FX150+ OTDR Quick Guide

Step 1: Power on Test Set

Press and hold the Power button for two seconds, until a confirmation tone (beep) is heard, and the VeEX logo appears on the screen, then release the power button. The test set will take a few seconds to boot up and automatically start the Fiber Application Tools menu.

To turn the test set OFF, press and hold the Power button until two confirmation tones (beeps) are heard.

 

Step 2: Configure Test Profile

On the main menu, select the OTDR option:

• EZ-OTDR: Performs a measurement and analysis of the fiber and determines optimal test settings automatically.

• Expert OTDR: Allows customization of setups and/or manually overrides the default options.

• V-Scout Link map: Uses factory or user defined multi-pulse test profiles with summary results displayed on a link map.

 

Select the test wavelength (SM1310, SM1550, SM1625 or MM 850, MM 1300), network type, fiber model, and thresholds. For manual mode, choose the additional options for distance, pulse width, resolution, and time.

Auto mode is intended for inexperienced operators and uses single pulse per wavelength. The type of network to be tested must be specified.

Fiber model settings apply only to the next measurement. To change refractive index (RI) and backscatter coefficient (BC) for a previously measured fiber trace, use the Information button on the Traces tab.

Use the Refractive Index (IoR) and Backscatter coefficient as provided by the cable or fiber manufacturer. An incorrect IOR can affect measured length results. Incorrect IoR and Backscatter values can affect Reflectance and ORL results.

Thresholds define the threshold values that match test requirements. Choose the default values or Custom to create a new profile with custom settings. Events will be placed into the table only if the threshold is met/exceeded. Events that fail to meet the pass/threshold will be flagged and highlighted as red in the event table.

Front Panel Check tests connection and displays warning indicating when the launch level is 1.5 dB lower than expected or if initial reflectance is too high (-35dB is default fail threshold). If needed, stop and clean connectors, or proceed with the bad connection. For OTDR with built-in internal launch fiber, (G.657), the OTDR connector insertion loss will depend on the fiber type connected to the test set. Use the Span button to enter fiber mismatch compensation or de-select Include Event Loss in the Span settings.

Autosave saves results automatically with default information in the filename, such as Job, Cable, and Fiber IDs, and with settings to increment the trace or fiber, as needed. It can also set additional information in the test file, like the node, account, location, and technician.

Cloud settings contain Fiberizer Cloud information, so test results and files can be pushed to the Cloud account.

View Setup settings contain trace display options such as units, 3rd party save format, RealTime button on menu, grid color, etc.

 

Step 3: Connect Patch Cord to Test Port

Inspect and clean the test ports and patch cord connectors. Then, connect the patch cord to the main OTDR test port. This is the main OTDR and secondary OTDR PON-capable OTDR port. Selectable single-mode (1310, 1490, 1550 nm wavelengths) or multimode wavelengths. (41dB dynamic range is recommended to support PON with up to two splitters with 1x128 splits total.)

Warning: Never look directly into the beam of an active optical source as this may result in harmful eye damage from radiation exposure.

 

 

For more information, including video instructions on inspecting a connector end-face, go to "CLIC" - Clean to Maintain Optical Connector Quality.

 

Step 4: Run Test

1. Tap the Start button and the Measure tab screen appears. The measurement will begin according to the test parameters entered in the Setup menu. (See Setup Screen.) Elapsed time is indicated below the Stop button .

If multiple wavelengths are selected in the Setup menu, the measurement will be performed using all selected wavelengths one after another without stopping and will be overlaid on the screen for comparison and review. V-Scout multi-pulse traces are also overlaid and displayed automatically.

2. When the test is complete, the Stop button will revert back to a Start button. If needed, tap Stop to terminate the measurement manually.

3. If Autosave is enabled with Ask Before Save checked in the Autosave Parameters screen, a Result AutoSaving window appears asking if the results should be saved. If Ask Before Save was not checked, results will be saved automatically using the filenaming parameters previously set for AutoSave.

