Test & Inspection FlexScan ® FS200 OTDR With SmartAuto ®, FleXpress™ and LinkMap ® User’s Guide www.AFLglobal.
Contents Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apple Inc. Legal Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hardware Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents Enabling Launch Quality Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Launch and Receive Cable Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Testing in SmartAuto® OTDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Start SmartAuto Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents Enable Bluetooth on FlexScan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Enable Bluetooth on FOCIS Flex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inspecting Optical Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saving, Recalling and Uploading Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Information WARNING! Use of procedures or adjustments other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure. 1550 nm OTDR/OLS port This is a CLASS I LASER output. 1650 nm OTDR/OLS port 1310/1550 nm OTDR/OLS port 1310/1550/1650 nm OTDR/OLS port VFL port This is a CLASS II LASER output.
Safety Information interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. IC: 23261-FS2TS1 This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s license exempt (RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference. 2.
• • • • • • • Should the power cord become seriously damaged (internal wiring exposed or shorted), contact the manufacturer to request servicing. CAUTION! Do not run any tests or perform functions that activate a FlexScan laser unless fiber is attached to the corresponding port. CAUTION! To avoid serious eye injury, never look directly into the optical outputs of fiber optic network equipment, test equipment, patch cords, or test jumpers.
Hardware Overview Controls, Display, Interfaces 1 2 3 Ref 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 Feature Power button Power port (5 VDC) Description Press to power FlexScan OTDR on/off. This is interface for the AC power adapter/charger. AC/Charger indicator Illuminates when AC is connected and indicates battery charging status. • RED light = rechargeable battery is charging. • GREEN light = rechargeable battery is fully charged. • Note: Flashing RED/GREEN = Battery charging halted due to over-temperature.
Hardware Overview 10 9 6 Ref Feature 6 OTDR/Light Source port Power meter port 7 8 VFL port 9 Dust cap 10 Touchscreen display 7 8 Description This is a CLASS I LASER output. 1550 nm only, 1650 nm only, 1310/1550 nm, or 1310/1550/1650 nm single-mode OTDR/Light Source port, depending on model. Optical Power Meter port. Used for power (dBm, W) or loss (dB) measurements. This is a CLASS II LASER output. Do not stare into beam! The VFL (visual fault locator) port is a 650 nm (visible red) laser.
Front Panel Buttons and Indicators 11 12 13 14 Ref 11 12 13 14 Feature Description Home button Press to access the Home screen. Test start/stop button Press to start a new test; or, if a test is running, stop the current test.
Battery Charging You may charge the battery while your FlexScan is switched on or 1 off by attaching the supplied AC charger. • Plug the included AC charger into AC outlet. • Connect charger plug to the Power port 1 . • AC/Charger indicator 2 will illuminate to indicate charging status as follows: RED - Charging battery GREEN - Fully charged OFF - AC disconnected 2 • FlexScan charges while operating. • A fully-charged battery operates for approximately 12 hours of typical use.
Configuring FlexScan to Auto-Off The Auto-Off feature is available for conserving battery power on your FlexScan. To Configure the Auto-Off Timer: • Turn your FlexScan On. • From the displayed Home screen A , touch Settings menu B . • In the Settings menu, locate the Auto Off Timer option C . – Touch D to navigate to next/previous screen if the Auto Off Timer option is not displayed. • Touch the Auto Off Timer field to display the settings sub-menu E .
User Interface Overview Home Screen Features The Home screen A is the FlexScan’s Main screen that is displayed at startup. While in any other screen, return to Home by either pressing the Home button or touching and holding (if available) the Back soft key. This screen contains menus of Test and Utility modes that allow users to set test parameters, select user preferences, manage saved test results, configure general settings and perform other non-test functions.
User Interface Overview Utility Modes and Features Summary FOCIS Flex auto-focus probe. 6 USB: Touch to enable file transfer. Enabling this 6. mode allows the user to connect to a PC to upload results to the PC or download software updates from the PC. 7. 7 Last: Touch to view the most recent test results. 8. 8 Saved: Touch to recall and view saved test results. 9 Settings: Touch to access General Settings menu 9. that contains Unit settings, user preferences, and common OTDR settings. 10 10.
