you set a distance value for the span start or end, the application

searches for a nearby event. If it finds one, the span start or end is assigned to that event, rather than at the exact distance you have set.

Changes to the span start and span end will modify the contents of the events table. The span start becomes event 1 and its distance reference becomes 0. Events excluded from the fiber span are grayed out in the events table, and do not appear in the trace display. The cumulative loss is calculated within the defined fiber span only.

Note: You can also change the fiber span of a single trace after the analysis and

reanalyze the trace (see Analyzing or Reanalyzing a Trace on page 149). However, if you want to keep working with the original parameters, you must reenter them.

OTDR 55

Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode

Setting a Default Span Start and Span End

To change the default span start and span end for traces:

1. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

2. From the OTDR Setup window, go to the Analysis tab.

3. If you want to set the span start and end with a distance value, under

Span start and Span end, select Set by distance. Go to the Position box and enter the desired value, using the distance units displayed to the right of the box.

Under Span end, indicate whether the span end position is from the fiber span start or from the end of the fiber.

If you want to set the span start and end on a particular event, under Span start and Span end, select Set on event. From the Event number list, use the up or down arrow to select the number of the event that you want to designate as span start or span end.

The span event parameters are applied to all newly acquired traces.

56 FTB-700 Series

7Testing Fibers in Template

Mode (optional)

Note: This function is available with the optional Event Characterization (EC)

software package only.

Template mode allows you to test fibers and compare them to a reference trace that was previously acquired and analyzed.

Template Principle

Cables contain numerous fibers. Theoretically, on all these fibers, you will find the same events at the same location (due to connectors, splices, etc.). Template mode allows you to test these fibers one after the other quickly and efficiently and ensures that no event remains undetected.

The Template mode concept is to acquire a reference trace (template), add information and comments on the current job, then save the trace.

For a more accurate reference trace, you can update it with new events that may occur during the first acquisitions (up to fifteen).

The test application will flag possible problems and discrepancies between the reference trace and other traces.

Each new acquisition will be compared to the reference trace and the software will mark and measure any missing event.

If the reference trace was created with the ToolBox software on an FTB-500 or a computer, the event-related comments inserted in the reference trace, as well as the reference trace report, are automatically copied to subsequent traces.

Note: You cannot add comments to events or to a reference trace.

OTDR 57

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Restrictions of Template Mode

You can save the trace after analysis. If former results have not been saved yet, the application prompts you to save them before starting a new acquisition.

Template mode can be used on an unlimited number of traces, as long as you have at least one reference trace. Thus, you can use Template mode to automate trace acquisition.

Restrictions of Template Mode

To speed up trace acquisition in Template mode, certain restrictions apply.

 The parameters used to acquire the reference trace are automatically

applied when acquiring subsequent traces (including the high-resolution feature, when applicable).

 The reference trace and subsequent traces must be acquired using

identical wavelength(s), but pulse settings can be adjacent and still be accepted.

 The OTDR that you intend to use must support at least one wavelength

that was used to acquire the reference trace.

 The reference trace and subsequent traces (or recalled traces) must

respect the following criteria:

58 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Reference trace pulse

---------------------------------------------------





Current trace pulse 

Reference trace pulse

Current trace pulse

Current trace pulse Reference trace pulse 4 

Reference trace pulse

Current trace pulse

Cu rrent trace pulse

------------------------------------------------





Reference trace pulse 

Reference trace pulse

Current trace pulse

Reference trace pulse Current trace pulse 4 

Reference trace pulse Current trace pulse

Item To be valid...

Pulse width  Must be:

Restrictions of Template Mode

Pulse width

 This would also be valid:

Fiber types Compare singlemode traces with singlemode traces.

Number of events

Acquisition mode

Traces must have at least two events (span start and span end) and a fiber section.

Reference trace must not be acquired in Real mode (see Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time on page 43).

Wavelengths Reference wavelengths and wavelengths of subsequent (or reloaded)

traces must be identical.

When you process traces using an OTDR, you acquire the traces as you go along. When you process traces on a computer, you use traces stored on disk; therefore, applying the span length is optional.

OTDR 59

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring the Reference Trace

You must acquire a reference trace before you start the Template mode. The acquisition parameters you define for this reference trace will be used to acquire subsequent traces.

