User Guide

FastReporter 2
Post Processing Software
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Version: 11.0.1.1

ii FastReporter 2
 Licence Agreement and Warranty
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Post Processing Software iii

 6. LIMITED WARRANTY: EXFO warrants the media on which the Software is distributed to be free from defects in material
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iv FastReporter 2
 Contents

Contents

1 Introducing FastReporter 2 ......................................................................... 1

Available Features ...................................................................................................................1
Conventions ............................................................................................................................6
2 Getting Started with FastReporter 2 .......................................................... 7
Installing and Uninstalling FastReporter 2 on a Computer ......................................................8
Installing FastReporter 2 on an EXFO Platform .......................................................................9
Starting FastReporter 2 ...........................................................................................................9
Activating the FastReporter 2 Software Options ...................................................................12
Customizing the Main Window ............................................................................................16
Selecting Items From Lists and Menus ..................................................................................20
Using the Software Customization Wizard ...........................................................................20
Working with Two Monitors (PC Version) .............................................................................24
Changing FastReporter 2 Options .........................................................................................25
Exiting FastReporter 2 ...........................................................................................................33
3 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode) ...................................................... 35
Managing Projects ................................................................................................................35
Managing Project Templates .................................................................................................44
Changing File Direction .........................................................................................................47
Matching Files ......................................................................................................................48
Setting Auto Refresh in a Specific Folder ..............................................................................56
Working in Loopback Mode ..................................................................................................57
4 Using EXFO Connect with FastReporter 2 (FR2-FC Mode, PC Only) ......... 83
Setting Up the Connection to the Server ..............................................................................83
Using the EXFO Connect Browser .........................................................................................84

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Contents

5 Working with OTDR Files ..........................................................................107

Changing OTDR Settings .....................................................................................................110
Managing the OTDR Event Table View ................................................................................125
Changing the Main Measurement ......................................................................................130
Setting the OTDR Graphic Display Options .........................................................................132
Viewing Section Length for the Linear View .......................................................................132
Using the Zoom Functions ..................................................................................................133
Managing Markers .............................................................................................................136
Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode) ...................148
Analyzing Measurements ....................................................................................................152
Using the Failed Items Filter ................................................................................................153
Displaying Statistics for Measurements ..............................................................................154
Setting Span Positions with Absolute Lengths ....................................................................155
Setting the IOR Value by Distance .......................................................................................157
Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode) ............................................................................158
Reverting to File Test Settings .............................................................................................159
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode) .............................................................160
Creating Batch Documentation ...........................................................................................167
Saving an OTDR File in a New File Format ...........................................................................168
Generating Text Files From OTDR Measurements (FR2-FC Mode) ........................................169
Modifying Space Between Traces on the Graph ..................................................................170
6 Working with OLTS Files ...........................................................................171
Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................171
Changing OLTS Settings ......................................................................................................171
7 Working with CD Files ..............................................................................175
Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................175
Changing CD Settings .........................................................................................................176
Changing CD Fiber Type ......................................................................................................180
Changing Analysis Range ....................................................................................................182
Changing the Fiber Length .................................................................................................183
Switching Between Curve Types ..........................................................................................184
8 Working with PMD Files ...........................................................................185
Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................185
Changing PMD Settings ......................................................................................................186
Changing Fiber Length .......................................................................................................189
Working with PMD Statistic Measurements ........................................................................190

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 Contents

9 Working with OPM/PPM Measurements ................................................. 193

Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................193
Selecting the Absolute Power Unit ......................................................................................194
Changing OPM/PPM Settings ..............................................................................................195
Viewing Power Meter Results .............................................................................................197
Changing the Correction Factor (FR2-FC Mode) ..................................................................198
10 Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files ..................................... 199
Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................199
Modifying Unit Model and Unit Serial Number ...................................................................200
Showing or Hiding Threshold and Result Information ........................................................202
Applying a Configuration File to Selected FIP Files ..............................................................203
FIP Graphic Display Options ................................................................................................204
Using Custom Identifiers .....................................................................................................206
Saving Legacy FIP Files in .cmax2 File Format ......................................................................207
Viewing Power Meter and OLTS Results ..............................................................................208
11 Working with iOLM files .......................................................................... 209
Accepted File Formats .........................................................................................................209
Understanding the Link View ..............................................................................................209
Managing Multiple Measurements .....................................................................................213
Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional Settings ..................................................................215
Modifying iOLM Thresholds ................................................................................................217
Modifying iOLM Settings (FR2-FC Mode) ............................................................................219
Modifying the Splitter Ratio Information ............................................................................221
Modifying Identifier Labels (FR2-FC Mode) .........................................................................222
Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode) ............................................................................224
Managing Elements ............................................................................................................225
Customizing the Elements Table Tab ...................................................................................228
Analyzing Measurements (FR2-FC Mode) ............................................................................248
Using the Failed Element Filter ............................................................................................249
Generating a .sor File From iOLM Measurements (FR2-FC Mode) ........................................249
Managing Configuration Files (FR2-FC Mode) .....................................................................252
Understanding Diagnostics .................................................................................................254
Viewing Power Meter Results .............................................................................................255
Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files ......................................................................................255
Viewing Section Length for Multiple Measurements ..........................................................263
Matching Link Elements with a Reference ..........................................................................264
Matching Link Elements Without a Reference .....................................................................265
Displaying Statistics for Matched Measurements ................................................................266

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Contents

12 Viewing and Editing Measurements ........................................................267

Editing Measurement Identification Information ................................................................267
Modifying Summary Information (FR2-FC Mode) ...............................................................273
Viewing and Sorting Files or Measurements .......................................................................274
Saving Measurement Files ..................................................................................................276
13 Generating, Previewing and Printing Reports ........................................277
Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode) .....................................................................................278
Previewing Reports .............................................................................................................283
Printing Reports ..................................................................................................................284
Using the Clipboard (FR2-FC Mode) ....................................................................................285
Importing and Exporting Templates ....................................................................................286
Creating and Modifying Report Templates ..........................................................................290
Using Crystal Report Templates ...........................................................................................291
Using Excel Report Templates .............................................................................................293
14 Using FastReporter 2 Tools .......................................................................309
Setting a Reference File or Measurement (FR2-FC Mode) ....................................................311
Automatically Documenting Measurement Files (FR2-FC Mode) .........................................313
Using the Duplicated Measurements Tool (FR2-FC Mode) ...................................................318
15 Exporting Data for Postprocessing (FR2-FC Mode) ................................321
16 FastReporter 2 Examples ..........................................................................325
Creating an OTDR Bidirectional Project ...............................................................................326
Creating a Fiber Characterization Report ............................................................................327
Creating a Project Template ................................................................................................333
17 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................337
Consulting the Online Help .................................................................................................337
Contacting the Technical Support Group ............................................................................337

viii FastReporter 2
 Contents

A Description of Event Types ...................................................................... 339

Span Start ..........................................................................................................................340
Span End ...........................................................................................................................340
Short Fibers .......................................................................................................................340
Continuous Fiber ...............................................................................................................341
End of Analysis ..................................................................................................................342
Non-Reflective Event ..........................................................................................................343
Reflective Event .................................................................................................................344
Positive Event .....................................................................................................................345
Launch Level ......................................................................................................................346
Fiber Section ......................................................................................................................347
Merged Event ....................................................................................................................348
Echo ..................................................................................................................................354
Reflective Event (Possible Echo) .........................................................................................355
B Measuring Chromatic Dispersion: Theory .............................................. 357
Method behind the Chromatic Dispersion Analyzer ............................................................357
Using Data Fits to Obtain Dispersion ..................................................................................358
Helping You Manage Chromatic Dispersion ........................................................................360
C Measuring Polarization Mode Dispersion: Theory ................................. 361
D Report Samples ........................................................................................ 365
Bidirectional OTDR ..............................................................................................................366
OTDR ..................................................................................................................................367
Fiber Characterization .........................................................................................................368
Fiber Inspection Probe ........................................................................................................369
iOLM ...................................................................................................................................370
OTDR Advanced Cable (Excel Template) ..............................................................................371
iOLM + FIP (Excel Template) ...............................................................................................372
iOLM Bidirectional (Excel Template) ....................................................................................373
iOLM Advanced Cable Report (Excel Report) .......................................................................374
Index .............................................................................................................. 375

Post Processing Software ix

1 Introducing FastReporter 2
FastReporter 2 is an advanced management, analysis, and reporting tool for
many types of optical tests, including the following:
 optical loss
 optical return loss (ORL)
 optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR)
 polarization mode dispersion (PMD)
 chromatic dispersion (CD)
 optical and PON power meters (OPM/PPM)
 fiber inspection probe (FIP)
 intelligent optical link mapper (iOLM)

Note: Depending on the platform you are using, some test modes may not be
available.

Available Features
There are two application levels: Basic and the advanced version, which
includes the fiber characterization option (FR2-FC) and the loopback
option (FR2-LB). Depending on which version you are using, the features in
the table below are available or not.

Note: A feature with an “*” mark indicates that the modification is allowed for
single measurements.

Feature Basic FR2-FC

Viewing and sorting files or measurements X X
Apply sorting to other windows X X
Saving measurement files* X X
Viewing measurement summary information X X

Post Processing Software 1

Introducing FastReporter 2
Available Features

Feature Basic FR2-FC

Managing reports and report templates  X
Using the clipboard  X
Adding and removing measurement files*  X
Managing projects and project templates  X
Editing measurement identification and summary X X
information*
Generating reports  X
Setting a reference file or measurement  X
Automatically documenting measurement files  X
Using the duplicated measurements tool  X
Exporting data for postprocessing  X
Setting auto refresh in a specific folder  X
Managing files using EXFO Connect  X
OTDR
Changing OTDR settings* X X
Setting OTDR event table options X X
Editing OTDR event properties X X
Adding OTDR event with one marker position X X
Adding OTDR event with manually positioned X X
markers
Modifying event markers position on existing events X X
Retrieving marker position from file X X
OTDR graphic display options X X
Using the zoom functions X X
Applying an OTDR reference as a template  X

2 FastReporter 2
 Introducing FastReporter 2
Available Features

Feature Basic FR2-FC

Changing the main measurements  X
Analyzing or reanalyze measurements* X X
Viewing failed measurements only X X
Setting spans position with absolute length* X X
Setting the spans position to modify the IOR value* X X
Changing fiber core size*  X
Matching files  X
Creating bidirectional OTDR files  X
Saving an OTDR file in a new file format* X X
Generate text file from OTDR measurement  X
Performing unidirectional and bidirectional  X
loopback tests (with the FR2-LB option).
Creating unidirectional files from a bidirectional file  X
OLTS (not available for FTB-1, not compatible with 64-bit version)
Changing OLTS settings X X
CD (not available for FTB-1, not compatible with 64-bit version)
Changing CD settings X X
Changing CD fiber type X X
Changing analysis range X X
Changing the fiber length X X
Toggling between curve types X X
PMD (not available for FTB-1, not compatible with 64-bit version)
Changing PMD settings X X
Changing fiber length X X
Working with PMD statistic measurements X X

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Introducing FastReporter 2
Available Features

Feature Basic FR2-FC

FIP
Setting FIP thresholds table options X X
Setting FIP results table options X X
FIP graphic display options X X
OPM/PPM
Managing power meter results X X
Changing correction factor  X
iOLM
Viewing iOLM thresholds X X
Modifying iOLM thresholds  X
Viewing iOLM settings  X
Modifying iOLM settings  X
Modifying identifier labels  X
Adding element  X
Modifying Element Types  X
Deleting Elements  X
Set Launch Fiber and Receive Fiber on new or  X
existing Element*
Analyzing measurements  X
Viewing failed measurements only X X
Generate SOR file from iOLM measurement  X
Creating configuration files  X
Managing power meter results X X
Viewing measurement identification information X X
Creating a bidirectional iOLM file X X

4 FastReporter 2
 Introducing FastReporter 2
Available Features

Feature Basic FR2-FC

Working with multimode fibers X X
Matching link elements with and without a X X
reference
Changing core size  X
Performing unidirectional and bidirectional  X
loopback tests (with the FR2-LB option).

Post Processing Software 5

Introducing FastReporter 2
Conventions

Conventions
Before using the product described in this guide, you should understand
the following conventions:

WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.

CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in minor or moderate injury. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.

CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
may result in component damage. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.

IMPORTANT
Refers to information about this product you should not overlook.

6 FastReporter 2
2 Getting Started with
FastReporter 2
If you are using FastReporter 2 on a platform, it is usually pre-installed on
your unit. If it is not already installed, you can install it yourself through
Update Manager. Refer to the Update Manager documentation for details.
If you are using FastReporter 2 on a computer, the latter needs to meet
minimum requirements, depending on which operation system you are
using:

System Windows Vista -

Windows XP Windows 7 Windows 8.x
Element 32 and 64 bit
Processor Pentium Pentium Pentium Pentium
(1.6 GHz or (1.6 GHz or (1.6 GHz or (1 GHz with
higher) higher) higher) support for
PAN, NX, and
SSE2)
RAM 256 MB, 1 GB 512 MB, 2 GB 1 GB (32-bit) or 1 GB (32-bit) or
recommended recommended 2 GB (64-bit), 2GB (64-bit),
4 GB 4 GB
recommended recommended
Disk Space 400 MB 8 GB 16 GB (32-bit)
or 20 GB
(64-bit)
Monitor One super VGA (800 X 600) monitor Microsoft
(two 1024 X 768 monitors recommended) DirectX 9
graphics
device with
WDDM driver
Other  Network adapter
requirements  Microsoft Internet Explorer version 8.0 or later

 Microsoft Office 2007 or later to open .xls files

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Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Installing and Uninstalling FastReporter 2 on a Computer

Installing and Uninstalling FastReporter 2 on a

Computer
The installation wizard will guide you through the installation step by step.
The application is available in two versions:
 32-bit: Contains all test modes and file formats.
 64-bit: Allows you to process more measurements and reports, but
older files formats, such as CD and PMD (FTB-5500, FTB-5700 and
FTB-5800) are not supported.
To install FastReporter 2:
1. Insert the installation DVD in the DVD drive. The installation should start
automatically. If the installation does not start automatically after
inserting the DVD, locate the setup.exe application and double-click on
it to start the process.

2. Click Next to start the installation and follow the on-screen

instructions.
To uninstall FastReporter 2:
Use the Add/Remove Programs utility in Windows’ Control Panel as you
would for any other application.

8 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Installing FastReporter 2 on an EXFO Platform

Installing FastReporter 2 on an EXFO Platform

To install your application on any platform other than a standard computer,
use Update Manager.

Note: FastReporter 2 cannot be installed on the FTB-400 platform.

Starting FastReporter 2
Once installed, all you need to do is double-click the FastReporter 2
shortcut corresponding to the version you want to use.

Note: You can also access FastReporter 2 through the start menu of Windows,
under the EXFO folder. The access path differs depending on the operating
system you are using.

Post Processing Software 9

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Starting FastReporter 2

When you run the application for the first time, the application allows you
to activate the trial version of the application or basic options of the
application.
 To activate the trial version, click Start Trial.
 To activate the basic options of the application, click Start
FastReporter 2.
 To activate the options you have purchased, click Activate Option
Keys.

Note: For more information to activate the option keys, see Activating the
FastReporter 2 Software Options on page 12.

10 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Starting FastReporter 2

Once the trial period is over, you will have the possibility to renew it for 10
additional days.
To extend the trial period:
1. On the window that appears when the trial period is over, click Renew
Trial.

2. Enter your My EXFO account information, then click OK.

Post Processing Software 11

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Activating the FastReporter 2 Software Options

Activating the FastReporter 2 Software

Options
Some features of the application are grouped and named as FastReporter 2
Fiber Characterization (FR2-FC) and FastReporter 2 Loopback (FR2-LB).
They are available only in the complete version of the product, but you can
use them during the 30-day trial period of the product.
If you wish to continue using the features after the trial period, you must
activate them using the activation wizard.

Note: To view the options, you have to activate them from the trial window or
from the Help menu. If the trial period is over, you can also activate the
options by clicking the required option.

Note: You can view which options are activated for your products in the About
window of the Help menu.

There are two types of licenses you can obtain for your application:
 Fixed (all versions): You have one license for one computer.
 Floating (PC version only): You have one license that you can use on
several computers, but on only one at a time. Such a license is
contained on a USB dongle key. The dongle key also features some
storage space for your data.
In the case of a floating license, FastReporter 2, it will verify if a valid dongle
key is connected, and if so, will continue to validate the presence of said
key every 10 minutes. If no dongle key is installed, you can only use what is
available on your unit (for example, no options are enabled, or you revert
to the trial mode).

12 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Activating the FastReporter 2 Software Options

To generate and send the Identification file for a fixed license:

1. From the trial window, click Activate Option Keys.

OR
From the main window, select the Help menu, then Activate Options.
2. Click the Generate and Send Identification File button to generate
the identification file.