General Settings While in the General Settings screen: • Touch the desired setting field/tab (e.g. 2 Distance Units) to display a sub-menu. • Touch A to display additional General Settings screen. • Touch B to return to the previous menu. Select and view/edit settings as follows 1 Language: touch to select the desired language. 1. 2 Distance Units: select kilometers, meters, kilofeet, feet, miles. 2. 3 Speaker Volume: 3. – If disabled, touch the on/off control / to turn the Speaker on C .
General Settings 5 Bluetooth: 1. – If disabled, touch the Bluetooth field to display Bluetooth menu. – Touch the Bluetooth radio button to enable . – In the device name field you will see Bluetooth ID displayed for the FlexScan device. 6 Screen Brightness and Auto-dim: 2. – Touch the on/off control / to enable/disable the Auto Brightness feature.
General Settings 7 Auto Off Timer: Touch to display a sub-screen and select Auto Off option: 5 min, 15 min, Never. 1. 8 Remote Control: Enable/disable WiFi remote access. 2. 9 Launch Quality Check: Touch the on/off control 3. / to enable/disable check of the OTDR connection quality at start of each OTDR test. 4.
General Settings 11 1. Screenshot Mode: Touch to enable/disable capture. – When enabled, press Home () to capture current screen. 12 2. Switch Mode: Touch to configure MPO switch settings. – MPO Switch control is available only when MPO Switch is enabled and connected to FlexScan via USB cable. – When MPO Switch connected, up to 12 fibers may be tested in a single SmartAuto or Expert mode test.
General Settings To configure automatic MPO Switch control: • Touch Switch Mode A . • A popup error message appears if Switch Mode selected with no MPO switch connected and enabled. • Switch Settings B appears if switch connected and enabled. • Select Auto Switch Mode C . • Select Next Fibers D and configure fibers to be tested. • Touch Auto-save to Folder E , then select and configure Job,OTDR End, Far End, Cable folder, and start Link (Fiber#) where multi-fiber test results will be saved.
SmartAuto® OTDR with FleXpress™ and LinkMap® Display Using Touchscreen Controls While in the Settings Menu: If no setting changes required: • Touch ‘Press to start’ A to initiate testing. Notes: 1. Characterize mode: Standard multi-pulse acquisition. 2. FleXpress mode (FS200-300/304 only): Fast Test mode for Point-to-Point networks only. If setting changes required: • Touch the desired setting field/tab (e.g. B Test Type) to display a sub-menu (where applicable).
SmartAuto® OTDR with FleXpress™ and LinkMap® Display SmartAuto Settings Summary 1. 1 Test Type: – Limited to Characterize in FS200-50B/100 models. – Select Characterize or FleXpress Fast Test in FS200-60/300/304 models when Network Type = Point-to-Point. 2. 2 Pass/Fail Rule: Indicates selected LinkMap event pass/fail rules. Touch to select ITU G.671, TIA-568.3-D or User. Touch and hold to view/edit pass/fail event thresholds. 3. 3 Network Type: Limited to Point-to-Point in FS200-50B /100 models.
A Configuring Pass/Fail Rule B ITU G.671 Pass/Fail Settings may be viewed but NOT changed. TIA-568.3-D Pass/Fail Settings may be viewed but NOT changed. User Pass/Fail Settings may be viewed and changed. C D E G F H To view ITU G.671 or TIA-568.3-D Pass/Fail Rule Settings • While in the SmartAuto Settings screen A , make sure the ITU G.671 or TIA-568.3-D Rule B is displayed in the Pass/Fail Rule field. • If not, touch the Pass/Fail Rule field to display the Rules menu C and touch the ITU G.
A B C D E G To view and edit User Pass/Fail Rule Settings • While in the SmartAuto Settings screen A , make sure the User Rule label B is displayed in the Pass/Fail Rule field. • If not, touch the Pass/Fail Rule field to display the Rules menu C and touch the User option D to select. • When back in the SmartAuto Settings screen, touch and hold the displayed User Rule B to open one of the settings screen: – Either Splice Thresholds E or Connection Thresholds F screen will be displayed.
