VIAVI brings in testing solutions for network equipment manufacturers and labs

Viavi Solutions has introduced a range of new solutions designed for testing tomorrow’s network elements in today’s lab, production and manufacturing environments. With these new offerings, VIAVI further enhances the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of test and measurement solutions for these markets. The new solutions and more will be showcased at the OFC Conference in San Diego, March 3–7, 2019.

Networks around the world are undergoing revolutionary transformation – 5G, IoT, Gigabit to the Home and out to the cloud. And all these networks depend on fiber-optic communications, the only technology capable of supporting the exponential increases in bandwidth demand in every segment from the edge to the core. Performance requirements for today’s networks are more exacting than ever, and the need for testing of equipment and networks is critical – from the lab and production environment throughout the entire network lifecycle.

From basic optical connector and component testing to leadership in 100/400/800G transmission and next-generation protocol testing, VIAVI has optimized solutions engineered specifically for all phases of the production lifecycle, from design and product validation to manufacturing test applications. The new solutions include:

· The MAP-300 photonic metrology and test automation platform, the third generation of an industry standard. As a successor to MAP-200, the MAP-300 achieves the precision required for lab use and the configurability needed for the rigors of manufacturing. New, multi-user architecture supported by a customizable user interface to prioritize key data, along with remote automation over direct IP socket connections, help increase capital utilization and dramatically reduce the cost of test. Full backward compatibility with MAP-200 modules enables current WSS, 400GE and coherent line system manufacturers to protect their installed base.

· The mOLM-C1 module for the MAP-200 benchtop system, which adds to the industry-leading MAP portfolio of insertion loss and return loss solutions for optical connector manufacturers. The mOLM-C1 module and the PCT-rm application suite are designed to create a cost-effective, space-optimized solution. With the unique ability to measure four wavelengths at the same time without specification degradation, the mOLM-C1 is the fastest measurement system on the market and is also the only solution in its class able to share scripts and data between units.

· Two new Optical Network Tester (ONT) products, the ONT-800 mainframe and the 800G Flex module, build on the industry reference ONT-600 to deliver the bandwidth, power and cooling requirements for testing at 800G per lambda and beyond. The ONT-800 enables multi-service testing for R&D, SVT and manufacturing while retaining all the best-in-class automation, applications and reliability of its predecessor, the ONT-600. The 800G Flex module’s advanced test coverage, including PHY, PCS and Ethernet layers, gives manufacturers an advantage when designing and manufacturing emerging technologies. The ONT-800 family delivers unmatched port density for all applications in the product development lifecycle, and the industry’s first full-bandwidth 400G ODUflex in OTUC4, via FlexO or OTLC4.

· The FVAm series of benchtop microscopes are all-in-one benchtop inspection and analysis microscope for MPO and other multi-fiber connectors. FVAm completely automates every step of the inspection and test process with unmatched speed and reliability. With the ability to automatically test multi-fiber connectors in under 20 seconds, the FVAm equips manufacturing facilities to ensure optimized quality and performance of MPO cables and QSFP modules at every stage of production.

Tom Fawcett, Vice-President & General Manager, Lab and Production, VIAVI, says, “At VIAVI, our decades-long history of innovation includes the establishment of an industry-leading suite of purpose-built products for lab, production, and manufacturing environments. With these new solutions, VIAVI is doubling down on our offerings, providing a test portfolio that is unmatched in its depth, breadth, and support for all phases of optical transmission system development – helping our customers and the industry as a whole bring products to market faster.”