Post Processing Software 13

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Activating the FastReporter 2 Software Options

3. Select which option or options you want to activate.

4. Under Customer Information, enter the required details.

Note: All fields are mandatory.

5. Click Browse to save the file in the desired location.

Note: The identification file name is automatically generated and is not editable.

14 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Activating the FastReporter 2 Software Options

6. Click Generate and Send Identification Information. A new e-mail

window is displayed with the identification information file as an
attachment. The e-mail displays the information entered in the
Identification File window and the recipient e-mail address is
[email protected].

Note: If the e-mail software is not configured in your computer, an error message
is displayed to configure an e-mail option. You can send identification file
from any other e-mail address with the required details.

To apply the Identification file:

Note: This step is not necessary if you are using floating licenses.

1. From the Product Activation window, click Apply Software Options

Key.

2. Select the Software key file from the required location and click Open.
3. Your option is now installed. Click Exit to close the window.

Post Processing Software 15

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Customizing the Main Window

Customizing the Main Window

When you start FastReporter 2, the main window appears. In the graphics
area of the main window, the application displays the EXFO Web page with
information related to FastReporter 2.
You can access any other Web page by entering the URL in the address
bar; you can also select any other website as the default opening page.
For more information, see Changing FastReporter 2 Options on page 25.

Note: FastReporter 2 was meant to be operated to its full potential using a mouse
and keyboard. Therefore the instructions herein imply that both peripherals
are connected to your unit.

Note: The appearance of your application may differ from the illustrations in this
user documentation depending on the resolution you are using.

Menu bar
Toolbars

Data graph
(available
for some
measurements
only)
Selection
tabs

Results

This window can be customized. You can add or remove toolbars, resize
the panes as needed and move them around, or even auto-hide panes
when they are not in use and reopen them later for as needed.

16 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Customizing the Main Window

To display the various toolbars and panes:

1. In the main window, select the View menu.
2. Point to Toolbars and select or clear options according to what you
want to display.
To resize a pane:
Use the split bars enclosing the pane you want to resize.

Split bars

To close a pane:
Click the X button in the upper right corner.

Note: If you hide a toolbar, you can access the same commands on the menu
bar.

Post Processing Software 17

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Customizing the Main Window

To move a toolbar:
1. Select the toolbar handle.
2. Click and drag the toolbar to the new location.
To auto-hide a pane or tab:
Click the vertical pushpin ( ) in the upper right corner of the pane.
To show the pane again, move the mouse pointer over the desired hidden
pane or tab. Select the tab containing its name.
To turn off the auto-hide feature, click the horizontal pushpin ( ).

18 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Customizing the Main Window

To move a pane or tab:

1. Click and hold the selected pane title bar or tab to select it.
Anchor points indicate where the selected item can be moved. The
purple area represents the item you are currently moving.

2. Drag the item from its current location to the desired anchor point,
then release the mouse button.

Post Processing Software 19

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Selecting Items From Lists and Menus

Selecting Items From Lists and Menus

When selecting items in a list or menu, you can in many cases use the Ctrl
and Shift keys on your keyboard to make multiple selections, as you would
in other Windows-based applications.
Also, the same command can often be performed from the Toolbar, the
menus on top of the window, or by right-clicking into the pane where you
want to perform an action. For readability reasons the menu method is
privileged in the explanations in this user documentation.

Using the Software Customization Wizard

The Software Customization Wizard helps you to set the application
according to your needs. For each user, you can change the following
settings:
 Language
 Field of application
 Supported measurement types
 Distance units
 Additional product information

Note: The Software Customization Wizard is displayed only once when the
application is started by the current Windows user for the first time.

Note: At any time while configuring the application using the Software
Customization Wizard, you can apply the default settings by clicking
Cancel. To apply the changes you have made, click Finish. To return to the
previous page, click Back.

20 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Using the Software Customization Wizard

To customize the FastReporter 2 application:

1. In the first step, select whether you want to use the default system
language, or select the desired language from the list, then click Next.

2. As desired, select the field or fields of application you are involved in,
then click Next.

Post Processing Software 21

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Using the Software Customization Wizard

3. Select the measurement types that you want the application to

support, then click Next.

4. Select your preferred unit for displaying distances, then click Next.

22 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Using the Software Customization Wizard

5. In the case of the PC version, for more details on additional product

information, technical support, multimedia and training, and EXFO
blog, click on the required link.

6. Click Finish to apply the changes and go to the main application

window.

Note: These settings can also be modified in the Tools menu, under Display
Options.

Post Processing Software 23

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Working with Two Monitors (PC Version)

Working with Two Monitors (PC Version)

If your computer is equipped with two monitors, you can use one of the
monitors to view the trace files, and the other monitor to view the results or
the tabs you work most with. For more information on setting two monitors
on your computer, refer to the instructions provided with your monitors,
computer and video card.
To move an item to the other monitor:
Drag the item and release it when it appears on the desktop of the
secondary monitor.
FastReporter 2 will remember the size and position of the window the next
time you start the application.

Another way of increasing workspace is to open Windows Explorer and

drag it onto the desktop of the secondary monitor. You can then use the
FastReporter 2 drag-and-drop feature to add measurement files to your
projects simply by dragging them into the main FastReporter 2 window and
releasing the mouse button.

24 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

Changing FastReporter 2 Options

You can change the general options including the user interface language,
field of application, and supported measurement type, or the display
options including date, and time formats. You can also narrow down the
supported measurement types to simplify the user interface.

IMPORTANT
You cannot open files corresponding to a file type that you have not
selected as supported.

To change the user interface language:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Select whether you want to use the default system language, or specify
the desired language in the list.

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Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

4. Click Apply to save your change and continue configuring FastReporter

2 or OK to save your changes and exit the window.

Note: Any changes made to the user interface settings will be applied only when
you restart the application.

To select the field of application:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Select which fields of application that you want the application to
support.

4. Click Apply to save your changes and continue configuring

FastReporter 2 or OK to save your change and exit the window.

26 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

To change supported measurement types:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Select the measurement types that you want the application to
support.

4. Click Apply to save your change and continue configuring FastReporter

2 or OK to save your change and exit the window.

Note: Any changes made to supported measurement types will only take effect
after you exit and restart FastReporter 2.

Post Processing Software 27

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

To change display options:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the Display tab.
3. Select the time setting you want to use, either local or universal.

28 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

4. If needed, select Display time difference from GMT / UTC to display

the difference between local time and GMT (Greenwich Mean Time),
or UTC (depending on the option you selected in step 3).

5. Select Display a visual clue (*) for manually modified result values
to easily locate them in the result tables.

Post Processing Software 29

Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

6. If you do not want to see the menu items that are not activated for your
application, select the corresponding option.

7. Select if you want to be notified of when new versions of your

application are available (PC version only).

30 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

8. Select your preferred distance unit.

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Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Changing FastReporter 2 Options

9. If you want a Web page to appear in the graphic pane, you can enable
the option here.
When you start the application for first time, this option is enabled and
the EXFO FastReporter 2 related URL is entered. You can enter another
URL if you want to view another page.

Note: In the standard toolbar of the application, you can click the icon to
switch between the graph view and the Web view. You can access this
option only if the Display webpage in graphics option is enabled. You can
use Ctrl+W from the keyboard to switch between the graph view and the
Web page view.

32 FastReporter 2
 Getting Started with FastReporter 2
Exiting FastReporter 2

10. Select wether you want the links from the graphics pane to open in the
default browser or in the graphics pane.

11. Click Apply to save your changes and continue configuring

FastReporter 2 or OK to save your changes and exit the window.
To revert to the default settings, click Default Settings, then OK to apply
the default settings and exit the window.

Exiting FastReporter 2
Note: If there are unsaved changes to the project or project files, you will be
prompted to save them when you exit the application.

To exit FastReporter 2:
On the File menu, click Exit.
OR
Click the in the top right corner of the main window.

Post Processing Software 33

3 Working with Projects (FR2-FC
Mode)
Projects are the files that you require in your analysis or post-processing
activity. You can select one or many files, from different sources, and save
the project for later consultation.
You can also manage project templates, to help you quicken your work.

Managing Projects
Each time you start FastReporter 2, a project is created automatically using
the default project template. You can also create a new project from
scratch.
Once a project is created, you can add files to it, or remove them.
When you save a project in FastReporter 2, the project settings and
references to the files you added to the project are saved. When you open
the project file, the project settings you modified and the files you added
will still be part of the project file, unless you moved or renamed any of the
files. Any changes to the measurement files themselves, however, are not
saved in the project file.
To create a project from scratch:
1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. In the list, click the template you want to use.

3. Click OK.
4. On the File menu, click Open File.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

5. Select the desired files to include in the project.

6. Click Open to add the files to the project.

7. On the File menu, click Save Project.
8. Click the folder where you want to save the project file.

36 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

9. In the File name box, type a name for the project file.

Note: FastReporter 2 automatically adds the .prj extension to the file name when
you save the file.

10. Click Save.

To open an existing project:
1. On the File menu, click Open Project.
2. Select and open the folder where your project file is located.
3. Select the project file and click Open.

Note: If your project includes files that come from the EXFO Connect server, you
will be prompted to either check them out, or view them in read-only mode.
See Managing Files on page 92 for details.

Post Processing Software 37

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

To save a project file:

On the File menu, click Save Project.
To save the project file and the measurement files in the project, click
Save All.

Note: If your project includes files that come from the EXFO Connect server, you
will be prompted to either check them in, or discard them. See Managing
Files on page 92 for details.

To save a project file under a new file name:

1. On the File menu, click Save Project As.
2. Type a new file name for the project.
3. Click Save.
To import a Fiber Characterization (FC) project:
1. From the File menu, click Import, then FC Project (settings + files).
2. Select the file you want to import and its original location.

38 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

3. Select the destination where you want to import the file.

4. If you want to delete the file from the original location once the import
is complete, select the corresponding option.

5. Click Import to confirm your action.

The project is opened as the default project and all of the
corresponding settings are displayed accordingly.

Note: When you import a project, all of the files included in it are copied to the
selected location as well.

Post Processing Software 39

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

To export a Fiber Characterization (FC) project:

1. From the File menu, select Export, then FC Project (settings + files).
2. If needed, enter a name for your project, and select a location.

3. Click Save to confirm your action.

Note: Exporting the project also exports the corresponding project files. The
default name for the exported project is the name of the project.

40 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

Adding and Removing Measurement Files

A FastReporter 2 project can contain files from different tests, and different
formats. For more information about the available formats, see the sections
corresponding to the format you want to use.
To add measurement files to a project:
1. From the File menu, click Open File.
2. If needed, select a desired file type to filter the available choices.

Note: You can set the direction in OTDR and FIP files by selecting the direction
when you add the files. For example, to set the direction of the selected
OTDR files to A->B, select OTDR A->B in the Files of type list.

Post Processing Software 41

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

3. Select the measurement files to add.

4. Click Open to add the selected files to the project.

When you open an OTDR file generated using the iOLM application, or a
file received from an OTDR manufacturer other than EXFO, a warning
message appears with the file name, indicating possible limitations or
consequences. You can choose not to see the message again, if you
already are aware of those limitations.

Note: When you open any read-only file in the application, it is indicated in the
Attributes column of the Files tab.

To remove measurement files from a project:

1. In the Files window, select the files you wish to remove.
2. On the Edit menu, click Delete.
3. Confirm your choice by clicking OK.

42 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Projects

Changing General Project Properties

You can provide a descriptive title for a project and identify the author,
company, and customer.
To change general project properties:
1. On the Settings menu, click Project Settings.
2. Under the Identification tab, click in the column to the right of the
property you want to change and enter the information.

Note: The template file name for the project is displayed automatically according
to the template you selected when you created the project.

3. Click Apply to apply the changes without closing the dialog box.
4. Click OK to close the Project Settings window.

Post Processing Software 43

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Project Templates

Managing Project Templates

You can save the properties and settings you often use when creating
projects in a project template.
To create a project template:
1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. In the list, select a template. If there is an existing template that already
has properties and settings that you want to use in the new template,
you can use it as a starting point.

3. Click OK.
4. Change the properties and settings to suit the projects you want to
create with the new template.

Note: Changes made to the display (for example, showing/hiding windows and
toolbars using the View menu) or to program options (Options on the
Tools menu) are saved when you end your work session. They are not
saved in project templates.

5. On the File menu, click Save Project As Template.

44 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Project Templates

6. In the File name box, type a name for the project template file.
FastReporter 2 automatically selects the folder where to save the
project template.

7. Click Save.

IMPORTANT
FastReporter 2 automatically saves project templates in the Project
Template folder. If you change the location, the template will not be
available for selection in the New Project dialog box when you start
a new project.

Post Processing Software 45

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Managing Project Templates

To change the default template file:

1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. To set the new project template as the default template, click the file
name, and click Set as Default.

3. Click OK to start a new project or Cancel if you do not wish to start a

new project at this time.
To rename a project template:
To rename a project template, rename the project template file as you
would any other file while leaving the .prjt file extension intact. The
template will be listed on the New Project dialog box with the new name.
To remove a project templates:
To permanently remove a project template, simply delete the project
template file in the Project Template folder. To remove a project template
so that it is no longer listed on the New Project dialog box, remove it from
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\EXFO\
FastReporter 2\Standard\Project Template, if your computer is running on
Windows XP.
OR
C:\ProgramData\EXFO\FastReporter 2 \Standard\Project Template, if your
computer is running on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, and put
it in another folder.
If you later need to use the template, you can simply move it back to the
Project Template folder.

46 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Changing File Direction

Changing File Direction

Changing the direction for your measurement is useful when you create
your reports. For OTDR and iOLM test files, changing the file direction can
be useful to create bidirectional and virtual bidirectional files.
To change the direction of the measurement or file:
1. Select the required measurement or file from the Measurement or
Files window.

Note: You can select multiple measurements change the direction if the direction
is supported by the measurements.

2. On the File menu, point to Direction, and click A->B or B->A to set the
direction.

Post Processing Software 47

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

Matching Files
FastReporter 2 provides three options for matching files in projects:
 File matching based on information present in the file (for example,
matching fiber IDs and cable IDs). This is the default setting for
projects.
 File matching based on file name. You can have FastReporter 2 ignore
expressions in the file names. For example, if you select “A_B” as the
expression to ignore, a file named fiber1A_B.trc and a file named
fiber1.trc are considered as matching.
 Manual file matching.

Matching Files Based on Information

Depending on which identifiers you select, the automated matching
process will look for the corresponding information in your file to pair the
measurements.
The application allows you to add custom identifiers for iOLM, OPM, and
PPM measurements. This option is available only if the iOLM, OPM/PPM
plug-in is selected from Tools > Options.

Note: Only the selected identifiers are displayed in the Measurements window
and Matched Files window. By default, the custom identifiers added in the
Identification tab are considered for file matching, even if they are not
available in the identifiers list under the File Matching window.

48 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

For this type of file matching, the file type is the first priority for each
measurement and the direction of the file is the second priority. The file
type priority and the direction priority is listed in the following tables.

File Type Priority

iOLM 1
OTDR 2
FIP 3
OLTS 4
OPM 5
PPM 6
PMD 7
CD 8

Direction Priority
A -> B 1
B -> A 2
Bidir 3
None 4

Note: The matching function is not case sensitive and will match actual numbers
(for example, 001 and 1 are both considered as the same number).

Post Processing Software 49

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

To automatically match files based on information:

1. On the Settings menu, click Project settings.
2. Under the File Matching tab, select By information present on file.
3. If you want to perform inverted matching for your iOLM and power
meter files, select the corresponding option.

IMPORTANT
If you want to perform inverted matching for the iOLM and power
meter measurements, you must select Support Inverted Identifiers.
Otherwise, this action will not be possible.

50 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

4. Select the required identifiers type to use them for file matching.

5. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply.
6. Click OK to close the Project Settings window.
To add an identifier:
1. On the Settings menu, click Project settings.
2. Under the File Matching tab, click .
3. Enter a name for your identifier.

4. Click OK.

Post Processing Software 51

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

To delete identifiers:
1. On the Settings menu, click Project settings.
2. Select the required identifiers that you want to delete.

3. Click to delete the identifiers. The application displays the

confirmation message to delete the identifiers.

Note: You cannot delete the default identifiers.

Matching Files Based on their File Names

The automated matching based on file name can be optimized by adding
expressions or terms to ignore, so that the matching is as specific as
possible.
To automatically match files by file name:
1. On the Settings menu, click Project settings.
2. Click the File Matching tab.

52 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

3. Select By filename.

4. If needed, add or remove items.

 Click , then type the expression to add to the list and click OK.

 Select an expression from the Ignored Expression list, then click

to remove it.
5. Click OK to exit the window.

Post Processing Software 53

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

Matching Files Manually

The manual file matching mode allows you to decide which files to match
in your list.
To match files manually:
1. On the Settings menu, click Project settings.
2. Click the File Matching tab.
3. Click None (Manual).

