Quick guide

to testing FTTH
Solutions and insights from installation to repairs.
 We bring you Quick guide
the essential
tools to power to testing FTTH
through your The demand for high-quality broadband services
transformation. is driving FTTH rollouts worldwide. With more
stringent service-level agreements, it is vital to
install optical networks right the first time and to
keep them running at the highest standards.
In today's complex network landscape, the right tool
set gives technicians a powerful edge in addressing
typical tasks from construction to service activation.

About EXFO
EXFO develops smarter test, monitoring
and analytics solutions for the global
communications industry. We are trusted
advisers to fixed and mobile network
operators, hyperscalers and leaders in
the manufacturing, development and
research sector. They count on us to
deliver superior visibility and insights into
network performance, service reliability
and user experience. Building on 35 years
of innovation, EXFO’s unique blend of
equipment, software and services enable
faster, more confident transformations
related to 5G, cloud-native and fiber-optic
networks.

2 Quick guide to testing FTTH

Empowering technicians from
headend to node
WiFi Speedtest
testing over RJ45

Router

XGS-PON GPON
customer customer

Drop XGS-PON
terminal customer

First splitter Drop

1XN terminal
nm
XGS-PON 577
OLT Patch 5 0/1
panel /15
90
14
H
GPON
FD
Patch
OLT panel

Voice
nm
Data
3 10
CO 6 0/1
12

Essential tools for testing FTTH

FIP-500 Optical Explorer (OX1) MaxTester 945 MaxTester 730C
(Fiber inspection scope) (Optical fiber multimeter) (Multifunction optical loss test set) (OTDR + iOLM)

Connector inspection Last-mile activation, Fiber certification FTTx construction

troubleshooting and maintenance and troubleshooting

PX1 EX1 PPM-350D Data Post-processing

(Optical power expert) (FTTH and Business Services tester) (Next-gen PON power meter) and reporting

Activation Service activation Service activation

and troubleshooting and troubleshooting

Quick guide to testing FTTH 3

 OTDR/iOLM
F1/F2 characterization and advanced troubleshooting
Key features
– Length, loss, ORL, splices, connectors and splitter characterization
– Filtered out-of-band laser with in-line power meter (broadband or PON dual layer)
Learn more
for live construction or live troubleshooting
– Fault identification
– SOR reporting

On any FTTH construction job, it is critical to have the right tools to fully characterize cables before moving on to the
installation phase. An optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an absolute necessity.
When it comes to the wide variety of FTTH splitter configurations, classic OTDRs are not suited for high concentrations
of high-loss components. EXFO's PON-optimized OTDRs (e.g., FTBx-730, MAX-730) are designed to characterize any
kind of FTTH network as they can detect and measure balanced and unbalanced splitters, splices, connectors or locate
anything potentially impacting total budget loss (e.g., macrobends, splices, bad connectors, fiber breaks).
With the award-winning iOLM, all the expert-level work is done by pressing one button; performing first-time-right
analysis and closing jobs faster.
Cloud-based workflow management (TestFlow) and post-analysis reporting (FastReporter) complete the toolbox.

4 Quick guide to testing FTTH

Fiber inspection scopes
Fiber inspection for both singlefiber and multifiber connectors
Key features
– Certify connector endfaces
– Verify cleanliness and no damage on ferrule
Learn more

Connectors are the no. 1 cause of network failures.

Dirty or damaged connectors can have a huge impact on the loss budget, signal quality degradation and service
availability. It is essential to inspect each and every connector before it is mated.
EXFO's fiber inspection scopes (e.g., FIP-400/FIP-500) have been designed to simplify the verification and validation
of connectors through a fully automated system that includes fiber recognition, auto-center, auto-focus, auto-capture
and pass/fail auto-analysis. You only have to mate the fiber inspection scope to your connector and read the outcome.

Quick guide to testing FTTH 5

 Bidirectional OLTS
Length, loss, ORL, continuity
Key feature
– F1/F2 and splitter characterization

Learn more

Once the splitter(s) have been installed, it is important to quantify the total loss and confirm whether it is within the
loss budget.

Why do we need bidirectional OLTS testing?

Bidirectional testing minimizes possible differences by measuring specific events that may have different losses
depending on the test direction. It is recommended to perform bidirectional testing and analysis.
One method uses an optical loss test set (OLTS) with a light source at one end, and a power meter at the remote side.
Using EXFO's OLTS kit (MAX-945), characterization is just a matter of seconds thanks to the power meter/light souce
dual function, enabling bidirectional testing.
One device can stand at the optical distribution frame (ODF) side while a second one can be placed after the splitter,
or at any other position up to the customer premises, for bidirectional characterization.

