APEX Technologies offer an Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer, based upon the Optical Backscatter Reflectometry technology, which allows to measure the reflection and transmission of fiber optic components in the spatial domain with a high resolution and dynamic range.

Wavelength ranges available (Any custom range available upon request)

Thanks to the integration of our own homemade external cavity tunable laser source (TLS) as a local oscillator, we offer Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometers in the O band and C+L band, with a high resolution thanks to our mode hop-free local oscillator technology. The TLS can be integrated inside the equipment or into an external benchtop as an option. The advantage of the latter configuration is that the TLS can be used as a local oscillator and be connected to our other equipment that are also based on interferometric principle (OSA, OCSA).

Available wavelength ranges:

O Band: 1260 – 1360 nm
C+L Band: 1525 – 1630 nm

Custom wavelength ranges (upon request):

Below T Band: Below 1030 nm
T Band: 1030 – 1260 nm
E Band: 1345 – 1450 nm
S Band: 1445 – 1520 nm
Above C+L Band: Above 1630 nm

Specifications

• 7.74µ Resolution
• 120dB Dynamic range
• Measurement range: up to 244 m
• Sensitivity: –135 dB
• Insertion loss dynamic range: 18 dB

Download datasheet here.

Length modes

We are able to provide 3 possible lengths for your fibers, up to 244 m, based upon your requirements. The length mode will determine the measurement time given a certain resolution. The following table shows the specifications of the length modes for the reflection configuration.

Reflection mode

In reflection mode, our Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer allows you to measure and map the events happening within your network, such as fibers and connected optical components.

Unmatched Sensitivity of < -135 dB

Shown here is a reflectivity measurement of a 5m fiber with two FC/APC connectors. Our equipment offers a sensitivity of -135 dB.

Measurement of a SMF28 fiber

We present here a measurement example of a phase modulator (SMF28 fiber) using the 8 µm resolution. We can see each event happening within the Device Under Test.

Measurement of a Bragg grating

The equipment also allows to measure the transfert function of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) and optical components with a resolution of 8 µm (zero dead zone), with the highest dynamic range in the market (120 dB).

High reflectivity measurements for long distances (up to 244 m)

Our Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer is able to do measurements over a range of up to 244 m (customizable under request). Shown here is an example of such a measurement.

Transmission mode

In transmission mode, our Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer allows you to measure the average insertion losses of your entire network, as well as your fiber’s effective group delay or signal time-of-flight in the fiber.

Highest dynamic range in the market of >120 dB

By using a fibered Faraday mirror with a FC/APC connector, we can achieve a high reflectivity measurement. We are able to measure peaks with amplitudes of > -10 dB, a dynamic range of  > 120 dB.

Polarization analysis

Our Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer has the distinctive ability to display both orthogonal polarizations simultaneously and separately. Additionally, we can recombine them and provide a polarization-independent measurement

Transmission mode polarization state

Shown here is the polarization state of a network in transmission mode. We can distinctly see the 2 orthogonal polarizations as well as the average of their values.

Measurement of the time delay and spectral response

By measuring the reflectivity versus length of the optical component, our brand new software allows to analyze the insertion and return loss in the spectral and time domain.

Multi-mode fiber characterization

Analysis on multimode fiber is possible. After various tests on multimode fiber, we were able to demonstrate good quality measurements on 50/125 µm and 62.5/125 µm fibers. A mode converter was used, with care, to obtain the most significant results possible.

Features

• Multiple wavelength ranges available
• Reflection and transmission measurements
• Highest dynamic range in the market
• Spatial Resolution < 8 µm

Applications

• Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC)
• Optical communications (data center)
• Passive optical components (Switches, waveguides,filters…)
• Quality assessment of fiber connectors and splices
• Optical cable maintenance and construction
• Civil engineering
• Aeronautics

Data handling

• USB connectors (3x USB-A in front panel)
• Ethernet port
• 12” Panoramic touch screen