Anritsu Fiber Optic Test Equipment
6 models with full specifications in Fiber Optics Comm.
Anritsu's fiber optic test portfolio spans portable field instruments for fiber installation and maintenance, as well as benchtop laboratory equipment for spectral analysis. For field work, Anritsu offers compact Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) and modular network test platforms that handle protocol validation alongside physical layer testing. For research and manufacturing, their Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs) provide precise spectral characterization of active devices, passive components, and DWDM systems. This guide reviews the core specifications, structural design differences, and application targets for these systems.
- Field Display Options
- 6.5-inch (MT9083A) to 9-inch Touch Screen (MT1000A)
- OSA Spectral Range
- 600 nm to 1750 nm
- Max OSA Resolution
- 30 pm (MS9740A)
- Max OTDR Dynamic Range
- 39 dB @ 1310 nm / 37.5 dB @ 1550 nm
All models
| Model | Type | Dimensions (W×H×D) | Display | Interfaces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT9083A | OTDR | 284 × 200 × 77 | 6.5-inch TFT color LCD (640 × 480) | USB (Type A, Type B) |
| CMA4500 | OTDR | — | — | — |
| MS9710C | Spectrum Analyzers | 320 × 177 × 350 mm | 8.4-inch color TFT-LCD | GPIB, RS-232C, VGA |
| MS9740A | Spectrum Analyzers | 426 × 177 × 350 mm | 8.4-inch | 6x USB, Ethernet, GPIB, VGA output |
| MS9710B | Spectrum Analyzers | — | — | — |
| MT1000A | OTDR | 257.6 x 164.4 x 103.5 mm (with OTDR module MU100020A/21A/22A and battery) | 9-inch active matrix TFT color touch screen, WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) | 3x USB 2.0 Type A, 1x USB 2.0 Type Mini-B, 1x RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN, WLAN (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth v2.1+EDR, 3.5 mm Audio Jack |
Portable Field OTDRs and Network Testers
For field characterization, Anritsu provides distinct form factors depending on whether simple optical testing or comprehensive protocol analysis is required.
-
Anritsu MT9083A (ACCESS Master): This is a lightweight, dedicated 2.2 kg OTDR platform built for access network and FTTx troubleshooting. It operates across a temperature range of -10 to +50 °C and offers a dynamic range of up to 39 dB at 1310 nm and 37.5 dB at 1550 nm. It stores up to 1,000 traces internally and supports interchangeable optical connectors (SC, FC, ST, DIN).
-
Anritsu MT1000A (Network Master Pro): This is a modular, multi-module stackable platform designed for technicians who need to verify both physical fiber infrastructure and high-speed network protocols. It features a 9-inch touch screen and weighs 2.6 kg when configured with an OTDR module. It supports both single-mode (SM) and multimode (MM) testing, delivering event dead zones of 0.8 meters or less for precise fault location. Beyond OTDR testing, its hardware architecture supports modules for Ethernet (up to 100G), OTN, SDH/SONET, and Fibre Channel.
-
Anritsu CMA4500: A legacy portable platform focusing on core OTDR trace capture using the standard Telcordia SR-4731 (.sor) format.
Benchtop Optical Spectrum Analyzers
Anritsu's benchtop Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs) use diffraction grating monochromator technology to evaluate active components and DWDM networks across the 600 nm to 1750 nm wavelength range.
-
Anritsu MS9710B: An older generation diffraction-grating benchtop OSA. It includes a built-in 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for data storage and maintains an optical reception sensitivity of -90 dBm.
-
Anritsu MS9710C: A standard benchtop instrument featuring an 8.4-inch color TFT-LCD. It offers select resolution settings ranging from 0.05 nm to 1 nm, a sweep time of 0.2 seconds or less for a 5 nm span, and a level accuracy of ±0.4 dB at 1310 and 1550 nm. Its dynamic range is 70 dB at ±1.0 nm from the peak wavelength.
-
Anritsu MS9740A: A more modern benchtop OSA that significantly improves resolution and interfaces. It achieves a minimum wavelength resolution of 30 pm and features a built-in wavelength calibration function. For data export, it replaces legacy storage formats with modern interfaces, including six USB ports and an Ethernet port, while retaining GPIB and VGA.
Popular models
Frequently asked questions
- What trace data formats do Anritsu OTDRs use?
- Anritsu OTDRs, such as the MT9083A and CMA4500, save trace data using the standard Telcordia SR-4731 (.sor) format, ensuring compatibility with industry analysis software.
- What is the difference in resolution between the MS9710C and the MS9740A?
- The MS9710C features selectable resolution settings down to 0.05 nm (50 pm), while the MS9740A offers a finer minimum resolution of 30 pm.
- Does the Anritsu MT1000A support multimode fiber testing?
- Yes. When equipped with the appropriate module, such as the MU100022A, the MT1000A can test multimode fiber at 850 nm and 1300 nm, providing dynamic ranges of 29 dB and 28 dB respectively.