Viavi Solutions has launched an all-in-one solution for medium and long-range bidirectional testing and certification of hollow core fiber (HCF).

The offering can perform the slightly more complex testing required for hollow core fiber. Traditional OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) analysis – wherein light pulses are used to map a fiber optic cable's path to pinpoint faults – needs to be tweaked in order to support hollow core fiber.

Unlike traditional optical fiber, which carries light through a solid glass core, HCF guides signals through an air-filled channel, reducing refraction and allowing data to approach the physical speed of light. While this results in faster transmission speeds, improved energy efficiency, and, according to Viavi, up to 30 percent lower latency, because hollow core fiber’s backscattering (where the light used for testing interacts with air rather than solid glass) is extremely weak, it means that traditional testing methods simply won’t cut it.

Viavi’s offering is then capable of performing multi-length bidirectional testing, allowing for measurements to be taken from both ends of the fiber to provide more accurate results.

Leveraging proprietary innovations from its advanced 8100 Series OTDR modules and ReportPRO software, including algorithms capable of performing bidirectional OTDR analysis, Viavi’s offering can separate the true signal from the noise and provide the true loss profile needed for certification.

The vendor’s bidirectional OTDR measurements mean engineers can test and monitor fibers at higher wavelengths, while also allowing them to perform dispersion testing and attenuation profile analysis. Viavi claims that few options exist for medium- and long-haul links.

With the increasing industry interest in hollow core fiber owing to its performance-enhancing capabilities, Viavi is positioning its solution as a way for operators to monitor deployments as they handle increasingly intense data loads.

“A key advantage of hollow core fiber is that it transmits data faster over longer distances. However, testing for splice quality, connector losses, and fiber integrity requires a different approach with higher-performance test solutions," said Kevin Oliver, VP and GM of fiber and access solutions at Viavi.

“Viavi’s all-in-one offering has delivered strong results over short, mid, and long-distance links in trials we've held in collaboration with leading fiber manufacturers and hyperscalers, allowing them to protect these larger investments in HCF and ensure future return on investment.”