4. Click OK.

54 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Matching Files

5. In the Matched Files window, select a file in the File 1 column and
drag it into the File 2 column beside the file to match it to.
OR
Click in the File 2 column and click to display the File Selection
dialog box, which lists the files that have not yet been matched.

If you attempt to match files manually when one of the two automated
modes are selected (by information or by file name), FastReporter 2
will ask if you want to change the matching mode.

Post Processing Software 55

Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Setting Auto Refresh in a Specific Folder

Setting Auto Refresh in a Specific Folder

The auto refresh option updates the Files and Measurement tabs for a
specified duration whenever you add files to a specified auto refresh folder.
You can specify the auto refresh folder on your computer, platform, USB
storage, or network drive.

Note: When the application is running, if the specified auto refresh folder is
modified or deleted, the application displays a warning message and the
default folder is selected.

To specify the auto refresh folder:

1. On the Settings menu, click Project Settings.
2. Under the Auto Refresh tab, enable the Auto refresh option.

3. Click to locate the desired folder.

4. Select the auto refresh duration that suits your needs.
5. Click Apply to apply the changes without closing the dialog box.
6. Click OK to close the Project Settings window.

56 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

Working in Loopback Mode

The loopback mode allows you to test both A -> B and B -> A, and
Tx and Rx at once, which saves time and manipulations. You can set the
loop length yourself, or let the application find it automatically with a
default loop length.
This mode is available for both OTDR and iOLM measurement files.
If you have activated the loopback option for your application, it is ready to
use when needed. You can use the loopback mode that fits your needs:
 Unidirectional: Will split the measurement file into two directions, with
the corresponding verdict.
 Bidirectional: Will split two unidirectional files set as a virtual
bidirectional file each their two directions.

Note: Files created using the loopback mode cannot be used again to perform a
bidirectional loopback, but you can redo a loopback with the unidirectional
mode result files.

Note: You cannot perform bidirectional loopback tests on multimode files.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

Performing Unidirectional Loopback

Measurements
The unidirectional loopback mode is available as soon as you select one
file. The steps are quite similar for the iOLM and OTDR modes; the iOLM
steps will be shown here for illustration purposes.
To perform a unidirectional loopback measurement:
1. Select the file or files that will be included in the test.
2. From the Tools menu, select OTDR or iOLM, then Create Loopback
Unidirectional Files.
3. If needed, rearrange the files in the list. Since they appear in the same
order as they are in the Files tab, they may not be in the order that you
need them. You can sort the files using the headers in the table, or you
can drag the files manually in the list. Once you are done, click Next to
proceed to the next step.

58 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

4. Set the automated documentation for your resulting files:

4a. Select which identifiers will be used for the documentation. In
OTDR mode, you cannot change the identifier types. In iOLM
mode, you need at least two identifiers, either from the list of
available choices, or you can enter a new identifier of your
choice. The first identifier will be the one with the highest
occurrence rate in the corresponding identifiers of the selected
files. If no values were set, the first two default identifiers are
Cable ID and Fiber ID.

Note: You can have four identifiers for OTDR files, and up to five identifiers for
iOLM files.

To use the identifiers in the file name, select the corresponding

option.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

4b. Set the value you want to show for each identifier.

 Enter how many digits you want to use to increment the second
identifier automatically. The numbers will be incremented
automatically.

60 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

 If you are using identifiers 3 and 4, you can have the application to
automatically invert them for the second file of the loopback.
Select the Inverted by Pairs option to use the automatic inversion.
The Overview page will reflect your choice as follows:

Inverted by Pairs Corresponding Locations A and B

Status Information
Not selected Row 1: Fiber 0001, Location A, Location B
Row 2: Fiber 0002, Location A, Location B
Row 3: Fiber 0003, Location A, Location B
Row 4: Fiber 0004, Location A, Location B

And so on.
Selected Row 1: Fiber 0001, Location A, Location B
Row 2: Fiber 0002, Location B, Location A
Row 3: Fiber 0003, Location A, Location B
Row 4: Fiber 0004, Location B, Location A

And so on.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

 In the case of identifier 3 for iOLM, you can set a predefined list of
two or four items to use for each section of the measurement. The
items must be separated by a semi-colon (for example, “RX;TX”).
If you are using four items, they must all be different, or inverted
pairs (“AA;BB;CC;DD” or “AA;BB;BB;AA”). Depending on your
sequence for identifier 3, the output in the Overview page will
change.

Corresponding Fiber ID and Direction in

Identifier 3 Sequence
the Overview Page
RX;TX Row 1: Fiber 0001, RX
Row 2: Fiber 0001, TX
Row 3: Fiber 0002, RX
Row 4: Fiber 0002, TX

And so on.
AA;BB;CC;DD Row 1: Fiber 0001, AA
Row 2: Fiber 0001, BB
Row 3: Fiber 0001, CC
Row 4: Fiber 0001, DD
Row 5: Fiber 0002, AA
Row 6: Fiber 0002, BB
Row 7: Fiber 0002, CC
Row 8: Fiber 0002, DD

And so on.

Once you are done, click Next to proceed to the next step.

62 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

5. Set how you want the resulting files named.

5a. If desired, change the location where the files will be saved.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

5b. Select which items to use in the file name. If you include the
measurement direction, select which nomenclature to use
(AB, BA; BA, AB; RX, TX or TX, RX).

64 FastReporter 2
 Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

5c. Select which type of separator you want to use between the
items. Click Next to proceed to the next step.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

6. In the Overview step, you can see the resulting files. The remaining
identification and threshold data other than the identifiers will be from
the original file.

7. Click Next to select the test mode.

66 FastReporter 2
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Working in Loopback Mode

8. Select whether the loop will be automatically detected, or if you want

to do so manually. If you select the automated mode, enter a length
value for the loop.

9. If you are in Manual mode, set the loopback start and end elements:
 Click on the element that you want to use as the start element,
then click Set Loop Start. The selected elements will bear LS to
indicate their statuses.
 Click on the element that you want to use as the end element, then
click Set Loop End. The selected elements will bear LE to indicate
their statuses.
 If you want to use a section to set the loop start and end values,
select it, then click Set Loop Section. The loop start and end will
be placed on the event before and after the section.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

Note: If you select the element or section in the cable view, all of the
corresponding elements or sections in the links are set as loop start or end
at once.

OTDR

Set loop

Loop
remaining
to be set

Loop start
Loop end

Number of loops to set

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Working in Loopback Mode

iOLM

Set loop

Loop
remaining
to be set

Loop start Loop end

Number of loops to set

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

10. The result files and their statuses appear in the Summary step. If there
was something preventing the file from being generated, you can see
an explanation in the corresponding line.
You can select to keep the original files in your current project by
selecting the corresponding option at the bottom of the window.

Note: Only the first 60 results are displayed, but all measurements will be
processed.

11. Click OK to complete the loopback process. The resulting files appear
in the Files tab.
If you have selected to keep the original files in your project, they will
stay in the Files list. Otherwise, all of the files for which the loopback
was successfully created will be removed from the list.
The resulting OTDR loopback files will have the same number of
measurements as the original files.

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Working in Loopback Mode

Performing Bidirectional Loopback Measurement

The bidir loopback mode is available when you select at least two files.
The steps are quite similar for the iOLM and OTDR modes; the iOLM steps
will be shown here for illustration purposes.
To perform a bidirectional loopback measurement:
1. Select the files that will be paired up.
2. From the Tools menu, select either the iOLM or OTDR menu, then
select Create Loopback Bidirectional Files.
3. If needed, rearrange the files in the list. Since they appear in the same
order as they are in the Files tab, they may not be paired as you need
them. You can sort the files using the headers in the table, or you can
drag the files manually in the list. Once you are done, click Next to
proceed to the next step.
If you swap a pair, the application will ask you if you want to
automatically swap the other pairs in the same way.

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Working in Loopback Mode

4. Set the automated documentation for your resulting files:

4a. Select which identifiers will be used for the documentation. In
OTDR mode, you cannot change the identifier types. In iOLM
mode, you need at least two identifiers, either from the list of
available choices, or you can enter a new identifier of your
choice. The first identifier will be the one with the highest
occurrence rate in the corresponding identifiers of the selected
files. If no values were set, the first two default identifiers are
Cable ID and Fiber ID.

Note: You can have four identifiers for OTDR files, and up to five identifiers for
iOLM files.

To use the identifiers in the documentation, select the

corresponding Use in file name option.

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Working in Loopback Mode

4b. Set the value you want to show for each identifier. Enter also how
many digits you want to use to increment the second identifier
automatically. The numbers will be incremented automatically.

5. Click Next to proceed to the next step.

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Working in Loopback Mode

6. Set how you want the resulting files named.

6a. If desired, change the location where the files will be saved.

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Working in Loopback Mode

6b. Select which items to use in the file name.

Note: The Use the measurement wavelength option is available for the OTDR
files only.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

6c. Select which type of separator you want to use between the
items. Click Next to proceed to the next step.

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Working in Loopback Mode

7. In the Overview step, you can see the resulting bidirectional files. The
remaining identification and threshold data other than the identifiers
will be of the first file in the pair.

Note: In the case of OTDR files, a different file is displayed for each matched
wavelength.

8. Click Next to select the test mode.

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

9. Select whether the loop will be automatically detected, or if you want

to do so manually. If you select the automated mode, enter a length
value for the loop.

10. If you are in Manual mode, set the loopback start and end elements:
 Click on the element or section that you want to use as the start
element, then click Set Loop Start. The selected elements will
bear LS to indicate their statuses.
 Click on the element or section that you want to use as the end
element, then click Set Loop End. The selected elements will bear
LE to indicate their statuses.
 If you want to use a section to set the loop start and end values,
select it, then click Set Loop Section. The loop start and end will
be placed on the event before and after the section.

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Working in Loopback Mode

In OTDR mode, you can display the error table at the bottom of the
window using the corresponding button. This table indicates if there
are problems with the selected measurement files, and provides
information about the errors.

Note: If you select the element in the cable view, all of the corresponding
elements in the links are set as loop start or end at once.

OTDR

Set loop

Loop
remaining
to be set

Loop start Loop end

Number of loops to set

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Working with Projects (FR2-FC Mode)
Working in Loopback Mode

iOLM

Loop
remaining
to be set

Set loop

Loop start Loop end

Number of loops to set

The result files and their statuses appear in the Summary step. If there
was something preventing the file from being generated, you can see
an explanation in the corresponding line.

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Working in Loopback Mode

You can select to keep the original files in your current project by
selecting the corresponding option at the bottom of the window.

11. Click OK to complete the loopback process. The resulting files appear
in the Files tab.
The result files and their statuses appear in the Summary step. If there
was something preventing the file from being generated, you can see
an explanation in the corresponding line.
In the case of iOLM files, separate bidirectional files will be created for
each wavelength with a matching measurement pair.

Note: Only the first 60 results are displayed, but all measurements will be
processed.

If you have selected to keep the original files in your project, they will
stay in the Files list. Otherwise, all of the files for which the loopback
was successfully created will be removed from the list.

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4 Using EXFO Connect with
FastReporter 2 (FR2-FC Mode,
PC Only)
You can use FastReporter 2 conjointly with EXFO Connect to manage your
files. This active link let you check out the files you need using specific
search criteria, work on them, then check them in back into your server.
You can also download copies of your files if you want to work on them
without modifying your source files.

Setting Up the Connection to the Server

You can have the connection to the server done automatically, or you can
connect manually as needed.
To set up the connection information:
1. From the main window, select the Settings menu, then Project
Settings.
2. Select the EXFO Connect tab.

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Using EXFO Connect with FastReporter 2 (FR2-FC Mode, PC Only)
Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. Under Login, enter the server and identification information to

connect the application to the server. You can have the application
remember your credentials and connect automatically to the server for
quicker access. This connection is automatic for that user only.
To log in to EXFO Connect:
Use the EXFO Connect menu in the main window
OR
Use the corresponding button in the toolbar ( ).
When you are logged in successfully, you will notice your identifier at the
top right part of the main window.
To log out of EXFO Connect:
Use the EXFO Connect menu in the main window
OR
Use the corresponding button in the toolbar ( ).

Using the EXFO Connect Browser

The EXFO Connect browser features the search tools you need to retrieve
the files required for your analyses. As it is the case for the full EXFO
Connect application, you can check in and check out files, as well as work
on copies of your files so as not to compromise your data.

Note: The files you can process with this browser include optical test types only.
The transport and datacom, or access type files are not available.

Note: The browser included with FastReporter 2 only have limited features. For a
complete use of the EXFO Connect features and options, use the actual
application.

You can have the list of files in the server refresh automatically at set
intervals of time to make sure that you have the latest data to work with.

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To display the browser on-screen:

From the main window, click the corresponding tab on the left part of the
screen.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To activate the automatic refresh for the browser:

1. From the main window, select the Settings menu, then Project
Settings.
2. Select the EXFO Connect tab.

3. Select the Refresh browser automatically option to activate it.

4. Set the desired refresh rate, in minutes. The minimum value is 5
minutes, and the maximum value is 60 minutes.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

Searching for Files in the Browser

You can include different file types in your search, but any advanced search
on a specific file type has to be done individually.
To search for files in the browser:
1. In the browser window, select which types of files you want to include
in your search.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

2. Select the period for which you want to perform your search. You can
select a preset value, or select the Custom range item and enter your
own value.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. If you want to add additional search criteria, select the corresponding

file type, then select more details.

Note: The available criteria will change depending on the type you select.

4. Select if you want to show a display view specific to the type of files
you are listing. This view will give you access to specific columns for
each type and help you in your search.

Note: You can only show one type of viewer at a time, or use the general view

5. Click Apply to start the search.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

Applying Filters to Your Search Results

You can use filters in your browser so as to only see the files you want. Both
the column of the table and the actual contents of the columns can be
filtered.
You can also stretch or narrow the column width as needed.
To filter the columns you want to see:
1. In the browser, right-click on the columns.
2. Select which headers you want to display.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To filter the items in each column:

1. In the browser, click in the column for which you want to use a filter.
2. Select which items you want to view.

3. To perform an even more detailed filter search, you can type a term
directly in the search box to reduce the list of available choices, and
click OK.

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Using EXFO Connect with FastReporter 2 (FR2-FC Mode, PC Only)
Using the EXFO Connect Browser

Managing Files
Managing the files is achieved through the available actions below:
 Checking out files: allows you to retrieve files from the server where
they are stored, and perform analyses and modifications on them.
When files are checked out, they are “reserved” by the user and
cannot be modified by another user.
 Discarding checked out files: If you change your mind about working
on some files and want to free them for other users, you can undo your
check out. Any change done to the files will be lost.
 Checking in files: Once you are done working with the files, you must
check them back in the server so that other users can consult them.
Any change done to the files you are checking in is saved into the
database.
 Uploading files: You can add new files to the server.
 Viewing files: You can get a read-only copy of the files from the server
for consultation purposes.
 Exporting files: You can obtain a local copy of a file that is not linked
with the server. This file is writable.
You can perform those actions directly in the browser, or by right-clicking
in the Files tab, then selecting EXFO Connect.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To check out files:

1. In the EXFO Connect browser, select which files you want to check
out. You can select more than one file.

2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select Check Out and Edit.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. Once the check-out operation is complete, click Close to open the

files.

You can see the progress as the files are downloaded to their local folder. If
there was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified with an icon
next to the file and a description of the problem. The selected files are now
identified as checked out in the browser and are added in the Files tab.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To undo a check out of your files:

1. In the EXFO Connect browser, select which files for which you want to
remove the check out. You can select more than one file.

Note: You can only remove a check-out status on files that you have checked out.

2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select Discard Check Out.

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Using EXFO Connect with FastReporter 2 (FR2-FC Mode, PC Only)
Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. Confirm that you want to discard your checked out file from your local
folder.

You can see the progress as the files are removed from the local folder. If
there was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified on-screen.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To check in files:
1. In the EXFO Connect browser, select which files you want to check in.
You can select more than one file.

Note: To find all of the files with a check-out status, you can use a filter search.
See Applying Filters to Your Search Results on page 90 for details.

2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select Check In. If your files were
modified, you will be prompted to save them.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. If desired, enter a comment for your check-in.

You can see the progress as the files are uploaded to the server. If there
was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified on-screen. The
selected files are removed from the application as they are successfully
uploaded.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To upload files:
1. In the Files tab, select which files you want to upload to the server. You
can select more than one file.
2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select Upload Files.
3. If desired, enter a comment for your upload.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

4. Select which business unit the uploaded files belong to in the list, if
desired.

5. Click Upload to complete the transfer.

You can see the progress as the files are uploaded to the server. If there
was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified on-screen. The
selected files are left in the application.

Note: The files will appear in the EXFO Connect browser the next time the latter is
refreshed.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To view files in read-only mode:

1. In the EXFO Connect browser, select which files you want to
download. You can select more than one file.

2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select View (Read Only).

