AFL has introduced the FlexScan FS300-HDR OTDR series and an upgraded FS200-100 model, delivering higher dynamic ranges, faster test times and enhanced capabilities for ultra-high fibre-count data centre networks and high-split-ratio PON deployments.
The FS300-HDR series addresses what the company describes as real-world challenges in testing data centres with thousands of fibres per cable, reducing tier II test times from hours to minutes through a dedicated data centre test mode.
FS300-HDR series: data centre and PON capabilities
The FS300-HDR range includes two models targeting different application requirements. The FS300-323 (1,310/1,550/1,625 nm) provides complete PON testing up to 1:128 split ratios with PON dead zones as low as 10 metres, while the FS300-320 (1,310/1,550 nm) focuses on rapid testing for ultra-high fibre-count networks.
Arun Jain, director of product and marketing at AFL, said the FS300-HDR addressed specific customer pain points: "By reducing multifibre test times to as low as under one second per fibre, the FS300-HDR with data centre test mode becomes a leading fibre test option for data centre and data centre interconnect applications. In a test of a 5,000-foot, 1,728-fibre cable, the FS300-HDR reduced the test time to less than 30 minutes, a task that takes close to 20 hours using traditional OTDRs."
For PON applications, Jain said the increased dynamic range provided certification capabilities for demanding network architectures: "The FS300-HDR provides testing up to split ratios of 1:128," delivering what the company characterises as unprecedented certification capabilities for long-haul, high-split-ratio PON and ultra-high fibre-count networks.
FS200-100 upgrade extends market reach
AFL has upgraded its FS200-100 model with an increased dynamic range of 39/37 dB, supporting split ratios up to 1:64. The model, already approved worldwide by major service providers, now offers what Jain described as "an extremely economical way to test PON networks with split ratios up to 1:64".
The FS200 series represents AFL's most popular OTDR platform, with the enhanced specifications aimed at solidifying its position in the tier I and tier II testing market.
Design focus: speed and usability
AFL positions the OTDR family as the most compact, fastest and easiest to use in its class. The FS300-HDR series maintains this design philosophy while extending capabilities to address current and future network architectures, including the ultra-high fibre-count deployments increasingly common in hyperscale data centre environments.
The company said the products were designed for all experience levels, with automation features supporting rapid deployment by field technicians while maintaining comprehensive certification capabilities for complex network topologies.
Data Centre World London
AFL is exhibiting at Data Centre World in London on 4–5 March 2026 at stand C110. Alongside the OTDR launches, the company will demonstrate modular white space infrastructure for rapid deployment, AI-GPU connectivity optimised for ultra-low latency compute fabrics, and high-density data centre interconnect solutions designed to maximise duct utilisation.
Visitors can see live demonstrations of Fujikura's multicore, hollow-core and mass fusion splicers, pre-terminated plug-and-play modules with full traceability, small-form-factor assemblies that reduce diameter while increasing density, and advanced inspection tools for pre-deployment performance validation.
