EXFO Nova Fiber RTU-2 Active Optical Fiber Monitoring System

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Remote monitoring system for active optical fibers EXFO Nova Fiber based on the RTU-2 measurement platform (rack-mounted) containing two replaceable modules. The first module (mandatory) is the FTBx-735C-SM7R optical reflectometer (1650 nm, 41 dB). The second module (optional) is the FTBx-9160 (1x4) optical switch.

To increase the number of tested fibers, up to four additional RTUe-9120 optical switches (from 1x32 to 1x256 each) in a rack-mount design are used. For physical connection to the tested fibers, WDM devices for combining the 1650 nm reflectometer signal with client traffic TAMK (Test Access Module Kit) are used, also in a rack version. The RTU-2 platform is controlled via an encrypted protocol from any remote computer. You can download a full description of all the characteristics of this system below on this page in the section Documentation.

Main characteristics:
Measuring platform RTU-2 (Intel i7 processor 4 cores, RAM 8 GB, SSD 128 GB, Windows 10 IoT).
The RTU-2 platform contains two interchangeable modules (reflectometer and switch).
Optical reflectometer module FTBx-735C-SM7R (1650 nm active line, 41 dB).
Main Optical Switch Module FTBx-9160 (1 input, 4 outputs).
Additional optical switches RTUE-9120 (1 input, 32, 64, 128 or 256 outputs).
WDM devices for combining the reflectometer signal with client traffic TAMK (24 ports per device).
The RTU-2 platform is controlled via an encrypted protocol from a remote computer.
Continuous monitoring of up to 1,024 active optical fibers

Need modular reflectometer? See measuring platforms EXFO FTB-2 Pro and EXFO FTB-4 Pro.
Want to see the full list? Go to the main page by optical reflectometers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Remote monitoring system for active optical fibers EXFO Nova Fiber is designed for round-the-clock monitoring of a large number of optical fibers without interfering with the process of transmitting client traffic. The total number of supervised fibers can exceed 1,000,000 because the Nova Fiber control software can remotely supervise up to 1,000 RTU-2 measurement platforms, and each such platform can be physically connected to a maximum of 1,024 optical fibers. All measurements are performed with an optical reflectometer at a wavelength of 1650 nm. To eliminate the influence of the reflectometer signal on the useful traffic transmitted over the network, WDM filters are used.

Measuring platform EXFO RTU-2 is an industrial computer in a rack-mount design, in the case of which two replaceable modules can be installed. The first module (mandatory) is an optical reflectometer EXFO FTBx-735C-SM7R (1650 nm, 41 dB). The second module (optional) is an optical switch EXFO FTBx-9160 (1x4), it is set if the number of tested fibers exceeds 256.

Additional optical switches are used to increase the number of tested fibers EXFO RTUE-9120. Each such switch occupies only 1/2U height in the rack. The input connector of the switch is of the SC-APC type, and the output connectors are of the MPO-APC type (of the standard 24 fibers of the MPO connector, 16 are connected).

RTUE-9120 switches are available in configurations: 1x32, 1x64, 1x128, 1x256. With these optical switches, the OTDR test signal can be routed to as many individual fibers as needed. If you need to monitor up to 256 fibers, then one RTUe-9120 in a 1x256 configuration is sufficient. But if you need to test more than 256 fibers, then you need to install the FTBx-9160 (1x4) switch module in the second slot of the RTU-2 platform and connect up to four RTUe-9120 switches to it. In this configuration, the system will be able to monitor up to 1,024 individual fibers.

The last element of the system is a device for combining the reflectometer signal with client traffic, which is called EXFO TAMK (Test Access Module Kit). One TAMK device occupies exactly 1U in a rack and provides connection to 24 fibers. To ensure that the OTDR signal does not interfere with the transmission of useful traffic, the TAMK device uses WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology, which provides isolation of more than 30 dB. To monitor 1,024 fibers, you will need 43 of these devices.

This photo shows the maximum configuration of one EXFO RTU-2 measurement platform (42 optional TAMK combiners are placed in separate racks). In this configuration, the RTU-2 platform can monitor the status of 1,024 active optical fibers. In total, up to 1,000 EXFO RTU-2 platforms can be connected to the EXFO Nova Fiber remote monitoring system.

Optical Switch Modules for EXFO RTU-2 Platform

As already mentioned, in the EXFO Nova Fiber system, the number of tested fibers is increased using additional optical switches. If it is necessary to monitor up to 256 fibers, then it is enough to connect one RTUe-9120 switch directly to the FTBx-735C-SM7R reflectometer module in the required configuration: 1x32, 1x64, 1x128 or 1x256.

But if you need to test more than 256 fibers, then a two-level switching system is used: an FTBx-9160 (1x4) switch module is installed in the free slot of the RTU-2 measuring platform and up to four external switches RTUe-9120 are already connected to it. In this configuration, the EXFO RTU-2 platform will be able to monitor up to 1,024 individual fibers.

For clarity, this figure shows the connection diagram of the FTBx-735C-SM7R reflectometer module and two optical switches. With one patch cord (blue line in the figure) we connect the measuring port of the reflectometer to the input connector of the FTBx-9160 switch. With the second patch cord (yellow line in the figure), we connect the first of the outputs of the FTBx-9160 switch to the input connector of the RTUe-9120 switch. Similarly, three more RTUe-9120 switches are connected to the outputs of the FTBx-9160.

The appearance of the EXFO FTBx-9160 optical switch module is shown in this photo. Structurally, the EXFO FTBx-735C-SM7R optical reflectometer module looks similar. To remove the module from the EXFO RTU-2 measurement platform, simply unscrew the two fixing screws on the front panel of the module. The modular design of the RTU-2 platform reduces operating costs, as it allows you to quickly replace modules if necessary without dismantling the system.

Design features of the EXFO RTU-2 measuring platform

The basis of the EXFO Nova Fiber monitoring system is the RTU-2 measurement platform, which is installed in a standard rack and occupies 1U in height. This photo shows the front and back of the EXFO RTU-2 platform. There are two slots on the front panel for installing plug-in modules (the FTBx-735C-SM7R optical reflectometer module is installed on the right, and the FTBx-9160 optical switch module is installed on the left). There is also an Ethernet port on the front panel for connecting a personal computer, through which you can get local access to all the functions of the Nova Fiber system.

On the rear panel there are contacts for supplying voltage (DC or AC, depending on the platform modification). There are also two Ethernet ports on the rear panel for connecting the RTU-2 platform to the network, while all the functions of the Nova Fiber system are available to a remote operator via an encrypted protocol. Four of the five USB ports on the rear panel are typically used to supply power and control commands to optional RTUE-9120 optical switches.

Specifications of the EXFO RTU-2 measuring platform and modules

For a complete list of technical characteristics of the EXFO Nova Fiber remote monitoring system for active optical fibers and its components, see below on this page in the section Documentation.

Delivery kit for EXFO Nova Fiber monitoring system

Main Options for EXFO Nova Fiber Monitoring System

In a minimal configuration, the EXFO Nova Fiber RTU-2 platform can monitor one optical fiber. In real projects this system is used to monitor hundreds and thousands of fibers. To do this, the system composition must be supplemented with FTBx-9160 and RTUe-9120 optical switches, TAMK combiners and connecting patch cords. This table lists the optional equipment that enhances the Nova Fiber system.