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. Once the download operation is complete, click Close to open the

files.

You can see the progress as the files are copied to their local folder. If there
was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified on-screen. The
selected files are now identified as read-only in the browser and are added
in the Files tab.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

To export a file:
1. In the EXFO Connect browser, select which files you want to copy. You
can select more than one file.

2. From the EXFO Connect menu, select Export.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

3. If desired, select a location for your copy.

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Using the EXFO Connect Browser

4. Click Export to confirm the transfer.

You can see the progress as the files are copied to their local folder. If there
was a problem with any of the files, you will be notified on-screen. The
selected files are now identified as read-only in the browser and are added
in the Files tab.

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5 Working with OTDR Files
The application shows the result of the OTDR analysis in the graph area.
You can view the OTDR traces in two different manners:
 Graph view: This is the standard OTDR view. You can see the events
along the trace marked by red vertical lines

Default Injection Level

Span Start
Main Trace
Event

Marker

Span End

 Linear view: The linear view is a graphical representation of the link,

where each event is displayed as a box containing the symbol
corresponding to the event type.

Span Start

Event with fail status

Span End
Fiber section
Event with pass status

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Working with OTDR Files

To select the viewing method:

1. Select the fibers that you want to view together in the Files or
Measurement tabs.
2. Right-click in the graph area, then select either the Graph or Linear
view. You can also select the view in the View > OTDR menu.
When you select a trace in either view, the corresponding data is also
selected in the event table.

Note: When in linear view, the zoom and marker features are not available.
However, you can add, delete, and change events from the linear view.

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Depending on the file format, you can perform different operations. See
the table below for details:

Telcordia Telcordia Telcordia Telcordia Telcordia

EXFO
100 200 200 100 200
Action Nativea
EXFO EXFO EXFO iOLM Non-EXFO Non-EXFO
(.trc, .bdr) b,c
(.sor) (.sor) (.sor) (.sor) (.sor)
Changing job X X X X X X
information (such
as Fiber ID, Job ID,
Cable ID, and so
on)
Editing events X X X - - X
Inserting events X X X - - X
Deleting events X X X - - X
Managing span X X X - - X
RBS, event X X X - - -
detection,
thresholds
Managing bidir X X X - - X
Managing X X X - - X
templates
IOR, Helix X X X - - X
Event Detection X X X - - -
(reanalysis)
Pass/Fail thresholds X X X X X X

a. The native formats also include FTB-100 version 2.7 (.ftb100) and FTB-300 (.ftb300).
b. The actions are valid only if the event markers are properly saved. If not, the files are considered as the
same thing as viewing Telcordia 100 Non-EXFO files.
c. Providing that the manufacturer complies with the Bellcore standard.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

Changing OTDR Settings

When viewing your OTDR files, you can change general properties,
pass/fail thresholds for selected wavelengths, event matching tolerances,
and automatic file matching rules for the OTDR projects.

Changing General Settings

General options include items such as the pulse baseline, visual settings,
and event calculation and threshold settings.
To change OTDR general settings:
1. On the Settings menu, select OTDR.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Select if you want the pulse baseline to be based on time or distance.

Note: The pulse baseline distance is always given in meters.

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Changing OTDR Settings

4. Change the numeric value precision settings for distance and length,
loss, reflectance, attenuation, or ORL, if desired.
These settings also affect span loss, average loss, average splice loss
and maximum splice loss.

5. If you want the zoom area and marker positions to be saved in your
OTDR file, enable the corresponding option. By default, this option is
not selected.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

6. If you want the event calculations and pass/fail thresholds to be saved

when they are not included in the original file, select the corresponding
option. Otherwise, the default values are used.

7. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
return the general settings back to their original values, click Default
Settings.

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Changing OTDR Settings

Changing Pass/Fail Thresholds

You can change the pass/fail threshold values for one, or many
wavelengths at a time.
You can also change the threshold values for the current measurement.
To change OTDR Pass/Fail Thresholds:
1. On the Settings menu, select OTDR.
2. Click the Pass/Fail Thresholds tab.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

3. Select how you want to set the thresholds:

 If you want to use the threshold values from the measurement file,
select the corresponding option. However, if you are working with
older file versions, the threshold values may not be available.

 If you want to use the threshold values from the application,

proceed as follows:
Select one or several wavelengths to modify.
If you do not see the wavelength you want to use, you can add it by
clicking the button, entering the wavelength value, and clicking
OK.
Modify the thresholds associated with the wavelengths needed, by
clicking in the desired threshold value and modifying it in the table.
The Apply option must be enabled for the threshold to be active
and modifiable.

Note: If you are using the fiber attenuation section threshold, you can specify the
minimum section length at the bottom of the table.

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Changing OTDR Settings

If you have selected more than one wavelength, all of them will be
modified at the same time.
Select whether you want to include the span start and end values
in your threshold calculations.

Note: When the span start and span end values are included, the corresponding
events are included in the ORL calculation. The span start and end loss
values, and the span ORL values are updated when the span start and
span end inclusion settings are modified. The maximum splice loss is also
impacted by the fact that the span start and end values are included or not.

Note: When span start and span end values are excluded, pass/fail thresholds
are no longer applied to the corresponding span start or span end events.

4. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
apply the changes and close the window, click OK.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

Note: If the measurement contains connector loss and splice loss for a merged
event, the loss value status and measurement status is calculated on the
basis of the selected thresholds. If thresholds are applied and the status is
pass, the measurement status is indicated as pass. If thresholds are applied
and the status is fail, the measurement status is indicated as unknown. If
none of the thresholds are applied, the measurement status is indicated as
unknown.

Note: When the span ORL value is preceded by a “<” and the ORL threshold is
smaller than or equal to the value, the global pass/fail status for the
measurement will be unknown or fail.

To view and modify a threshold value for the current

measurement:
1. From the Files or Measurement tab, select the measurement or
measurements as desired.
The current pass/fail threshold statuses are indicated in the list: green
for pass, yellow for warning and red for fail.

2. In the Results window, select the Thresholds tab.

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Changing OTDR Settings

3. If you want to modify a threshold at this point, double-click in the

corresponding field, and enter the new value.

Note: If you are using the fiber attenuation section threshold, you can specify the
minimum section length at the bottom of the table.

Note: If there are more than one threshold value for a given wavelength, they are
separated by a semicolon.

4. If you are using the application’s event calculations and thresholds, you
can also select whether you want to include the span start and end
values.

Note: Some threshold values may not be available for older file versions.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

Setting Macrobend Tolerances

FastReporter 2 can locate macrobends by comparing the loss of events
occurring at a certain wavelength (for example, 1310 nm) with the loss of
the corresponding events at a greater wavelength (for example, 1550 nm).
FastReporter 2 will identify a macrobend when comparing two events if:
 Of the two events, the greater loss occurred at the greater wavelength.
AND
 The difference between the loss of two events exceed the defined
delta loss value. The default delta loss value is 0.5 dB (which is suitable
for most fibers), but you can modify it.
Changes made to event matching tolerances will affect macrobends.
To set macrobend tolerances:
1. On the Settings menu, select OTDR.
2. Click the Tolerances tab.

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Changing OTDR Settings

3. Under Macrobend tolerances, change the tolerance value for

wavelength pairs as needed.
 To add a wavelength pair, click the button, enter the
wavelength values, and click OK.
 To remove unwanted pairs, select the values in the Wavelength
Pair list, and click the button.

Note: If you select more than one wavelength in the list, any modification to the
thresholds will apply to all of the selected wavelengths.

Note: To remove all added wavelength pairs and set all tolerance values back to
their original settings, click Default Settings.

4. Click OK to exit the window.

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

To view macrobends:
From the main window, make sure that the macrobends are displayed in
the event table: on the View menu, select OTDR, select Event Table, and
click Macrobends.
Macrobends are identified in the OTDR Event Table by the following
symbol: .
In the case where you have multiple files with a single wavelength (this
often occurs for Telcordia type files), you must first match those files in
order to see the possible macrobends in the Matched Files tab, then select
these matched files to view the macrobends in the event table.

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Changing OTDR Settings

Setting Event Matching Tolerances

The OTDR Event Table is built by matching events from selected
measurements according to the tolerance. To be matched, the distance
between events from the different measurements must be within the
tolerance.
You can force the matching of two events or separate them by changing
the event matching tolerance accordingly. The tolerance is applied to all
operations related to the event table including apply reference as template
and macrobends.

Tolerance Tolerance

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Working with OTDR Files
Changing OTDR Settings

Although you can set the event matching tolerance to as little as 20 meters
for each pulse width, the results may differ due to cursor aliasing. Cursor
aliasing checks if markers A and B for two events overlap. These markers
are set during analysis. Marker A represents the beginning of a measured
event while marker B represents its end.
This means that two events could be matched in the event table even if
their markers A are farther apart than the tolerance if there is an overlap
between the spans created by their markers A and B. Cursor aliasing
becomes more important with larger pulse widths since these traces have
greater A-B spans.

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Changing OTDR Settings

To change OTDR event matching tolerances:

1. On the Settings menu, select OTDR.
2. Click the Tolerances tab.

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Changing OTDR Settings

3. Under Event matching tolerances, change the tolerance value for

pulses as needed.
 To add a pulse, click the button, enter the pulse value, and click
OK.
 To remove unwanted pulses, select the values in the Pulse list, and
click the button.

Note: If you select more than one pulse in the list, any modification to the
thresholds will apply to all of the selected pulses.

Note: To remove all added pulses and set all tolerance values back to their
original settings, click Default Settings.

4. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
apply the changes and close the dialog box, click OK.
See Setting Macrobend Tolerances on page 118 for instructions on using
the Macrobend tolerances section on the Tolerances tab.

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Managing the OTDR Event Table View

Managing the OTDR Event Table View

The OTDR event table can be customized to show only the items that are
relevant for your tests. The items you can display or hide include the
following:
 Fiber ID
 Fiber Pass/Fail Status
 Wavelength
 Direction
 Event
 Section
 Event Loss
 Event/Section statistics
 Fiber statistics
 Bidir. details (direction, average)
 Reflectance
 Merge details

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 Macrobends
 Event position
 Span start/end events
 B -> A position from B (if the bidir details and event position are
displayed in the window, this will display the event positions according
to B, for example, the last event will be identified as the first event).
 Display the event type as text or as an image
 Section loss
 Attenuation
 Section length
 Values relative to the reference file
OTDR events can be edited if the file format supports modification.

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Managing the OTDR Event Table View

To customize the Event Table view:

1. On the View menu, select OTDR, then Event Table.
2. Select or clear any of the event or segment views as desired.

Note: You can also select the items by right-clicking into the event table itself. The
available items depend on where you click in the table.

To edit OTDR events:

1. From the main window, select the Event Table tab in the Results
window.
2. In the Event or Section column, click the right mouse button.
3. On the shortcut menu, click any of the following edit options:

Edit Option Description

Delete Displays a dialog box to confirm deletion of the
selected event. Click Yes to delete or No to
cancel. An event can be deleted only if the file
format supports modification. You cannot delete
the Span Start event if it is the same as the
Launch level and you cannot delete the Span
End event if it is also the End of fiber, End of
analysis or if it is a Continuous fiber (no End of
fiber event).
Set as Span Start Sets the selected event as the span start.
Set as Span End Sets the selected event as the span end..
Add to other Adds the selected event to other selected OTDR
measurements measurements. An event can be added to other
measurements only if the file format supports
modification.
Properties Displays the OTDR Event Properties dialog box,
where you can edit properties for the selected
events or sections.

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Managing the OTDR Event Table View

These edit options, with the exception of Delete, are also available on the
Measurement menu (select OTDR, then Event). The Delete option is
available on the Edit menu. The actions can be performed regardless of
the direction.
You can edit the properties for OTDR events and sections. Event properties
that cannot be edited are shaded.
To edit OTDR event properties:
1. In the Measurements window, select an OTDR measurement file.

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2. In the Event table, select the events or sections to modify.

3. On the Measurement menu, select OTDR, select Event, and click

Properties.
4. Modify the properties as needed. The editable values are shown in a
white background.
 You can change the event type from the list of available choices.
 To add information about the event, type in a comment in the
corresponding location.

Note: The comment that you enter in the Comments field is displayed as a tooltip
when you hover the mouse pointer over the event in the graph area.

5. Click OK to confirm your changes.

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Changing the Main Measurement

Changing the Main Measurement

FastReporter 2 allows you to select which wavelength is the main
measurement for your files.
To change the main measurement:
1. In the Files window, select the file for which you want to change the
measurement.

2. On the Measurement menu, click on Main.

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Changing the Main Measurement

3. In the Main Measurement Selection window, select the required

wavelength and click OK to set it as the main measurement.

Note: When you hover the mouse pointer over the selection area of a trace which
is not the main measurement, a tooltip with the fiber ID and measurement
wavelength is displayed.

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Setting the OTDR Graphic Display Options

Setting the OTDR Graphic Display Options

You can change the display of graphics for OTDR measurements.
To change OTDR graphic display options:
1. On the View menu, select OTDR to display the OTDR graphic display
options.
2. Select or clear any of the following OTDR graphic display options:
 Outside Spans to display or hide information outside the
measurement spans on the graph, when the zoom level is set to
100 % (1:1).
 Markers to display or hide markers on the graph.
 Invert B->A dB Axis to invert B to A along the dB axis on the
graph.

Viewing Section Length for the Linear View

When in linear view, the application displays the section length between
the events. You can also choose to hide it.
To view or hide the section length:
1. Select the Linear view for your files.
2. Right-click on the a link and select View Section Length.

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Using the Zoom Functions

Using the Zoom Functions

Various zoom options can help you to view specific portion of the graph
window.
To select the OTDR zoom options:
1. On the View menu, select Zoom to display the OTDR zoom options.
2. Select one of the following OTDR zoom options:

Icon Description Shortcuts

100 % (1:1) to display the full graph for the Ctrl + Home
measurement (default setting).
Horizontal zoom to zoom and view the graph Ctrl + Alt
horizontally. You can do the horizontal zoom in
the following ways.
 Press Ctrl + Alt, then scroll the mouse wheel
forward or backward.
 Press Ctrl + Alt and drag the mouse over the
part of the graph that you want to magnify,
forming a rectangle. When you release the
mouse button, the new zoomed area
corresponds to the rectangle size and
position.

Note: If you press Ctrl + Alt but do not

select a rectangle size, the graph is
zoomed by a 2X factor.

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Using the Zoom Functions

Icon Description Shortcuts

Vertical zoom to zoom and view the graph Ctrl + Shift
vertically.
 Press Ctrl + Shift, then scroll the mouse
wheel forward or backward.
 Press Ctrl + Shift and drag the mouse over
the part of the graph that you want to
magnify, forming a rectangle. When you
release the mouse button, the new zoomed
area corresponds to the rectangle size and
position.

Note: If you press Ctrl + Shift but do not

select a rectangle size, the graph is
zoomed by a 2X factor.
Horizontal + vertical zoom to zoom and view the Ctrl
horizontal as well as vertical details of the graph
for the selected measurement.
 Pres Ctrl, then scroll the mouse wheel
forward or backward.
 Press Ctrl and drag the mouse over the part
of the graph that you want to magnify,
forming a rectangle. When you release the
mouse button, the new zoomed area
corresponds to the rectangle size and
position.

Note: If you press Ctrl but do not select a

rectangle size, the graph is zoomed
by a 2X factor.
Auto zoom (level 1) to put the emphasis on None
reflective events.
Auto zoom (level 2) to put the emphasis on None
losses.

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Using the Zoom Functions

Icon Description Shortcuts

Selected event from file to zoom to a selected None
event saved in the file, if present, auto zoom
(level 1) is applied.
Manual zoom from file to manually zoom using None
the information saved in the file. Once this
option is selected, it displays the saved zoomed
area even if you change the measurement
selection.
Undo last zoom operation. None

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Managing Markers

Managing Markers
FastReporter 2 allows you to set four markers (A, a, B, and b) for manual
measurement purposes. You can move the markers and change the
position of the four markers. You can also lock or unlock the distance
between the four markers and move them as a block. You can lock or
unlock the distance between the A and a marker pair, as well as the B and
b marker pair and move them. Below you can see the list of the lock
options.
 Lock All: All the markers are locked and can be moved as a group.
 Lock a,A: The distance between marker a and A are locked and can be
moved as a group.
 Lock b,B: The distance between ‘b’ and ‘B’ are locked and can be
moved as a group.

Note: By default, the markers are activated. If you have deactivated the markers,
you can reactivate them from the View menu, then select OTDR >
Markers.

To lock and unlock the marker position:

On the Measurement menu, from the OTDR option, select Markers then
click on the required lock option.

Note: When none of the markers are in a locked mode, you can temporally lock
and unlock the distance between all markers and move them as a block by
pressing the Shift key on the keyboard and dragging them around with your
mouse.

