AFL FlexTester 3 Quick Reference Manual

FLX380 FlexTester3 Series Quick Reference Guide Advanced Test Equipment Rentals www.atecorp.com 800-404-ATEC (2832) ® E s ta blished 1 9 8 1

VFL Visual Fault Locator (red laser): ON - Press and hold (~1 second) LED will flash. ON - Press and hold (~2 seconds) LED will be solid. OFF - Press and hold (~1 second) LED should be OFF. Menu Press to access the Main Menu. Left & Right Tab keys Press to display the next/previous available Menu Tab or Test View Tab. Arrow (Navigation) keys The arrow keys provide several functions: •�Main Menu: these keys are used to navigate menus and change setup parameters. •�Trace Page: in the Zoom mode, these keys are used to adjust zoom. In the Move mode, Left and Right keys are used to move cursors. Select (A/B) This key provides several functions: •�Main Menu: press to display a submenu (if available). •�Trace Page: press to toggle the active cursor between A and B. Back Press once to return to the previous page. Press one or more times, depending on which menu or editor submenu is displayed, to return to the Main Menu. Test Press to start or stop a test. Save Provides several functions: save the currently displayed test results; set current folder; set current file name; review results. F1 Soft keys (under display) The label shown in the display above each soft key (F1, F2 or F3) indicates the current function for that key. Press to select the indicated function. Functional Keys

OTDR Modes TEST MODE NETWORK BEING TESTED APPLICATIONS SETUP FTTx PON OTDR – Test Customer Fiber Only (to splitter) PON power meter. Customer fiber fault location (fiber may be live or dark). Auto FTTx PON OTDR – Test Through Splitter End-to-end length, loss, and ORL. Splitter loss. Feeder fiber fault location. Semi-Auto Full Auto (point- to-point) Long-haul Metro Access Fault location. End-to-end length, loss, and ORL. Connector loss and reflection. Splice loss. Auto Real Time Any Short range fault location. First connector check. Fusion splice check. Mechanical splice tuning. Semi-Auto Expert Any Advanced point-to-point and FTTx PON. testing for experienced OTDR users. Manual or Semi-auto PON OLT PON Light Source and Power Meter Mode TEST MODE APPLICATION Light Source •�Measure end-to-end loss using manually set or Wave ID wavelength. •�Trace fibers using tone generation and a NOYES Optical Fiber Identifier (OFI). Power Meter •�Measure optical power or fiber loss using manually set or automatically detected (Wave ID) wavelength.

Note: After an OTDR test is started, it may take several seconds for the first results to appear and depending on setup, tens of seconds or even several minutes for tests to complete. FLX380 FlexTester3 Main Menu Display Features Main Menu Page (FLX380-303/-304 model shown) Notes: •�FTTx PON OTDR combines functions of previous FTTx – In Service and FTTx – PON Construction modes. •�FTTx PON Power Meter measures downstream PON power levels in live PONs. •�Full Auto OTDR should only be used for point-to-point testing applications. To Start a Test, press Test key. To Stop a Test •� Press� Test key. If pressed before trace appears, it will stop the test and display the setup menu. If pressed after trace appears, it will stop the test, generate the event table and show the partially completed trace. •� Press�the Back key. OTDR stops the test and displays the setup menu. Battery charge status icon. - 100% - <100% - < 10% Time-of-Day. Page header. Highlighted tab indicates the currently displayed Menu Page. The currently highlighted Menu option. Press [Files] to open saved files. Main Menu tabs. Press [USB] to transfer saved results and download software upgrades. Press to display the last OTDR trace viewed.

A C D E F B The FlexTester3 OTDR features an optional launch quality check when an OTDR test is initiated. To perform the launch quality check: 1. From the Main menu, display the Settings screen A using keys. 2. Using keys navigate up/down the list to highlight the Launch Quality Check parameter B . 3. If set to [Disabled], use keys to enable - display [Enabled]. 4. With the lunch quality check option enabled, press the Test key to start an OTDR test. 5. The FLS380-30 will assess the loss and reflectance at the OTDR’s connection to the launch ring or fiber-under-test. 6. If excess loss or reflectance is detected, the OTDR reports results and displays the ‘Poor Launch Quality’ screen C . 7. From the ‘Poor Launch Quality’ screen C the user may chose to perform one of the following: 8. Cancel a test by pressing Cancel D soft key or Back key . 9. Clean connectors and repeat the launch quality check by pressing Re-check soft key E or Enter key . 10. Continue testing without checking and cleaning the connection by pressing Test soft key F or Test key.