To acquire the reference trace:

1. Clean the connectors properly (see Cleaning and Connecting Optical

Fibers on page 22).

2. Connect a fiber to the OTDR port.

If your unit is equipped with two OTDR ports, ensure that you connect the fiber to the appropriate port (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode), depending on the wavelength you intend to use.

CAUTION

3. Acquire a trace in Auto or Advanced test mode. If you want to test using high resolution, you will have to select this feature before acquiring the reference trace. For more information, see Testing Fibers in Auto Mode on page 31 or Testing Fibers in Advanced Mode on page 35.

4. If necessary, define the span start and end (see Analyzing the Fiber on a Specific Fiber Span on page 151).

60 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring the Reference Trace

5. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing Quick Save in the button bar.

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file. From this dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

OTDR 61

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

To acquire traces in Template mode, you must first open your reference trace in the application.

If you want your reference trace to be more accurate, you can update it with the new events that might be found.

The application will automatically switch to Template mode once the reference update is complete, that is, after 15 acquisitions or after you stop the update manually.

To acquire traces in Template mode:

1. If necessary, clean the connectors (see Cleaning and Connecting

Optical Fibers on page 22) and connect a fiber to the OTDR port.

If your unit is equipped with two OTDR ports, ensure that you connect the fiber to the appropriate port (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode), depending on the wavelength you intend to use.

CAUTION

2. When the application prompts you, select the trace you want to use as the reference trace. If you do not select it immediately, you will have to select it manually before starting your test (see Selecting a Reference Trace on page 69). By default, all wavelengths are selected, but you can adjust the selection to your needs.

62 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

3. Set test parameters.

3a. From the button bar, press OTDR Setup.

3b. Select the Create Ref./Template tab.

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

If necessary, select Create reference trace to update your reference trace for the next acquisitions.

This mode will use the first 15 traces (or less, if you stop the process manually) to continue compiling events.

Note: You can disable the mode by clearing the Create reference trace box

between two acquisitions.

OTDR 63

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

IMPORTANT

Once the first 15 acquisitions have been performed, or if you stop the reference update manually, the only way to reactivate it will be to close the application and start a new acquisition in Template mode.

3c. Set the Template mode option you want to use on the current

trace acquisition:

 Consider only the events already indicated on the reference trace

and ignore any other event occurring on the current trace.

 Keep all the events on the current trace, whether they are on the

reference trace or not. You can delete these events later.

3d. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the main window.

3e. If you selected Create reference trace at step 4b, update your

reference trace as follows:

3f. Press Start or from the keypad.

If the first connector check feature is enabled, a message will appear if there is a problem with the injection level (see Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check on page 28).

All traces will automatically be acquired and analyzed, and the events will be identified.

64 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

4. If applicable, the application will display the number of new events detected for each wavelength.

4a. Press OK to close the dialog box.

Note: You can only add events to the reference trace during reference update.

Note: If you chose the Keep all events feature for the acquisitions that will be

performed after the update, you may find it useful to add newly detected events to obtain a more accurate reference trace.

OTDR 65

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

5. Question marks will appear in the Event table to identify new events not found on the reference trace. If you want to add these marked events to the reference trace, press Add to Ref. You can also delete unwanted events with the Delete button.

 Asterisks (“*”) identify events that were not found on the main trace,

but that were added because they exist on the reference trace.

 Question marks identify events found on the main trace that do not

exist on the reference trace. Numbers will be assigned to new events when the trace is analyzed.

Asterisks and question marks are used to identify events without modifying the existing event numbers. This way, you can match the events of the reference trace with those of the main trace more easily.

Note: If you select the Analyze Reference Events Only feature (from OTDR

setup), the Add to Ref. and Delete buttons are unavailable. Events that are not on the reference trace, but that are detected on the acquired trace, are deleted.

5a. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing

Quick Save in the button bar.

66 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file. From this dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

5b. Repeat steps 3f to 5a as necessary to update your reference trace.

6. Once the reference update is complete (or if you did not select the

reference update), the application automatically switches to Template mode. New events will be managed according to the option you selected at step 3c. Perform acquisitions in Template mode as follows:

6a. Press Start or from the keypad.

If the first connector check feature is enabled, a message will appear if there is a problem with the injection level (see Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check on page 28).

All traces will automatically be acquired and analyzed, and the events will be identified.

