EXFO Expands AXS-200

QUEBEC CITY -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) announced today the expansion of its AXS-200 SharpTESTER line of handheld testers for telecom access networks with the launch of the AXS-200/350 test module, an optical loss test set (OLTS) optimized for the day-to-day testing needs of telecommunications operators.

The new AXS-200/350 OLTS is designed for the multiservice, multimedium AXS-200 SharpTESTER modular platform, which features a wide range of modules for all access network applications, such as ADSL triple-play and Gigabit Ethernet testing, physical-layer copper and fiber assessment and fiber certification. The AXS-200 platform offers flexible connectivity, a high-legibility color display as well as options including a visual fault locator (VFL) and a fiber inspection probe.

The AXS-200/350 OLTS test module is a great complement to EXFO’s currently available OLTSs—the entry-level FOT-300, the midrange FOT-600 and the flagship, patented FOT-930 MaxTester. Its versatility makes it ideal for various test applications including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments, as well as coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) and dense-wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network assessment.

The increasing popularity of residential and commercial high-speed triple-play services is putting a greater strain on last-mile fiber links. Consequently, NSPs must ensure that the fiber is fully qualified prior to network commissioning. The AXS-200/350 test module is a straightforward test solution that addresses these concerns and enables their field technicians to shorten the link-characterization cycle, delivering automated functionalities that simplify data management and help minimize the risk of human error. What’s more, it offers easy pass/fail threshold configuration, 40 calibrated wavelengths within the 800-1650 nm range, as well as a power range of 26 to –55 dBm.

“EXFO is committed to providing the best test solutions for access network deployment and is leveraging its technology and market leadership in optical testing by expanding the capabilities of its AXS-200 test platform, which meets the last-mile testing needs of network service providers (NSPs),” said Etienne Gagnon, EXFO’s Vice-President of Product Management and Marketing. “We are constantly fine-tuning our product designs to enhance ease of use and productivity, while lowering cost of ownership for our customers. With the introduction of the AXS-200/350 test module, we have made it far easier for field technicians to gather and manage optical test data and to effectively perform fiber-optic network maintenance, upgrades and deployment of services.”

EXFO (Nasdaq: EXFO; Toronto: EXF)