Setup Parameter General-Purpose OTDR Test Mode Full Auto Real Time Expert Wavelength User selects single or multiple wavelength(s) at which to test. Auto Setup N/A (not applicable) [Off]: User sets all parameters manually. [By Range]: User sets [Range] & [Resolution], [Pulse width] & [Averaging] selected automatically. Range N/A: automatic User sets OTDR scan range. Pulse width N/A: automatic, based on auto- detected range Automatic if [Auto Setup] parameter is set to [By Range] option. User-set if [Auto Setup] parameter is set to option [Off]. Averaging N/A: 1 second updates Automatic if [Auto Setup] is set to [By Range]. User-set if [Auto Setup] is set to [Off]. Resolution N/A: automatic User-set [High] or [Normal]. Range: When setting manually, select [Range], which is at least 20% longer than the fiber under test. Pulse width [Pulse]: Select wider pulse widths to obtain cleaner traces (less noisy). Select narrower pulse widths to detect events which are close together (better resolution). Averaging Time [Averaging]: Longer averaging times produce cleaner traces. Resolution: [High] resolution provides close data spacing for more precise event location and better detection of closely spaced events. [Normal] resolution uses more filtering to provide a cleaner trace, but with lower resolution.

Wavelength User selects single or multiple wavelength(s) at which to test. Range Auto: Range, pulse width, resolution, averaging are automatically determined. Distance settings: User manually selects setting in range 250 m to 240 km. Test If set to [Customer Fiber Only], tests only to the splitter using automatically determined Range setting. If set to [Through Splitter], tests through splitter including customer and feeder fibers using selected automatic or manual range setting. PON Not present if [Test] parameter is set to [Customer Fiber Only] option. If [Test] is set to [Through Splitter], user sets PON split ratio (1x8, 1x16, x132, 1x64, or 1x128). Test Settings: FTTx PON OTDR Test Mode Range: When setting manually, select [Range], which is at least 20% longer than the fiber under test. Pulse width [Pulse]: If testing through splitter, pulse width is set automatically based on [Range] and [PON] split ratio. If testing customer drop fiber only (In Service), automatically set based on range to splitter. When testing through a splitter, user can force a wider pulse width to improve trace quality by selecting a longer [Range] or higher [PON] split ratio. Averaging Time: Also set automatically. Resolution: Since PONs are usually short, resolution is typically set to High (close data spacing) for more precise event location.

Soft key labels (see next page for details) Event Table displays OTDR event measurements. Information Page displays OTDR setup parameters, launch and receive cable data, and event thresholds. Summary Page displays end-to-end link measurements. A and B cursors. Trace graph (RED is current). Receive cable (if present). File name (cable name + fiber number), or “New Trace” if file has not been saved. Test Wavelengths (RED is current). Grid units display dB/div on vertical axis and distance/div on horizontal axis. Trace Page displays OTDR trace, A/B cursors, Loss, Distance, and max reflectance between A and B cursors. Launch cable (if present). Fiber under test.

Navigation Keys Zoom mode Move mode Note: Zoom expands/shrinks the trace around the currently active cursor. 2-point Loss between A and B cursor. B cursor location (active cursor is highlighted). Distance between A and B cursor. For multi-wavelength tests, press to toggle active trace. A cursor location. Maximum Reflectance between A and B cursor. Press to toggle Zoom and Move mode. In Move mode, the key label will be displayed as [ Zoom]. In Zoom mode, the key label will be displayed as [ x Zoom]. Press to Unzoom or Rezoom. Left Move active cursor Right Move active cursor A/B cursor select Vertical Zoom ( ) Vertical Zoom ( ) Horizontal Zoom ( ) Horizontal Zoom ( ) A/B cursor select

Event Table is automatically generated when the [Events] are set to [Auto] in the OTDR Event settings display. Event Table displays: [Number] of each event, event [Location] in user selected units, event [Type], [Reflectance] and [Loss] in (dB) and loss/distance (dB/km). Trace Graph. For multiple-wavelength tests, press to toggle the wavelength and display event table for that wavelength. Event Types ICON EVENT TYPE DESCRIPTION Start The start of the fiber under test. End The end of the fiber under test. Non- reflective Loss Event An event with measurable loss but very small or unmeasurable reflectance, typically caused by a fusion splice, fiber break, or macrobend (with macrobend detection disabled). Non- reflective Gainer Event An event with ‘negative loss,’ which can occur in OTDR traces where two fibers with very different backscatter coefficients are spliced or connected. A gainer will be seen as a normal (positive loss) event when tested from the other end of the fiber. The true loss of the event is approximately equal to the average of its loss measured from each end of the fiber under test. Reflective Event An event with measurable loss and reflectance, typically caused by a connection or mechanical splice.