6b. The application will prompt you if new events are found.

OTDR 67

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

6c. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing

Quick Save in the button bar.

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file. From this dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

6d. Repeat steps 3c to 6c as necessary.

68 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Template Mode (optional)

Selecting a Reference Trace

In Templ at e OTDR mode, you can only select a file as a reference trace. This operation is closely related to opening a trace file. All the traces, will be displayed using the zoom and markers settings saved along with the reference trace file (see Opening Trace Files on page 156).

Note: The following procedure will be useful if you did not select a reference

trace file when the Open Reference Trace File dialog box appeared during

the activation of Template OTDR mode or if you want to use another reference trace.

To select a reference trace:

1. From the Main Menu window, press Storage, then Open Reference.

2. If necessary, select the storage location from where you want to open

the file.

3. Select the file to be used as a reference and press OK.

The application opens the selected trace file automatically.

OTDR 69

8 Testing Fibers in Fault Finder

Mode

The application offers you a special testing feature to rapidly locate fiber ends. It also displays the length of the fiber under test.

This could be useful if you want to perform a quick test without having to set all the acquisition parameters.

Acquiring Traces in Fault Finder Mode

The unit will determine the more appropriate wavelength (singlemode or multimode, depending on your test configuration). It will use the default IOR (group index), RBS coefficient, and helix factor. The duration of acquisition is 45 seconds.

To acquire traces in Fault finder mode:

1. Clean the connectors properly (see Cleaning and Connecting Optical

Fibers on page 22).

2. Connect a fiber to the OTDR port.

If your unit is equipped with two OTDR ports, ensure that you connect the fiber to the appropriate port (singlemode, singlemode live, or multimode), depending on the wavelength you intend to use.

CAUTION

OTDR 71

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Acquiring Traces in Fault Finder Mode

3. From the Port list, specify to which port you connected your fiber.

4. Press Start or from the keypad. If the first connector

check feature is enabled, a message will appear if there is a problem with the injection level (see Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check for Fault Finder on page 81).

72 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Acquiring Traces in Fault Finder Mode

5. Once the analysis is complete, save the trace by pressing Quick Save in the button bar.

The application will use a file name based on the autonaming parameters you defined (see Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically on page 74). This file name appears at the top of the graph.

Note: The application will only display the Save File dialog box if you have

activated the feature to always be prompted when you save a file and if you did not disable the storage features. From the Save File dialog box, you can change the location, the file name and the file format.

5a. If necessary, change the folder to which the file will be saved by

pressing the Location button.

5b. If necessary, specify a file name.

IMPORTANT

If you specify the name of an existing trace, the original file will be overwritten and only the new file will be available.

5c. Press OK to confirm.

OTDR 73

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically

Each time you start an acquisition, the Fault Finder application suggests a file name based on autonaming settings. This file name appears on the upper part of the graph.

Note: The autonaming settings used in Fault Finder mode are independent from

those used in Auto, Advanced or Template modes. File names are built following the same principle, but there is one set of settings for Fault Finder and one set of settings for the other OTDR modes.

The file name is made of a static part (alphanumeric) and a variable part (numeric) that will be incremented or decremented, according to your selection, as follows:

If you choose incrementation... If you choose decrementation...

Variable part increases until it reaches the highest possible value with the selected number of digits (for example, 99 for 2 digits), then restarts at 0.

After saving a result, the unit prepares the next file name by incrementing (or decrementing) the suffix.

Note: If you choose not to save a particular trace file, the suggested file name will

remain available for the next trace you will acquire.

By default, traces are saved in native (.trc) format, but you can configure your unit to save them in Bellcore (.sor) format (see Selecting the Default File Format for the Fault Finder Traces on page 76).

74 FTB-700 Series

Variable part decreases until it reaches 0, then restarts at the highest possible value with the selected number of digits (for example, 99 for 2digits).

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Number of digits composing the variable part

Static part Variable part (incremented)

The value appearing in this box will be used in the next file name.

File name extension (corresponds to the current file format)

Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically

To configure the automatic file naming:

1. From the button bar, press Setup.

2. From the Setup window, select the General tab then press the File

Autonaming button.

3. From the Autonaming Setup dialog box, set the parameters.

If you want the variable part to increase each time a file is saved, select Increment. If you want it to decrease, select Decrement.

