AE3100 UG 170216 Optim

AE3100 Series
Handheld OTDR
User Guide
AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR
Table of Contents
PART I: AE3100 BASICS 5
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 6
MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS 7

Calibrating the Meter 7
Other Safety and Maintenance Tips 7
SAFETY SYMBOLS 8
STATEMENT OF FCC COMPLIANCE 8
WARRANTY 9
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION 10

Introduction 10
1-1 About the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR 10
1-2 Accessories and Measurement Options 11
1-3 Technical Support & Service 12
1-4 Annual Service Verification 12
1-5 Battery Care 12
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS 14
CHAPTER 2: INSTRUMENT OVERVIEW 16

Introduction 16
2-1 Unpacking the AE3100 Instrument 16
2-2 Powering On the AE3100 16
2-3 Front Panel Overview 17
2-4 Top Panel Overview 18
2-5 Control Overview 19
2-6 Measurement Main Menu 20
2-7 Measurement Mode Selection 22
CHAPTER 3: QUICK START GUIDE (MAKING A MEASUREMENT) 23

Introduction 23
Setup 23
Starting the Measurement 24
Analyzing the Results 25
Reading the Trace 25
2
PART II: SETTINGS AND MEASUREMENTS 26
CHAPTER 4: OTDR 27
Introduction 27
4-1 Exploring the Display 27
4-2 Viewing the Trace 28
4-3 OTDR Setup 30
4-4 Starting the Measurement 33
4-5 OTDR Analysis 34
4-6 Saving the Measurement 36
4-7 Miscellaneous Keys 38
CHAPTER 5: FIBERPATHTM 39
CHAPTER 6: FIBERSPOT 40
Introduction 40
6-1 Using the Probe 40
6-2 Fiber Inspection Toolbar 41
CHAPTER 7: LASER 42
CHAPTER 8: OPTICAL POWER METER 43

Introduction 43
8-1 Operating the OPM 43
CHAPTER 9: VISUAL FAULT LOCATOR 44
CHAPTER 10: WEB BROWSER 45
CHAPTER 11: PICTURE VIEWER 46
CHAPTER 12: CALCULATOR 47
CHAPTER 13: REMOTE CONTROL 48
PART III: BACKGROUND AND CONCEPTS 50
CHAPTER 14: OTDR THEORY 51

14-1 Introduction to Fiber Connectors 51
14-2 OTDR Structure 52
14-3 OTDR Technical Specifications 53
CHAPTER 15: OPTICAL RETURN LOSS 57

15-1 Definition of Optical Return Loss 57
15-2 Optical Return Loss Testing Methods 58
15-3 Optical Return Loss Technical Specifications 59
CHAPTER 16: OPTICAL POWER METER 60

16-1 Classification and Uses of Optical Power Meters 60
16-2 Principles of Optical Power Meters 60
16-3 Optical Power Meter Technical Specifications 61
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PART IV: SYSTEM FUNCTIONS 62
CHAPTER 17: FILE MANAGER 63

Introduction 63
17-1 Navigating Files 63
17-2 File Operations 63
CHAPTER 18: INSTRUMENT SETTINGS 64

Introduction 64
18-1 Time 64
18-2 Netsetting 65
18-3 App Manager 65
18-4 Calibration 66
18-5 Disk 66
18-6 Shutdown 66
18-7 Language 67
18-8 Upgrade 67
18-9 About 67
SPECIFICATIONS 68
4
Part I: AE3100 Basics
Part I
AE3100 Basics
5
Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to any specific part or
procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this publication. These precautions must be
thoroughly understood, and they apply to all phases of operation and maintenance. Deviser Instruments,
Inc. assumes no liability for the operator’s failure to comply with these precautions
WARNING
Plug Compatibility
Before connecting to AC power, please insure the adaptor plug fits the wall configuration on
one end, and the power supply plug configuration on the other end. Incorrect configuration
may damage the power supply.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
To avoid the possibility of severe injury or death, observe the following precautions when
using the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR:
• Do not remove the system covers or perform electrical tests if there are signs of
shipping damage to the outer enclosure.
• Use only the supplied power cords and connect only to a properly grounded wall
outlet. Do not use extension cords that do not have a protective ground conductor.
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
W ARNING
Do Not Use If Damaged
Do not use this product if it shows visible damage, fails to perform, has been stored in
unfavorable conditions, or has been subject to severe transportation stresses. Secure the
product against any unintended operation and contact a Deviser Instruments, Inc. Factory
Authorized Service Center for assistance.
WARNING
Remove Power
Observe general safety precautions. Do not open the instrument with the power on.
WARNING
Battery Care
Danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. It is recommended to replace the
battery only with the same type. Do not dispose of batteries in fire or trash. Batteries must be
recycled or disposed of properly.
6
Maintenance and Safety Considerations

Calibrating the Meter
Any instrument with analog circuitry (including preamplifiers, filters, etc.) may change in performance over
time. Regular calibration will keep your instrument in optimal working condition to support your test, design,
troubleshooting, and manufacturing needs.
It is recommended to calibrate and verify the instrument at least once per year to ensure that it meets the
stated performance specifications.
To avoid damaging the default calibration data stored in device memory, instrument calibration should
only be performed with appropriate equipment by qualified personnel at a Deviser Instruments, Factory-
Authorized Service Center.
Environmental conditions:
Calibration and verification tests should be performed in a laboratory where the ambient temperature and
relative humidity can be controlled.
Warm up:
Allow up to at least 5 minutes’ warm- up before calibrating the instrument. If the unit has been exposed to
or stored in a high-humidity (condensing) environment, allow more time.
For detailed information on calibration procedures, please contact an authorized Deviser distributor.
Other Safety and Maintenance Tips

Please charge and discharge the battery every 3 months to extend battery life. Recharge the battery only
in the instrument; if left unused, a fully charged battery will discharge itself over time.
Never use a damaged or worn-out adapter or battery. During charge, the unit may be warm to the touch
even if it is powered off. To avoid overheating, always disconnect the unit from the AC adapter before
storing it in the carrying case.
CAUTION: Extreme temperatures will affect the ability of the battery to charge. Allow the battery to return
to room temperature before use or charging. Storing a battery in extreme hot or cold temperatures will
reduce its capacity and lifetime.
CAUTION: Use only the original AC-DC adapter and battery to power the unit. To charge, simply insert the
battery into the unit’s back panel, plug in the AC-DC adapter, and switch the power on if necessary. If the
LED is red, the battery is charging. When fully charged, the LED will turn green. Time required to fully charge
a depleted battery is approximately four hours, but may be longer if the instrument is in use while charging.
CAUTION: While updating firmware, the unit must remain connected to power and at more than 60%
battery power. If power fails during the updating process, instrument function may be affected.
DANGER: AE3100 units may contain an optional VFL (Visual Fault Locator). To avoid eye damage, never
look directly into the VFL output port while the light is on, and wear appropriate eye protection when
necessary.
7
Safety Symbols
The following icons appear periodically throughout this User Guide to indicate safety information and other
points of interest.
Notes and recommendations for operating the device.
Important information for efficient use.
Read instructions carefully. Misuse may cause damage to the instrument or user data.
Read instructions carefully. Misuse may cause serious injury.
This instrument contains a high-power semiconductor laser. All

equipment complies with the following standards for safety:
• FDA21CFRξ1040.10 standard
• IEC825-1(EN60825-1:1994) Ⅲ b standard
Statement of FCC Compliance

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful 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 or her own expense.
8
Warranty
This Deviser Instruments, Inc. product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period
of 36 months (battery and accessories for 12 months) from the date of shipment. Under warranty, Deviser
Instruments, Inc. will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.
Extended warranty options are available. Please contact your local Deviser Instruments sales representative
for more information.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a Deviser Instruments Factory Authorized
Service Center designated. The buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Deviser Instruments Inc. or to the
service center and Deviser Instruments Inc. or the service center shall pay the shipping charges to return the
product to the buyer. However, for products returned to Deviser Instruments Inc. or one of its authorized
service centers outside the warranty period, the buyer is responsible for all shipping charges, duties, and
taxes, both ways. After testing, if the returned equipment is found to be working properly and meet all the
applicable standards, all related costs will be charged to the user.
Remember to back up important user data prior to sending the device for service.
Deviser Instruments Inc. warrants that software and firmware designated by Deviser Instruments Inc. for use
with an instrument will execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument.
Deviser Instruments Inc. does not warrant that the operation of the instrument or its software or firmware will
be uninterrupted or error-free.
Limitation of Warranty
Unauthorized repair or update, physical damage or improper operational voltage (at the power supply or
RF input) will void this warranty.
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from the following:
• Improper use of this instrument, accessories, or software
• Modification of this instrument or its accessories by unauthorized personnel, or if the warranty
label has been removed
• External forces, such as mechanical forces, soaking, extreme heat or cold, or fire.
• Operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product.
• Use of this instrument
Deviser is also not liable for damages or failure of other equipment to which this instrument is connected.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. DEVISER INSTRUMENTS INC SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Updates, if any, may be downloaded from the Deviser web site at http://www.deviserinstruments.com/.
9
Chapter 1: General Information

Introduction
From Deviser Instruments, the AE3100 is a series of handheld OTDRs (optical time-domain reflectometers)
designed for numerous fiber-optic installation and maintenance tasks. The AE3100 integrates multiple
measurement applications in a single instrument, ideal for use by FTTx and RFoG technicians and engineers.
The OTDR allows you to characterize a fiber-optic span, usually optical fiber sections joined by splices and
connectors. The optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) provides an inside view of the fiber, and can
calculate fiber length, attenuation, breaks, total return loss as well as splice, connector and total losses.
1-1 About the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR

Featuring intuitive touchscreen controls, real-time data analysis, and more, the AE3100 is the ideal test
instrument for constructing, deploying, maintaining, and authenticating FTTx networks, as well as verifying
access networks. An 8GB microSD card provides storage for thousands of measurement data files.
Multiple models and configuration options ensure that your unique measurement needs are covered. Eight
distinct models are available, which differ by dynamic range, deadzone, & wavelength options. See the
table below.
NOTE: Throughout this User Guide, “AE3100” will be used to denote any AE3100 model unit.
Specific models will be referenced where applicable.
AE3100 Model A B C D E CP-1 CP-2 CP-3

1310/1550/ 1310/1550/ 1310/1550/
Wavelength (nm) 1310/1550
1625 1650 1490
Dynamic Range (db) 30/28 34/32 36/34 39/37 43/41 37/35/35
Event Deadzone (m) ≤ 1.5 ≤ 0.8
Attenuation
≤6 ≤5 ≤4
Deadzone (m)
AE3100 Series OTDRs are compatible with the SYNCOR web-based platform, providing a convenient way to
manage, archive, analyze, and print measurement data and unit information. To learn more, please see
the SYNCOR user guide.
All models are equipped with core OTDR functions. Optional functions may be enabled either at the time of
purchase, or at a later date as your test needs evolve. These include:FiberPass Link Mapper, Fiber
Inspection, an Optical Power Meter, Visual Fault Locator, and built-in web browser.
• FiberPathTM Link Mapper • Fiber Inspection Probe
• Optical Power Meter • Visual Fault Locator
• Light Source Module • Web Browser
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1-2 Accessories and Measurement Options

