OPTICAL FREQUENCY DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER (OFDR)

Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR)

Swept Photonics Analyzer

APEX Technologies ODFR-APX series Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer (OFDR) also known as Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR), Swept Photonics Analyzer and High Resolution Reflectometer allows to measure the reflection and transmission of fiber optic components in the spatial domain with a high resolution of 8 µm, a dynamic range of 120 dB, a measurement range of up to 244 m and for any wavelength range between 1260 to 1630 nm. The OFDR configuration is based on a mode-hop-free Tunable Laser Source whose frequency is swept linearly in time. This TLS (model TLS-APBX) can be integrated inside the equipment or into an external benchtop as an option. The advantage of the latter configuration is that the TLS can be connected to several APEX Technologies equipment based on interferometric principle (OSA, OCSA, OFDR).

OFDR Key figures

Wavelength ranges available

(Any custom range between 1260 nm and 1630 nm available upon request)

OFDR

Specifications

Resolution (µm)

Dynamic range (dB)

Measurement range: up to 244 m
Sensitivity: –135 dB
Insertion loss dynamic range: 18 dB

Optical spectrum analyzer bandwidth resolution filter shape

Measure all your events with Top Specifications OFDR !

APEX Technologies reflectometer is able to analyze the back reflection and transmission characteristics of fiber optic components in the spatial domain. We present here a measurement example of a phase modulator (SMF28 fiber) using the 8 µm resolution.

High resolution Bragg grating OFDR measurement

APEX Technologies High resolution Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer allows to measure the transfert function of photonic integrated circuits and optical components with a resolution of 8 µm (zero dead zone) and with the highest dynamic range in the market (120 dB)

optical-complex-spectrum-analyzer-principle-v2

Unmatched Sensitivity <-135 dB!

Reflectivity measurement of a 5 m fiber with two FC/APC connectors. Our equipment offers a sensitivity of -135 dB

OFDR Highest dynamic range in the market > 120 dB

By using a fibered Farady mirror with APC connector, we realized a high reflectivity measurement. We are able to measure peaks with amplitudes > -10 dB, i.e. a dynamic range > 120 dB.

Multi-mode fiber ODFR characterization!

Analysis on multimode fiber is possible, but care must be taken to use a mode converter to obtain the most significant results possible. However, after various tests, we were able to demonstrate that measurements on 50/125 µm and 62.5/125 µm fibers were possible and of good quality.

Long measurement distance (up to 244 m) high reflectivity measurements

APEX Technologies High Resolution Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer (OFDR) enables measurements of fibered components with a measurement range of up to 244 m. Any measurement range can be customized under request.

OFDR measurement of the time delay (length) and spectral response

By measuring the reflectivity versus length of the optical component, our brand new software allows to analyze the insertion and return loss in the spectral and time domain

OFDR polarization analysis

APEX Technologies OFDR has the distinctive ability to display both orthogonal polarizations simultaneously and separately. Additionally, we can recombine them and provide a polarization-independent measurement