Configuring Fiber Type SmartAuto Settings Screen A G.65x Fiber Settings may be viewed but NOT changed. User Settings may be viewed and changed. To view G.65x Fiber Settings • While in the SmartAuto Settings screen A , make sure a G.65x fiber type B is displayed in the Fiber Type field. • If not, touch the Fiber Type field to display the Fiber Type menu C and touch one of the G.65x fiber types D to select. • When back in the SmartAuto Settings screen, touch and hold the displayed G.
SmartAuto Settings Screen A B C D To view and edit User Fiber Type Settings • While in the SmartAuto Settings screen A , make sure the User Fiber Type label B is displayed in the Fiber Type field. • If not, touch the Fiber Type field to display the Fiber Type menu C and touch the User option D to select.
SmartAuto Settings Screen A C D B Enabling Launch Quality Check When Launch Quality Check feature is enabled, FlexScan checks loss and reflectance of OTDR connection to network enabling the user to detect dirty, damaged, poorly seated, or mismatched (UPC to APC) connectors. To Enable Launch Quality Check • While in the SmartAuto Settings screen A , touch the on/off control B to enable .
Testing in SmartAuto® OTDR To Start SmartAuto Test Initiate the SmartAuto test by touching ‘Press to start’ A soft key or pressing Test start/stop button. 1. FlexScan begins testing with the Live Fiber check and if a live fiber is NOT detected, proceeds to next step. 2. If the Launch Quality check is enabled B , FlexScan checks loss and reflectance of the OTDR connection. 3. If launch quality is ‘Good’, FlexScan starts testing at both wavelengths using SmartAuto settings. 4.
Testing in SmartAuto® OTDR Launch Quality Check An optional launch quality check enables users to detect dirty, damaged, poorly seated, or mismatched (UPC to APC) connectors. To perform the launch quality check: 1. With the Launch Quality Check option A enabled in the OTDR or General Settings screen, initiate an OTDR test. 2. The FlexScan will assess the loss and reflectance at the OTDR’s connection to the launch cord (fiber ring) or fiber under test. 3.
Understanding LinkMap Display Features LinkMap is an icon-based representation of the analyzed network.
Link Summary icon: may be green (all events passed), red (one or more events failed, but no major fault detected), or black (one or more major faults detected) A Event icon: event icons may be green (pass), red (fail), or black (major fault). Pass/fail/major fault is based on event loss and reflectance thresholds configured by the currently selected Pass/Fail Rule.
Understanding Expert/Real-time OTDR Settings Parameter Trace Length Description The Trace Length parameter determines the distance range of the full (unzoomed) trace. It also determines the distance between data points in the trace: the longer Trace Length, the wider the data point spacing. We recommend selecting the shortest Trace Length that is longer than the fiber under test. For example, to test a fiber that is 2.5 km long, select the 5 km range.
Expert OTDR Settings The Expert OTDR mode is accessed from the Home screen by touching the Expert OTDR tab A . While in the Expert OTDR screen B : • Touch the desired test setup parameter to display a sub-screen. • While in a sub-screen, touch the desired field to set the value. • Touch C to toggle between Expert settings screens. • Touch D to return to the Home screen. Choose wavelength(s) at which to test Select Pulse Width: 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200 ns.
Real-Time OTDR Settings The Real-Time OTDR mode is accessed from the Home screen by touching the Real-Time OTDR tab A . While in the Real-Time OTDR screen B : • Touch the desired test setup parameter to display a sub-screen. • While in a sub-screen, touch the desired field to set the value. • Touch C to toggle between Expert settings screens. • Touch D to return to the Home screen. Choose wavelength(s) at which to test Select Pulse Width: 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200 ns.
Testing in Expert and Real-Time OTDR Mode To Test in Expert or Real-Time OTDR Mode Initiate an OTDR test by pressing the Start/Stop button. 1. FlexScan begins testing with the Live Fiber check and if a live fiber is NOT detected, proceeds to next step. For details, see section “Live Fiber Detection” on page 27. 2. If the Launch Quality check is enabled, FlexScan checks loss and reflectance of the OTDR connection.
Understanding Trace Display Features 1310 nm trace is red; 1550 nm trace is blue A and B cursors File name: consists of cable name and fiber number, or “New Trace” if file has not been saved White background indicates the currently selected (active) wavelength. Cursor measurements apply to active wavelength. Grid units display dB/div on vertical axis and distance/div on horizontal axis Used for cursor position and fine adjustments. Touch or touch and hold arrows to move the active cursor.