The following components and options are available with your AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR.
Model No. Description

FC/PC FC Connector and PC Physical Type
SC/APC SC Connector and APC Physical Type
AE3100-700 Visual Fault Locator (650nm, 1mW)
AE3100-701 Optical Power Meter
AE3100-702 Light Source Module
AE4000-801 FiberPathTM Link Mapper
AE4000-802 FiberTune Multi-Scan
DI-1000 Fiber Inspection Probe
AE4000-750 FC Connector
AE4000-751 LC Connector
AE4000-752 ST Connector
AE4000-753 SC Connector
AE4000-737 Optical Fiber Cleaner Kit
AE4000-737P Fiber Cleaning Pen
UE24WCP AC/DC Adapter (12V/2A)
AE4000-002 Soft Carrying Case
AE4000-730 Stylus
AE3100-010 AE3100 Series User Guide (hard copy)
AE4000-731 Cleaning Swab
AE3100-003 Quick Reference Guide
AE3100-001 User Guide and PC Management Software (on CD)
AE4000-733 2-Prong Power Cord plus Ground (EU)
AE4000-734 3-Prong Power Cord plus Ground (US)
AE4000-735 3-Prong Power Cord plus Ground (UK)
AE4000-736 3-Prong Power Cord plus Ground (Australia)
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1-3 Technical Support & Service

Deviser Instruments Inc. offers a 12-month warranty, as well as ongoing support and training services.
Customers are eligible to receive initial on-site training from our technical support engineers in a “train the
trainer” format. Our application engineers can also answer questions and provide ongoing technical
support regarding software or equipment.
For special applications, Deviser instruments offers custom software design at an extremely competitive rate
and time-to-market.
Ongoing development and “maintenance engineering” is provided on all products; yearly maintenance
programs are offered to ensure that customers fully benefit from the latest upgrades available. Technical
documents and application guides are released on an ongoing basis.
1-4 Annual Service Verification

Accurate test measurements are critical to your business. Deviser Instruments recommends an annual
calibration and performance verification as a means to keep your instrument in optimal working condition.
Please contact Deviser Instruments for an RMA number and the location of the nearest Authorized Deviser
Instruments service center. Our authorized service centers are skilled and certified in the calibration, service,
repair, and performance verification of our products.
1-5 Battery Care

The AE3100 can be supplied with power in two different ways: with a battery or with the power adapter
provided.
1-5.1 Battery
The AE3100 uses a lithium battery (DC: 12V/2A max, AC: 100-240V/1.5A/50-60Hz) for autonomous operation.
Battery life during continuous use (on a full charge) is estimated at more than 8 hours. As the charge
depletes, the instrument will display an alert. When fully discharged, the instrument will emit a long audible
beep and shut down automatically. Further use requires that the unit be connected to an external AC or
DC power source, which will also charge the battery. If the unit stays off, it will take about 4 hours to fully
recharge. Charging time will be longer if the unit is in use.
NOTE: Use only Deviser Instruments-approved batteries, adapters, and chargers provided with this instrument.
WARNING: Low temperatures may cause a temporary reduction of the battery capacity. This will not
damage the battery. High temperatures, however, may cause permanent damage to the battery. See
stated specifications for environmental tolerances. Recommended charging temperature is 10~35°C.
NOTE: It is advisable to replace the battery when operational time falls below 50% of original capacity.
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1-5.2 Charging the Unit
Please follow the following steps to charge the unit:

1. Place the instrument standing up with the screen facing you.
Gently lift the long blue connector cover, located above the
instrument model label, then insert the DC connector into the
VDC power inlet on the right side of the connector panel.
2. When the charging indicator displays a gradually-filling
battery icon in the status bar on the screen, the instrument is
charging. The LED next to the power button indicates status: green means fully charged, red means
charging in progress, and red and green flickering indicates no battery or abnormal battery.
3. Once the instrument reaches full charge, t is recommended to charge for one additional hour to help
extend the operation time. After charging, unplug the DC connector, and then pull out the AC adaptor
from the outlet.
NOTE: Charge the instrument fully before using it for the first time, and at least every 3 months afterward.
Adapter Specifications
AC input 100-240V~, 1.5A, 50-60Hz
DC output 12.0V 2A MAX
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Glossary of Acronyms
10 GbE Advanced Audio Coding FSWDM Full spectrum wavelength division

10 GFC Dolby AC-3 audio coding multiplexing
100Base-T Adjacent Channel Power Ratio FTTB Fiber to the business or building
1000Base-T Audio Engineering Society FTTC Fiber to the curb or customer
100g Advanced Encryption Standard FTTD Fiber to the desk
10G-EPON Advanced Time Division Multiple Access FTTH Fiber to the home
3G Advanced Television Systems Committee FTTN Fiber to the neighborhood
4G Average FTTO Fiber to the office
ADM Bouquet Association Table FTTP Fiber to the pedestal or pedestal
ANSI Bit Error Rate FTTx Fiber to the user
APC Bidirectional Coded Picture FWM Four wave mixing
APD Conditional Access Table GFF Gain flattening filter
ASOF International Radio Consultative Committee GHz Gigahertz
ATM Carrier-to-Composite Noise Ratio GEPON Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network
AWG Cyclic Redundancy Check GPON Gigabit Passive Optical Network
BER Composite Second Order Beat GR General recommendation
BERT Composite Triple Beat GRIN Graded index
CATV Cable Modem HDCM High dispersion compensating module
CD Chrominance-Luminance Delay Inequality HFC Hybrid Fiber Coax
CFP Chrominance-Luminance Gain Inequality IEEE The Institute of Electrical and Electronics
CLEC Cable Modem Terminal System Engineers
CSFP Customer Premise Equipment IP Internet protocol
CVR Converter Module ISO International Standards Organization
CWDM Coarse wavelength division multiplexing ITU International Telecommunications Union
dB Decibel IXC Integra Cross Connect
dBm Decibels relative to one milliwatt LAN Local area network
DCF Dispersion-compensating fiber LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of
DFB Distributed feedback Radiation
DGD Differential group delay LED Light-emitting diode
DMD Differential mode delay LGX Light Guide Cross Connect
DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface LOC Latched optical coupling
Specification LWP Low water peak
DPOE Docsis Provisioning Over Ethernet MCPC Mode-conditioning patchcord
DSF Dispersion-shifted fiber MEMS Microelectromechanical systems
DUT Device Under Test MFD Mode field diameter
DWDM Dense wavelength division multiplexing MMF Multimode fiber
EDFA Erbium-doped fiber amplifier MPO Mult
EIA Electronic Industries Alliance MSA Multi Source Agreement
EPON Ethernet Passive Optical Networks NA Numerical aperture
ER Extinction Ratio NIST National Institute of Standards and
FBG Fiber Braggs grating Technology
FBT Fused biconical taper NM NanoMeter
FEC Forward Error Correction NZDS Nonzero dispersion shifted fiber
FDDI Fiber distributed data interface OADM Optical add/drop multiplexer
FOTP Fiber optic test procedure OAM&P Operations, administration, maintenance
FOTS Fiber optic transmission system and provisioning
FP Fabry-Perot laser OEO Optical electrical optical
14
OFL Overfilled launch ROADM Reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer

OFSTP Optical fiber system test procedures RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances
OI Optical isolator SAN Storage area network
OLT Optical line terminal SDH Synchronous digital hierarchy
OM2/3/4 Optical Multimode SFF Small Form Factor
ONT Optical network terminal SFP Small Form-Factor Pluggable
ONU Optical network unit SMF Singlemode fiber
OSA Optical spectrum analyzer, optical sub- SNR Signal-to-noise ratio
assembly or Optical Society of America. SONET Synchronous optical network
OSNR Optical Signal to Noise Ratio SWDM Selective wavelength division multiplexing
OTDM Optical time division multiplexing THz Terra Hertz
OTDR Optical time domain reflectometer TIA Telecommunications Industry Association
OTN Optical transport network TXM 1000baseT Cross-Connect Multirate
PDL Polarization dependent loss UPC Ultra physical contact
PIN Positive intrinsic negative VCSEL Vertical cavity surface emitting laser
PING Packet InterNet Grouper VOA Variable optical attenuator
PLC Planar lightwave circuit VP Virtual path
PMD Polarization mode dispersion WAN Wide area network
PON Passive optical network WDM Wavelength division multiplexing
PRBS Pseudo Random Binary Sequence WSS Wavelength selectable switch
QSFP+ Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable XPM Cross-phase modulation
RIN Relative intensity noise ZWP Zero water peak
RML Restricted mode launch
15
Chapter 2: Instrument Overview

Introduction
This chapter describes how to get started with your AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR.
Topics covered in this section include:
• Overview of instrument panels, display, and operation
• Changing measurement modes and applications
2-1 Unpacking the AE3100 Instrument

When unpacking your AE3100 instrument for the first time, it is recommended that you follow these steps.
1. Open the package carefully. Check the box and packing material; keep them for potential future
servicing of your product. If the packing material is damaged, the product may have sustained
damage during shipping; please proceed with caution during the following steps. Keep detailed
records and pictures of any physical damage to the box or the equipment inside. Remove the
instrument, and search for any physical damage that could have occurred during shipping. Follow
the stated instructions upon initial power-up. If repairs are required, contact your nearest Deviser
Instruments Inc. representative.
2. Check that all accessories and materials are accounted for. If accessories or other components are
missing, contact your local Deviser Instruments Inc. representative.
3. Connect the power supply to the instrument. Charge fully before using.
For a comprehensive list of compatible accessories, see Section 1-2.
2-2 Powering On the AE3100

To turn on the AE3100, press and hold the On/Off button on the
front panel (see diagram in Section 2-3) for approximately 1-2
seconds. The instrument will take approximately 30 seconds to
complete bootup and load the application software. When this
process is complete, the OTDR application will appear. Press the
green Home button to view the main menu (left).
On this screen, you can use the touchscreen to launch one of the
measurement modes that are currently enabled on the unit.
To power the device off, press and hold the On/Off button again.
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2-3 Front Panel Overview

The AE3100 Digital TV Spectrum Analyzer’s front panel contains the software boot switch and a number of
LED status indicator lights. It also bears the unit’s model number.
Outer Casing
The tough, ruggedized rubber casing protects the instrument against impacts and falls. Place the
instrument inside its vinyl carrying case for even better protection.
Home
Press the Home button to exit the current measurement application and return to the main menu.
LED Charge Indicator

This light shows the battery charge status. When red, the battery is charging; when green, it is fully charged.
Power ON/OFF
Press and hold to turn the AE3100’s application software ON and OFF.
When the instrument is on, press the Power button to dim the display and show three icons in the lower right.
From left to right:

• Sleep places the instrument in sleep mode. The screen will turn off, but the device will continue
running at a reduced battery consumption rate. Press the Power button again to operate.
Measurement settings will remain in place.
• Shutdown turns the instrument off.
• Cancel returns you to normal instrument function.
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2-4 Top Panel Overview

The test instrument’s top panel contains connectors and ports used to transfer data, charge the instrument,
display data on a PC, and other functions. See the diagram and descriptions below.
OTDR ports
Lift the blue connector caps to access the OTDR ports. Each cap is labeled to indicate the endface type
specified at the time of purchase (e.g., APC). To prevent damage to fiber endfaces, only use connectors
that are compatible with the indicated type.
• SMF OTDR/LS – Used for single-mode fiber testing (and light source, by option only).
• Live – Used for live-fiber testing.
Power Adapter
Used to supply the AE3100 unit with electricity and charge the battery. Connect to a wall outlet using the
power supply included.
USB Type-A ports

The AE3100 has 2 Type-A USB 2.0 ports that accept USB storage devices for transferring measurements,
setup files, screenshots, and other data.
MicroSD slot
Holds one MicroSD card to transfer and store measurements, setup files, screenshots, and other data.
Gently insert the card and push in until the slot clicks. One 8GB card is included with the instrument.
LAN port
The LAN port is used to connect the device to a PC, allowing the instrument to interact with the web-based
platform SYNCOR.
VFL port
(Only with Visual Fault Locator option.) Generates a red beam that highlights faults, stresses, and bends in
an optical fiber connected to the port. For safety, do not look directly into the VFL port when the light is on.
OPM port
(Only with Optical Power Meter option.) Measures magnitude of optical signal transmitted through a fiber
connected to this port. Has FC/SC/ST replaceable adapter.
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2-5 Control Overview

The AE3100 employs a 7”, 800x480 LCD touchscreen that is configured for ease of use and navigation. You
can easily and quickly change measurement functions and settings by tapping the screen with your finger
or a plastic stylus. Each measurement application has its own layout and structure. In Part II, Settings and
Measurements, we discuss each application’s display and controls in detail.
In most applications, submenus will appear along the righthand side of the screen. Tap a submenu to view
the settings and tools within.
2-5.1 Onscreen Keyboard
You will sometimes need to specify a

manual text entry for the AE3100; for
example, when creating a new file.
Tap the flashing text field (or press
the “keyboard” icon in the status
bar, highlighted left) to open the
onscreen keyboard.
You can enter text by tapping the

digital keys on the screen. Tap Shift
once to make the next letter upper-
case, or Caps to type all uppercase
letters until Caps is deactivated.
Some characters may not be used

when typing filenames.
When finished, tap Enter to confirm your entry or Close to cancel.
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2-6 Measurement Main Menu

The AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR provides various fiber-optic measurement modes aimed at simplifying
the maintenance and troubleshooting of FTTx and RFoG systems. These include the following.
(Bolded entries are standard measurements that are included in the base model, should no options be
ordered. Non-bolded entries are additional options.)
[Instrument Model] OTDR FiberPassTM Link Mapper
OPM (Optical Power Meter) VFL (Visual Fault Locator)
FIP (Fiber Inspection Probe) Laser (Optical Light Source)
File Manager Web Browser
Remote Access Picture Viewer
Settings Calculator
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Status bar
Shortcut Keys
Keyboard: Opens the onscreen keyboard, allowing you to enter text. (See subsection 2-5.1.)
Screenshot: Captures a .jpg image of the current display and save it to the AE3100’s internal hard
drive. Screenshots are automatically labeled by timestamp.
Brightness: Opens the brightness control dialog. Tap “+” or “-“ to brighten or dim the screen. Then
tap the “X” icon in the top-right to close the dialog. (See below.)
Brightness Control Dialog
Connection Status Icons

These icons will appear in green when the associated connection is active. For instance, a green USB icon
will appear when a USB device is connected to the top port.
Remote: Device can be remotely controlled using the web-based platform SYNCOR.
LAN Local Area Network Ethernet cable connected (e.g., to a PC).
USB USB storage device connected. Files can be transferred to/from internal hard drive.
SD Card MicroSD card connected. Files can be transferred to/from internal hard drive.
Power Icons
Adapter connected;
Full battery;
Low battery;
Empty battery.
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2-7 Measurement Mode Selection
AE3100 Main Menu
To choose a measurement application, simply tap its icon using the touchscreen.
Enabling Measurement Options
All of the above measurement applications – both core and optional – will appear in the Home menu, but
not all are initially enabled. When you tap a locked function, you will be prompted to enter the activation
password provided with purchase of that option. Use the touchscreen keyboard.
When enabled, any optional modes and associated measurement applications will also be displayed on
the main menu. Please consult Section 1-2 regarding available product measurement options.
(For more information about enabling options, contact your local Deviser Instruments representative.)
For instructions on using individual measurement functions, see Part II: Settings and Measurements on pg. 26.
For instructions on system functions, such as managing files, upgrading firmware, and changing the system
date and time, see Part IV: System Functions on pg. 62.
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Chapter 3: Quick Start Guide (Making a Measurement)

Introduction
This chapter will provide the basics of setting up and performing select measurements with the AE3100.
Press and hold the Power button to boot up the instrument. You will begin at the Home menu, where you
can select from all measurement applications currently enabled on the instrument. Tap the first icon to
open the OTDR application.
Safety Tips: Connecting Optical Fiber
Before conducting measurements with the OTDR, the operator should ensure that the type of fiber
connector is compatible with the instrument’s optical connector, and prepare cleaning tools to
clean the fiber interface. The compatible connector type is shown on the OTDR port cap. Failing to
use the proper components will affect measurement accuracy and may cause serious damage to
the equipment.
To help maintain the OTDR and maximize test accuracy, always clean the fiber end-face with
ethanol (ethyl alcohol or pure alcohol) before connecting to the laser interface. Wait until the
alcohol has evaporated before connecting the fiber to the instrument.
When disconnecting the fiber, immediately cover the OTDR port with its cap to prevent
contaminating the interface with dust or dirt.
Do not look directly into any live fiber or direct laser light; blindness and serious eye damage may
result. Always wear appropriate protective eyewear.
Setup
Auto Mode
1. Tap the Setup softkey on the right.

2. In the Test Mode submenu, select Auto Test.
3. In Wavelength, select your desired wavelength(s).
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Manual Mode
1. Tap the Setup softkey on the right.

2. In the Test Mode submenu, select Auto Test.
3. In Wavelength, select your desired wavelength(s).
4. Select Distance Range and Pulse Width to best suit your current measurement.
5. For best distance accuracy, go to Resolution and select High Res.
Starting the Measurement
1. Tap the key to begin the measurement.

2. First the device will verify that the fiber is not connected improperly. If the connection is bad, clean or
replace the connector.
3. The test will begin. Touch at any time to abort the test.
24
Analyzing the Results

After testing, the measurement data will appear in the top right of the display. To view individual events,
tap the Table key in the bottom-right of the display, then select Table or Trace+Table. (See below.)
Reading the Trace

The trace display has two vertical markers, red (left) and blue (right). Tap the Cursor key and tap L, R, or
both, then tap a point on the trace to move the marker there. The yellow L and R fields above the trace
show the exact positions of both markers.
Loss and slope at that point will appear above the trace in large font. Tap Loss / Slope to toggle between
them (see below).
25
Part II: Settings and Measurements
Part II
Settings and
Measurements
26
Chapter 4: OTDR
Introduction
In this chapter, we discuss the AE3100’s powerful OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) function. As
the instrument’s primary measurement mode, this function offers excellent technical performance and
numerous tools for customizing and analyzing the measurement. (For a brief overview of the technical
background and theory of OTDR use, please refer to Part III: Background and Concepts.)
From the Home menu, tap the AE3100 icon (named according to your specific AE3100 model) to launch
the application. (It may take several seconds to launch the software.)
4-1 Exploring the Display

In the center-left of the screen, the OTDR mode displays the current measurement trace (i.e. the magnitude
and approximate location of reflection events over the length of the optical fiber) in green, shown over a
15x6 graph. Located around the trace are readings and tools to help you analyze the measurement,
See the diagram below.
1. Trace overview: Shows a small thumbnail of the overall trace. The area currently being viewed in the
main trace window is indicated by a light gray shadow.
2. User-specified measurement settings, including wavelength, pulse, and index of refraction (IOR).
3. LSA (Least Squares Attenuation) and 2pt/4pt readings for Loss and Slope. Tap the icon to quickly
and easily change measurement settings. Loss readings are in dB, Slope readings in dB/km.
4. Main menu functions, including Start (begins the measurement), Setup, File, and Operate. See Sections
4-2 to 4-5 for details.
5. Marker. Two markers, labeled L and R, can be used to analyze the measurement at specific points.
6. Measurement distance and total/average loss readings.
27
7. Toolbar. Contains various tools for reading the measurement. Switch toolbars by tapping the File,
Operate, Cursor, Trace, Event, or Table keys.
8. Measurement trace. Displays the OTDR trace as a green line. You can narrow the view, “zooming in” on
particular regions of the trace, using the Operate menu.
9. Event details. This table lists data about selected events, or points of interest, on the trace.
10. Analysis menu functions, including Cursor, Trace, Event, and Table. See Section 4-5 for details.
11. Help, Minimize, and Close keys. Help opens the quickstart guide for easy reference. Minimize pauses the
OTDR function and returns you to the Home menu. Close exits the OTDR function.
4-2 Viewing the Trace

While conducting OTDR measurements in the field, you will need to examine particular regions of the trace
more closely. Simply touch the Operate menu on the right side of the display to access the zoom, pan, and
scale tools.
4-2.1 Manual Zoom
These tools can be used to enlarge an area of the trace for better viewing. Tap a key to zoom in or
out; tap repeatedly to zoom further. Listed from top to bottom, these icons are:
• Vertical Scale Up. Magnifies the visible area of the trace vertically by 1 step.
• Vertical Scale Down. De-magnifies the visible area of the trace vertically by 1 step.
• Horizontal Scale Up. Magnifies the visible area of the trace horizontally by 1 step, centered
on the position of your active marker (L or R).
• Horizontal Scale Down. De-magnifies the visible area of the trace horizontally by 1 step,
centered on the position of your active marker (L or R).
• 1:1 Zoom. Returns the trace view to normal, displaying the entire graph at 100%.
28
4-2.2 Pan
The Pan tool, marked by an icon of an open hand, allows you to “click and drag” the trace to view
other regions at the same scale.
Tap the Pan key and touch the trace. Your cursor will change from an arrow to a grasping hand. Keeping
your finger or stylus on the screen, drag the trace until the desired region is in view, then release.
Notice that the distance (X) and amplitude (Y) axes, as well as the preview pane in the top-left, change to
illustrate the part of the trace you are currently viewing.
4-2.3 Free Zoom
Free Zoom makes it easy to zoom in and examine any area of the trace, as large or small as
desired, with a single tap of the touchscreen.
Tap the Free Zoom key and touch the trace. Your cursor will change from an arrow to a “crosshair” icon.
Keeping your finger or stylus on the screen, drag diagonally to create a rectangle that encloses the area
you wish to examine. The panel will re-size to capture that exact region.
When finished, tap 1:1 Zoom to restore the default trace view.
29
4-3 OTDR Setup