For multiple-wavelength tests, press to toggle the wavelength and display [Length], [Loss] and [ORL] test results for that wavelength. Summary page displays: trace graph, fiber under test [Length] in user selected units, [Loss] and [ORL] in (dB). ICON EVENT TYPE DESCRIPTION Macrobend A non-reflective loss event with significantly higher loss at longer wavelengths (1550, 1625, 1650 nm) than seen at shorter wavelengths (1310, 1490 nm). Typically caused by a sharp bend in the fiber. Splitter PON splitters are detected only when Event thresholds are set to PON Default or PON User and a high loss event (> 6 dB) is detected which is determined not to be the end of the fiber. Group Start Event First event in multiple event group. Reports loss of entire group. Reports reflectance of first event in group if reflectance of next event can be independently measured. Reports max reflectance of grouped events if next reflectance cannot be independently measured. Group Middle Event Grouped events may contain zero, one, or more middle events. Loss of middle events is included in group loss reported in the group start event. Reports reflectance if it can be independently measured. Group End Event Last event in a multiple event group. Loss of last event is included in group loss reported in group start event. Reports reflectance if it can be independently measured. OTDR Mode: Event Table Page Features

•� Use keys to highlight the desired setup parameter. •� Use keys to change the highlighted setup parameter (except [Event Thresholds…] parameter). You may change these parameters to correct locations in the Event Table after the test is complete. •� When done, press [Recalc Events] to recalculate the Event Table. For multiple-wavelength tests, press to toggle the wavelength and display setup conditions for that wavelength. •� Press key to display submenu A . •� Use keys to highlight the desired parameter. •� Use keys to change the highlighted parameter. •� When done, press [Recalc Events] to recalculate the Event Table. These fields show the current setup conditions. OTDR Mode: Information Page Features Event thresholds can be adjusted and macrobend detection enabled or disabled before recalculating events. A

File Manager System The FLX380 File Manager system consists of four pages: PAGE NAME DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION Jobs Lists the Jobs (folders) stored in the FLX380 internal memory. Use to open or delete the highlighted job folder. Cables Lists the Cables (folders) in the currently open Job folder. Use to open or delete the highlighted cable folder. Results Lists the OTDR trace (.SOR) files and OPM results (.ATD) files in the currently open Cable folder. Use to open (view) or delete the highlighted results file. Save As Lists the current job, the current cable, and the fiber number that will be used the next time a group of traces is saved. Use to save the ‘new’ results created by the most recent test, or the results most recently opened (recalled from memory). File Manager - Jobs Page Press to open the highlighted Job (which becomes the current job) and see a list of the cables stored in this job. Highlighted Job folder. Free space (internal memory). Press to display the Save As page. List of saved Jobs (folders). This field shows X/Y: X = number of the highlighted job Y = total number of jobs in FLX380 memory. Press to delete the highlighted Job folder.

File Manager - Cables Page File Manager - Results Page Press to open the highlighted cable (which becomes the current cable) and see a list of trace (.SOR) and OPM (.ATD) files stored for this cable. List of saved Cables (folders). List of saved results (OTDR .SOR and OPM .ATD files). Highlighted Cable folder. Highlighted trace. Free space (internal memory). Free space (internal memory). Press to open the highlighted trace or OPM result. Opening the selected trace file will open traces for all wavelengths having the same fiber number. Select ( ..) to return to Jobs page. Select ( ..) to return to Cables page. Press to display the Save As page. Press to display the Save As page. This field shows X/Y: X = number of the highlighted cable Y = total number of cables in the current job. This field shows X/Y: X = number of the highlighted results file Y = total number of results files in the current cable. Press to delete the highlighted Cable folder Press to delete the highlighted trace or OPM results file.

