MPX Modal Explorer
The MPX Modal Explorer provides real-time measurement of Encircled Flux. Simply connect your source and patchcord to the MPX, and it will measure their Modal Launch Conditions in real-time.
Standards compliant - have confidence in its accuracy
Encircled Flux is now widely accepted as the preferred way to specify modal filling by IEEE, ISO and IEC. Measurement of Encircled Flux is defined in FOTP-203 - the"Modal Explorer" is the most standards-compliant measurement system available today and has been chosen by major standards labs in the USA and Europe as the basis for their critical measurements.
Robust and reliable - means its ready for production
Its compact size and solid design make it the tool of choice in cable makers, fiber optic instrument companies and VCSEL, laser and LED source makers. In use in factories every day, major players in the industry rely on the Modal Explorer
The Modal Explorer is available for measurements at 850 and 1300nm as well as other custom wavelengths.
Applications
- Source and patchcord characterization for IEC 11801 LAN testing
- VCSEL characterisation for Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.3
- Mode-scrambler and mode-filter characterization
- LRM Encircled Flux measurements
- Set up fiber coupled sources
Features and benefits
- End face mode for precise focus giving better repeatability from operator to operator
- Power monitor - ideal for optimising light throughput and modal conditions together for production of pig-tailed light sources.
- Real-time measurement - means for the first time you can adjust modal conditions easily as well as increase productivity
- Internal LED for use as Encircled Flux reference source - complies with IEEE 802-3 for coherent sources
- USB2.0 direct connection gives portability - ship the Modal Explorer to distant locations with the optional carrying case plus a laptop computer.
Image gallery
Technical specification - MPX Modal Explorer
| MPX-1 | MPX-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | 850nm | 1300nm |
| Size | 26W x 27D x 9H (cm) | 26W x 39D x 11H (cm) |
| Weight | 2.5kg | 7.0kg |
| Dynamic range | 65dB (with user selectable Neutral Density filters) | 65dB (with user selectable Neutral Density filters) |
| Image sensor | CCD array, 12 bit, 4.65µm square pixels | InGaAs array, 12 bit, 30.0µm square pixels |
| Input connector types available | Universal 2.5mm ferrule ; Universal 1.25mm ferrule (both supplied as standard) FC, ST, SC, LC, MTP, Bare fiber (optional) |
Universal 2.5mm ferrule ; Universal 1.25mm ferrule (both supplied as standard) FC, ST, SC, LC, MTP, Bare fiber (optional) |
| Output to computer | USB 2.0 (cable supplied) | USB 2.0 (cable supplied) |
| Power | External switched mode power supply (supplied) |
External switched mode power supply (supplied) |
| USB 2.0 Connector | USB B | USB B |
| USB 2.0 Cable | USB B to USB A: 3m ( supplied) | USB B to USB A: 3m (supplied) |
| Computer requirements | 1.5GHz or higher processor, 1GB RAM | 1.5GHz or higher processor, 1GB RAM |
| Operating systems supported | Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 32bit or 64bit | Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 32bit or 64bit |
| Options | Desktop computer; Laptop computer; Extended warranty; Carrying case, Custom wavelengths | Desktop computer; Laptop computer; Extended warranty; Carrying case, Custom wavelengths |
| Operating Temperature | 0º - +50ºC | +15º - +30ºC |
| Humidity | 50%-95%, relative, non-condensing | 50%-95%, relative, non-condensing |
Ordering information
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| MPX-1 | System for modal analysis of multimode fibers at 850nm, including optical unit, cables, software package (computer not supplied as standard), user manual and universal connector adaptors for 2.5mm and 1.25mm ferrules. |
| MPX-2 | System for modal analysis of multimode fibers at 1300nm, including optical unit, cables, software package (computer not supplied as standard) user manual and universal connector adaptors for 2.5mm and 1.25mm ferrules. |
| Options | |
| MPX-CC-01 | Rigid carrying case for MPX1 |
| MPX-CC-02 | Rigid carrying case for MPX2 |
| MPX-CP01 | Chrome-on-Glass calibration artefact and software package for MPX1 and MPX2 to enable user calibration traceable to NPL standards. Includes Chrome-on-Glass artefact, software CD and operation instructions. ( see below for more details ) | MPX-CAFC | Input connector adaptor for FC connectors |
| MPX-CALC | Input connector adaptor for LC connectors |
| MPX-CASC | Input connector adaptor for SC connectors |
| MPX-CAST | Input connector adaptor for ST connectors |
| MPX-CAMTP | Input connector adaptor for MTP connectors |
| MPX-SR1 | Fiber shaker (see below for more details ) |
| MPX-SR-P50-SC | Patchcord for fiber shaker, 10m long, 3mm cable, OM2 fiber, SC connectors |
| MPX-SR-P62-SC | Patchcord for fiber shaker, 10m long, 3mm cable, OM1 fiber, SC connectors |
| MPX-UEW3 | MPX extended warranty covering parts and labour for 3 years from purchase, rteurn to base. Cover excludes camera. |
| APL-LC | Laptop computer, pre-installed with application software |
| APL-DC | Desktop computer, pre-installed with application software |
Calibration artefact
The MPX Calibration Artefact is a Chrome-on-Glass annulus traceable to NPL in London. The artefact is easily mounted in the Modal Explorer using an adaptor of the same design as those used for mounting the connector.
The software package supplied with the artefact automatically calculates the magnification factor of the MPX optical system. After acceptance by the user the magnification factor is stored in the MPX configuration file for future use.
This artefact is the same design as the one we use in-house to calibrate the MPX during factory QA. If you are using the MPX for critical production measurements we recommend a 1 year recalibration cycle for your MPX and a 5 year calibration cycle for your artefact.
Fiber Shaker
Arden's Modal Explorer makes measurement of Encircled Flux easy, and accurate, and it complies with international standards. But if you are measuring laser-based transmission light sources for multimode systems you may need to use a test jumper assembly and fiber shaker in order to avoid "speckle". Industry standards ( for example IEEE 802.3aq and FOTP– 203) call for the use of a mechanical fiber shaker made up of 3 independent figure-of-eight elements.
The fiber shaker, which complies with the description in IEC 61280-4-1, reduces speckle by changing the differential path length of the various modes in the fiber. Part of the fiber is shaken continuously in each of three nominally orthogonal directions during the measurement to allow the speckle to be averaged out. This will ensure sufficient repeatability for the measurement of the Encircled Flux.
The 10m fiber jumper is mechanically shaken continuously in each of three nominally orthogonal directions (using three independent shaker mechanisms) during the measurement. A motor-driven eccentric drives a slider back and forth at about one stroke per second, alternately flattening and stretching one loop in each of figure of eight with 25 mm amplitude The shake frequencies in the three
directions are such that the three shake cycles synchronize no more often than once every five hundred cycles of the nominal shake frequency, which is 1 Hz.
The 10m patchcord is pre-wound onto the shaker but it can be removed and replaced with other patchcords if you need to switch fiber or connector types. Dimensions 435 x 330 x 97 mm, Mass 3Kg. The supplied patchcord is 10m in length, 3mm cable diameter, 50/125 multimode fiber as standard, other types by request. Output connctors are SC as standard, others by request.
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Email: enquiries@ardenphotonics.com |
| Tel +44 (0) 121 733 7721 | Last Updated: 2012-01-20 |
| Royston House, 267 Cranmore Boulevard, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 4QT, UK | The content of this website © Arden Photonics Ltd |