EXFO has integrated automatic-focus adjustment capabilities into its FIP-430B.
The FIP-430B fiber inspection probe from EXFO integrates advanced automated features, the company says, including a high-performance, fiber image-centering system and onboard connector-endface pass/fail analysis. “The probe’s image-centering function is capable of achieving time savings of up to 57 percent, and the unique automatic focus adjustment features provides the critical missing link enabling the process to be 100-percent automated,” the company said. “Not only is the image always captured with optimized quality, the focus protection feature prevents image capture in the event of improper focus adjustment—thus ensuring that no defects or residues affecting performance can be ignored by the analysis.”
When a user connects the FIP-430B to the connector port, the probe will automatically detect the connection, find and center the fiber image, adjust and optimize the focus and capture, run the pass/fail analysis, and save and report the results. According to EXFO, the entire process takes just slightly longer than cleaning a connector port, “making it difficult to justify overlooking this critical step.”
Etienne Gagnon, vice president of the company’s physical layer and wireless division, commented, “EXFO is the first to introduce and autofocus feature of this kind in a field-inspection device. By automating the full test process, this innovation eliminates all complex and time-consuming operations, as well as the risk of human misinterpretation, making it easier for the end user to follow best practices. The autofocus facilitates identification of defects, and focus protection prevents reporting of false-positive results—all of which leads to more accurate and consistent test results for first-time-right network deployment.”
The FIP-430B USB inspection probe is compatible with any PC or laptop, as well as all products in EXFO’s FTB Ecosystem platform, and the MaxTester 700B OTDR series.
