- Birch Technical Services, a company specializing in the installation of fiber-optic networks, has acquired an Anritsu MT9100A series multi-core fiber tester.
- The British firm is the first installer in the EMEA region to own this instrument, which is designed to characterize optical fibers containing multiple cores within a single cladding.
This technology, known as “multi-core fiber,” involves integrating several independent optical cores into a single fiber to increase its transmission capacity. It relies on spatial-division multiplexing and, in addition to standard optical transmission characteristics, requires the measurement of crosstalk between the various cores.
The MT9100A tester allows these measurements to be performed from just one end of the fiber, eliminating the need for an operator or a measuring instrument at the opposite end. It simultaneously measures insertion loss, return loss, and crosstalk between the cores. Up to four cores can be tested at once, removing the need for sequential measurements using a power meter.
The instrument also features an automatic validation function that assesses results against compliance criteria (pass/fail), helping to identify faults and streamline diagnostic procedures. Battery-powered and portable, it is suitable for use both in the laboratory and in the field.
For Birch Technical Services, this investment is intended to build expertise in multi-core fiber characterization and prepare its teams for future deployments of this technology. The company is already active in the design, installation, fusion splicing, testing, and certification of conventional optical networks.
