Test and Measurement

Keysight Technologies has launched Test Asset Optimization Services, which the company says is the industry’s first integrated solution that measures in real-time, asset true utilisation and health.

Keysight’s Test Asset Optimization Services is designed to eliminate the need for companies to assign personnel to manually record when instruments are in use and making measurements. It aims to allow customers to improve return on investments by optimising capital and operating expenses to meet test demands in research and development through manufacturing.

The latest polarity testing solution from OptoTest – the OP415 polarity analyser is designed to efficiently test 24-fibre MTP/MPO cable assemblies, but it can also be easily configured for 8-fibre and 12-fibre testing.

It comes pre-loaded with 12-fibre and 24-fibre polarity types A, B, and C, plus the ability to create and store custom fibre mappings and channel configurations. Alternatively, the polarity analyser can learn polarity types from existing cables and store them for future use.

The new PXI optical test modules from Coherent Solutions and National Instruments (NI) include optical switches, optical-electrical converters, and variable optical attenuators, with more modules promised for release throughout the year.

The new AQ2200-232 from Yokogawa is a high-performance optical sensor head which joins the company’s range of optical power meter modules (AQ2200-215 and AQ2200-221).

Used in conjunction with the dual-port AQ2200-202 interface module, the AQ2200-232 sensor head is targeted at making accurate measurements in challenging applications such as power testing of laser chips in free space light, I/L curve measurement of laser-diode modules and multicore fibre measurements (with an MPO connector adapter). 

EXFO’s new SkyRAN scalable remote access and monitoring platform is designed to help mobile network operators proactively identify and resolve network problems before they impact on subscribers.

The ability to troubleshoot mobile networks in this way will become increasingly important as the mobile industry starts to transform its networks in preparation for 5G, as this will rely on highly dense networks and so could result in an increase in the number of radio frequency RF interference sources.

Anritsu has released a Variable ISI MU195020A-040/041 option for upgrading the emphasis function of the pulse pattern generator (PPG) in the Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series, along with the USB Link Training Software MX183000A-PL022 for USB3.0/3.1 receiver test.

Networks are becoming cloudy in more ways than one. Test equipment vendors are already using cloud systems to manage tools and test results, and now Viavi Solutions has connected the results from its test instruments to network management platforms for the first time.

Panduit EMEA has introduced the OptiCam 2 fibre termination tool, offering simple to use, ‘right-first-time’ termination together with an instantly calculated and accurate insertion loss value. This new tool will provide installers with a fast and reliable fibre termination system which improves productivity by reducing install time and scrap, as well as decreasing cable re-work.

Network test, monitoring and analytics specialist EXFO has released what it believes is the industry’s first ‘PON-aware’ power meter for testing next-generation and legacy passive optical network (PON) technologies.

The PPM-350D PON Power Meter automatically detects and adapts test parameters to suit the PON technology in use at the customer premises. These new capabilities eliminate costly guesswork by field technicians during the critical service activation phase.

Nokia has officially launched Predictive Care for its Fixed Networks portfolio, establishing a new network care model with automated predictive network support. Five customers are already using the platform, the company said.