Touch the Setup menu on the right side of the screen to open the OTDR parameter setup screen. Here, the
OTDR measurement can be customized to your current test needs.
The setup screen contains 3 different tabs: Test Setup, Threshold Setup, and System Setup. From any tab in
the setup menu, you can tap “Result” to return to the OTDR function and continue using the marker,
analysis, or other tools; or tap “Start” to immediately run a measurement.
4-3.1 Test Setup
Manual or Auto. In Auto mode, measurement range, pulse width, and

Test Mode resolution are auto-calculated based on coupled parameters. (If set to
Auto, some parameters in Test Setup will be grayed-out and unavailable.
The wavelength of light (in nm) to measure. All models offer 1310nm and
Wavelength
1550nm; select models include additional wavelengths. (See Section 1-1.)
Distance Range The distance of optical fiber over which the OTDR will test.
Duration (in ns) of light pulses the OTDR will use to measure. You cannot see
two events closer than is allowed by the pulse width; use longer pulses for
Pulse Width
distant events and shorter pulses for better resolution at short range.
Available settings may depend on the current test range & resolution.
Duration (default 30 seconds) of the next OTDR test. Toggle to Real-Time
Acquisition Time
Mode to keep testing until user taps Stop.
Resolution of the test signal. High resolution settings normally result in sharper
images of the trace, but can affect performance at long distances and/or
Resolution
wide pulse widths.
Available settings may depend on the current test range & pulse width.
Index of refraction for each wavelength setting. Tap the entry field to bring
Index
up the on-screen keyboard and set a new value.
Distance Unit The unit of length (m/km, kft., or mi) used for all OTDR distance readings.
The degree to which the optical fiber in use contributes to backscatter
Scatter Coefficient (default -50dB). Consult the fiber manufacturer for the coefficient of your
specific fiber.
30
4-3.2 Threshold Setup
Manual or Auto. In Auto mode, splice, reflectance, and fiber end thresholds
Threshold Setup are auto-calculated based on coupled parameters. (If set to Auto, some
parameters in Threshold Setup will be grayed-out and unavailable.
Defines the minimum amplitude (0.001~5.999dB) of an OTDR measurement
Splice Threshold
for the AE3100 to consider it a probable fiber splice event.
Defines the minimum amplitude (-99.0~-11.0dB) of an OTDR measurement
Reflectance Threshold
for the AE3100 to consider it a probable reflection event.
Defines the minimum amplitude (1~25dB) of an OTDR measurement for the
Fiber End Threshold
AE3100 to consider it a probable fiber end event.
Adds a simulated length to the fiber range for testing. When a patch cord is
used between the instrument and the test fiber, the user must account for
Distance Offset
the additional length. “Negative events” are events recorded before the
offset distance, and are noted with negative length.
You can save your threshold settings to one of 8 stored profiles. Select a
Save Custom Setup
profile (tap Rename to apply a different label, if desired), then tap OK.
Load a custom threshold setup you have previously saved. Select a saved
Select Custom Setup
profile to apply its settings; otherwise, select Not Apply.
31
4-3.3 System Setup
NOTE: The menu titled “System Setup” in the AE3100’s OTDR mode is different from the
instrument’s main system settings menu, which includes date/time and firmware upgrade
selections.
For these and other settings, see Part IV: System Functions on page 62.
Choose from one of four color schemes, designed for bright visibility in a
Interface Style
variety of lighting conditions. (Shown above, right.)
Tap “Yes” to calibrate the instrument’s measurement functions. The progress
Calibration
bar will take several seconds to complete.
Distance Option Used for test range calibration by a Deviser-authorized service center.
Tap “Yes” to view the AE3100 quick-start guide in a new window. Use the
User Manual Page Up and Page Down keys to navigate, and Exit (or the “X” in the top-
right corner) to close the window.
Warning Records [For Deviser-authorized service center use.]
Tap “Yes” to reset the instrument to factory settings. Saved data will not be
Factory Reset
affected.
Displays vital information about your AE3100 unit: serial number, firmware
System Version version, hardware version, and FPGA version. This information is crucial to
receiving accurate technical support.
32
4-4 Starting the Measurement
When your measurement parameters are set, tap the green “Start” key to begin testing.
First, the instrument will check if the optical fiber is properly connected. A three-section meter will appear
and rate the connection. If the AE3100 reads an unsatisfactory connection, reseat the fiber and try again.
Misaligned or incompatible fiber end-faces will impact the measurement, and may cause serious damage
to the equipment.
If the connection is good, testing will proceed automatically. Check the Loss tab in the white pane for
ongoing loss calculations throughout the test.
• If set to Acq. Time, a progress bar will count down the specified time until the measurement data
is finished collecting. You can control the duration of the test in Test Setup. (See subsection 4-3.1.)
• If set to Real Time Mode, the AE3100 will collect data indefinitely. Press the Stop key to interrupt
the measurement.
Testing the Connection OTDR Testing Progress
33
4-5 OTDR Analysis

After collecting reflectance and loss data, the AE3100 offers a powerful toolbox of trace interpretation and
analysis functions to help you determine the state of the fiber. Located below the Operate menu key, these
functions include Cursor (marker), Trace, Event, and Table.
Tap one of these keys to open its menu.
4-5.1 Cursor Menu
Two color-coded markers, designated Left (L, red) and Right (R, blue) can be placed on the measurement
trace. These markers show the exact difference in distance, fiber loss, and attenuation between the points
where they are placed. (Check the “L:”, “R:”, and “R-L:” fields just above the trace.)
The active marker is represented by a solid line, and the inactive marker by a broken line.
• Move Left. Tap once to shift the active marker to the left. Hold down to move faster.
• Move Right. Tap once to shift the active marker to the right. Hold down to move faster.
• Activate L Marker. Makes the L (red) marker active, allowing you to control it. Tap a location
on the trace to move the marker there. (If the new location is further to the right than the R
marker, both markers will shift to match.)
• Activate R Marker. Makes the R (blue) marker active, allowing you to control it. Tap a location
on the trace to move the marker there. (If the new location is further to the left than the L
marker, both markers will shift to match.)
• Activate L/R Markers. Allows you to move both markers while maintaining the distance
between them. The point you tap on the trace will become the midpoint between the two
markers.
34
4-5.2 Trace Menu
The Trace menu allows you to choose a wavelength of light for the OTDR test.
Only the wavelengths available on your specific model of AE3100 are displayed. See Section 1-1 for
more information.
4-5.3 Event Menu
The Event menu allows you to add and delete “events”: data points that are marked for special interest by
the user. Events go hand-in-hand with the Table menu (subsection 4-5.4); when an event is created, its
location and all associated data appear in the event table for easy viewing.
On the trace, events are indicated by small numbered purple tags.

• Add Event. Creates an event at the point where the active marker is placed.
• Delete Event. First select an existing event on the trace by tapping the numbered tag at its
location or tapping its row in the Event Table. Then tap Delete Event to erase it.
4-5.4 Table Menu
The Table menu calls up the Event Table, a numbered listing of all the points you have marked as events of
interest. The table displays the distance, reflectance, calculated loss, and other details of each event.
You can control whether the table is displayed at maximum size, side-by-side with the measurement trace,
or not at all. If there are too many events to display at once, tap and drag the scroll bar on the right-hand
side of the table to navigate up and down.
• Dual Display. Displays the measurement trace in the top half of the screen, and the table
in the bottom half. Useful for directly comparing significant peaks and valleys.
• Full Display. Displays the event table full-screen, showing up to 14 events at once.
• No Display. Hides the table, showing only the one event that is currently highlighted.
Event Types
The event table has a Type column, in which events are assigned a color-coded icon indicating the type of
event. They are listed below.
Attenuation Fiber end
Gain Continuous fiber
Reflection
35
4-6 Saving the Measurement

Images and measurement data can be saved to the AE3100’s 1GB internal hard drive for later analysis. To
save a measurement, tap the File menu key on the right side of the display to open a bar of save tools.
4-6.1 File Setup and File Save
There are three icons in the File toolbar. At the bottom (marked with a crossed screwdriver and
wrench) is File Setup, which allows you to preset the filename, location, metadata, and other
details of the next file you create. (On tapping the Save key, all these settings are automatically
applied to the new file.)
File Setup opens a dialog (below) with radio buttons and text entry fields. First set the Filename to
the label you wish to give the measurement data. By default, new files are saved to the Document
folder of the AE3100’s hard drive. You can select a new directory (or save directly to an attached
USB drive) by tapping Change.
You can also automatically add a

file number to the end of the name.
Just toggle Filename Nbr. Inc. to
“Yes” and enter the number in the
field above.
In the righthand side of the window,

you may enter additional metadata
about the measurement and your
company. Simply tap a field and
use the onscreen keyboard to enter
your text.
When finished, tap Yes/Save to

confirm your changes or Cancel to
discard them.
36
To save the measurement, tap the middle key in the File toolbar (marked with a floppy-disk icon). A dialog
box will appear, indicating the location and filename of the new data.
4-6.2 File Manager
The top key in the File toolbar, marked with a manila folder icon, opens the File Manager utility. This screen
allows you to view, rename, move, or delete readable data saved to the AE3100 internal hard drive or a
connected USB storage device.
For instructions on using the File Manager utility, see Chapter 17: File Manager.
37
4-7 Miscellaneous Keys

Three distinct touchscreen keys are located in the bottom-right of the display.
From left to right:

• Help opens the AE3100 quick-start guide in a new window. Use the Page Up and Page Down
keys to navigate, and Exit (or the “X” in the top-right corner) to close the window.
• Minimize pauses the measurement and returns to the Home menu, allowing you to access
another function and resume the OTDR test later.
• Close exits the OTDR function. You will be prompted to confirm your decision; be sure to save all
important measurement data before closing the application.
38
Chapter 5: FiberPathTM
Due to their critical role in the maintenance and testing of modern fiber-optic systems, OTDRs are seeing
greater use among field technicians as deployments expand. However, reading a traditional OTDR trace
may require training and experience beyond the level of some trainees. The Deviser Instruments FiberPathTM
Link Mapper is an alternative way of viewing the OTDR trace – this tool plots out events and loss calculations
in a linear, easy-to-interpret interface.
From the Home menu, tap the FiberPath icon to launch the application.
The FiberPath interface is shown above. Along the top, underneath Total Loss and Average Loss readings, is
a thin white line. This is an overview of the total test range. (The range for your tests can be modified in the
Setup menu.)
• Black points indicate events. If many events were recorded, they may not all be displayed at
once; you must scroll left or right to see the next section.
• The section of the line outlined in green indicates the events you are currently viewing.
Under the test overview, recorded events appear as dark squares on a light gray fiber. Each event is listed
with (1) its distance from the OTDR, and (2) its distance from the previous event. (See above, right.)
An orange coil mark on an event indicates the probable location of a fusion splice.
Tap any event to highlight it. Highlighted events will show various details, such as its type, loss, location, and
time to reach it, in the table at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Left and Right navigation keys to scroll along the trace, displaying any events that could not all be
shown at once.
As in the regular OTDR function, a toolbar on the right allows you to set up the OTDR measurement, change
file settings, and save or load measurement data. See Chapter 4: OTDR for instructions.
To pause the measurement and return later, tap the blue “Minimize” arrow in the lower-right. When finished,
tap the red X icon adjacent to exit the application.
39
Chapter 6: FiberSpot
Introduction
Optical fiber end-faces are highly sensitive components. Light transmitted through them can be easily
scattered or blocked if the connector becomes dirty through improper handling or storage, or merely by
extended use.
FiberSpot is an AE3100 application for maintaining and cleaning optical fibers. It magnifies the end-face of
the connected fiber for clear viewing, while auto-detecting and highlighting apparent dust or debris.
6-1 Using the Probe

The FIP application requires the use of a DI-1000 LighTel TM USB fiber inspection tool. Plug the probe’s USB
connector into one of the USB ports on the AE3100’s top panel.
1. From the Home menu, tap the FiberSpot icon to launch the application. You will see a large gray
pane with a toolbar along the right side (see above).
2. Uncap the probe and the fiber endface you wish to inspect. Carefully connect the endface to the
probe.
3. Gently turn the focus knob on the probe left or right, watching the AE3100 display. Bring the image
as clearly into focus as possible. (If the image is not clear enough, the auto-testing feature may fail
to recognize contaminated areas.)
4. When the image is clear, you can begin using the toolbar icons to adjust it. (See Section 6-2 ahead.)
5. Tap the top icon, a clipboard with a check mark, to engage Auto Test. If the result is a FAIL, remove
the fiber and carefully clean it. (A fiber cleaning kit is included with the AE3100.)
6. If the result is a PASS, the fiber is clear of contamination and ready for use.
40
6-2 Fiber Inspection Toolbar

The FiberSpot toolbar allows you to adjust the image’s size, brightness, sharpness, and other factors for
maximum test clarity. See below for button descriptions from top to bottom.
Engages auto test. FiberSpot will analyze the image for contaminated
Pass/Fail Test areas and display a PASS or FAIL reading. Dirty areas are highlighted in
orange.
Pauses the current image of the fiber endface for easy comparison &
Freeze Frame contrast. Changing settings during this time will not affect the frozen
image. Tap again to unpause.
Screenshot Saves the current image to disk as a PNG file.
Enlarges or shrinks the image. Zooming out past the standard level will
Zoom In/Out
shrink the entire field to a distinct window in the viewing pane.
Brighten/Dim Increases or decreases the image’s lightness.
Resolution Up/Down Increases or decreases the image’s viewing resolution.
Contrast Up/Down Brightens light areas and darkens dark areas, or vice-versa.
Quit Exit the FiberSpot application and return to the Home menu.
Info Displays the current FiberSpot software version.
Zoom Brightness
Resolution Contrast
41
Chapter 7: Laser
The AE3100’s Laser function allows the unit to act as an Optical Light Source (OLS) for calculating insertion
loss. Connect one end of an optical fiber to the port marked “SMF OTDR/LS” on the unit’s top panel, and
the other end to an optical power meter. Then tap Laser from the Home menu.
Tip: Generally, single-mode fiber is tested at 1310 nm and optionally at 1550 nm with laser sources.
The laser symbol in the center of the window will appear in black when turned off. Tap the power icon to
turn the symbol red, activating the light source.
Use the wavelength selector along the left to choose a wavelength. Options vary based on unit model; see
Section 1-1 for details.
Use the frequency selector along the bottom to choose a frequency for the emitted light.
CW “Continuous Wave” mode

1kHz 1kHz modulated beam
2kHz 2kHz modulated beam
1kHz+Flash 1kHz modulated beam flashes on/off every ~1sec
2kHz+Flash 2kHz modulated beam flashes on/off every ~0.5sec
Underneath “2kHz+Flash” is the current software version number.
Tap the power button again to turn off the light. Tap the X icon in the top-right-hand corner to exit.
42
Chapter 8: Optical Power Meter

Introduction
The AE3100’s Optical Power Meter (OPM) function enables optical power measurements without carrying a
separate meter or additional tools. This mode displays the power level on an analog meter in real time.
Simply connect the fiber line to the OPM port on the instrument’s top panel, next to the VFL port, and tap
OPM from the Home menu.
8-1 Operating the OPM

The OPM icon opens a new window in front of the Home menu. In this window, the current power reading is
displayed in large type. The measurement wavelength and reference value appear on the line above.
There are three keys on the bottom row.

• Tap Change Wavelength to cycle through the available measurement wavelengths (in nm): 850,
980, 1300, 1310, 1490, 1550, and 1610. (Wavelength availability may vary by unit model.)
• Tap Change Unit to switch between power units of dB or dBm.
• Tap Set Reference Value to record the current power reading. The value will appear in the top-
right corner. Use the reference value to compare readings at various locations and settings.
NOTE: If the unit cannot detect sufficient optical

power to make a reading, “LOW” will appear.
Ensure that the fiber is properly connected to the
AE3100’s OPM port, and try again.
When finished measuring, tap the X icon in the

top right-hand corner of the OPM window to exit.
43
Chapter 9: Visual Fault Locator

The AE3100’s Visual Fault Locator (VFL) function enables visual confirmation of equipment faults without
having to carry a separate piece of test equipment. This tool emits a red beam from the VFL port on the
instrument’s top panel into a connected optical fiber, illuminating damaged, broken, or spliced regions
and high-loss connectors. (This is particularly vital in shorter fibers, where an OTDR cannot detect the fault.)
The VFL can also trace the patch of fiber through multiple connections and identify the best fibers for loss
testing.
WARNING
For your safety, do not look directly into the VFL port for any period of time.
Serious eye damage may occur.
Remove the cap from the VFL port on the far left front of the AE3100’s top panel. Connect the optical fiber
for testing. Then, from the Home menu, tap the VFL icon to open a window (shown below) and activate the
beam.
When the VFL light is on, the window displays a red beam icon flashing on and off. Tap the icon to turn the
VFL off, as indicated by a black beam icon.
44
Chapter 10: Web Browser

The Browser application equips the AE3100 with a standard web browser, similar to Internet Explorer.
Before ope ning any web page, ensure that your network setup is correct and active; the AE3100 must be
connected to the Internet with an Ethernet cable, WiFi connection, or active Cable Modem session.
For more information on network settings, see Section 18-2.
Note that web page Java or Flash plug-ins may not display as intended on the AE3100’s browser, and may
not be properly formatted for the unit’s display.
From the Home menu, tap Browser to open a browser window to the home page. (See below.)
Tap the URL bar to place a blinking cursor there, then tap the keyboard icon in the status bar to enter your
destination (e.g., http://deviserinstruments.com/). Tap Enter to finish. To use the built-in Google search bar,
just tap the field next to the magnifying glass icon (to the right of the URL bar) and enter your search terms.
The browser will display your search results.
TIP: The magnifying glass also contains a quicklist of suggested websites and search engines, such as Yahoo
and Wikipedia. Just tap the icon itself and select a site from the dropdown list.
As with a PC browser, use the Forward and Back buttons to navigate your webpage history, or Refresh to
attempt to re-load the current page. Tap the small “+” icon under the Google search bar to open a new
browsing tab; you can easily open multiple pages and switch among them using tabs. Tap and drag a tab
to reorder it.
Finally, to close the browser, simply close all open tabs. Tap the red “X” icon in a tab to close it.
45
Chapter 11: Picture Viewer

View screenshots and other images on the AE3100 with the Picture Viewer utility. This tool is compatible with
JPG, GIF, PNG, and BMP (bitmap) image files. Tap the Picture Viewer icon on the Home menu to launch.
Picture Viewer is divided into two panes. (See the image below.)
• In the left pane are folders and directories contained within the instrument’s internal hard drive,
as well as any other connected drives (e.g., USB flash drives). Tap the folder or drive icon to open
it. The pane will update to list any subfolders inside the selected drive. To return to an upper-level
folder, tap the green “back” arrow.
• In the right pane are all readable image files in the current folder. Images are displayed as small
thumbnails; tap one to view it at full size on the AE3100’s screen. The filename is shown at the top
middle of the screen.
When you have finished viewing an image, tap the red “X” icon in the upper-left corner to close it and
return to the two-pane navigation view.
To exit Picture Viewer, tap the gray “X” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
46
Chapter 12: Calculator

The AE3100 includes a digital calculator app that’s easy to use. Tap Calculator in the Home menu to open
the app.
See above for clearing and memory functions.
When finished, tap Off to exit the application.
Using the Memory Keys
Like other standard calculators, the AE3100 calculator app can store a value in memory without affecting
other operations. This value can then recalled and used in addition or subtraction operations.
After entering a value (or receiving the result of a calculation, e.g. “10 ÷ 5 = 2”), tap m+ once to store the
displayed value in memory.
When doing other calculations, tap m+ again to add the saved value and the current value together; or
m- to subtract the saved value from the current value. In either case, the result will become the new saved
value. (It will not immediately be shown on the screen.)
Tap mr to display the saved value. Tap mc to clear it.
(Note: using the AC key to clear all calculations will also clear the memory value.)
47
Chapter 13: Remote Control

In some situations, you may need the ability to operate the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR remotely, through
a desktop or laptop PC. This is possible through the multi-use web-based platform SYNCOR.
In order to establish a connection between the PC and AE3100, some setup is required.
SYNCOR can control the AE3100 locally, by connecting the instrument directly to a PC via LAN cable, or
remotely, by connecting it to a wireless router and using an internet-enabled PC.
Procedure
Follow the instructions below to access the AE3100 through SYNCOR.
1. Install the SYNCOR software to a PC. (See the SYNCOR user guide for details.)
2. Turn on the AE3100. Allow software to boot (~60 secs). Note the LAN port on top, next to the USB ports:
a. If accessing remotely, connect the unit to your wireless router using the Ethernet LAN cable.
b. If accessing locally, connect the unit to your PC using the Ethernet LAN cable.
3. You will need to change your PC’s local IP.
a. In Windows, open Control Panel > Network & Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings. Right-
click the Ethernet connection (for local access) or wireless connection (for remote access) and
click Properties.
b. In the Networking tab, select IPv4 and click Properties.
c. Select “Use the following IP address”. Then, enter an IP whose first three bytes are the same as
the DS1620’s IP. (For instance, for the IP 192.168.77.60, your PC might use 192.168.77.61.) The last
byte may be any unused value from 2 ~ 254.
4. On the AE3100, tap the Remote icon to open a dialog. Enter the PC’s new IP and the port number
(default 5025). Tap Connect. This process may take several minutes.
48
5. Launch the SYNCOR application. It will default to the Device Management tab (shown below). Here, all
known devices are displayed with their serial & model numbers, IP addresses, dates of last calibration,
and more.
6. Under the Operation column to the right, click Remote.