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Managing Markers

To modify the marker position:

Select the marker from the graph area and drag it to the desired position to
modify the marker position.
OR
Select the marker from the graph area and move the marker by scrolling
the mouse wheel forward and backward.
OR
Modify the marker position in the Markers table by entering a new marker
position value direct input from the keyboard.
OR
Select the required marker(s) and move the selected marker(s) by clicking
the left and right arrow keys of the keyboard.

Note: You can select the next visible marker by pressing the Ctrl + Tab keys.

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Managing Markers

Performing Manual Measurements with Markers

The information related to the markers is displayed in the Markers and
Manual measurement table under the Markers tab.
To display and hide the marker-related features:
The Manual Measurement table displays the information related to the
markers, including their label. Right-click on the Manual Measurement
table to select the required value option.

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Managing Markers

Various options of the Manual Measurement table are described below.

Option Description
4 points In the 4 points event loss, four markers (a, A, b, and B) are visible. This
event loss least square approximation method is used to fit a straight line to the
backscatter data within the two regions defined by markers a, A and b,
B, that is over the regions to the left and to the right of the event
bordered by markers A and B, respectively.
A-B LSA loss This loss of event bordered by the markers A and B is obtained by fitting
a straight line to the backscatter data between these two markers.
2 points In the 2 points section attenuation, two markers (A and B) are visible.
section This measurement gives the reduction in Rayleigh backscatter level as
attenuation a function of distance (always expressed in dB/km to follow the
standards of the fiber-optic industry) between two selected points.
Only those two points are used to perform the calculation and there is
no averaging.
A-B LSA This LSA attenuation is obtained by fitting a straight line between two
attenuation points in the backscatter data between markers A and B.
A-B ORL This displays the ORL between markers A and B.
3 points In the 3 points reflectance, three markers (a, A, and B) are visible. This
reflectance measurement displays the reflectance pointed by marker a, A, and B.
3 points This measurement displays maximum reflectance for the selected
maximum event.
reflectance

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Managing Markers

Adding an OTDR Event with one Marker

FastReporter 2 allows you to add a new OTDR event according to the
position of marker A. It automatically repositions the markers other than A
at the best position to characterize the most probable event in the area. It
automatically selects the appropriate event type according to the
measurement characteristics such as reflective event, non-reflective event,
or positive event.
To add an OTDR event with one marker:
1. On the graph, place marker A where you want to add an event.
2. On the Measurement menu, from the OTDR option, select Event then
click Add Event with Marker A.

Note: You cannot perform this operation if the origin of the selected file does not
allow modifications. For example, you cannot perform this operation on
“Telcordia 100" files from other OTDR manufacturers.

Note: You cannot add an event using marker A on bidirectional OTDR files.

Note: The manually modified events are displayed with an asterisk (*) mark. For
more information on changing display options, see Changing FastReporter
2 Options on page 25.

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Managing Markers

Adding an OTDR Event with all Markers

The application allows you to add a new OTDR event according to the
position of all the markers. It selects the most appropriate event type
according to the measurement characteristics such as reflective event,
non-reflective event, or positive event.
To add an OTDR event with all markers:
1. On the graph, place all of the markers where you want to add an event.
2. On the Measurement menu, from the OTDR option, select Event, then
click Add Event with All Markers.

Note: You cannot perform this operation if the origin of the selected file does not
allow modifications. For example, you cannot perform this operation on
“Telcordia 100" files from other OTDR manufacturers.

Note: You cannot add an event using marker A on bidirectional OTDR files.

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Managing Markers

When an event cannot be created in the specified position, an error

message is displayed. You cannot create any event in following conditions:
 If the marker from any event is present in between markers A and B.
For example: In the below image the gray markers indicate the position
of the earlier event and the blue lines indicate the position where you
are trying to add new event. In this condition the application displays
an error message, to indicate that you cannot insert new event.

Markers of the
earlier event

Markers of the
new event

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Managing Markers

 If any event is present between two markers.

For example: In the below image, the blue lines indicate the position of
the marker for the new event which you are trying to add. Event 3 is
shown between these two markers. In this condition the application
displays an error message, to indicate that you cannot insert new
event.

Note: The manually modified events are displayed with an asterisk (*) mark. For
more information on changing display options, see Changing FastReporter
2 Options on page 25.

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Managing Markers

Modifying Event Marker Positions on Existing

Events
FastReporter 2 allows you to reposition the existing events.
To modify the event markers position on an existing event:
1. On the graph, select the event for which you want to modify the
marker position.
2. On the Measurement menu, from the OTDR option, select Event, then
click Modify Event Markers.
3. Modify the marker position from the graph window.

Note: When the event marker repositioning operation is initiated, the four
manual markers position are set to match the selected events own
markers. Once the event marker’s new position is confirmed, then all the
information related to the event is updated.

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Managing Markers

4. Press Enter to confirm the repositioning or Esc to cancel the process.

Note: If marker repositioning is not possible in the particular position, a

notification message is displayed.

Note: You cannot perform this operation if the origin of the selected file does not
allow modifications. For example, you cannot perform this operation on
“Telcordia 100" files from other OTDR manufacturers.

Note: You cannot modify event markers on bidirectional OTDR files.

Note: The manually modified events are displayed with an asterisk (*) mark. For
more information on changing display options, see Changing FastReporter
2 Options on page 25.

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Managing Markers

Adding Event to Other Measurements

The application allows you to add the event position of the selected OTDR
or bidirectional OTDR measurement to other selected measurements.

Note: You can add the event position in both actual and virtual bidirectional
OTDR measurements.

Note: An event can be added to other measurements only if the file format
supports modification.

To add event to other measurements:

1. On the graph, right-click on the event which you want to add on other
measurements.
OR
In the Event Table tab, right-click on the event.
2. Select Add to Other Measurements. The selected event will be added
to other selected measurements.

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Managing Markers

Retrieving Marker Position from File

The application allows you to retrieve the marker position to the original
values when the file was last opened or saved.
To retrieve the marker position from file:
1. On the Measurements window select the required measurement.
2. On the Measurement menu, from the OTDR option, select Marker
then Markers From File.

Note: If there are no marker positions for the measurements, the application sets
the marker position with a spacing value of 1/5 of the span length.

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Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode)

Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir

Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode)
The Apply Reference as Template tool allows you to analyze
measurements and compare them to a reference file. The template
concept is to set a reference file (template), add comments about the
events, and compare each measurement to the reference file. FastReporter
2 will mark and measure any missing event. Inserted events are indicated
by an asterisk (*). Event matching tolerances will affect template results.
Events not present in the reference appear as white columns. Comments
for events in the reference file are automatically copied to the selected
files.

Note: The measurement file format must support this feature.

Singlemode measurements will be compared to singlemode

measurements; multimode measurements will be compared to
multimode measurements.
The measurement files must meet the following criteria:
 It must have at least two events.
 It must have a span start and a span end.
 It must have a fiber section.

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Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode)

To set and apply OTDR and bidirectional OTDR files as a reference

template:
1. In the Files tab, select the OTDR or bidirectional OTDR file that you
want to use as the reference.
2. In the Files tab, select the OTDR file that will serve as the reference.

3. On the File menu, click Set as Reference File.

Note: You can also set the virtual OTDR bidirectional file as reference from the
Measurements tab and Event Table.

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Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode)

4. In the Files window, select the OTDR files to which you want to apply
the reference file as a template.

5. On the Tools menu, point to OTDR, and click Apply Reference as

Template.
6. Set the parameters for the OTDR template.

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Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode)

 Use same wavelength for all measurements: to apply the same

wavelength to all measurements. If a file with multiple wavelength
files is used as a reference and the option is not selected, the
measurements will be compared to the same wavelength
(1310 nm with 1310 nm, 1550 nm with 1550 nm).
 Remove events not present in reference: to remove the events
not present in the reference file from the selected files.
 Apply reference spans start/end: to apply the reference
measurement’s spans to the selected files.
 Apply manual measurement markers and zoomed area: to apply
the reference’s marker position and zoom to the selected files. If
the marker positions is outside the range of the trace destination,
the operation will be aborted and the destination trace keeps its
original zoom factor.

Note: You are notified when the zoom is not applied.

Note: This option is available only if the Markers option is enabled from View >
OTDR > Markers.

 Copy documentation from reference (except Fiber ID): to apply

the documentation from the reference file to the selected files. The
documentation includes job ID, customer, company, operator A,
operator B, cable ID, location A, location B, and comments.
 Copy reference events markers (a,A,B,b) position: to copy the
events markers (a, A, B, b) from the reference measurement to the
selected files.

Note: When an event marker position from the reference measurement cannot
be copied to the selected measurement due to length constrain or any other
reason, the application does not display any error message.

7. Click OK.

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Analyzing Measurements

Analyzing Measurements
FastReporter 2 lets you analyze the unidirectional and bidirectional OTDR
measurements at any time.
The bidirectional measurements are reanalyzed when A->B or B->A
measurements are reanalyzed, and in case of the following modifications:
 Event addition
 Event deletion
 Change in event type
 Change in span start position
 Change in span end position
 IOR
 Helix Factor
 Splice Loss Threshold
 Reflectance Threshold
 End-of-Fiber Threshold
Analyzing measurements will:
 analyze measurements acquired from different sources or with other
products.
 recreate the original event table if it was modified.
 reset the span start to zero and the span end to end-of-fiber, if desired.

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Using the Failed Items Filter

To analyze measurements:
1. In the Measurements tab, select the measurements to analyze.

Note: You can analyze the multiple measurements of the unidirectional and
bidirectional OTDR file, only if the FR2-FC option or trial option is activated
in the application.

2. On the Measurement menu, select OTDR, and click Analyze.

3. Select wether you want to keep the span start and end positions, or if
you want to reset them to zero.

4. Click OK.
Once the analysis is performed, the window is refreshed automatically.
Information such as IOR, Helix factor, splice loss threshold, reflectance
threshold, end-of-fiber threshold are analyzed

Note: A->B and B->A are re-analyzed when a real bidirectional file is
re-analyzed.

Using the Failed Items Filter

In order to quickly see which events are faulty, you can apply a specific
filter to show only the failed items.
To activate the failed item filter:
In the Event Table tab, right-click in the table, then select View Failed
Items.

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Displaying Statistics for Measurements

Displaying Statistics for Measurements

When displaying matched measurements, it might be useful to view
statistics for them. The statistics are displayed for:
 Fibers (includes loss for splices, connectors and sections, reflectance
for connectors, and attenuation data for sections), which are displayed
on the far right of the Events Table tab.
 Events and Sections (includes event position, loss and reflectance,
section length, loss and attenuation), which are displayed at the
bottom of the Events Table tab.
The statistics displayed are the minimum value, the maximum value, and
an average for the selected files. If you click on the minimum and
maximum values, the corresponding event is highlighted in the Graph or
Linear views, and in the events table.

Note: You must have enabled the corresponding item for the statistic to appear.
For example, if you chose not to display the positions, the corresponding
statistic is also hidden.

To display the statistics:

1. Select the multiple measurements for which you want to view the
statistics.
2. In the Events Table tab, right-click in one of the fixed columns, and
select the type of statistics you want to view.

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Setting Span Positions with Absolute Lengths

Setting Span Positions with Absolute Lengths

The application allows you to set the span start and span end positions
using definite values.
To set the span positions:
1. In the Measurements window, select the measurements for which you
want to set the span.
2. On the Measurement menu, click OTDR and select Set Spans by
Distance.
3. Set the launch fiber length as required. Once you set the launch fiber
length, the application updates the span start position and span length
value based on the new position of the span start. If no event is present
at the new position of the span start, it automatically creates a new
event.

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Setting Span Positions with Absolute Lengths

4. Select whether you want to enter the span length or the receive fiber
length, then enter the appropriate value. The other value is updated
automatically according to the value you have entered. If no event is
present at the new position of the span end then, it automatically
creates a new event.

5. Click OK to save the change or Cancel to discard it.

Note: When a new event is created, the exact event position, event type, and
measured values are automatically determined to have the best
characterization for the most probable event present in the area. When a
new event is successfully created, the event is marked with an asterisk (*).

Note: If the origin of the selected file origin does not allow modification, an error
message is displayed.

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Setting the IOR Value by Distance

Setting the IOR Value by Distance

The application allows you to modify the IOR value for each selected
measurement by modifying the distance from span start to span end.
To modify the IOR value:
1. On the Measurements tab select the measurements you want to
modify.
2. On the Measurement menu, click on OTDR and select Set IOR by
Distance.
3. Enter the distance of span start to span end.

Note: When the distance values from the selected measurements are not the
same, the values are displayed with a semicolon. Once the new IOR values
are calculated, the values related to the position and distance and the
OTDR graph are updated.

4. Click OK to save the changes or Cancel to discard them.

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Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode)

Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode)

The FastReporter 2 application displays the core size of the fiber for the
selected measurement in the Test Settings table of the Summary tab.
When multiple measurements are selected and the fiber core sizes are not
similar, they are separated with a semicolon.

Note: The application allows you to change the fiber core size only for the
multimode files.

To change the fiber core size:

1. On the Measurements tab, select the multimode measurement for
which you want to modify the fiber core size.
2. From the Summary tab, select the required fiber core size in the list of
available values.

3. The application prompts you to confirm the change. Click Yes to set the
default values for result and test settings. If you click No, the fiber core
size value changes, but the default values are not applied for result and
test settings.

Note: You cannot perform this operation if the origin of the selected file does not
allow modifications. For example, you cannot perform this operation on
“Telcordia 100" files from other OTDR manufacturers.

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Reverting to File Test Settings

Reverting to File Test Settings

The application allows you to revert the test settings parameters values to
the file original values. The retrieved values are IOR, backscatter, Helix
factor, splice loss threshold, reflectance threshold, end-of-fiber threshold
and fiber core size. The result values are automatically updated to reflect
the change.

Note: You can revert to file test settings for multiple files only if the FR2-FC option
is activated.

Note: You cannot use this feature when you open a competitor’s .SOR files and
iOLM generated .SOR files.

To revert to file test settings:

1. On the Files tab select the OTDR files you want to modify.
2. From the Summary tab, click the Revert to File Test Settings button,
then confirm your choice.

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Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC

Mode)
FastReporter 2 can be used to analyze bidirectional OTDR files, and create
them using unidirectional files and combining them.

Analyzing Bidirectional Measurements

If two OTDR measurements were acquired in opposite directions on the
same fiber span, you can use the Create Bidirectional Files tool to match
the corresponding events. FastReporter 2 performs a bidirectional analysis
and generates an event table with the averaged loss for each event; that is,
the average of the losses obtained from both directions.
Bidirectional analysis is the recommended method for splice loss
measurements on singlemode fibers by the Telecommunications Industry
Association (test procedure EIA/TIA FOTP-61 Measurement of Fiber or
Cable Attenuation Using an OTDR).
This method removes the so-called “gainers” (increase in the optical
power) and exaggerated losses and provides accurate measurements. This
analysis is particularly useful to test the quality of a link, especially if it
comprises several sections with different types of fibers or fiber from
different manufacturers.
Gainers and exaggerated losses result from the joining of two fibers of
different mode-field diameters (MFD). The mode-field diameter of a fiber
corresponds to the size of the area where light is dispersed across its core
and cladding.
Mismatch of MFDs will contribute to differences in backreflected signals
that are not related to the loss at the splice point, that is to the true loss
seen in transmission. In this case, a unidirectional OTDR measurement will
show an apparent increase (gainer) or decrease (exaggerated loss) in
signal, depending on the direction of measurement.
Bidirectional averaging of OTDR splice loss measurements provides the
most accurate splice loss results.

160 FastReporter 2
 Working with OTDR Files
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Creating Bidirectional Measurement Files

You can combine unidirectional measurements into a bidirectional
measurement file. It is possible to use both single-wavelength and
multiwavelength measurements. FastReporter 2 matches the wavelengths.
The A->B and B->A measurement files must respect the following criteria:

Item To be valid
Pulse width Must be identical for both measurement files.
Fiber types Use only measurements acquired using
singlemode fibers.
Wavelengths Must be identical for both measurements.
Measurement file Both must be unidirectional files.

To create bidirectional files in FastReporter 2, you must first match A->B

files with B->A files. For information on file matching, see Matching Files
on page 48. Changes made to event matching tolerances will affect
bidirectional event table results.

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Working with OTDR Files
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

To create a bidirectional file:

1. Select two matched OTDR files of opposite directions.
2. Click on Tools > OTDR > Create Bidirectional Files.
3. Select the location where you want to save the bidirectional file.

4. Select the desired file naming options.

 Select A->B filename or B->A filename to use the selected A->B
or B->A file name.
 Select Autonaming to enter a prefix and a suffix to create the file
name.

162 FastReporter 2
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Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

5. Select which documentation will be used for the bidirectional

measurement.

6. Select whether you want to keep the original unidirectional files in your
project once the bidirectional files are created.

