The new Yokogawa AQ7270 fibreXplorer is a mini OTDR which sets new standards in terms of performance, speed of operation, and ease of use.

Mini OTDR sets new performance standards The new Yokogawa AQ7270 fibreXplorer is a mini OTDR (optical time-domain reflectometer) which sets new standards in terms of performance, speed of operation, and ease of use to aid the installation and maintenance of core, metro and access networks including FTTH (fibre to the home) and PON (passive optical networks). The AQ7270 offers the industry's best performance in terms of event separation capability and the shortest dead zone - less than 80 cm - to enable multiple-event detection even when events are close to one another. Its high-speed operation optimises work efficiency, while automatic test functions enable installation operatives to execute tests easily and reliably.

'The worldwide spread of broadband services has stimulated the installation of optical fibre in metro and access networks, which in turn has increased the demand for portable and reliable test equipment to aid the installation and maintenance of these networks', comments Terry Marrinan, Sales and Marketing Director, Europe and Africa, of Yokogawa Europe's Test and Measurement Group: 'Our new mini OTDR has been developed to address these challenges with the particular aims of improving operability to boost work efficiency and cost-effectiveness.' The AQ7270 is a compact, lightweight instrument measuring only 287 x 182 x 75mm and weighing 2.9kg.

It features a large (8.4in) high-luminance LCD display with a dark background which makes it easy to read the screen and manipulate markers, even in bright sunlight.

The AQ7270 Series includes eleven models, each of which will test up to four wavelengths covering the requirements of core, metro and access networks.

Seven wavelengths: 850, 1300, 1310, 1490, 1550, 1625 and 1650 nm - are currently available in the product line-up.

Key features which improve operational efficiency are the instrument's speed of operation and its powerful integrated test functions.

Fast power-up enables users to start testing within 10 seconds on turning the OTDR on, while one-button testing is used to execute preset test routines for dramatically improving the productivity of operatives without specialist technical skills.

The AQ7270 is equipped with a number of functions to help users to execute a reliable measurement easily, including a fully automatic mode which sets appropriate test conditions according to the fibre under test, carries out the measurement, and saves the data to a file.

In addition, a 'fibre in use' indicator and alarm prevents on-channel measurements being made on fibres with in-service wavelengths.

Other features include multiple languages for menus, internal data storage of up to 1000 traces) and external USB storage.

A number of options are available to expand the instrument's test capability and work efficiency, including an optical power monitor, light source, built-in printer and built-in dummy fibre to aid near-end evaluation.