4. Tap OK to autosave with the default settings. Tap Abort to exit the screen.

5. When the test plan is complete and OTDR traces performed, view the link map on the Link map tab.

Events

The analysis results are trace events. They are marked on the trace with the marks showing the event types ( for fiber beginning, for splice loss, for fiber end, etc.) Full event details are provided in the event table on the bottom, the span beginning and end are marked with brackets (see below).

Link map

The link map view presents a simplified view of measurement results by analyzing all the event table results for each pulse, whether using single or multiple pulse widths, and all test wavelengths. A span summary is displayed, in the form of a block diagram, for each test wavelength shown at the bottom of viewing window.

Select an icon to obtain more information about that specific event on the fiber, as shown below. For example, event 4 represents a connector with excessive loss, which is common when connectors are not cleaned prior to mating or if they are damaged.

Link map showing splice with excessive loss

 

The link visibility can be significantly improved by using multiple pulse widths to provide better event details.

Traces

After running a test, select the Traces tab to view the active or measured OTDR traces. The color-coded blocks represent the corresponding trace viewed in the OTDR display. The OTDR can display up to ten traces simultaneously (i.e., an active trace and nine additional traces).

 

Traces tab

Traces are displayed along with the name, pulse width, distance range (LMax), and acquisition time used for the test. To view any trace, select the file(s) using the check box. All selected traces will be overlaid and can be viewed using the Results/Traces tabs.

Results

The Results tab is used to view previously saved OTDR test results. OTDR traces can also be manually saved using the Results tab.

The traces are saved in the following folder directory hierarchy:

• Job ID
• Cable ID 
• Fiber ID
• Results – Traces

 

Step 5: View Test Report

Test reports can be accessed from the test set's files or from a mobile device by scanning a provided QR code. Refer to File Manager in the User Manual for more information on accessing the test set's files. For more information on viewing reports on mobile devices, refer to Working with Saved Results, Profiles, Images.

View Test Report from Platform Files

To access the test results stored in the test set:

1. Select the Results & Files tab. The File Management screen is displayed.

2. Select the desired results file to open the test report.

To navigate the test results report, use the links in its Table of Contents and the right rocker switch to scroll Up and Down. Refer to OTDR Screen Navigation.

Enable QR Code Generation

VeEX's NoApp® (US Patent 12,190,199)*This product is protected under U.S. Patent No. 12,190,199 and may be covered by additional patents. Any unauthorized reproduction, sale, or distribution is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. cloud service enables basic meters and advanced test sets to quickly and easily transfer test results' KPI to a phone or tablet, to instantly generate test reports and allow sharing and uploading to centralized R-Server or cloud. See short video about the VeEX NoApp® Wireless Test Results Transfer via NFC.

Internet connectivity is required (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G, etc.).

Immediately after saving results, a screen with a QR code appears. To view the test report via mobile device, scan the QR code with the mobile device’s camera. Tap OK to exit the screen on the test set.

Alternatively, tap the QR code icon on the File Manager screen.

Test Report QR Screen

After transferring results to a mobile device via the QR reader, the browser launches automatically and displays them.

 

The top of the screen shows the device type, mode, serial number, and software version, and the date results were saved on the device.

Export options appear at the bottom on the screen. Alternatively, tap the Menu drop-down menu to view the options.

Results - Mobile View Export Options

 

	Adds/Removes location (GPS coordinates) from results report; customize report with logo.
	Generates complete report in PDF format, which can be shared with the customer (subscriber) or emailed to a supervisor.
	Exports to JSON format, for third-party integration or processing.
	Adds extra job-related information to the report (e.g., Job ID, tech's information, comments, pictures, etc.).
	Uploads results to R-Server (for R-Server users).
	Texts results via SMS protocol.
	Emails current test report.
	Creates a new project for results so multiple test results, from the same or different test sets, can be combined into a single job report.
	Opens knowledge base.
	Opens documentation resources for test set.