EXFO FTBx-88480 Power Blazer - Compact, Dual-Port 400G Tester for the Field

Features

• 1G to 400G Ethernet testing capabilities based on IEEE  standards
• Test twice as fast: validate two circuits simultaneously with dual-port testing (1G up to 400G)
• Complete Ethernet 1G to 400G test suite including EtherBERT, RFC 2544, EtherSAM Y.1564, smart loopback, dual‑port traffic generation and monitoring
• State-of-the-art Open Transceiver System (OTS) design for full flexibility with current and future transceivers
• Flexible solution that uniquely supports current SFP-DD, QSFP-DD, interfaces as well as next‑gen technologies (e.g., digital coherent optics like 400G ZR, Open ZR+)
• Compatible with the portable FTB-1 Pro Platform for the most compact, dual-port 400G solution—ready for the lab-to-field transition
• Supports quick optical transceiver validation and sanity check using iOptics, an intelligent pluggable optics test application
• Pre-emphasis and Rx equalisation tools to modify the waveform for better definition of the eye diagram

Applications

Network operators

Using dual-port testing, technicians can validate main and backup links simultaneously, under consistent conditions—speeding up the process while reducing the potential for network failures. With the FTBx-88480, technicians can validate:

• New 400G transceivers as well as new form factors
• New interconnections using known standard methodologies (e.g., RFC2455 and Y.1564)
• Multiple technologies (Ethernet, OTN) and rates (1G-400G

Data centers

With thousands of high-speed connections within a single data center, it’s important to validate as many transceivers and links as possible in the shortest time. With the FTBx-88480, technicians can validate:

• Two circuits simultaneously with dual-port testing (up to 400G)
• AOC and DAC cables before and after deployment
• The operation of transceivers (from 1G to 400G) easily and with minimal configuration

Labs and equipment manufacturers

The need for 400G test solutions extends beyond the field to the lab and manufacturing floor. Combine the FTBx-88480 with other best-in-class test tools (e.g., OSA, optical switches and variable attenuators) for a fullsuite of advanced testing capabilities. With the FTBx-88480 technicians can validate:

• Current and future high-speed transceivers using EXFO’s unique OTS
• 8x400G test ports running simultaneously on the LTB-8 rackmount platform
• Multiple rates (400G, 200G, 100G, 50G, 25G and 10G)

Description

The FTBx-88480 enables busy field technicians of any skill level to move smoothly and expertly between testing different rates (1G-400G), interfaces and transceiver types—all with a single platform. Modular by design, the FTBx-88480 includes the unique Optical Transceiver System (OTS) and 112G electrical lanes built to test today’s transceivers, while staying ready for tomorrow’s next-gen technologies.

The FTBx-88480 400G tester helps operators make the most of tight test-equipment budgets. Operators invest in a single, multiservice platform that is flexible enough to test both emerging 400G networks as well as 1G-100G networks. And its modular platform means upgradeability is built-in—so it's ready to handle the evolution from “now” to “next”.

Test widely deployed and up-and-coming technologies

• Test multiple technologies, rates and interfaces all on the same platform
• Test twice as fast: validate two circuits simultaneously with dual-port testing (up to 400G)
• Compatibility for both current and future high-speed transceivers
• Future-proof 112G electrical lanes for testing next-gen 100G-400G optics
• Validate pluggable optics (1G-400G) fast with automated, intelligent application
• Same intuitive GUI across all EXFO platforms means techs are up-and-running fast
• High-performance cooling system means no need for an external fan
• Cloud-based, collaborative platform links all parts of a field test ecosystem

Test twice as fast with dual-port capabilities

The ability to test two ports simultaneously means technicians can do more in a single day. With the sheer volume of ports in play—like the thousands of high-speed connections within a single data center—fast and accurate testing is critical.

• Validate two circuits simultaneously for speeds up to 400G—including 1G, 100G and 200G and more—with the same equipment
• Test main and backup links at the same time and under consistent conditions, reducing technician time in the field and potential for network failures
• Testing more in a day means more test results are consolidated on a single report, making analysis that much easier

Go modular with the Open Transceiver System

How do you test today’s transceivers, while being ready to validate tomorrow’s next-gen optics? Do both, with EXFO’s Open Transceiver System (OTS). The OTS is an innovative, evolutionary design enabling any transceiver (now or future) to fit into an EXFO test solution.

Experience ultimate flexibility—swap out OTS modules in the field, choosing only the ones needed for whichever applications, rates or technologies under test (e.g., coherent optics, 400G ZR and 400G ZR+).

Save on CAPEX by eliminating the necessity to completely replace an expensive testing module. Instead, swap out OTS modules and extend the life of test equipment.

Support multiple transceiver types simultaneously with a future-proof architecture designed to handle both current and upcoming high-speed transceiver technologies as they are developed and deployed.

Validate pluggable transceivers with iOptics

Too often, instead of checking connectors for cleanliness, field techs discard a presumably faulty transceiver when it just needed a quick cleaning. With thousands of pluggable transceivers at play, this rip-and-replace strategy is racking up more costs by the day.

Enter iOptics, an automated, intelligent test application on the FTBx-88480:

• Validate pluggable transceivers (1G to 400G) quicker than ever
• Accurate, efficient way to test for faulty transceivers
• Validate a full range of transceivers including QSFP-DD, QSFP28, QSFP+, SFP28,
• SFP+, SFP, AOC QSFP28 cables, DAC QSFP-DD, Bidi SFP+ and SFP

Go beyond the field into the lab

Whether its carrier labs testing out the latest transceivers before technicians encounter them in the field, or other communication equipment manufacturers running tests on manufacturing floors, the need for 400G test solutions extends beyond the field to lab and manufacturing applications.

With the FTBx-88480 in EXFO’s LTB-8 rackmount platform, users can:

• Get more done faster with 8 x 400G test ports running simultaneously.
• Test multiple rates (400G, 200G, 100G, 25G)

Combine the FTBx-88480 with other best-in-class test tools (e.g., OSA, optical switches and variable attenuators) for a full suite of advanced testing capabilities.