File Manager - Save As Page Saving Results 1 Once a test is complete, press the Save key to display the [Save As] page. 2 Perform the following steps to save to an existing Job/Cable folder or save to a new folder: EXISTING FOLDER NEW FOLDER •�Press the [Save] soft key to save test results with the currently displayed Job, Route, Cable and Fiber number. •�Use keys to select the previous / next field to edit. •�Use keys to highlight any character position within the Job/End1/End2/Cable name fields and Fiber number field. •�Use keys to change the highlighted character. - If the Job/End1/End2/Cable name and Fiber number are edited to a name and number that already exists in the current folder, then pressing the [Save] key will cause the FLX380 to display “Overwrite file?”. - If the Job/End1/End2/Cable name is edited to a new name, then pressing the [Save] key will cause the FLX380 to create a new folder of this name. Note: This is the only way to create new folders! •�When done, press the [Save] soft key. Press to save test results. Job name. FLX380 location: End 1 or End 2. Route (made up of the two end names). Cable name. Previous and Next field. Fiber number auto- increments or set by user. Currently highlighted character. Press to return to Main Menu. Press to view current Job/Cable page.

Wave ID Mode Feature The Wave ID (automatic wavelength identification) feature significantly increases efficiency: •� Cuts�test�time�in�half�(or�more)�by�testing�multiple�wavelengths�simultaneously. •� Eliminates�user�setup�error�and�the�need�to�coordinate�manual�setting�of�wavelengths�by�users�located�at� opposite ends of the fiber under test. The “Wave ID” field A to the left of the displayed Power Meter wavelength will display one of the following: •� 270�Hz,�330�Hz,�1�kHz,�2�kHz,�or�Wave�ID.�If�none�of�these�are�detected,�this�OPM�field�is�blank. •� When�Wave�ID�is�displayed,�Power�or�loss�is�measured�and�displayed�for�the�automatically�detected�wavelengths. •� In�other�modes,�the�wavelength�must�be�manually�set�but�tone�frequency�is�automatically�detected. Press to toggle units: • dB�to�measure�loss, • dBm�or�W�to�measure�power Press to toggle OPM wavelength. Hold to set OPM reference level. Press briefly to see current reference levels. Turn laser On/Off. Select wavelength(s). Select test mode: CW, 270 Hz,330 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz tones, or Wave ID. Use keys to navigate Light Source menu. Use keys to change Light Source menu items. Light Source settings Power Meter settings source source source meter meter meter A

To transfer files from your FLX380 to a PC using a USB cable, perform the following: 1 Connect your FLX380 to a PC using the supplied type A to Mini USB cable. Make sure the mini-plug is fully seated in your FLX380. 2 Press the [USB] soft key on the FLX380’s Main Menu. 3 From your PC desktop, open My Computer. A new removable drive named [OFL X:] will appear, where ‘X:’ is the drive letter assigned to your FLX380 by the PC. 4 Under [OFL X:] you should see two folders: [RESULTS] and [SOFTWARE]. Copy the [RESULTS] folder to your PC. 5 Under [RESULTS] you will see: [TRACES]. Under [TRACES] you will see all of the folders containing OTDR traces or OPM results. Note: Before removing the USB cable connecting your FLX380 to your PC, or pressing the [Cancel] soft key on the USB page, left click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Start bar of your PC, then left click the Safely Remove USB mass storage device – Drive (X:) message, where ‘X’ is the drive letter assigned to your FLX380. For detailed operating instructions, refer to the FLX380 User’s Guide (available on supplied CD and www.AFLglobal.com). FLX380-303 and -304 support AFL’s ServiceSafe™ capability (US patent 8,411,259), enabling both in-service and out-of-service OTDR testing and live PON power measurements to be made from a single port. In the FTTx PON Power Meter mode, the first screen displays received FTTx PON power at 1490 and 1550 nm. An OTDR test can be initiated from the PON Power Meter mode. On dark fibers, users can test at 1310/1550 nm. On live fibers, users can test at only 1625 or 1650 nm. FTTx PON Power Meter (FLX380-303 and FLX380-304 models only!)

C E R TI FI E D 9001 ISO N O Y E S F IB E R S Y S T E M S www.AFLglobal.com or +1 (800) 321-5298, +1 (603) 528-7780 © 2013 AFL , all rights reserved. FLX3-3X-1ENG Revision 1A, 2013-07-30