The company says this is a highly reliable and accurate optical fibre field test instrument that will ease the construction and maintenance of rapidly expanding optical communication networks. The AQ7290 is equipped with new functions that improve operability and workability. Six standard and high-performance models are available in the AQ7290 Series, offering a selection of two or three wavelengths to cover a broad range of fibre-optic installation and maintenance measurement needs.  

Development Background

Positioned as the flagship model in the company’s OTDR lineup, the AQ7290 Series has been developed to improve reliability and ease-of-use during the installation and maintenance of optical fibre networks.

 “Field technicians need to make fast and precise measurements with complete confidence,” states Terry Marrinan, VP Global Sales & Marketing, Yokogawa Test & Measurement.

 “During our development process, we made sure the new series would be able to provide customers with high levels of reliability, workability, and operability, making the measurement of fibre optics easier than ever before.”

 Main Features

1. Designed for ease of use in the field

A robust design and stable operation ensure reliable measurement results even under the harshest field conditions. From a workability perspective, the AQ7290 is measurement-ready in less than 10 seconds after power-on, aiding more efficient workflow.

 In addition to the conventional control system of rotary knobs and hardware keys, the multi-touch screen supports intuitive operation and enhanced ease-of-use through a renewed graphical user interface. Notably, the addition of a simplified OTDR mode means even users not accustomed to OTDR instruments can easily perform measurements with a single press of a button. In addition, a pop-up window clearly indicates the next operation, reducing the workload for field technicians.

 The addition of a USB Type-C port for a DC power supply eliminates the need for a dedicated AC adapter. The AQ7290 can also be powered from a USB Power Delivery compliant mobile battery, making it possible to respond to sudden service calls with complete peace of mind.

 2. Enhanced OTDR performance for greater accuracy

Regarding OTDR functionality, Yokogawa has improved the dynamic range, enabling measurement over a longer distance than ever before. A dynamic range improvement of up to 2 decibels over the previous-generation AQ7280 Series is now available for all six models in the AQ7290 Series.

 Also new is support for high-reflection real-time measurement, in which the quality of the displayed waveform is emphasised, and updates are made while displaying the waveform with high accuracy. This makes it possible to measure the far end of long-distance routes and multi-branch splitters, which were not visible with conventional real-time measurement.

 3. Remote operation with expanded connectivity

Connectivity has also been improved with the AQ7290 Series. By attaching a wireless LAN adapter, technicians can operate and communicate with the OTDR from the office or home via an external terminal. The AQ7290 is also compatible with LTE USB dongles, allowing remote control even without a Wi-Fi router.