7. The window will expand to show an OTDR trace display. (See below.) The Remote Control pane (right)
displays current measurement settings. Use your mouse and keyboard to edit settings and conduct new
measurements.
8. Above the measurement display are four buttons:

• Save SOR. Saves OTDR trace data to .SOR file for AE3100 analysis & interpretation.
• Batch Save SOR. Saves OTDR trace data as a batch file.
• Import/Export. Imports saved spreadsheet data in Excel (.xls) format, or exports
current trace data for analysis & interpretation in a variety of formats. Data can be
saved as .doc, .xls, .pdf, or .csv files. (See left.)
• Generate Report. Creates text report of recent measurement.
To stop operating the AE3100 remotely, simply close the SYNCOR application.
49
Part III: Background and Concepts
Part III
Background and
Concepts
50
Chapter 14: OTDR Theory

Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) are used in cable manufacturing and communication system
maintenance. Its development is based on the theory of fiber backscatter. The OTDR has since become a
standard instrument for conducting single-ended measurements of optical link characteristics. In addition
to single measurements (including the optical attenuator, connector, and splice loss, return loss, and
chromatic dispersion of the link devices), the biggest advantage of OTDRs is the ability to find the fiber
characteristic distribution along the length. Users can assess the overall condition of the fiber link to quickly
and accurately determine the location of each event in the fiber.
14-1 Introduction to Fiber Connectors

Fiber connectors are the most common passive device used in the field of fiber-optic communications.
These components connect the endfaces of two optical fibers, allowing the continuous transmission of
optical signal. In an optical communications system, connectors appear at nearly every juncture: fiber end-
faces, passive and active optical components’ input and output ports, fiber jumpers, and more.
An optical fiber connector is composed of a pin and connector. For example, with the FC/PC connector
type, “FC” specifies one of several external connection types. (Other external connection formats include
SC, ST, LC, MU, MT-RJ, D4, and E2000.) “PC” indicates the shape of the pin (or “endface”), which can be of
the PC, APC, or UPC standards.
Let’s take a closer look at these different types of fiber endface.
Straight physical contact (PC)
The fiber ends are pressed together in the connector. There is no air gap left to cause reflections. The return
loss is 30 – 55 dB. This is the most common connector type for single mode fibers (e.g. FC/PC, ST, SC/PC, DIN,
HMS, and E2000 connectors).
Slanted (angled) physical contact (APC)
In these connectors, the ends of the fibers are slanted. Again, no air gap is left. This gives the best return loss
(60-80 dB). These connectors are used for high-speed telecom and CATV links (e.g. FC/APC, SC/APC, and
E2000-HRL connectors).
Straight air gap
Inside these connectors is a small air gap between the two fiber ends. Their return loss is less than 14 dB and
the reflection is fairly high. Straight air gap connectors (e.g. ST connectors), are used for multimode fibers.
FC Connector SC Connector ST F Connector
51
14-2 OTDR Structure

An OTDR emits light pulses into the tested fiber from the single end. By receiving the Rayleigh-
backscattered optical signal that returns to the fiber injection end and the Fresnel reflected optical signals,
the instrument then calculates loss and fiber length information. Fig. 1 (below) shows a diagram of OTDR
structure.
Figure 1: OTDR principle diagram
An electrical pulse signal from the pulse generator reaches a modulated laser, which generates an optical
pulse signal that is injected into the tested fiber through the coupler. During the optical pulse forwarding, a
Rayleigh-backscattered optical signal and retroreflective Fresnel optical signal are generated at the same
time; these return to the optical receiver device through the coupler and are converted into electrical
signal. Then after the signal is amplified, time-domain information for the tested fiber can be calculated. For
each time point in the time domain, there is a corresponding fiber position point. Their relationship in the
resulting data is as follows:

2
Here, L is the distance between the start of the fiber and a point of interest; t is the time elapsed between
the emission of an optical pulse and the point when it’s received; c is the speed of optical signal (light) in a
vacuum; and n is the group refractive index of the tested fiber. Using this formula, time and location data of
optical signals affected by Rayleigh backscattering and Fresnel reflection can be obtained.
Figure 2: A typical fiber line and OTDR test curve
52
14-3 OTDR Technical Specifications

In practical application, choosing an OTDR that meets your testing needs involves taking a panoramic view
of the fiber-optic network. Today’s market is filled with options from competing manufacturers, each
claiming the highest performance marks, the fastest testing capabilities, and the greatest ease of use.
However, there is no universal consensus on how best to interpret – or even measure – the chief OTDR
specifications, making one product difficult to meaningfully distinguish from another. Therefore, we need to
understand the various OTDR technical parameters and which ones matter for your applications. The
following describes five major specifications of the OTDR: distance and attenuation characteristics, blind
areas, optical pulse width, and dynamic range.
Distance Characteristic
The distance characteristic represents the instrument’s ability to accurately measure distance. It is the
primary specification of interest for a quality OTDR. The formula is as follows:
×
2
There are 3 potential sources of error in distance measurement:
1. Zero positioning error: Occurs when OTDR fails to set the live joint position at the front end as the
starting zero point of the tested line. Typical error degree is under 1m.
2. Distance scale error: Related to the measured time of the instrument; this type of error is proportional
to the measured fiber distance. Typical error degree is 10-5~10-4.
3. Sampling interval error: Caused by OTDR non-continuous sampling for the test signal. The measured
point is likely to fall anywhere between two sampling points. The upper limit of this error is the
sampling interval value under the set range, generally 0.1-100m. For example, in the 50km range with
5,001 sampled data points, the sampling interval is 10m; in the same range with 50,001 sampled
points, the sampling interval becomes 1m.
Thus, the distance characteristic is defined as the sum of the instrument’s zero positioning error, sampling
interval error, and distance scale error. Fiber length measurement and fiber fault location determination rely
on the OTDR’s ability to measure distance, so it is vital to instrument performance.
Attenuation Characteristic
On a standard OTDR display pattern, distance is defined over the X-axis, and the relative power of the
returned signal (in dB) over the Y-axis. The attenuation characteristic represents the OTDR’s ability to
accurately measure relative optical power. The instrument’s ability to measure splice loss, fiber attenuation
coefficient, reflection return loss, and other values is directly affected by the attenuation scale’s
nonlinearity influence.
Attenuation scale linearity is related to the power level and the position point. By repeating measurements
for the same device at various backscatter power points, the ratio of [the difference between the max.
and min. attenuation values] to [the device attenuation] can be calculated. This value is the attenuation
display linearity. Attenuation characteristic is measured in dB.
53
Blind Area
When determining the characteristics of a point on the fiber line, note that the measurement may be
affected by reflected light from forward components. Fiber connectors used between the line and the
OTDR will produce a strong reflection signal that returns to the OTDR, saturating the signal-receiving circuit.
During this brief period when the OTDR is unable to process signals, optical pulses going through the fiber
can be hidden and impossible to distinguish. An OTDR’s propensity to be “blinded” is called its blind area,
an inherent factor in measuring OTDR limitations.
Industry standards for OTDR performance measurement were compiled and published in 2010 by Telcordia.
The recommended method for determining a unit’s blind area is based on Telcordia’s method, testing
OTDR blind area on the OTDR trace (Fig. 3).
Figure 3: Telcordia description of OTDR blind area
There are two types of blind area: event and attenuation. The event blind area is the distance from the start
of one reflection event to the next detectable reflective event. Telcordia defines it as the position of the first
reflective event’s falling edge with 1.5 dB lower than the top of the first reflective event. In Fig. 18 above,
the horizontal distance between points A and B is the event blind area. Event blind area can also be
defined (for a specific reflection return loss) as the distance between two points on the reflected signal
traces measuring 1.5dB lower than the reflection peak point. As shown in Fig. 4 below, the distance from C
to D illustrates this definition.
Attenuation blind area refers to the distance from a reflection event’s start (again, like Fig. 3’s point A) to
the point where backscatter levels can be detected. Telcordia defines it as the position (point C) where the
signal power is higher or lower than the backscatter trace of the first pulse by 0.5dB. In Fig. 4, this is the
distance from A to C. The attenuation blind area is larger than the event blind area.
Figure 4: Event Blind Area
54
Optical Pulse Width

Optical pulse width is closely associated with instrument function. Greater pulse width means a longer
saturation time and greater depth; a longer recovery delay until normal operation resumes; and thus, a
more significant blind area.
Return loss also has a very important influence on blind areas. Typically, the greater the return loss, the
smaller the blind area. But different manufacturers have different definitions of conditions affecting the
blind area. So when assessing the quality of a particular OTDR’s blind area, you will need to refer to the
stated definition of test conditions, such as pulse width and the return loss settings.
Suppose there are two different models of OTDR with the same pulse width and same blind area length. A is
measured under conditions that include a return loss of 40dB; B under conditions with a return loss of 50dB.
Which offers a stronger performance? Here, the stated specs of A are better.
Dynamic Range
Dynamic range is another important factor in OTDR performance: it determines the maximum fiber length
that can be observed, and thus whether a given OTDR is suitable for analyzing a specific network. The
higher the dynamic range and SNR, the better the trace and event detection.
Signal coming from the fiber’s far end may be obscured by noise. This is due to the influence of optical
pulse energy on the receiving unit, in amounts that the receiving unit cannot process. Dynamic range is the
OTDR’s maximum capacity for testing various events on the fiber link. It is the OTDR’s physical capability to
detect and process fiber distal end backscattered optical signals, and display a variety of information
along the way. In quantifiable terms, dynamic range is generally defined as the difference (in dB) between
the initial fiber backscatter power level and background noise (Fig. 5).
Figure 5: OTDR dynamic range
If the DUT loss is high, the remote will disappear in the noise. If the loss is low, the endpoint will clearly appear
above the noise floor; testers can easily detect the fracture. Remember that the trace is distributed in the
vicinity of the noise floor. For example, to measure a 0.1 dB connector, the trace must fall 6dB above the
noise floor, and requires approximately 3dB to detect fracture. This is why the OTDR dynamic range must be
greater than the system’s total loss of 3-6dB.
Like the blind area, dynamic range can be affected by instrument settings. The main influences include
pulse width, optimization mode, and wavelength range. The settings configuration must be listed to give
context to any dynamic range parameter.
Increasing the dynamic range is a matter of increasing the optical pulse width and averaging multiple
measurements in order to reduce the noise. In practice, you can clearly see the start of the averaging
period; the dynamic range improves significantly. But as the average time goes on, the change becomes
less clear. In general, dynamic range is the result of continuous averaging of 3-minute testing periods.
55
Definitions of dynamic range differ depending on the noise floor reference value. Many such definitions
introduce values that cannot be directly compared, making it difficult to reconcile them or establish a
standard metric. There are two commonly-used definitions of dynamic range. One is “98% of the noise
level”; that is, if it is determined that the dynamic range noise level comprises 98% of all the noise, then the
definition applies. This metric was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the
IEC 61746 standard. The other, more common method defines dynamic range as a noise reference level of
“SNR=1”, also known as RMS dynamic range. Assuming the noise is Gaussian noise, then by the SNR = 1
dynamic range minus 1.56dB, you can get the 98% noise level dynamic range. Under these circumstances,
the two methods are comparable.
In actual testing, it is easier to find the dynamic range relative to noise peak, generally plus 1.8dB, you can
get SNR = 1 dynamic range.
TV Standard and Color Transmission System Relationships:

Standard Compatible with:
B PAL,SECAM
D SECAM
G PAL,SECAM
H PAL,SECAM
I PAL
K SECAM
K1 SECAM
L SECAM
M NTSC,PAL
N PAL
56
Chapter 15: Optical Return Loss

In the construction of a passive optical network, almost all devices will contribute some optical return loss.
With continuous improvement of transmission rates, the restrictions on return loss are becoming more and
more stringent.
Optical return loss stems mainly from retroreflection and Rayleigh scattering that occurs in the optical path.
In fact, the presence of an air film between the connectors means a drastic change in refractive index,
which can cause retroreflection. Uneven or misaligned fibers will alter the refractive index inside the fibers,
causing Rayleigh scattering. These two phenomena have an impact on the front end of the optical
transmitter. In order to improve the performance of optical devices, devices for measuring optical return
loss were invented. These instruments are widely used in optical device production, as well as in research,
development, and construction of optical transmission systems.
15-1 Definition of Optical Return Loss

Optical return loss, or “ORL”, is the logarithm (in dB) of the ratio of the incident optical power to the optical
power returned to the test reference point. The formula is as follows.
−10 ×
Here, Pi is the incident power (in mW) from the input port. Pr is the returned optical power (also in mW)
received from the same input.
Table 1 shows the optical return loss values for a number of common components.
Component Typical value

PC Fiber Active Connector 35 dB
SPC Fiber Active Connector 40 dB
UPC Fiber Active Connector 50 dB
APC Fiber Active Connector 60 dB
PC Fiber Active Connector in the air 14.6 dB
Optical transceiver receiving port 35 dB
Table 1: Common return loss values for various fiber connectors
57
15-2 Optical Return Loss Testing Methods

The IEC 61300-3-6 2008 standard describes 4 different methods for testing return loss: continuous-wave light
reflection meter (OCWR), optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), optical low-coherence reflectometry
(OLCR), and optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR).
OCWR
Measuring the incident and return light with an OCWR is the most direct approach. IEC recommends this
method for measuring ORL <55dB. The OCWR method is the basis for the “optical return loss meter”.
Most return loss meters tested according to the OCWR method work thusly: first use the [known return loss
values standard reflector device] calibrated to eliminate the system error effects caused by the coupler’s
reflection, the source’s output power or port abrasion, and then enter the device to test.
Figure 6: OCWR
Ideally, a PC optical patch cord endface would be the most common standard reflector device, with a
theoretical return loss value of 14.6dB. However, due to limitations in the grinding process, as well as
cleanliness and other factors, this type of endface has significant uncertainty over repeated uses and
optical return loss values calibration aspects . If the return loss at the fiber ends is calibrated with the OCWR
method, the uncertainty is generally around ± 0.2dB.
Either a standard PC patch cord endface or a highly reflective reference device will suffice, as long as the
device with a known return loss can be used as a standard endface. If the return loss of this device is
arbitrarily tunable, the purpose of this is to calibrate a return loss test instrument at any position. However,
this can only be achieved by increasing an attenuator in the front end.
OTDR
The OTDR method offers a dynamic range greater than 70dB, when measuring the position of the
measured point, limited by the resolution, not less than the "m" magnitude. And because this method is
affected by the pulse width, blind area, noise, and distance, the uncertainty is larger. IEC recommends this
method for measuring return losses greater than 55dB.
OLCR
OLCR provides spatial resolution on the order of µm, dynamic range greater than 90dB, and the ability to
measure reflected light at multiple point positions. However, OLCR is hindered by limitations of the
interferometer distance; IEC recommends it for cases of numerous test points at <5m intervals.
OFDR
The OFDR method offers a dynamic range greater than 70dB, and it can be used to measure tested point
positions to the centimeter. Its biggest advantage is that it can separate the reflection from measured
objects and other sources in the system from the total reflection. OFDR features high reliability, and the test
system can be made relatively small.
58
15-3 Optical Return Loss Technical Specifications
Light Source Emission Power

For typical RL test instruments, the power of the light source is 3--3dBm. If the light emission power is too low,
the return loss measurement range shrinks (especially for high-RL measurements), increasing uncertainty.
However, if the power is too high, the returning light may damage the optical source or an internal power
meter. Instrument suppliers should also consider the cost and longevity of light sources that are higher-
power than necessary.
Optical Source Stability

The stability of the optical source directly affects measurement uncertainty, so a stable source is a wise
addition to the communication system. It is also necessary to add an optical isolator at the source’s output
to prevent resonance occurring between the returned and emitted light.
Sustained emissions will damage laser devices, and in general the given stability of short-term pulses is
around 0.01/15min. Thus, as technology improves, some manufacturers have begun to offer long-term
stability solutions. These include forcing the optical source to turn off once every 5min., or using modulated
light. When specified, the optical source stability factor will usually be associated with return loss uncertainty
rather than listed separately.
Optical Power Accuracy

Some instruments test both insertion loss and return loss. For these, usually a separate power meter is used to
measure insertion loss, and then the stated accuracy of the optical power refers to the accuracy of this
meter. Optical power accuracy is ± 0.25dB. Most single-port RL test instruments cannot directly measure
optical power. Instruments like these will not have this specification.
Optical Return Loss Accuracy

RL accuracy is the most relevant spec for an instrument’s ability to measure return loss. When return loss is
especially high, the measurement may be influenced by many factors, causing higher uncertainty. Thus,
this parameter is usually stated in segments: for example, about ±0.4dB under 50dB return loss, but about 1-
2dB at or above 50dB return loss.
59
Chapter 16: Optical Power Meter

An optical power meter (OPM) measures the intensity of an optical signal as it travels through the fiber. The
AE3100 can be configured to include an OPM measurement function.
16-1 Classification and Uses of Optical Power Meters

Available models and applications of optical power meters can be extensively subdivided. First, based on
type of use, there are handheld, desktop, and modular OPMs. Based on detector type, there are also
calorimetric and photoelectric OPMs. And based on intended technical application, there are models
designed specifically for PON or WDM systems, as well as general-use OPMs.
A power meter can be used to measure a light source’s intensity, or the stability of the optical power
output. It can also be used in conjunction with other tools to measure the attenuation of the optical
attenuator or the fiber cables, and the insertion loss of passive components. In a fiber cable monitoring
system, an optical power meter helps monitor optical path attenuation variation, useful for monitoring the
line. In short, for any measurement of the magnitude and fluctuation in an optical signal, an optical power
meter is required for a complete analysis.
16-2 Principles of Optical Power Meters

An OPM is generally composed of three sections,
divided by function: display, detector, and data
processing (left).
The detector section is the core of the unit;

different types of power meter are distinguished by
their detectors. The commonly-used photoelectric
detector contains indium, gallium, arsenic,
germanium, silicon, and other semiconductor materials, with photosensitive surfaces from 50µm to 2000µm
in diameter. Composition matters: depending on the materials incorporated, a detector will react
differently to a given wavelength range, as depicted in the graph in Fig. 8.
Figure 8: Ge and InGaAs wavelength-response curve Figure 9: Optical Detector Samples
The fiber connector is another important component associated with the detector. The optical signal
output from the fiber connector must be correctly coupled to the detector elements. Ensure that your
optical interface matches the fiber connectors. In addition, some OPMs are non-contact coupling. PC and
APC connector ferrules have a smaller impact on optical power measurements. Certain specialized meters,
such as PON or CWDM OPMs, use a PC or APC ferrule contact coupling; therefore, matching problems with
the fiber interface should be carefully avoided.
60
16-3 Optical Power Meter Technical Specifications

Applicable wavelength range
The range in which the meter is able to measure some signal power. Note that this figure is not always
accurate; typically, the response wavelength is greater than the wavelength that can be accurately
measured. For a photoelectric OPM, the detector’s applicable wavelength range is 800-1600nm.
Calibration Wavelength
A point of frequency with a very narrow spectrum, such as 1310 nm or 1550nm, useful for calibrating the
meter’s power readings. Calibration wavelength is sometimes only marked as a subscript of uncertainty. A
tolerant wavelength range is generally given for this wavelength, such as ± 10nm.
Measurement power range

The power range of acceptable input. To avoid failed tests or damage to the detector, measurements
should not exceed this range. Generally speaking, the response range of the InGaAs detector is +6~-65dBm
(changing to +26~-45dBm with +20dB attenuation).
Calibration power
The power point for determining OPM’s uncertainty. For photovoltaic power meters, the calibration power is
an isolated power point, such as -10dBm or -23dBm.
Uncertainty
Also known as measurement error, uncertainty is the degree of deviation between an OPM’s measurement
of power and the true power. Smaller values indicate better accuracy. Technical specifications for an OPM
typically state the wavelength, power, environmental conditions, adapter, and other factors at which the
uncertainty value was recorded. A common OPM (with a non-contact photosensitive surface detector) will
have uncertainty at or near ±5% (±0.23dB), ±3% (±0.17dB), ±1% (±0.05dB) in several grades. The contact type
is generally labeled ±0.5dB.
Working range uncertainty

Uncertainty displayed by the OPM within the measured power range (at a wavelength). Manufacturers do
not usually state this specification.
Linearity
Since the uncertainty for photoelectric OPMs lies almost on a power point (e.g., -23dBm), measurement
accuracy of the other power points depends on the power meter’s linearity. Linearity is generally
represented by a stepwise manner.
Resolution (sensitivity)
The minimum power value measurable by the optical power meter. The OPM’s resolution is related to its
accuracy when testing the lower limit of the power meter, and can have values such as -70dBm, -90dBm,
etc.
The photoelectric receiver configuration also generally includes the type of the optical receiver, and the
size and material composition of the photosensitive surface. In the commonly-used InGaAs and Ge
detectors, photosensitive surface size ranges from 50 to 2000µm.
61
Part IV: System Functions
Part IV
System Functions
62
Chapter 17: File Manager