Understanding Trace Display Features Receive cable (if present) Fiber under test Launch cable (if present) Distance from A to B cursor Loss-per-distance between A and B cursors Loss between A and B cursor Maximum Reflectance between A and B cursor Horizontal zoom: Touch the right/left arrow to zoom trace view horizontally around the currently active cursor Vertical zoom: Touch the up/ down arrow to zoom trace view vertically around the currently active cursor Touch the cursor select key to enable an
Light Source and Power Meter Operation Light Source Settings and Features 1 Touch to enable/disable light source. RED dot indicates that source is ON. 1. 2 Touch to select test mode: Wave ID, CW, Tone (270 Hz, 330 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz). 2. – Select Wave ID mode for fastest loss measurements. While in this mode, the FlexScan source transmits wavelength information, enabling a Wave ID power meter to synchronize and measure power at received wavelength(s).
Light Source and Power Meter Operation Power Meter Settings and Features 1. 4 If used with non Wave ID source, touch to select wavelength. If used with Wave ID source, power meter automatically synchronizes to and indicates received wavelength(s). 5 Hold to store new reference(s) at received wavelength(s). Touch Ref/Set to view stored reference(s). 2. 6 Touch to toggle between power (dBm or nW) and loss (dB) mode. 3.
Inspecting Fibers with FOCIS Flex and FlexScan Optical connectors may be inspected using FOCIS Flex auto-focusing connector inspection probe with IEC pass/fail analysis. Captured fiber end-face images and pass/fail results are immediately displayed on the FOCIS Flex and on the paired FlexScan OTDR and may be saved in either FOCIS Flex or FlexScan. A micro-USB port on either FOCIS Flex or FlexScan supports fast upload of internally stored results to PC.
FOCIS Flex Inspection Probe Overview Display (2-inch Color LCD [320 x 240]) 13 7 Screen title. 7. 12 8 Battery status icon. 8. 9 Image and information display area. 9. 11 10 F1 and F2 soft key labels area. 10. Interfaces 11 Optical inspection port. 11. 12. 12 Adapter tip. 13 Dust cover. 13. 8 14 Micro-USB port. 14. 7 15 6 VDC input jack. 15. 16 Charging indicator. 16.
Pairing FlexScan with FOCIS Flex Inspection Probe To transfer fiber-end images from the FOCIS Flex inspection probe and display inspection results on FlexScan, you need to pair your FOCIS Flex probe with FlexScan. Enable Bluetooth on FlexScan Home Screen General Settings Screen Bluetooth Screen C B A From the Home screen, touch Settings A . In the General Settings screen: If Bluetooth is disabled B , touch its field to display the Bluetooth screen. • Touch the Bluetooth radio button to enable C .
Enable Bluetooth on FOCIS Flex 1 1 1. 2 2. 3 3. 4 4. 2 3 4 From FOCIS Flex Main Menu, select Settings, then press Select. From the displayed Settings Menu, select Bluetooth, then press Select. Highlight Pair with New Device, then press Select. When a list of devices is displayed, navigate to and select Bluetooth ID of the FlexScan device, and then press Select to ‘Set as Default Device’.
Inspecting Optical Connectors Once FlexScan is paired to FOCIS Flex with Bluetooth enabled on both units, perform the following steps. On FOCIS Flex: If testing an optical fiber connector, slide the ferrule of the optical fiber into the adapter tip installed on the FOCIS Flex inspection port. Use caution not to contaminate the end-face of the fiber connector. • If testing an optical fiber connector mounted in a bulkhead adapter, slide the adapter tip into the bulkhead adapter.
Inspecting Optical Connectors General Settings Screen On FlexScan: If the Received Image option A is set to Popup Window B in General Settings, inspection results received from FOCIS Flex will be immediately displayed on FlexScan D screen even if Connector Inspection mode E is not enabled. • If the Received Image option A is set to Show in Tray C in General Settings, inspection results will only be displayed when Connector Inspection mode E is enabled.