7. Click OK.

Note: Bidirectional (.bdr) files do not support multiple wavelengths in the same
file. When you save the bidirectional files, separate files will be created for
each wavelength. The wavelengths are automatically added.

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Working with OTDR Files
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Creating Unidirectional Files From a Bidirectional

File
Using FastReporter 2, you can take a bidirectional file and extract the two
unidirectional files that were originally used to create it. The resulting files
will have the same name as the bidirectional one, but with the direction
automatically added.
To extract the unidirectional files:
1. From the main window, select the File menu, then Export, and Create
OTDR Unidir Files.
2. If desired, select the location where you want to save the extracted
files. The default location is where the original bidirectional file is
located.

3. Select the format for the extracted files.

164 FastReporter 2
 Working with OTDR Files
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

4. Select whether you want to open the files in the application.

5. Select whether you want to keep the original bidirectional files in your
project.

6. Click OK to extract the files and return to the main window.

Post Processing Software 165

Working with OTDR Files
Managing Bidirectional OTDR Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Working with Virtual Bidirectional Files

Virtual bidirectional files are a way to preview the resulting measurement
when you select two matching unidirectional measurements without going
through the process of fully creating the bidirectional file. The display in the
graph and linear views, and the Event Table tab are the same as they
would if you are viewing an actual bidirectional measurement. The order
of display for the elements depend of the A -> B measurement.

Note: You cannot create bidirectional files with multimode measurements.

To activate the virtual bidirectional file mode:

From the View menu, select OTDR, then Display Virtual OTDR Bidir.

166 FastReporter 2
 Working with OTDR Files
Creating Batch Documentation

Creating Batch Documentation

FastReporter 2 includes a tool that can be used to batch document or
analyze large numbers of OTDR test files. All identification information,
with the exception of fiber ID, is copied from the reference file to the
selected files. The automated documentation tool can also be used to
automatically assign fiber IDs to selected files.
For details on using the automated documentation tool, see Adding and
Removing Measurement Files on page 41.

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Working with OTDR Files
Saving an OTDR File in a New File Format

Saving an OTDR File in a New File Format

You can save OTDR measurement files in a new file format.
To save OTDR files in a new file format:
1. In the Measurement or Files window, select the OTDR file or files that
you want to save.
2. On the File menu, click Save Selected Files As.
3. When saving a single file, type a name for the file in the File name box.
OR
When saving multiple files, click on the Save As dialog box and
select an output folder on the Browse for Folder dialog box.
4. In the Save as type list, select the appropriate file format.
5. Click Save.

Note: Some file formats (for example, Telcordia and FTB-300) do not support
multiple wavelengths in the same file. When saving to those formats,
separate files will be created for each wavelength.

IMPORTANT
If you save an OTDR file in an older format than it was originally in,
you will lose the type of data that is not supported by the older file
format.

168 FastReporter 2
 Working with OTDR Files
Generating Text Files From OTDR Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)

Generating Text Files From OTDR

Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)
FastReporter 2 allows you to export the unidirectional or bidirectional
OTDR files to a text file format. When one OTDR file is selected, the
filename corresponds to the selected OTDR file, with a “.txt” extension.
If multiple OTDR files are selected, you have to specify the file name.

Note: This feature is only supported in OTDR files.

To export the OTDR file to a text file:

1. Select single or multiple OTDR files from the Files tab.
2. From the File menu, click on Export, and select To TXT measurement
report.
Select a desired location and enter the desired file name and click on Save
to generate the text file.

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Working with OTDR Files
Modifying Space Between Traces on the Graph

Modifying Space Between Traces on the Graph

For easier viewing of the traces appearing on the graph, you can increase
or decrease the vertical space between each of them.
To increase or decrease the space between the traces:
1. On the toolbar, select the button.
2. Use the buttons in the toolbar or menu to increase or decrease the
space between the traces.

Reset spacing

Decrease spacing

Increase spacing

Activate Y spacing

An indicator on the left of the graph shows that an offset is applied.

If you are using a keyboard and mouse, you can press and hold the Shift
key to select the trace, then use the arrow buttons, or the mouse to drag it
to the desired location.

170 FastReporter 2
6 Working with OLTS Files
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in different
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification

FOT-920, FOT-930, .olts X X
FTB-3930
.olts2 X X
.dat X X
.oltsx X X
ConnectorMax 2 .cmax2 X X

Note: The .oltsx format includes both single- and multi-wavelength

measurements.

Note: The 64-bit version of FastReporter 2 may not support all file formats.

Changing OLTS Settings

You can change the pass/fail threshold to use for your files:
 The threshold from the measurement file is the one that was used
during the actual OL test. When you select this threshold, you cannot
modify the values in the threshold table.
 The threshold from the application is a threshold set by FastReporter 2,
which you can select and modify.

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Working with OLTS Files
Changing OLTS Settings

To change OLTS settings:

1. On the Settings menu, select OLTS.
2. Select the type of threshold to use for your analysis.

172 FastReporter 2
 Working with OLTS Files
Changing OLTS Settings

3. Set the wavelength list as needed if you are using the thresholds from
the application:
 To add a wavelength, click the button, enter the wavelength
value, and click OK.
 To remove one or more wavelengths, select the values in the
Wavelength list and click the button.
Each wavelength can have different thresholds. If you have selected
the custom thresholds, you can modify the values. The Apply option
must be enabled for the values to be active and modifiable.
If you select more than one wavelength in the list, any modification to
the thresholds will apply to all of the selected wavelengths.

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Working with OLTS Files
Changing OLTS Settings

4. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
apply the changes and close the dialog box, click OK.
You can view the results for in the OLTS Table tab in the main window.

Note: In the case of multi-wavelength files, the reference unit may show dB
and/or dBm depending on the measurement.

174 FastReporter 2
7 Working with CD Files
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in different
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification

EXFO CD .exfocd X X
(FTB-5800 modules)
CDPMD .cdpmd X X
(FTB-5700 modules)

Note: The 64-bit version of FastReporter 2 may not support all file formats.

Note: The .cdpmd file may also contain fiber length and PMD information.

Note: When you modify information or data that is common to both CD and PMD
formats in .cdpmd files, the contents is automatically updated in both
measurement types.

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Working with CD Files
Changing CD Settings

Changing CD Settings
The pass/fail thresholds that you set for CD projects are displayed on the
Summary tab in the Results window. Should you need to change the
wavelength measurement range for analysis purposes, this is also done in
the Summary tab.
The dispersion thresholds are applied on the maximum dispersion for the
measurement file and on each dispersion value of the CD table.
To change CD settings:
1. On the Settings menu, select CD.
2. Select the type of threshold to use for your analysis, either from the
measurement file itself or from a list of predetermined thresholds.
 The threshold from the measurement file is the one that was used
during the actual CD test. When you select this threshold, you
cannot modify the values in the threshold table.
 The threshold from the application is a threshold set by
FastReporter 2, which you can select and modify.

3. Modify the displayed values as needed. The Apply option must be

enabled for the values to be active and modifiable.

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 Working with CD Files
Changing CD Settings

4. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
apply the changes and close the dialog box, click OK.
The thresholds are displayed in the main window, in the Summary tab,
under Results. If some values failed the test, they will appear clearly in red.

Note: The first figure illustrates the display for a .cdpmd file, and the second for an
.exfocd file.

Post Processing Software 177

Working with CD Files
Changing CD Settings

You can view the details for your measurement file in the CD Table tab.
Depending on the type of CD measurement file you are viewing (.exfocd or
.cdpmd), the available information differs. Any failed measurement will
also show in this tab.

Note: RGD measurements are only available in .exfocd files.

Note: If you do not see the CD Table tab, make sure you have selected only one
measurement in the list.

.cdpmd file

.exfocd file

178 FastReporter 2
 Working with CD Files
Changing CD Settings

It is possible for you to change the table wavelength, that is the way to
calculate the table according to the Results from and Results to values. You
can select from the table wavelength values below.
 1 nm (Results range with a step of 1 nm in-between values)
 50 GHz
 100 GHz
 200 GHz
 From the acquisition
To change the wavelength table:
From the main window, select the View menu, then CD > Table
Wavelength and select the value you want to use.
If a file is open already, the values are automatically updated.

Post Processing Software 179

Working with CD Files
Changing CD Fiber Type

Changing CD Fiber Type

FastReporter 2 allows you to analyze various fiber types for chromatic
dispersion.
To change the CD fiber type:
1. Open a CD measurement file.
2. Select the measurement or measurements for which you want to
change the fiber type.
3. In the main window, select the Summary tab.

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 Working with CD Files
Changing CD Fiber Type

4. Select the fiber type according to your needs in the Fiber Type box:
 G.652 NDSF (3-term Sellmeier fit)
 G.653 DSF (quadratic fit)
 G.655 NZDSF (quadratic fit)
 G.656 Wideband NZDSF (quadratic fit)
 Compensating (quadratic fit)
 Flattened (cubic fit)
 Amplified Links (cubic fit)
 Custom (default cubic fit)

Note: When you select a different fiber type, the fit is automatically changed to
match the default fit value for this new fiber type. However, you can change
this new fit type as desired in the corresponding list.

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Working with CD Files
Changing Analysis Range

Changing Analysis Range

The range used for taking the measurement and the range used for
analyzing the results can be different if you want to concentrate your
analysis on a specific area. You can change it for both types of CD files.
To change the analysis range (results from and results to values):
1. Open a CD measurement file.
2. Select the measurement or measurements for which you want to
change the analysis range.
3. In the main window, select the Summary tab.

4. In the Results from and Results to boxes, change the wavelength

range values as needed for your analysis.

182 FastReporter 2
 Working with CD Files
Changing the Fiber Length

Changing the Fiber Length

If you are working with an .exfocd format file, you can change the fiber
length to obtain more precision in your analysis.
To change the fiber length:
1. Open a CD measurement file.
2. Select the measurement or measurements for which you want to
change the fiber length.
3. In the main window, select the Summary tab.

4. In the Fiber Length box, enter a new value for the analysis.

Note: If your file is in .cdpmd format, the fiber length was measured
automatically during the measurement and cannot be edited.

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Working with CD Files
Switching Between Curve Types

Switching Between Curve Types

If you have a specified fiber length in your CD file, you can view either the
chromatic dispersion or the chromatic dispersion coefficient curves.
To switch between the coefficient and dispersion curves:
From the main window, select View > CD > Coefficient.
The table values in the Summary tab are updated automatically.

184 FastReporter 2
8 Working with PMD Files
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in different
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification

PMD .pmd X X
(FTB-5500 modules)
PMDB .pmdb X X
(FTB-5500 modules)
CDPMD .cdpmd X X
(FTB-5700 modules)

Note: The 64-bit version of FastReporter 2 may not support all file formats.

Note: The .cdpmd file may also contain fiber length and CD information.

Note: When you modify information or data that is common to both CD and PMD
formats in .cdpmd files, the contents is automatically updated in both
measurement types.

Post Processing Software 185

Working with PMD Files
Changing PMD Settings

Changing PMD Settings

You can change the thresholds you want to use for the analysis:
 The threshold from the measurement file is the one that was used
during the actual PMD test. When you select this threshold, you cannot
modify the values in the threshold table.
 The threshold from the application is a threshold set by FastReporter 2,
which you can select and modify.
To change PMD settings:
1. On the Settings menu, select PMD.
2. Select the type of threshold to use for your analysis.

186 FastReporter 2
 Working with PMD Files
Changing PMD Settings

3. Modify the displayed values as needed if you selected to use a

threshold from the application. The Apply option must be enabled for
the values to be active and modifiable.

4. To apply the changes without closing the dialog box, click Apply. To
apply the changes and close the dialog box, click OK.

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Working with PMD Files
Changing PMD Settings

The thresholds are displayed in the main window, in the Summary tab,
under Results. If some values failed the test, they will appear clearly in red.

Note: The .cdpmd files do not display a graph for the PMD measurement.

188 FastReporter 2
 Working with PMD Files
Changing Fiber Length

Changing Fiber Length

If you are working with .pmd or .pmdb files, you can change the fiber
length to obtain more precision in your analysis.
To change the fiber length:
1. Open a PMD measurement file.
2. Select the measurement or measurements for which you want to
change the fiber length.
3. In the main window, select the Summary tab.

4. Locate the fiber length value under Test Settings and modify it as
needed.

Note: If your file is in .cdpmd format, the fiber length was measured
automatically during the measurement and cannot be edited.

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Working with PMD Files
Working with PMD Statistic Measurements

Working with PMD Statistic Measurements

When selecting more than one PMD measurements on a same file, the
Statistics tab appears. This tab can be used to see average values for the
measurements.
To exclude a measurement from the statistic values:
1. Open a PMD measurement file.
2. Select the measurement or measurements that you want to exclude
from the statistics values.
3. In the main window, select the Summary tab.

190 FastReporter 2
 Working with PMD Files
Working with PMD Statistic Measurements

4. Set the measurements as not used for the statistics under Test
Settings.

To view PMD measurement statistics:

1. Open a .pmdb measurement file.
2. Select more than one measurement to make the tab appear.
3. In the main window, select the Statistics tab.

Post Processing Software 191

9 Working with OPM/PPM
Measurements
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in the following
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification

PPM-350 C .ppm X X
iOLM .iolm X X
OPM .oltsx X X
ConnectorMax 2 .cmax2 X X

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Working with OPM/PPM Measurements
Selecting the Absolute Power Unit

Selecting the Absolute Power Unit

You can set FastReporter 2 to use either dBm, watts, or use the power unit
used in the measurement you are viewing.
To select the power unit:
1. From the main window, select the Settings menu, then OPM/PPM.
2. In the General tab, select which unit to use.

3. Click OK to confirm your choice and close the window.

194 FastReporter 2
 Working with OPM/PPM Measurements
Changing OPM/PPM Settings

Changing OPM/PPM Settings

The pass/fail thresholds that you set for PON Power Meter (PPM) or Optical
Power Meter (OPM) projects and the predefined thresholds are applied on
the corresponding table tabs in the Results window. If you need to change
the threshold for analysis purposes, it can be done in the Thresholds tab.
To select which thresholds to use for the measurements:
1. From the main window, select the Settings menu, then OPM/PPM.
2. In the Pass/Fail Thresholds tab, select whether the thresholds to use
are those from the measurement file, or those from the application.

Note: In the case of FTTx measurements, you can only use the thresholds from
the measurement files.

3. Click OK to confirm your choice and close the window.

Post Processing Software 195

Working with OPM/PPM Measurements
Changing OPM/PPM Settings

To change OPM/PPM settings:

1. Open the file which contains OPM/PPM measurements.
2. On the Results window, click the Thresholds tab.

Measurement:
OPM

Measurement:
PPM

3. Select a wavelength or wavelengths to modify.

4. Modify the thresholds associated with the wavelengths needed by
clicking in the desired threshold value and modifying it in the table. If
you have selected more than one wavelength, all of them will be
modified at the same time.

196 FastReporter 2
 Working with OPM/PPM Measurements
Viewing Power Meter Results

Viewing Power Meter Results

Power meter results are displayed in the OPM and PPM tables.
To view the Power meter results for OPM measurements:
1. Select OPM measurements.
2. From the Results window, select OPM Table.

To view the Power meter results for PPM measurements:

1. Select the file which contains PPM measurements.
2. From the Results window, select PPM Table.

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Working with OPM/PPM Measurements
Changing the Correction Factor (FR2-FC Mode)

Changing the Correction Factor (FR2-FC Mode)

Correction factors are used to adjust the OPM and PPM measurements.
The correction factor is specified by wavelength only, and the fiber core
size is not taken into account. FastReporter 2 allows you to change the
correction factor for PPM file types. These corrections should be made
before the measurement is taken and should be stored with each
measurement. A correction factor of 1.0 has no effect on the
measurement.

Note: The correction factor is not available for measurements from iOLM files.

To change the correction factor:

1. Open an OPM or a PPM measurement file.
2. Select the measurements for which you want to change the correction
factor.
3. In the Results window, select the Summary tab.

4. Modify the correction factors associated with the wavelengths as

needed. Click the desired correction factor value under Test Settings
column and modify it.

198 FastReporter 2
10 Working with Fiber Inspection
Probe (FIP) files
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in different
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification

FIP (ConnectorMax) .cmax X Xa
FIP (ConnectorMax2) .cmax2 X X

a. Modified .cmax files can only be saved again in .cmax2 format.

Theses file formats include:

 Inspection of single-fiber connectors
 Analysis of single-fiber connectors
 Inspection of multiple-fiber connectors

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Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Modifying Unit Model and Unit Serial Number

Modifying Unit Model and Unit Serial Number

The application allows you to change the unit model as well as the unit
serial number for your FIP measurements on .cmax format files. You can
change the unit model and unit serial number of multiple measurements at
a time. The entered unit model and unit serial number are also displayed in
the FIP report.

Note: In .cmax2 format files, the unit model and serial number cannot be
modified.

