alexl@tekred.cna.tek.com (Alexander Lopez) (12/11/89)
--------------------------- Note: this product is only available in USA and Canada at this time. --------------------------- TEKTRONIX UNVEILS FIRST HANDHELD FIBER OPTIC FAULT FINDER Redmond, OR -- The Redmond Division of the Tektronix Telecommunications Group has announced a handheld fiber optic fault finder designed as a low-cost restoration tool to locate cable faults and identify major events in fiber optic links. Tek Tektronix TFS2020 FiberScout is the industry's first true handheld optical fault finder. It combines high performance, miniature scale and innovative use of graphics in a portable, low-cost, extremely easy-to-use instrument. The FiberScout is designed primarily to address restoration requirements in the optical telephony, CATV and local area network environments. Historically, restoration functions have been supported by optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs) which provide full-range capabilities. Because an OTDR is complex and costly, usually a limited number of them are strategically placed throughout a service area with each OTDR covering a large service region. When a fiber failure occurs in such a deployment system, significant time is often spent transporting the OTDR and a highly trained operator to the service location to find the fault. Because of its low-cost and ease of use, the FiberScout can be deployed throughout the service area in greater numbers than the more expensive, more complex OTDRs. This results in faster restoration capability. Further, the instrument is so simple to use it allows fault finding by virtually any user, regardless of the person's level of training. The FiberScout features an easily understood symbolic display on the Super-Twist LCD. The front panel has a total of four buttons, and only two are needed to make a measurement. At under 5 pounds, including rechargeable battery pack, this ruggedly built field instrument is lightweight and completely portable. It operates for up to six hours on the rechargeable battery pack. Or, the unit can operate using its AC-DC external power supply. FiberScout is available in combinations of long-range and/or short-range options for fault finding on a wide range of fiber optic communications cables. Prices range from $4,900 to $7,800 depending on optical output port selections. The FiberScout will be available for shipment January 1, 1990 in North America. For complete specifications and other information, please call the Tektronix Redmond Division at 800-833-9200 (for USA and Canada). Tektronix is a leading manufacturer of electronic products and systems in the areas of communications, test and measurement and computer graphics. Sales in fiscal 1988 totaled $1.4 billion. The company has approximately 15,000 employees worldwide.