4. Press OK to confirm your new settings.

OTDR 75

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Selecting the Default File Format for the Fault Finder Traces

You can define the default file format the Fault Finder application will use when you save your traces.

Note: The default file format used in Fault Finder mode are independent from the

file format used in Auto, Advanced or Template modes. There is one default file format for Fault Finder and one default file format for the other OTDR modes.

By default, traces are saved in native (.trc) format, but you can configure your unit to save them in Bellcore (.sor) format.

You can only modify the file format from the Save File dialog box, which means you need to save at least one trace in the desired format before it becomes the new default file format.

Note: The application will only display this dialog box if you have activated the

feature to always be prompted when you save a file (see Enabling or Disabling the Confirmation of Fault Finder File Name on page 78) and if you did not disable the storage features.

76 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Selecting the Default File Format for the Fault Finder Traces

To select the default file format:

1. From the button bar, press Quick Save.

2. From the Save File dialog box, select the desired format.

3. Press OK to save your file in the new format. The next files will be

saved in the new format.

OTDR 77

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the Confirmation of Fault Finder File Name

By default, each time you save a file, the application prompts you to confirm the file name.

Note: The file name confirmation parameter used in Fault Finder mode is

independent from the one used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

The application will use a file name based on autonaming settings (see Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically on page 74).

If you prefer to hide the Quick Save button, see Enabling or Disabling the Storage Feature on page 80.

78 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the Confirmation of Fault Finder File Name

To enable or disable file name confirmation:

1. From the button bar, press Setup, then go to the General tab.

2. If you want to confirm file name each time you press Quick Save,

select the Always show confirmation window on save check box.

If you never want to be prompted, clear the check box.

Note: You can also disable the confirmation of the file name by clearing the

Always show this window on save check box directly from the Save File dialog box.

3. Press Exit Setup to return to the main window. The changes are applied automatically.

OTDR 79

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the Storage Feature

By default, the Quick Save button is displayed in the button bar. However, if you only want to perform quick tests without having to save the results, you may prefer to hide the Quick Save button.

To enable or disable the storage feature:

1. From the button bar, press Setup, then go to the General tab.

2. If you want to hide the Quick Save button, select the

Disable storage features check box.

If you want to display the button, clear the check box.

3. Press Exit Setup to return to the main window. The changes are applied automatically.

80 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check for Fault Finder

The first connector check feature is used to verify that the fibers are properly connected to the OTDR. It verifies the injection level and displays a message when a unusually high loss occurs at the first connection, which could indicate that no fiber is connected to the OTDR port. By default, this feature is not enabled.

Note: The first connector check is only performed when you test at singlemode

wavelengths.

Note: The first connector check parameter used in Fault Finder mode is

independent from the one used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

OTDR 81

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check for Fault Finder

To enable or disable the first connector check:

1. From the button bar, press Setup then select the General tab.

2. To enable the first connector check, select the First connector check

check box.

To disable it, clear the check box.

3. Press Exit Setup to return to the main window. The changes are applied automatically.

82 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Enabling or Disabling the Touchscreen Keyboard

With the touchscreen keyboard, you can enter data without having to use an external keyboard. By default, this feature is enabled.

When you select a text or number box, the touchscreen keyboard or keypad appears automatically. However, you can disable it if you prefer using an external keyboard.

Note: Hiding or displaying the touchscreen keyboard in Fault Finder mode has no

effect on the way the touchscreen keyboard will be used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

To enable or disable the touchscreen keyboard:

1. From the button bar, press Setup, then select the General tab.

2. If you want to display the touchscreen keyboard, select the

Use touchscreen keyboard check box.

If you prefer to hide the keyboard, clear the check box.

3. Press Exit Setup to return to the main window. The changes are applied automatically.

OTDR 83

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

GridFile name

Setting Trace Display Parameters

You can change several trace display parameters:

 the grid: You can display or hide the grid appearing on the graph’s

background. By default, the grid is displayed.

 the file name in the trace display: The file name appears at the top of

the trace display. By default, the file name is displayed.

Note: The trace display settings used in Fault Finder mode are independent from

the ones used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

84 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Setting Trace Display Parameters

To set the trace display parameters:

1. From the button bar, press the Setup button, then select the General

tab.

2. Select the check boxes corresponding to the item you want to display on the graph.

To hide them, clear the check boxes.

