FIBRE OPTIC & COPPER CABLING
rendering, multi-modal local and
wide area wireless connectivity,
internal memory capacity, powerful
operating systems with elaborate
application software ecosystems,
etc.), it is compelling for suppliers
to utilise these devices to
augment the fibre inspection
system user experience.
Self-contained inspection
probes with integrated screens,
and internal image storage
and processing functions can
utilise either Bluetooth or WiFi to
connect to smart devices and
the inspection apps they run.
Bluetooth has sufficient over-the-
air bandwidth to support the rapid
transfer of end-face still images
and analysis overlay graphics
(typically GIF files). However,
Bluetooth does not have sufficient
bandwidth to support the real-time
‘streaming’ of full resolution end-
face motion images (MJPEG format
typically). So headless inspection
probes without integrated image
storage and pass/fail analysis
processing must use WiFi
(typically 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
to preserve a responsive and
interactive user experience.
While wireless connections
to smart devices running apps is
here to stay in the fibre inspection
world, there are relative merits to
probes with integrated displays
versus headless probes that rely
on external ‘smarts’. For example,
‘The future
is bright for
inspection
system end
users and
their service
provider
customers.’
An example of an
early digital fibre
scope probe with
external screen and
control unit.
some data centres and other
fibre facilities prohibit any radio
frequency (RF) transmissions,
making the use of Bluetooth and
WiFi impossible.
A n d b e c a u se sma r t d ev i c e s
d o n ot a l wa y s i m p l e me nt t h e
h o st t y p e US B i nte r fa c e ( t h e y
m a y o n l y i mp l e me nt t h e d ev i c e
t y p e US B i nte r fa c e) , a n d p ro b e s
a l so i m p l e me nt t h e d ev i c e t y p e
US B i nte r fa c e , w i re d o r tet h e re d
US B co n n e ct i v i t y to a sma r t
d ev i c e ma y n ot b e p o ssi b l e .
S o me su p p l i e r s n ow of fe r ‘ n o
w i re l e ss’ se l f- co nta i n e d p ro b e s
t h at c a n b e u se d i n R F se c u re
n et wo r k fa c i l i t i e s.
The other challenge with smart
device paired probes is the fact
that these systems tie up both
hands of the operator: one hand
to hold the probe and the other
hand to hold the smartphone or
tablet. When climbing ladders,
for example, many technicians
appreciate having a hand free,
and will thus prefer self-contained
inspection probes. Of course,
one advantage of tetherless RF
connectivity is that the smart
device may be located many
meters away from the probe,
enabling the potential for much
higher mobility.
Finally, an advantage of
headless probes with no display
is that their form factor (length,
width, height and weight) can
allow much easier access
to densely populated fibre
distribution frames or transmission
equipment with high front panel
port density.
Some headless probes include
four colour LEDs to indicate power
state status, inspection pass or
inspection fail status, and “no
fibre detected” status. Headless
inspection probes are an excellent
match with cloud-based workflow
management solutions, since cloud
infrastructure provides unlimited
storage with incorruptible inspection
report security, plus the ability to
flexibly rerun pass/fail analyses in
th e future as international end face
cleanliness standards are updated.
There are some convenience
and usability features to consider
when purchasing a fibre inspection
probe. Can the probe or supporting
software generate PDF file
inspection reports and make the
export of these reports easy for
novice users? Can the inspection
probe resolve end face debris
particles down to one micron
feature size using magnification
power of 400x or higher?
Does the probe field of view
dimensions support the single
mode and multimode fibre
types to be used in the targeted
application? Are the inspection
apps compliant to the iOS and/or
Android operating system revision
in use by your organisation? Does
the inspection probe meet all
required safety and compliance
certifications? Is the probe battery
removable if needed to meet air
transport safety requirements?
Does the supplier provide a
device warranty that meets your
organisation’s expectations?
With data rates in data centre
optical Ethernet links looking
forward to 200G, 400G and even
600G, there is a great deal of
interest among Internet Content/
Service Providers to assure their
facilities have microscopically
pristine optical connections, to
guarantee network reliability and
performance. The fibre inspection
equipment suppliers have
responded to this demand with
innovative new products, some of
the characteristics of which have
been covered in this short article.
Combined with an array of
specialised and efficacious fibre
connector cleaning products,
the future is bright for inspection
system end-users and their
service provider customers.
For further information visit:
www.AFLglobal.com
32 | September 2017