To change the unit model:

1. Open the FIP measurements to change.
2. On the Results window, in the Identification tab, double-click on the
Unit model field and enter the required unit model number.

Note: You cannot enter special characters (?,/,<,>,",:,*, |,\).

Note: You can enter a maximum of twenty five characters.

200 FastReporter 2
 Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Modifying Unit Model and Unit Serial Number

To change the unit serial number:

1. Open the FIP measurements to change.
2. On the Results window, in the Identification tab, double-click on the
Unit serial number filed and enter the required unit serial number.

Note: You cannot enter special characters (?,/,<,>,",:,*, |,\).

Note: You can enter a maximum of twenty five characters.

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Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Showing or Hiding Threshold and Result Information

Showing or Hiding Threshold and Result

Information
You can hide threshold and result information for zones that are not useful
for your analysis.

Note: You cannot modify the information. This is for viewing purposes only.

To select the zones to display:

On the main window, in the Thresholds or FIP Result tab of the Results
window, click the right mouse button, then select or clear any of the zones:
 Zone A: Core
 Zone B: Cladding
 Zone C: Adhesive
 Zone D: Contact

Note: Changes done in either tab is reflected in the other and are immediate.

202 FastReporter 2
 Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Applying a Configuration File to Selected FIP Files

Applying a Configuration File to Selected FIP

Files
You can select FIP files, and apply preset configuration data that you have
in a configuration file. You can use a configuration file you have on your
unit, or import it from another location.
To import a set configuration and apply it to your FIP files:
1. From the main window, select the Tools > FIP, then Apply
Configuration.
2. Select which configuration you want to use in the list of available
choices. If you want to import a configuration file from another
location, use the Import button.

3. Click OK to confirm your choice.

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Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
FIP Graphic Display Options

FIP Graphic Display Options

The FastReporter 2 application displays the FIP overlay in the graph
window along with the FIP Image. An overlay highlights the inconsistencies
in your FIP with different colors described below.

Color Legend Analysis Anomaly Highlighting

Aqua PASS Scratch
Green PASS Defect
Red FAIL Anomaly

 FAIL Anomaly: the presence of this anomaly implies automatically a

FAIL result.
 PASS Anomaly: the presence of this anomaly is not sufficient to confirm
a FAIL, the anomaly count in this case is relevant.
If you select more than one FIP files and enable the appropriate viewing
option, you can have the corresponding graphic displays appear all at once
on-screen. This feature is available for both single fibers and multiple
fibers.
You can also select to see the images according to the cable connector
view. The fibers included in a same cable are grouped, and the cable is
identified in the graph view.
You can copy the FIP images and/or overlays and paste them to the
clipboard. You can also change the display setting of the graph for FIP
measurements so that you can see both the overlay and the graph side by
side.

204 FastReporter 2
 Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
FIP Graphic Display Options

To change FIP graphic display options:

1. On the View menu, select FIP to display the FIP graphic display
options.
2. Select Multi-Fiber View to display an image for all of your selected files
or Cable Connector View to display the corresponding mode. The
order of the images is the same as the order of the files in the Matched
Files tab.

If you want to select a specific item, you can use the drop-down
the list in the measurement toolbar.

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Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Using Custom Identifiers

Using Custom Identifiers

You can add up to five custom identifiers for your FIP files. The custom
identifiers are displayed in the Identification tab, in the Identifiers table.
You can find more information on how to manage custom identifiers in
Matching Files Based on Information on page 48.
To use a custom identifier:
1. Select the measurement for which you want to change the identifier.
2. From the Identifiers table of the Identification tab, use the drop-down
list to select the identifier type.
OR
Type the new type directly on-screen.

The Frame identifier type cannot be modified. Enter the information that
describes the groups of connectors included in the frames, as needed.

206 FastReporter 2
 Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Saving Legacy FIP Files in .cmax2 File Format

Saving Legacy FIP Files in .cmax2 File Format

You can import and view legacy image files (.jpg, .jpeg and .bmp formats)
using FastReporter 2. Once the image file is open, it is displayed in the
graphic window. and is converted and saved in .cmax2 format.

Note: When opening .cmax legacy files (ConnectorMax format), they will also be
automatically converted to the .cmax 2 format and can only be saved as
such if you modify them.

To import an image file:

1. From the Files menu, click on Import > Image File.
2. Select the required image and click Open.

Note: Under the Identification tab, the application displays the file name, test
date, and the test time of the image. The rest of the fields remains empty
but is editable.

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Working with Fiber Inspection Probe (FIP) files
Viewing Power Meter and OLTS Results

Viewing Power Meter and OLTS Results

Your .cmax2 file could contain both FIP and power meter data, or FIP and
loss data in a single file. Power meter and OLTS results are displayed in
their respective tables. For more details, see Viewing Power Meter Results
on page 197 and Working with OLTS Files on page 171.

208 FastReporter 2
11 Working with iOLM files
Accepted File Formats
FastReporter 2 lets you work with measurement files saved in the following
formats, but does not necessarily permit all operations on them.

File format File extension Display Modification Reanalysis

iOLM .iolm X X X
.iolmcfg X X 
.iolmbdr X X X

Understanding the Link View

The iOLM Link View is an intuitive representation, which combines several
measurement results and values into a single view.
The link view is divided into two different regions.
 Link overview
 Link composition

Link Overview

Link
Composition

In the link overview, you can quickly see the status for each element with
the corresponding color code:
 Red: The element is fail.
 Green: The element is pass.
 Blue: The element is not tested for Pass/Fail.

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Working with iOLM files
Understanding the Link View

The pass/fail status also depends on the threshold values specified. The
link overview representing all the elements discovered on the link is
described below.

Selected Beginning of Visible region End of the Link Length of the

element the link measured link

 Length of the measured link: Length of the measured link excluding

the launch and receive fibers.
 Selected element: Rectangle representing the selected element.
 Visible region: The colored background represent the visible region in
the link composition view.
 Beginning of the link: Beginning of the link under test.
 End of the link: End of the link under test.
Elements before A and after B are referred to as out-of-span elements.
Elements out of the span are not tested for pass/fail status, but can have
diagnostics on them. If the launch fiber is not defined, the element marked
as "A" will not be tested for pass/fail and if the receive fiber is not defined,
the element marked as "B" will not be tested for pass/fail.

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Understanding the Link View

The link composition is described below.

Diagnostics Icon Splitter ratio Element Position Distance Unit

Pass/Fail Element Element Selected Navigation

not tested Fail Icon Pass/Fail Element Arrow

 Element position: The distance of the element from the beginning of

the link under test.
 Navigation arrow: The navigation arrow is only displayed when more
items are available on the particular side. It indicates that the you have
to scroll to view those items. This arrow can also appear on the left
side.
 Selected element: The gray background represents the currently
selected element.
 Letter A: The beginning of the link under test.
 Letter B: The end of the link under test.

Note: An arrow ( ) icon is displayed on the element if the start and the end of
the link is represented by the same element.

 Element Pass/Fail: The status of the element whether it is pass ( ), fail

( ), or unknown. If you are viewing multiple measurements in Cable
view (see Managing Multiple Measurements on page 213 for details),
the status depends on the statuses of the corresponding matched
elements. If at least one of the elements has a fail status, then the cable
combined element status is also fail.

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 Pass/Fail not tested: A gray background indicates that the element is

unknown. If there is no icon at the right side corner, it indicates that
thresholds are not applied on the element and the element is not
tested for Pass/Fail. If you are viewing multiple measurements in Cable
view (see Managing Multiple Measurements on page 213 for details),
the status depends on the statuses of the corresponding matched
elements. If at least one of the elements has a status of fail, then the
combined element status is also fail. If the statuses are a combination
of pass and unknown, then the cable combined element status is set to
unknown.
 Diagnostics icon: This icon specifies that some diagnostic is present
on the element. See Understanding Diagnostics on page 254 for more
details.
 Distance Unit: The distance unit you have selected.
 Splitter Ratio: The splitter ratio is displayed on the element, if the
element type is splitter.

Note: The number of elements displayed in the composition view varies

according to the available space, number of elements, and section size.

Note: When the link length is large, not all of the elements are visible; you may
need to scroll on the link using the navigation arrow.

Note: The distance between the elements is not 100 % proportional. To have a
proportional representation of the element, look at the link overview.

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Managing Multiple Measurements

Managing Multiple Measurements

When you are working with more than one measurements, you can view
the links in two different manners:
 The Cable view shows all of the measurements grouped into one link,
with the link overview. The total number of selected fibers is indicated
on the left, and each element has its own identification number. When
matched elements are of the same type, you can see how many there
are on the upper left corner of the element icon. If the number is blue,
all fibers contain this element. If the number is yellow, at least one fiber
does not have this element. If elements at the same position are not of
the same type, a question mark icon replaces the element type.

 The Fiber view shows the grouped links at the top of the window, then
details each fiber with its corresponding elements. You can perform
changes to individual fibers in this view.

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Note: When viewing grouped fibers, the End of fiber element (B) is set according
to the reference measurement if there is one; if there is no reference
measurement it is set according to the shortest fiber. The elements located
between the grouped A and B positions (including both A and B) are
numbered.

You can perform the same actions (adding, modifying and deleting
elements, setting span start and end) on single fiber and multiple fibers;
the main difference is that if you perform the actions in the cable view or
on the cable at the top of the Fiber view, all of the included fibers are
modified accordingly.
To select the viewing method for multiple fibers:
1. Select the fibers that you want to view together in the Files or
Measurement tabs.
2. Right-click in the Link view, then select either the Cable or Fiber view.
You can also select the view in the View > iOLM menu.

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Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional Settings

Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional

Settings
You can allow the creation of iOLM bidirectional files for your analyses.
You can also set the extended element matching tolerance. The main
purpose to edit the tolerance is to match two elements that are not
matching with the intrinsic element tolerance value fixed by signal
processing.
To enable the iOLM bidirectional file creation:
1. On the Settings menu, click iOLM and then the iOLM Setting tab.
2. Enable the Display iOLM bidirectional file creation dialog option.

3. Click OK.

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Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional Settings

To change the extended element matching tolerance:

1. On the Settings menu, click iOLM, and then the Tolerance tab.
2. Enter the tolerance value to match the element.

3. To save your settings, click OK.

Note: If you want to apply the default settings, click Default Settings.

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Modifying iOLM Thresholds

Modifying iOLM Thresholds

The types of thresholds that you can view and modify are link and element.

Note: Since you cannot have splitters in multimode measurements and

bidirectional measurements, the corresponding threshold table will not
appear in the tab if you are working with this type of file. This also applies if
you have selected both monomode and multimode files.

To modify the iOLM thresholds:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Select the measurements for which you want to view or modify the
thresholds.
The current pass/fail threshold statuses are indicated in the list: green
for pass and red for fail.

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Modifying iOLM Thresholds

3. In the Results window, select the Thresholds tab.

4. Select the wavelengths for which you want to view or modify the link
or element pass/fail thresholds values.

5. If desired, you can select a certification in the list of available choices.

This will display the threshold values associated with this particular
type of certification. You cannot modify the thresholds displayed for
them.
If no certification are available, the certification configuration name is
set to Custom, and you can modify the thresholds as needed by
clicking the corresponding Apply box, then modifying the value in the
table.

Note: If you have selected more than one wavelength, all of them will be
modified at the same time.

6. If you want to change the splitter loss ratio values, proceed in the same
manner as you have for the thresholds.
7. If you want to apply the default values for the selected wavelength(s),
click Default Settings.

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Modifying iOLM Settings (FR2-FC Mode)

Modifying iOLM Settings (FR2-FC Mode)

In the Summary tab you can view and modify the IOR and backscatter
value for your iOLM measurements.
To modify iOLM settings in the Summary tab:
1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Select the measurement for which you want to view or modify the
iOLM settings.
3. In the Results window, select the Summary tab.

4. In the Results table you can see all the result components:
 Link length: Displays the Link length.
 Acquisition Status: Displays the status of the acquisition (taken
normally or interrupted).
 Link loss: Displays the Link loss.
 Link ORL: Displays the Link ORL value.
 Analysis version: Displays the version of the application used to
analyze the link. If the measurement is analyzed with FastReporter
2, the analysis version is replaced by the FastReporter 2 version
number. This version is saved only if the file is saved. If the version
is not available, the field remains empty.

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Note: If the link ORL value is saturated (displayed with a < symbol), the test is
still performed to obtain a pass/fail status. However, you can only
determine that the status is fail and the pass status cannot be specified.

5. In the Test Settings table, modify the IOR and the Backscatter values
as needed (single mode shown, but also possible for multimode
measurements).

Note: The values set for 1550 nm are automatically computed for other
wavelengths. You can only edit the IOR and backscatter values for the
1550 nm wavelength, even if other wavelengths are available in the
selected iOLM measurement.

Note: When the IOR value is changed, the position and length of the section will
be updated, and when the backscatter value is changed it triggers a
reanalysis of the whole link.

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Modifying the Splitter Ratio Information

Modifying the Splitter Ratio Information

The Link Definition table displays the information about the expected
number of splitters on the link and their respective splitter ratio. You can
modify the splitter ratios so that they are no longer included in the pass/fail
calculation and have the application discover the ratios automatically.
The splint ratios are sequential, in the sense that if you set the first in
sequence to None, any subsequent splitter ratio is automatically set to
None as well.

Note: Link definition on an iOLM measurement is available for display, but it is in

read-only mode.

To modify the splitter ratio information:

1. Open an iOLM configuration file.
2. In the Results window, select the Summary tab.
3. You can view and modify the splitter ratio stage 1, 2, and 3 fields in the
Link Definition table.
4. Select 1:? if you know that a splitter is present, but you do not know its
splitter ratio. The iOLM discovers the splitter ratio automatically and the
element will not be tested for pass/fail.

Note: The splitter ratios are defined stage wise, depending on how they are
defined in the network.

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Modifying Identifier Labels (FR2-FC Mode)

Modifying Identifier Labels (FR2-FC Mode)

You can view and modify the identifier labels for your iOLM measurement
files.

Note: When multiple iOLM measurements are selected, you will see the
information for all selected measurements. If the values are the same, they
are displayed once; if not, they are separated by semicolons.

To modify the identifier labels:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Select the measurements for which you want to view or modify the
Identifier labels.
3. In the Results window, select the Identification tab.

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4. Select the identifier from the list of available choices in the Identifiers
table to modify it. You can also rename the identifier by selecting it. As
needed, you can change the corresponding value.

Note: The identifiers label is not editable if the iOLM measurements are selected
with any other type of measurements such as CD or OTDR.

Note: When the Identifier label is selected as None, the values are not editable.

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Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode)

Changing Fiber Core Size (FR2-FC Mode)

The FastReporter 2 application displays the core size of the fiber for the
selected measurement in the Test Settings table of the Summary tab.
When multiple measurements are selected and the fiber core sizes are not
similar, they are separated with a semicolon.

Note: The application allows you to change the fiber core size only for the
multimode files.

To change the fiber core size:

1. On the Measurements tab, select the multimode measurement for
which you want to modify the fiber core size.
2. From the Summary tab, select the required fiber core size in the list of
available values.

3. The application prompts you to confirm the change. Click Yes to set the
default values for result and test settings. If you click No, the fiber core
size value changes, but the default values are not applied for result and
test settings.

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Managing Elements

Managing Elements
When an element or a section is selected from the link view, the details of
the corresponding element or section are displayed in Elements Table tab.
The loss, reflectance, wavelength, and corresponding pass/fail status for
loss and reflectance will be displayed.
When you hover the mouse over any element, the application displays the
corresponding details of the element, such as: type, wavelengths, loss, and
reflectance.

Note: Inversely, if you select an item in the Elements Table tab, the corresponding
item is highlighted in the link view.

Note: Reflectance is not displayed if you hover the mouse over a non-reflective
element.

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When you hover the mouse over any element groups, the application
displays the group details separated by semicolons.

When you hover the mouse over any element with a diagnostic label, the
application displays the description.

Note: It is possible to underestimate the loss or reflectance value if the noise level
is too high (for instance, after a lot of loss on the link, the noise levels
increase). In that case, it is possible for the signal processing algorithms to
detect an element, and to estimate the loss/reflectance values, but since the
measured signal does not completely clear the noise floor, the loss or
reflectance values are likely to be underestimated. If the loss or reflectance
value is underestimated, the value is displayed with a > symbol.

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Managing Elements

The elements that you could see on the link are described in the table
below:

Element Name Element Icon Element Description

Macrobend Displayed in the link view when more than
one wavelength is present in the
measurement.
The macrobend will always be displayed
as a failed element.
Out of Range Displayed when the end of fiber could not
be detected by the module because the
dynamic range is not large enough.
Splitter Passive fiber optic coupler that divides
light from a single fiber into two or more
fiber channels. The splitter ratio is
displayed above the icon.
(Splitters are not available on multimode
or bidirectional files.)
Splice Indicates the junction of two fiber sections
having different fiber backscatter
characteristics.
Connector Used to join two fibers.

