II-VI Incorporated Unveils Pluggable OTDR for Embedded Network Monitoring

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- II‐VI Incorporated (NASDAQ:IIVI), a leading provider of solutions for next generation optical networks today unveiled its pluggable Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for embedded network monitoring applications in carrier and data center networks.

According to ElectroniCast Consultants, the worldwide use of embedded OTDR modules is forecast to achieve significant growth over the next five years.  The pluggable OTDR fills the need for improved operational efficiency from carriers and data center operators.  The full realization of software defined networking requires the characterization and continuous monitoring of the fiber plant.  The II-VI pluggable OTDR is a compact device with standard interfaces and powered by complex digital processing to analyze data in real time.  Equipment manufacturers can now monitor data on fiber plant quality both at system start-up and during operation to ensure that decision making is based on optimum information when and where it is needed.

“The capability to permit an OTDR test simultaneously, with advanced early detection, fault location and optical link loss notification, is critical in today’s optical communications networks, especially when considering the need for software-based wavelength rerouting,” said Stephen Montgomery, director of the fiber optic component group and president of ElectroniCast Consultants. “Pressures to improve service-level agreements are driving the use of embedded OTDR modules,” Montgomery added.

“Our highly successful embedded OTDR platform has been deployed in volume by multiple OEMs and carriers for over two years,” said Dr. Sanjai Parthasarathi, Vice President for Product Marketing and Strategy, Optical Communications Group.  “We are breaking new ground with the introduction of a highly compact pluggable OTDR module, with instrument level capabilities that can be integrated in transport networks.”

The size of the new product is 50% smaller than II-VI’s existing solution and can be configured with an optical switch to monitor two fibers alternatively.  The pluggable OTDR features an XFP control interface and can be plugged into a standard XFP receptacle.  The product is currently being sampled and will be generally available in Q3 2017.

II-VI at OFC2017, Mar. 21-23, 2017, Booth #2101

II-VI will showcase new products at OFC 2017 that are driven by advances in our materials and technology platforms. The product showcase will include novel embedded monitoring solutions for transport networks, highly compact optical amplifier solutions tailored to enable high bit-rate DWDM transceivers, as well as key devices and sub-assemblies for datacenter transceivers.

About II-VI Incorporated

II-VI Incorporated, a global leader in engineered materials and opto-electronic components is a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, with research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide, the Company produces a wide variety of application-specific photonic and electronic materials and components, and deploys them in various forms including integrated with advanced software to enable our customers.