3. Press Exit Setup to return to the main window. The changes are applied automatically.

OTDR 85

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Units used

Selecting the Distance Units

You can select the distance units that will be used in the application.

The default distance units are the kilometers.

Note: The distance units used in Fault Finder mode are independent from the

ones used in the other OTDR modes (Auto, Advanced and Template).

86 FTB-700 Series

Testing Fibers in Fault Finder Mode

Selecting the Distance Units

To select the distance units for your display:

1. From the button bar, select Setup.

2. From the Setup window, select the General tab.

3. From the Distance units list, select the item corresponding to the

desired units.

4. Press Exit Setup.

You return to the main window and the newly selected measurement unit appears everywhere these units are used.

OTDR 87

9 Customizing Your OTDR

You can customize the appearance and behavior of your OTDR application.

Selecting the Default File Format

You can define the default file format the application will use when you save your traces.

By default, traces are saved in native (.trc) format, but you can configure your unit to save them in Bellcore (.sor) format.

If you select the Bellcore (.sor) format, the unit will create one file per wavelength (for example, TRACE001_1310.sor and TRACE001_1550.sor, if you included both 1310 nm and 1550 nm in your test). The native format contains all wavelengths in a single file.

You can only modify the file format from the Save File dialog box, which means you need to save at least one trace in the desired format before it becomes the new default file format.

Note: The application will only display this dialog box if you have activated the

feature to always be prompted when you save a file (see Enabling or Disabling File Name Confirmation on page 91).

OTDR 89

Customizing Your OTDR

Selecting the Default File Format

To select the default file format:

1. From the Main Menu window, press Quick Save.

2. From the Save File dialog box, select the desired format.

3. Press OK to save your file in the new format.

The next files will be saved in the new format.

90 FTB-700 Series

Customizing Your OTDR

Enabling or Disabling File Name Confirmation

By default, each time you save a file, the application prompts you to confirm the file name.

The application will use a file name based on autonaming settings (see Naming Trace Files Automatically on page 24).

Note: The file name confirmation parameter used in the Auto, Advanced, and

Template modes is independent from the one used in the Fault Finder mode.

OTDR 91

Customizing Your OTDR

Enabling or Disabling File Name Confirmation

To enable or disable file name confirmation:

1. From the Main Menu window, press OTDR Setup, then select the

General tab.

2. If you want to confirm file name each time you press Quick Save, select the Always show confirmation window on save check box.

If you never want to be prompted, clear the check box.

Note: You can also disable the confirmation of the file name by clearing the

Always show this window on save check box from the Save File dialog box.

3. Press Exit OTDR Setup to return to the main window.

The changes are applied automatically.

92 FTB-700 Series

EXFO FTB-700 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Certification Information

1 Introducing the FTB-700 OTDR

Main Features

Trace Acquisition Modes

Optional Software Packages

Data Post-Processing

Bidirectional Analysis Application

OTDR Basic Principles

Conventions

2 Safety Information

General Safety Information

Other Safety Symbols on Your Unit

Laser Safety Information

Inserting and Removing Test Modules

Starting Module Applications

Timer

4 Preparing Your OTDR for a Test

Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI)

Cleaning and Connecting Optical Fibers

Naming Trace Files Automatically

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check

Setting Macrobend Parameters

5 Testing Fibers in Auto Mode

Setting the Autorange Acquisition Time

Setting the IOR, RBS Coefficient, and Helix Factor

Setting Distance Range, Pulse Width, and Acquisition Time

Enabling the High-Resolution Feature

Enabling or Disabling Analysis After Acquisition

Setting Pass/Fail Thresholds

Setting a Default Span Start and Span End

Template Principle

Restrictions of Template Mode

Acquiring the Reference Trace

Acquiring Traces in Template Mode

Selecting a Reference Trace

Acquiring Traces in Fault Finder Mode

Naming Fault Finder Files Automatically

Selecting the Default File Format for the Fault Finder Traces

Enabling or Disabling the Confirmation of Fault Finder File Name

Enabling or Disabling the Storage Feature

Enabling or Disabling the First Connector Check for Fault Finder

Enabling or Disabling the Touchscreen Keyboard

Setting Trace Display Parameters

Selecting the Distance Units

9 Customizing Your OTDR

Selecting the Default File Format

Enabling or Disabling File Name Confirmation