6 Quick guide to testing FTTH

Power meter
Service activation
Key features
– Measure downstream power (single-layer PON)
– Check continuity with onboard VFL
Learn more

After the fiber is installed and prior to FTTH service activation, the power at the optical network terminal (ONT) socket
has to be checked. It is crucial to ensure that there is enough power for the ONT to function.
Using EXFO's power meter (PX1), it is possible to measure the signal power received from the central office optical
line terminal (OLT) device (a.k.a the downstream), in under 1 second.
A report can easily be shared through your smartphone with managers or customers.
An onboard red-light visual fault locator (VFL) speeds up identification when multiple fiber cables are being installed,
as well as troubleshooting in case of a fiber break or macrobend problems.

Quick guide to testing FTTH 7

 PON power meter
Service activation and troubleshooting
Key features
– Verify downstream PON wavelengths (up to three: 1490, 1550 and 1577 nm)
– Passthrough measurement to verify upstream wavelength
Learn more
– Confirm if issue is between test point and ONT or other side
– No more blind ONT replacements

If the same fiber cabling carries multiple services (e.g., GPON and XGS-PON double services), a standard power meter
can lead to misleading results as it measures the total power received without distinguishing between single services.
EXFO's PON power meter (PPM-350) is capable of filtering and measuring the signal for each service independently.
This guarantees the correct measurement per service, which greatly helps when troubleshooting. This tester can also
measure the signal when the ONT is connected to know whether the issue is between test point and the ONT.

8 Quick guide to testing FTTH

Optical fiber multimeter (OFM)
F2 verification, service activation and troubleshooting
Key features
– Length, loss, fault up to splitter, continuity at splitter
– Live network testing
Learn more
– Find excess loss at splitter
– Power (single or dual layer)

Activating an FTTH customer means completing fiber installation from cabinet/splitter to customer premises.
Once this task is done, it is vital to verify the optical link on-site to avoid issues and repeat truck rolls during
service activation. Measuring the length of fiber, its loss and ORL, and verifying the absence of any fault
(e.g., fiber break, macrobending, dirty connector, bad splice) are basic yet essential checks in ensuring link quality.
It is also important to confirm whether the fiber is connected to the splitter or if signal power is adequate without
excessive losses at the splitter.
These measurements become handy for maintenance tasks, considering the need to perform tests on a live network.
The industry's first optical fiber multimeter (EXFO's Optical Explorer also known as the OX1) was specifically built for
these tests. Just connect the fiber under test and push the start button; all the rest is done by the tester, including fault
analysis within a few seconds and reporting.

Quick guide to testing FTTH 9

 Services tester
Service activation/troubleshooting
Key features
– Speedtest® by Ookla®
– ONT emulation
Learn more
– PON ID

Everything is ready to activate the service... but is the fiber connected to the right OLT port?
The splitter in the cabinet is cabled, but there are vast amounts of patch cables entailing the possibility of earlier
mistakes. In cases like this, it is key to have a portable, battery-powered device that can read the PON ID to identify
the OLT port.
EXFO's FTTH and Business Services tester (the EX1) can be connected directly to the fiber under test to automatically
measure the optical signal level and read the PON ID.
Knowing the optical service level is very helpful in debugging complex connection issues. Moreover, the tester can
emulate the customer’s ONT and check internet availability along the link.
The tester also does Ethernet and WiFi speed tests. This gives the possibility to test the service after the ONT is installed
and to configure the customer’s router for optimal WiFi coverage inside the building.

Ookla® and Speedtest® are registered trademarks of Ookla.

10 Quick guide to testing FTTH

Remote fiber testing solutions (RFTS)
Construction, activation and monitoring
Key features
– F1 feeder baselining
– Splitter characterization
Learn more
– Distribution to drop terminal
– Drop terminal to ONT

The use of field portable testers is vital for fully characterizing, installing, troubleshooting the optical link from customer
premises to the OLTs in the exchanges or central offices.
Operators have the possibility of further optimizing the system to avoid issues and ensure service quality and availability.
EXFO's Nova Fiber is a remote fiber testing system that leverages a smart OTDR at the central office or in any central
places for benchmarking and verifying fiber infrastructure integrity.
During construction, Nova Fiber can be used to create a complete map of the network with baseline information. This
can in turn be used for on-demand troubleshooting and fiber verification after repairs.
Nova Fiber monitors and detects fiber-related issues 24/7. It is strategically important to manage fiber SLAs with real-
time fault alerts.

Quick guide to testing FTTH 11

 Sales and customer service
EXFO headquarters
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Quebec City, Quebec G1M 2K2 CANADA
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EXFO America Inc.

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T +1 800 663-3936 (U.S. and Canada)

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22/03
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