Introduction
The ability to save and manipulate data is a core function of using the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR. From
the Home menu, tap the File Manager icon to open the utility. You can navigate the system’s internal file
structure with ease, as well as delete, view, copy, rename, and sort files and folders.
Files saved on a USB storage device can be managed the same way. Simply connect the drive to the Type-
A USB port on the AE3100’s top panel, and look for the USB icon to appear in the status bar.
17-1 Navigating Files
Like Picture Viewer, File Manager is

split into the navigation pane (left;
for folders) & viewing pane (right; for
files). Tap one of the directories
shown on the left to open and
explore it, showing both subfolders
and readable files inside.
In the right pane, files are listed with

their timestamp and file size for easy
viewing. Each file has a checkbox to
the left; tap it to select that file
(necessary for some operations).
17-2 File Operations

The top toolbar contains various tools and operations.
• Open: Loads .sor-format measurement data files that you have previously saved to disk.
• New Folder: Creates a new empty folder in the current directory. Use the touchscreen keyboard
to set a name, then tap Enter and OK.
• Copy/Paste: Select files using the checkbox column, then tap Copy. Navigate to a new folder or
drive and tap Paste to place the copied files there. (The original files will not be affected.)
• Rename: Allows you to give the selected file or folder a new filename. Use the touchscreen
keyboard to set a name, then tap Enter and OK.
• Delete: Erases the selected files from disk. Deleted files cannot be recovered.
• Select All: Selects all files and folders in the current directory. Tap again to de-select.
63
Chapter 18: Instrument Settings

Introduction
This chapter provides instructions for AE3100 system settings and features. To access the settings menu, tap the
Settings icon from the home menu. There are nine main settings tabs:
• Time • Netsetting • App Manager
• Calibration • Disk • Shutdown
• Language • Upgrade • About
NOTE
The instrument’s main system
settings menu is different from the
menu titled “System Setup” in the
AE3100’s OTDR mode, which
includes OTDR color scheme and
parameter selections.
For these and other settings, see

Section 4-3: OTDR Setup on pg. 30.
18-1 Time
From the Settings menu, tap Time.
The Time settings dialog contains a monthly

calendar and a time field. Tap the left and
right arrows at the top of the calendar to
select the current month. Then tap today’s
date.
The time field consists of three sections: hour,

minute, and second. Tap one of the 3
sections and use the electronic up/down
arrow keys to adjust to the current time.
(Alternatively, tap the keyboard icon in the
top-left, and enter the time manually.)
When finished, press OK to confirm or Cancel to discard changes.
64
18-2 Netsetting
From the Settings menu, tap Netsetting. Here, you can configure the AE3100’s network settings for use with
the remote control or web browser functions.
Tap and drag the DHCP slider to turn it on or off.

• When ON, the instrument will automatically acquire an IP address and other network config
information, such as the subnet mask and default gateway. These fields will be grayed out, and
cannot be modified.
• When OFF, you can enter the IP, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS values manually. Use
the touchscreen keyboard to enter a value, then tap Enter.
When finished, tap OK to confirm or Cancel to discard changes. You may test your network connection
settings using the Web Browser or Remote Control functions. (See Chapter 10 and Chapter 13, respectively.)
18-3 App Manager

From the Settings menu, tap Appmanager. Here, you can view and configure the application software
currently enabled on the AE3100. (To add options, see “Enabling Measurement Options” on page 22.)
Each installed application is shown with its

name, icon, and software version number.
(This information may be required to ensure
accurate technical support.) To scroll, tap-
and-drag the list up or down.
Tap an application to highlight it. To delete

the app from the system, tap Del to the right.
CAUTION: Deleted applications must be re-

enabled if you wish to use them again.
Contact your local Deviser Instruments
representative.
65
18-4 Calibration
From the Settings menu, tap Calibration. This mode lets you re-calibrate the touchscreen, optimizing pointer
accuracy.
Touching the Calibration icon changes the display to a white-patterned background. A crosshair icon
(shown, left) will appear sequentially in the corners and center of the screen. Using a stylus pen, tap
the center of the icon to move it to the next position. When all positions have been calibrated, you will return
to the Settings menu.
Note that accuracy is key. Tapping the screen outside the crosshair icon will cause it to continue cycling
through the five positions until calibration is correctly completed.
18-5 Disk
From the Settings menu, tap Disk.
This screen displays a color-coded pie chart,

illustrating the OTDR’s internal 8GB hard drive.
Some space is occupied by device firmware,
so a total of ~6.7GB is available for use.
The blue area indicates used disk space, while

the purple area indicates empty disk space.
If you save many measurement files and/or

screenshots, refer to this screen periodically to
check how much space is remaining.
18-6 Shutdown
From the Settings menu, tap Shutdown.
While operating the AE3100, you may wish to

conserve battery life by automatically turning
the device off (or into sleep mode) when not
in use.
To activate auto-shutdown or auto-sleep, tap

the checkboxes to the right of each option
and set a time period (e.g., 45 minutes) using
the touchscreen keyboard.
When finished, tap OK to confirm or Cancel

to discard changes.
66
18-7 Language
From the Settings menu, tap Language. Here,
you can change the system language. This
will affect all in-app readings, settings menus,
and keys.
Tap a language setting to highlight it, then

tap OK to confirm or Cancel to discard
changes.
Available language settings include English,

Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and
Italian.
18-8 Upgrade
From the Settings menu, tap Upgrade.
In order to upgrade any system firmware, you

must have the new version saved to a USB
storage drive. Insert the USB drive into the USB
port on the AE3100’s top panel.
In the dialog that appears, tap the appropriate

option for the upgrade you wish to apply. The
system will check your USB drive for the correct
file format. If found, the software upgrade will be
applied automatically. This process may take
several minutes.
If the software is not found, “No file found” will appear in red on the screen. Ensure that your USB drive has
the correct files and is connected properly.
18-9 About
From the Settings menu, tap About.
This displays various information about your

AE3100 unit, including the serial number,
server software version, and desktop software
version.
This information is important for ensuring

accurate technical support.
67
Specifications
General OTDR Specifications
1310/1550 1310/1550 1310/1550
Wavelength (nm) 1310/1550
/1625 /1650 /1490
Wavelength Accuracy (nm) ±20
Dynamic Range (dB) 30/28 34/32 36/34 39/37 43/41 37/35/35
Event Deadzone (m) ≤ 1.5 ≤ 0.8
Attenuation Deadzone (m) ≤ 6m ≤ 5m ≤ 4m
Distance 100m, 400m, 1.5km, 3km, 6km, 12km, 50km, 100km, 200km, 400km
Sampling Resolution (m) 0.05 ~ 12.8
Sampling Points 256,000
± (0.75m + 0.005% x
Distance Accuracy (m) ± (0.75m + 0.001% x Distance + Sampling Resolution
Distance + Sampling Res.
Loss Threshold (dB) 0.01dB
Loss Resolution (dB) 0.001dB
Pulse Width 3ns, 5ns, 10ns, 30ns, 50ns, 100ns, 200ns, 500ns, 1µs, 2µs, 5µs, 10µs, 20µs
Measured Time Range 5s ~ 5mins, real-time
Data Storage >10,000 OTDR traces, transferrable to USB storage or PC
Miscellaneous Specifications
Display 7” (178mm), 800x480 dot matrix TFT touchscreen
Interface 2x USB 2.0; 1x RJ45; 1x TF (64GB max)
Battery Life 8 hrs. continuous (at max charge)
Languages Chinese, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, Italian (German, Korean, & Arabic optional)
Operating Temperature -10 ~ -50°C
Storage Temperature -40 ~ +70°C
Relative Humidity 0 ~ 95%, non-condensing
Dimensions (WxHxD) 8.1” x 6.7” x 3.0” (206mm x 171mm x 75mm)
Weight < 2kg (4.4 lbs)
For a list of AE3100-compatible accessories and

software-enabled measurement options available
from Deviser, please see Section 1-2.
68
Version 170216. ©2017 Deviser Instruments Incorporated.
780 Montague Expressway, Suite 701, San Jose, CA 95131.
info@deviserinstruments.com • +1.408.955.0938 • www.deviserinstruments.com

AE3100 UG 170216 Optim

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AE3100 UG 170216 Optim

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AE3100 Series

MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS 7

STATEMENT OF FCC COMPLIANCE 8

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INFORMATION 10

CHAPTER 2: INSTRUMENT OVERVIEW 16

CHAPTER 3: QUICK START GUIDE (MAKING A MEASUREMENT) 23

PART II: SETTINGS AND MEASUREMENTS 26

CHAPTER 8: OPTICAL POWER METER 43

CHAPTER 9: VISUAL FAULT LOCATOR 44

CHAPTER 10: WEB BROWSER 45

CHAPTER 11: PICTURE VIEWER 46

CHAPTER 12: CALCULATOR 47

CHAPTER 13: REMOTE CONTROL 48

PART III: BACKGROUND AND CONCEPTS 50

CHAPTER 14: OTDR THEORY 51

CHAPTER 15: OPTICAL RETURN LOSS 57

CHAPTER 16: OPTICAL POWER METER 60

PART IV: SYSTEM FUNCTIONS 62

CHAPTER 17: FILE MANAGER 63

CHAPTER 18: INSTRUMENT SETTINGS 64

Maintenance and Safety Considerations

Other Safety and Maintenance Tips

Notes and recommendations for operating the device.

Important information for efficient use.

Read instructions carefully. Misuse may cause serious injury.

This instrument contains a high-power semiconductor laser. All

Statement of FCC Compliance

Chapter 1: General Information

1-1 About the AE3100 Series Handheld OTDR

AE3100 Model A B C D E CP-1 CP-2 CP-3

1-2 Accessories and Measurement Options

Model No. Description

1-3 Technical Support & Service

1-4 Annual Service Verification

1-5 Battery Care

1-5.2 Charging the Unit

Please follow the following steps to charge the unit:

10 GbE Advanced Audio Coding FSWDM Full spectrum wavelength division

OFL Overfilled launch ROADM Reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer

Chapter 2: Instrument Overview

2-1 Unpacking the AE3100 Instrument

For a comprehensive list of compatible accessories, see Section 1-2.

2-2 Powering On the AE3100

2-3 Front Panel Overview

LED Charge Indicator

From left to right:

2-4 Top Panel Overview

USB Type-A ports

2-5 Control Overview

2-5.1 Onscreen Keyboard

You will sometimes need to specify a

You can enter text by tapping the

Some characters may not be used

When finished, tap Enter to confirm your entry or Close to cancel.

2-6 Measurement Main Menu

[Instrument Model] OTDR FiberPassTM Link Mapper

OPM (Optical Power Meter) VFL (Visual Fault Locator)

FIP (Fiber Inspection Probe) Laser (Optical Light Source)

File Manager Web Browser

Remote Access Picture Viewer

Brightness Control Dialog

Connection Status Icons

2-7 Measurement Mode Selection