Saving, Recalling and Uploading Test Results Test results A may be stored in the FlexScan Internal memory B or on USB C . Saved test results are organized into a Cable sub-folder D within a Job folder E . Results, Internal Results, USB Cables, Internal Jobs, Internal E A B D C A name of the saved result consists of several parameters, which are defined in the Save As screen F .
Saving, Recalling and Uploading Test Results Touch Results to select Internal memory or USB (if present) and navigate to the desired Job and Cable folder Job A , OTDR End B , Far End C , and Cable D fields are user-defined and may be set and/or edited in the String Editor screen: – Touch the desired field to display String Editor E . – Make edits using on-screen controls. – Touching Done will save edits and return to the Save As screen.
Saving to a Newly Created Folder 1 While in the Results view, touch Menu 1. soft key. 2 From the displayed sub-screen, touch Save As to 2. display the Results Manager screen. 3 Define , , , , 3. and fields used to name saved results. Touch Done when finished. Note: this will make the newly created Job, OTDR End, Cable, or Fiber current. 1 Saving to the Current Folder 1 While in the Results view, touch the Menu 1. soft key.
Viewing Saved Test Results 1. From the Home screen, touch the Saved icon A to display the Results Manager, which may be displayed as Jobs screen, Cables screen, or Results screen. 2. Navigate through Job/Cable/Results screen to locate the desired test result and touch to display it. – In Jobs screen: use Up/Down arrow keys B to navigate to the desired folder, then touch it to display saved folders. – In Cables screen: navigate to the desired folder, then touch it to display saved results.
Deleting Jobs/Cables/Files 1. 1 From the Home screen, touch the Saved icon to display the Results Manager, which may be displayed as Jobs screen, Cables screen, or Results screen. 2 Navigate through the Jobs/Cables/Results screen to locate the 2. desired results. 3. 3 Press Add Files control to enable ‘select’ function. 4. 4 Touch as many files as needed to select. 5. soft key to display a sub-menu A . 5 Touch the Menu 6. 6 Touch Delete. 7. 7 Then touch Ok to confirm deletion.
Transferring Files to a PC via USB To transfer files from your FlexScan to a PC using a USB cable, perform the following: • Connect your FlexScan to a PC using the supplied micro-USB to USB cable. Make sure the micro-plug is fully seated in your FlexScan. • Touch the USB A soft key on the FlexScan’s Home screen. • On your PC, open My Computer. A new removable drive named FS200 X: will appear, where ‘X:’ is the drive letter assigned to your FlexScan.
Backing up Results to External USB Memory Stick To back up internally stored results to USB memory stick: • Turn on the FlexScan OTDR. • Plug in an external USB memory stick. • From the Home screen, touch the Saved icon A . • When in test results screen, verify that Internal Memory B option is currently selected. – If the USB option is selected, touch the USB memory icon to toggle to the Internal Memory option. • Touch the Menu icon C . • Touch the Backup icon D .
Restoring Results from External USB Memory Stick Use a PC to restore backed up FlexScan results from the USB memory stick: • Turn on the FlexScan OTDR and connect to a PC via USB cable. • Touch the USB icon A on the FlexScan’s Home screen. • Plug the USB memory stick containing test results into a PC. • Open ‘My Computer’ and double-click on the FS200 drive B . • Open 2nd instance of ‘My Computer’ and double-click on the USB drive.
How to View Device Information FlexScan software revision, serial number, and calibration date can be viewed from the Device Information screen, which is accessed from the Home screen. 1 From the Home screen, touch the Menu 1. soft key. 2 From the displayed sub-screen, touch the Info tab. 2. 3 View FlexScan Info displayed on the Device Information screen. 3.
General Information This user’s guide provides operating instructions for testing fiber optic networks with your FlexScan OTDR and assumes that you have basic knowledge about testing fiber optic networks. The purpose of this user’s guide is to explain how to use and maintain your FlexScan OTDR. Please check our web site at www.AFLglobal.com, Test and Inspection for updates to this user’s guide and additional application information.
Repair Services AFL has an authorized calibration/repair facility for AFL products in the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific. Please contact customer service for a return authorization number prior to sending your AFL test equipment in for repair or calibration. Fujikura Europe LTD is an Authorized European Repair and Calibration facility for AFL Test and Inspection products and should be contacted directly for service.
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