VIAVI FI-11 Optical Fiber Identifier with Core Power Display

The VIAVI FI-11 is a handheld, battery-powered optical fiber identifier for installation and maintenance work. It identifies optical fibers by detecting the optical signals transmitted through a single-mode fiber, using local detection technology based on non-destructive macro-bend detection. Because the fiber does not need to be opened at the splice point for identification, the risk of interrupting service is eliminated.

The FI-11 detects continuous wave (CW) signals, live optical transmission and low-frequency modulated tones at 270, 1000 and 2000 Hz. When traffic is present on the fiber under test, LEDs on the probe indicate the direction of transmission; when a modulated tone is present, the corresponding 270, 1000 or 2000 Hz LED illuminates.

Unlike the FI-10, the FI-11 measures the relative core power in the fiber and shows it on a two-digit, seven-segment LED display. A relative zero power reading allows the measurement of power loss through a splice or connector.

The VIAVI fiber identifier was tested to Bellcore requirements under technical reference TR-NWT-000764, attaching the identifier to a bare 1 inch section of fiber 20 times without causing microscopically visible damage to the fiber coating, for both old and new fibers. Its minimum bend radius is almost twice the 3 mm minimum accepted by the Bellcore technical reference.

Tone identification with VIAVI sources

Single-mode fibers can be identified using an OLS-35 or OLS-55 FP laser source, both of which support tone modulation at 270 Hz, 1 kHz and 2 kHz for recognition by the FI-11. The recommended wavelength for tone identification is 1550 nm.