EXFO announces OpticalRF – industry’s most powerful RF interference analysis solution over CPRI

QUEBEC CITY, CANADA, September 28, 2016 — EXFO Inc. (NASDAQ: EXFO, TSX: EXF) a leading provider of test orchestration and 3D analytics solutions, today announced the launch of the OpticalRF™ application for its compact, lightweight and powerful FTB-1 Pro test platform. Now mobile network operators (MNOs) can quickly and easily locate all RF interference issues in fiber-based mobile networks using the industry’s best real-time, high-resolution RF spectrum analysis over CPRI (radio frequency over Common Public Radio Interface).

“As quality of experience is becoming the benchmark for customer satisfaction, it is critical for MNOs to identify all RF interference issues, faster and more accurately,” said Stephane Chabot, EXFO’s Vice-President, Test and Measurement. “Bringing the game-changing OpticalRF™ application to our FTB-1 Pro test platform demonstrates EXFO’s commitment to providing mobile operators exactly what they need to efficiently orchestrate test processes, address critical operational challenges, and ensure subscribers receive top-quality mobile service.” 

Reducing operational expense and accelerating issue resolution in mobile networks

The new OpticalRF™ application reduces the costs of turning up and troubleshooting mobile networks by providing access to the RF signal through the digital CPRI link available at the base station, located at the bottom of the cell tower or kilometers away as in a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture. This in turn eliminates unnecessary tower climbs and significantly reduces maintenance costs. In addition, EXFO’s solution accelerates time to resolution of complex RF issues by enabling multiple users to connect, control and collaborate via remote access from any smart device or laptop directly to the OpticalRF™ application. With OpticalRF™, cell technicians can quickly and accurately identify critical interference issues such as external RF interference, and internal and external passive intermodulation (PIM). 

An all-in-one, compact and powerful test solution for unmatched operational efficiency

EXFO’s latest innovation brings RF spectrum analysis over CPRI to its all-in-one FTB-700G V2 Series, which is housed in the FTB-1 Pro platform and integrates Ethernet service validation, connector endface inspection, fiber characterization with iOLM and CPRI link validation. OpticalRF™ will enable maintenance engineers and cell technicians to do more, faster and with first-time-right results. In turn, mobile network operators can deliver high-performance networks and manage costs through the orchestration of complex test processes – while improving subscriber quality of experience.

OpticalRF™ is currently on demo at RAN World which is being held at the B1 Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information on the OpticalRF™ and the FTB-1 Platform, please visit EXFO.com/ftb700G.