EXFO FTB-5503-ER SM PMD Analyzer Module FTB-5500 Extended Range

EXFO FTB-5503 PMD Analyzer Module

Dispersion phenomenon
Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) affects system performance by spreading the pulse over the length of a fiber. Pulse spreading can be compared to power loss in the system, because it directly affects the loss safety margin.

PMD is caused by asymmetry in the fiber’s geometry and/or by localized stress throughout the waveguide. Birefringence in the optical fiber, which causes light to be propagated along two polarization axes that are orthogonal to each other, produces slow and fast axes. The difference in propagation speed results in temporal spreading or dispersion as shown in the figure to the right. With a digital signal, PMD increases the BER, which, limits system bandwidth. With an analog signal, PMD creates distortion, limiting the number of channels.

A major concern for network planners
Network planners quickly realized the danger of this situation: an entire bandwidth upgrade could be jeopardized by PMD. Consequently, plenty of testing was carried out when the industry recognized the importance of characterizing PMD in existing networks.

The introduction of the interferometric method subsequently changed the reality of PMD measurement. The interferometric method, which was introduced by the GAP Optique team from the University of Geneva, quickly demonstrated its usefulness as a fast and secure way of measuring PMD, regardless of environmental conditions.

The interferometric method allows field measurement of PMD; this is not possible with conventional methods such as JME or wavelength scanning. The interferometric method is faster and almost immune to vibrations and adverse field conditions.

With the marketing of OC-192 (STM-64) and the advent of OC-768 (STM-256), fiber and cable manufacturers eventually acknowledged the importance of PMD and began guaranteeing specifications. In light of these developments, however, companies who specialize in cable installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting still need to be concerned about PMD for a number of reasons:

• PMD is statistical in nature
• Large variation in PMD values can be observed during the life cycle of a fiber.
• Additional stress can be applied to a fiber during transportation and cabling.
• Effects of temperature and vibration are still regarded as potential problems by operators
• Cable can be crushed, stressed, or physically damaged during installation.
• Cable handling causes variations in PMD.

The TIA Standard
The inteferometric method is the fastest PMD measurement method. It was approved by the TIA in April 1999 (EIA/TIA-455-124). The test method documentation demonstrates the validity of the method and its limitation in accuracy for PMD values smaller than 0.12 ps using a standard LED source at 1550 nm. With this method, no end-to-end communication is required. This allows for less equipment and human intervention as well as faster, more efficient data collection.

Field-proof advanced technology
The FTB-5500 PMD Analyzer module uses a Michelson interferometer to accurately measure PMD delay. It performs a mean measurement over the entire wavelength range of a broad-spectrum polarized LED source. After fitting the Gaussian distribution curve, the analysis software calculates and displays the fiber’s total PMD and second-order PMD value and coefficient.

Vibration-proof: The broad spectrum and short coherence time of the LED source used in the interferometric method renders the EXFO PMD analyzer almost immune to vibration. This characteristic is especially important when testing installed cables. Acquisition speed is also a factor with regard to vibration immunity.

Fast results: The interferometric method also provides fast results by automating the measurement process. The software typically completes the test cycle in 15 seconds.

High dynamic range
Averaging PMD over the entire source wavelength range (without filtering) preserves full power for PMD measurement. The standard 40 dB dynamic range remains available for testing long fiber spans. A high dynamic range option, using EXFO’s M-2100 Broadband Light Source, a high-power EELED source, increases the dynamic range to more than 50 dB to measure fiber spans longer than 250 km.

Great measurement range
The interferometric method can handle high PMD values. An extended range option increases the instrument's analysis from 0.05 to 200 ps. The measurement range of the instrument goes from 0.1 to 115 ps, but users can obtain calculated values down to 0.05 ps and estimated values from 115 up to 200 ps.

Second-order PMD
Second-order PMD is derived from the measured PMD value and is proportional to the link length, unlike first-order PMD. This means that second-order PMD is particularly important in long-distance links. Moreover, second-order PMD, because it is based on the mean variation in the slope of the first-order PMD curve, is wavelength-dependent.

EXFO's PMD software provides second-order PMD delay and coefficient values. These figures help to characterize fibers and cables more precisely than simple PMD, which makes for better control of transmission quality in both digital and analog high-bandwidth systems.

Simple step-by-step measurements
Step-by-step instructions make testing easy and virtually error-free. Due to the user-friendly software, novices and experts can obtain fast, accurate, and efficient PMD measurements with little training.

Automated testing mode
The unique auto-range function scans all the measurement ranges and automatically provides the PMD range best suited for measurement. This option is extremely useful when testing a fiber in which the expected PMD value is unknown.

To reduce the auto-range measurement time, it is also possible to select a maximum Auto Highest Range. This reduces scanning time by eliminating the higher range.

Auto-diagnostic capabilities
In default mode, the software performs an auto-diagnosis on measured PMD and supplies the user with comments and suggestions.

Statistical result tables
After completing multiple tests, the PMD analyzer automatically compiles the results in a table and provides statistical results:

• mean PMD delay and coefficient
• standard deviation PMD delay and coefficient
• minimum and maximum PMD delay and coefficient

Features:

• Best tool for characterizing PMD in the field
• Highest dynamic range on the market—more than 50 dB
• Greatest analysis range: 0.05 to 200 ps (typical)
• Second-order PMD calculation

Specifications:

For full EXFO FTB-5503ER product specifications, please click here: FTB-5503ER

EXFO FTB-5503 1550nm PMD Analyzer Module

For Use With The FTB-400 OTDR Mainframe
(FTB-400 Not Included In Sale!)

The FTB-5500 PMD Analyzer module uses a Michelson interferometer to accurately measure PMD delay

The FTB-5503-ER is an Extended Range Module, it increases the instrument’s analysis from 0.05 ps to 200 ps.

FTB 400 FTB400 FTB 8000 FTB8000 FTB 5503 FTB5503

EXFO FTB-5503 FTB5503 PMD Analyzer Module Models On Sale Warranty Calibration Backed by The Best Service and Lowest Prices in the Industry.

BC# 39882

• EXFO FTB-5503-ER PMD Analyzer Module (BC# 39882)
  • SM Source:
    • 1550nm

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