Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Launches AQ1200B and AQ1200C Multi Field Testers for Maintenance Use

03/17/2011

Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corporation released the AQ1200B and AQ1200C multi field testers. These two new models in the AQ1200 OTDR series are designed for use in the maintenance of fiber-optic telecommunications networks.

Compact and lightweight in size, the AQ1200B and AQ1200C are easy to handle. And as their optical signals are on a different wavelength from those used in optical telecommunications, they can be used without interfering normal operations. They are thus well suited for use in the field maintenance of the access networks that link stations and subscribers.

Development Background

In response to the growing volume of video and other types of data that are being transmitted over networks, high speed and large capacity fiber-optic telecommunications networks are being installed all over the world. Optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR) are used during network installation and maintenance to measure the length of optical fibers, check the condition of splice points, and locate failures such as line breaks. In emerging markets such as China and India that are rapidly expanding their fiber-optic network telecommunications infrastructure, there is a rising demand for the types of OTDRs that are used in installation work. Meanwhile, in countries such as Japan and Korea that already have well established fiber-optic telecommunications infrastructure, there is a rising demand for OTDR maintenance instruments that can be used to ensure stable and high quality telecommunications service.

Yokogawa also offers the high-performance AQ7275 OTDR tester for the maintenance of fiber-optic networks. This versatile high-end model can be used to install and maintain trunk lines connecting large cities to access networks. However, for customers whose work mainly involves the field maintenance of access networks, a smaller and lighter measuring instrument is needed. To satisfy this requirement, the company has developed these new compact and lightweight tester models with all the functions that maintenance personnel need to efficiently carry out their tasks.

Features

1. Compact and lightweight (A5-size, weighs about 1 kg)
   Every function needed for the maintenance of fiber-optic networks has been consolidated in a single compact, lightweight, and easy to carry unit. These new models are half the size and one-third the weight of the AQ7275.
2. Suitable for PON system use
   With the passive optical network (PON) systems used by telecommunications providers, where optical fibers from stations branch out and are connected to multiple subscribers, the attenuation of optical signals at splitting points tends to cause deformation of waveforms. Both the AQ1200B and AQ1200C can determine whether the problem cause lies in a line failure or signal attenuation, and can accurately pinpoint failure locations.

Wavelengths

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations responsible for international telecommunications standards, has specified that the following wavelengths should be used for fiber-optic telecommunications:

• Wavelengths for maintenance: 1625/1650 nm
• Wavelengths for telecommunications: 1310/1490/1550 nm

As the wavelengths used for telecommunications and maintenance vary depending on country, region, and service provider, the right product must be selected for each condition.

Major Target Markets

Maintenance divisions of telecommunications providers and field operations divisions of companies engaged in the installation and maintenance of fiber-optic networks

Main Applications

Maintenance work involving the inspection and assessment of optical fibers

For more information

• About AQ1200
• About Yokogawa Test & Measurement

Yokogawa
www.yokogawa.com

Company profile:  Yokogawa