Mismatch The elements on a matching location in

the link are not of the same type.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

Customizing the Elements Table Tab

When viewing measurements, you can customize what is displayed in the
Elements Table tab to better reflect what you want to see about the
elements, the sections, or both.
To customize the Elements Table tab:
From the View menu, click on iOLM, and then Element Table to select the
desired items.

 Element: to view the element details.

 Section: to view the section details.
 Element/Section Statistics: to view the statistics for the elements and
sections
 Fiber Statistics: to view the statistics pertaining to the fibers.
 Group Details: to view detailed information for the grouped items.
 Position: to view the position details of the elements.
 Element Loss: to view the loss details of the elements.
 Reflectance: to view the reflectance details of the elements.
 Display Element Type as Text: to view the element type in written form.
 Display Element Type as Icon: to view the element type as an icon.
 Length: to display the section lengths.
 Section Loss: To display the loss for the section.
 Attenuation: to display the section attenuation.

Note: You can also right-click on the fixed column of the Elements/Section
Details tab and customize the view.

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The corresponding view is displayed in the Elements Table tab.

You can see the attributes below in the tab:

 Type: The type of element selected in the link view. You can modify the
element type by selecting it from the drop-down menu. If an element is
modified as a custom element, the name of the custom element
shows in the tool tip.
You can also change the splitter ratio if the selected element is a
splitter, including 2:N splitters if the measurement supports them.

Note: The items available in the list depend on the characteristics of the selected
element. It may not be possible to change the element type.

Note: If the type of an element is modified, an asterisk (*) is displayed in the Type
column.

 Position/Length: The position of the element on the link and section

length. Position 0.00 is set on the first element after the launch fiber.
 Loss (dB): The loss at different wavelengths.
 Reflectance (dB): The reflectance at different wavelengths.
 Attenuation (dB/km): The attenuation value for each wavelength.

Note: The attenuation detail is displayed for the section and the field is displayed
only when View Section Details is selected.

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Viewing Group Elements

Link elements will be displayed as groups when the iOLM analysis detects
several link elements that are too close to one another to be independently
characterized. When this occurs, as much information as possible will be
displayed for each individual sub-element. The pass/fail status is applied to
each sub-element whenever possible, and a global status is also displayed
for the group.
Groups can also be displayed when a link element (such as a splitter) is
found to have wavelength dependant loss. In that case, the link element is
grouped with a macrobend element. In this particular case, there might not
be a physical macrobend next to the link element, but the macrobend icon
is used to highlight the presence of the wavelength dependant loss. When
elements are grouped, the group loss and group reflectance value is also
displayed in the Element tab.

Group

Each sub-element is directly displayed as if they were normal elements.

Note: For grouped elements, some values may not be available individually but
are available at the group level, such as loss and reflectance.

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Note: If some elements are grouped, the total group loss value is compared with
the addition of the thresholds defined for the individual elements in the
group. If the total group loss value is greater than the addition of the
thresholds defined for the individual elements in group, the element will
show a fail status. You can individually select grouped elements as any
other standalone element. When elements are grouped at the beginning of
the link, icon A is displayed on one of the sub-elements. When elements are
grouped at the end of the link, icon B is displayed on one of the
sub-elements.

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Adding Elements
The application allows you to add elements in iOLM and iOLM Bidir files in
the link view by selecting any element or section.
You can add elements in both the Fiber and Cable views as well as the
Elements Table tab. Adding an element to the cable (whether you do it in
Cable view, or on the cable at the top of the Fiber view) adds it to all of the
fibers. You can also take one element from one fiber and add it to the other
fibers.
The added element supports the following scenarios depending on the
distance or position of the element:
 The new element is added in a section of the link between two existing
elements.
 The new element is added as a sub element in existing element group.
 The new element is added as a sub element to a single element to
create a new element group.

Note: You cannot add any element before Element A or after Element B.

Note: You cannot add splitters on multimode or bidirectional measurements.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

To add an element:
1. Open an iOLM or iOLM bidir file.
2. Select the section or existing element where you want to add the new
element, then from the Measurement menu, select iOLM, and Add
Element.
3. Select whether the new element will be located before or after the
element you have selected. If you are adding an element to a section,
indicate the position of the element.

Element Section

4. Select the type of the new element as required.

Element Section

Note: You can change the splitter ratio to 2:N, if the measurement supports it.

Note: The splitter element type is not available for iOLM bidirectional files.

5. Click OK to apply the changes or Cancel to discard them.

Note: If an element is added, an asterisk (*) is displayed in the Position and Type
columns.

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To add an element to a group of elements:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Select an element from an existing group of elements where you want
to add the new element, then from the Measurement menu, select
iOLM, and Add Element.
3. Select whether the new element will be located before or after the
element you have selected.

4. Select the type of the new element as required.

5. Click OK to apply the changes or Cancel to discard them.

Note: When an element is added to another element with no sub-elements, the

current element will become a merged/group element. You can view the
details in the Elements Table tab.

Note: When you add an element to a group of elements, it impacts the pass/fail
status of the grouped elements.

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To add an existing element to other fibers:

1. Select the element you want to add.
2. From the Measurement menu, click iOLM, and then select Add to
Other Measurements.

Note: The application displays a warning message when the element cannot be
inserted at the specified location.

Note: The Add to Other Measurement feature is not available if you cannot use
it (for example, if you are trying to use it while being in Cable view, and that
the element is already present in all of the fibers).

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Modifying Element Types

You can view and modify element types that you see in the link view. You
can change the type while being in either Fiber view or Cable view, as well
as the Elements Table tab. Changes done in the Cable view or on the cable
at the top of the Fiber view are done on each fiber included in the cable.

Note: For iOLM bidirectional files and multimode files, the splitter element type is
not available.

Note: You cannot modify the type of the element if they are out of range or if they
are macrobends.

Note: If an element type is changed, an asterisk (*) is displayed in the Type

column.

Note: The items available in the list depend on the characteristics of the selected
element. It may not be possible to change the element type.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

You can edit the properties for iOLM elements and sections. Event
properties that cannot be edited are shaded.
To edit iOLM element properties:
1. Click on the element or section for which you want to change the
properties.
2. On the Measurement menu, select iOLM, select Element, and click
Properties.
3. Modify the properties as needed. The editable values are shown in a
white background.

4. Click OK to confirm your changes.

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Deleting Elements
The application allows you to delete the manually added elements as well
as the elements found by analysis. You can delete the elements either the
Fiber view, the Cable view, or the Element Table tab, the procedure is the
same. An element removed from the Cable or on the cable at the top of the
Fiber view view is removed from all fibers included in the cable.
The application does not allow you to delete the following type of
elements:
 Splitters 1:N and 2:N
 First connector
 End of fiber
 Out of range
 Link start element
 Link end element
To delete an element:
1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Select the element which you want to delete.
3. Right-click on the link view, and click Delete Element.
4. A confirmation message is displayed. Click Yes to continue or No to
cancel it.

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Managing Custom Elements

On a given link topology, it is possible to have different types of splices,
connectors, and other kinds of elements. For this reason FastReporter 2 lets
you create custom elements as per your requirements. You can also
configure the details such as pass/fail thresholds.
The application allows you to add, modify or delete custom elements in
the test configuration. You can also add the custom element in the iOLM
configuration file and apply it to the selected measurement.
You can add custom elements of two types: splice or connector. Each
custom element must have its unique name.

Note: When more than one iOLM measurements are selected, the new custom
element will be added to the test configuration in all selected
measurements.

Note: When more than one iOLM measurements are selected, the application
displays all custom elements included in the test configuration for each
iOLM measurement selected.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

To add a custom element:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Click on Custom Elements under the Summary tab.

3. Click in to add a new custom element.

4. Enter a name for the element.

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5. Select the custom element type.

6. Press OK to save the changes and close the dialog box, or press Cancel
to exit without saving.
Once your custom elements are added, they become available in the list of
available element types. You can find information about changing the
element type in Modifying Element Types on page 236.
The application allows you to view the pass/fail threshold for each custom
element of the test configuration even if the FR2-FC option is not activated.
If multiple iOLM measurements are selected, the application displays the
pass/fail threshold for each custom element included in each test
configuration of the selected iOLM measurements.
If the same custom element is included in more than one iOLM
measurements and the threshold values are different, the application
displays all different threshold values separated with a semicolon.

Note: You can edit the loss pass/fail thresholds for each custom element only
when the FR2-FC option or the trial is activated.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

To modify a custom element:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Click on Custom Elements under the Summary tab.

3. Click on the custom element name under the Element Name column
and modify it as needed.

Note: If the element is in use, you cannot modify it.

4. Press OK to save the changes and close the dialog box, or press Cancel
to exit without saving

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To delete the custom element:

1. Open an iOLM file.
2. Click on Custom Elements under the Summary tab.

3. Select the custom element that you want to delete.

4. Press to delete the custom element.

Note: If the element is in use, you cannot modify it.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

Enabling 2:N Splitters

2:N splitters can be used to create network redundancy. If a network break
occurs, you can still connect through the other network branch. This
ensures active communication while the repairing of the broken network
is in progress.

Note: The application allows you to use the 2:N splitter feature in the iOLM
configuration file and you can only use the 2:N splitter feature for splitter
ratio stage 1.

In the splitter ratio stage 1 field, if 1:? or None is selected and you enabled
the 2:N splitter option, the 1:? and None are replaced by a 2:2 splitter value.

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To enable a 2:N splitter:

1. Open the iOLM configuration file.
2. From the Summary tab, enable the 2:N Splitter option.

3. Select the desired ratio for stage 1.

In the iOLM file, you can view the 2:N splitter value in the Link composition,
and select the element type as 2:N splitter if the selected measurement
supports the 2:N splitter values.

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Customizing the Elements Table Tab

Setting Launch and Receive Fibers on Elements

You can change Link Start Element (A) and Link End Element (B) on the
link. The application also allows you to change the launch fiber length and
receive fiber length on both new and existing elements. If no element is
located in this position, a new element is created.
You can set the launch and receive fibers in both Fiber and Cable views, as
well as the Elements Table tab. However, if you are setting them in Cable
view, or on the cable at the top of the Fiber view, the operation must be
possible on all of the fibers included in the cable.
To set the Launch fiber and Receive fiber on an existing element:
1. Open the iOLM file.
2. Select the element that you want to set as the launch/receive fiber
element from the link or fiber views. Right-click on the element, and
select Set Element as Link Start or Set Element as Link End.

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To change the launch fiber and receive fiber positions:

1. Open the iOLM file.
2. Enter the launch fiber length and receive fiber length in the Test
Settings table under the Summary tab.

When the launch fiber length and receive fiber length are changed, a
partial analysis is performed. In this partial analysis, the values for link
length, link loss, link ORL, element position, element section length, and
diagnostics are recalculated. This partial analysis does not change the
elements you have added or the elements you have changed in the link.

Note: If the entered launch fiber length and receive fiber length are not valid, the
application prompts an error message. If no element is present at the
position, then a new element is automatically inserted in that place.

Note: If a macrobend is set either as link start or link end, a new connector is
added and that element will be set as link start or link end.

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Analyzing Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)

Analyzing Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)

You can recalculate the acquisition results. However, when the trace is
analyzed, the manually added elements will be removed from the link and
the element details table is refreshed accordingly.

Note: You cannot analyze the unidirectional files created by the loopback process.

To analyze measurements:
1. In the Measurements tab, select the measurements to analyze.
2. In the Measurement menu, select iOLM, and click Analyze.

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Using the Failed Element Filter

Using the Failed Element Filter

In order to quickly see which measurements are faulty, you can apply a
specific filter to show only the failed element.
To activate the failed elements filter:
In the Element Table tab, right-click in the table, then select View Failed
Items.

Generating a .sor File From iOLM

Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)
With FastReporter 2, you can generate OTDR .sor files from iOLM files for
each measurement.
To generate an OTDR .sor file:
1. Select single or multiple iOLM files from the Files Window.
2. From the File menu, click on Export, and select To OTDR SOR file.

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Generating a .sor File From iOLM Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)

3. Select what you want to do with the resulting file:

 Export it to the desired location and open it.
 Export it to the desired location only.
 Create a temporary file, kept in memory only. This is useful if you
want to create reports, for example.

4. If you choose to export the file, select a location for it.

5. Select the type of file you want to as the result of the export.

6. Click OK.

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Generating a .sor File From iOLM Measurements (FR2-FC Mode)

Note: If a .sor file with the same name already exists on disk, a confirmation
message is displayed to overwrite the existing file.

Note: The wavelength is automatically appended to the file name when the iOLM
measurement contains more than one wavelength.

Note: When you attempt to generate a .sor file and the iOLM measurement does
not contain the necessary intermediate OTDR measurement, the .sor file is
not generated.

When an attempt to generate the .sor file is done and the iOLM acquisition
state is not completed or interrupted, the application prompts an error
message explaining the origin of the problem and the solution to avoid it.

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Managing Configuration Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Managing Configuration Files (FR2-FC Mode)

You can create a new configuration file as well as apply configuration
settings to existing measurement files.

Creating Configuration File

The File menu allows you to create a configuration file and the created file
is saved in the configuration file list.
To create a configuration file:
1. From the File menu, select New, and iOLM Configuration.

2. Enter the desired file name in the Save As dialogue box and click Save.

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Managing Configuration Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Applying Configuration Settings

You can use the settings of a configuration file, such as identifier labels and
thresholds, and apply them to a file you select in the list.
The configuration files are saved in the following locations in your
computer system based on the installed operating systems.
 Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Exfo\FastReporter2\Standard\Configuration Files
 Windows Vista and Windows 7:
C:\ProgramData\Exfo\FastReporter2\Standard\Configuration Files
 Windows 8.1: Users/Public/Application
Data/EXFO/FastReporter2/Standard/Configuration Files
To apply the configuration settings:
1. Select an iOLM file from the Files tab.
2. From the Tools menu, select iOLM, and Apply Configuration.
3. Select the desired configuration file, click Apply, and OK.

Note: If the configuration you want to use is not in the list, you can use the Import
button to add it.

Note: If the configuration file is TIA certification compliant, it will be indicated at

the beginning of the row.

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Understanding Diagnostics

Understanding Diagnostics
This section explains the diagnostics feature available in the intelligent
Optical Link Mapper application.
Diagnostics are used to provide additional information about detected
problems or ambiguous measurement situations, such as root cause
possibilities for the fail status of a link element. The diagnostics provide
help to troubleshoot faulty connectors, understand why link elements are
tagged as fail or unknown, indicate unexpected instrument or test
conditions and so forth.
Link elements with an associated diagnostic are marked with an icon,
and the diagnostics are displayed in the Element tab. More than one
diagnostic can be associated with any given element.
If you are viewing multiple measurements in the Cable view and the
elements present an anomaly (for example, the elements are not of the
same type or do not have the same threshold values), you will notice an
icon on the upper right-hand corner of the element instead.
Element diagnostics are associated with specific link elements issues.
Each failed link element will have associated diagnostics to assist in
troubleshooting. Some elements, such as macrobends, will have
associated diagnostics even with a pass status.
You can see the details about the diagnostics in the Elements Table tab.

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Viewing Power Meter Results

Viewing Power Meter Results

Power meter results are displayed in the OPM and PPM table. For more
details, see Viewing Power Meter Results on page 197.

Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

FastReporter 2 allows you to view and create bidirectional iOLM files.
Selecting each unidirectional file or the resulting bidirectional file displays
the corresponding data in the Results window.

Creating a Bidirectional iOLM File

The application allows you to create a bidirectional iOLM file from two
matched iOLM measurements of opposite directions. You can create more
than one file at once, providing that each have their matching file.
The measurement files must meet the following criteria:
 The measurement lengths in both direction are the same.
 There are no splitters in the link elements.

Note: You cannot create bidirectional files with multimode measurements.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

To create a bidirectional iOLM file:

1. If you have not done so already, activate the iOLM bidirectional file
creation option, as explained in Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional
Settings on page 215.
2. Select two matched iOLM files of opposite directions.
3. Click on Tools > iOLM > Create Bidirectional Files.
4. Select the location where you want to save the bidirectional file.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

5. Select the desired file naming options.

 Select A->B filename or B->A filename to use the selected A->B
or B->A file name.
 Select Identifiers to save the bidirectional file as per the matched
identifiers. The identifiers name is formed from the identifiers
order displayed in the Matched Files tab, separated by the
separating character you have selected.
 Select Autonaming to enter a prefix and a suffix to create the file
name.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

6. Select which documentation will be used for the bidirectional

measurement.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

7. Select which thresholds you will use in the bidirectional measurement.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

8. If you want to keep the original unidirectional files open after creating
the bidirectional file, select the corresponding option.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

9. If you want bidirectional files created automatically using the current

settings, select Do not display the dialog. Any future bidirectional file
creation will use these settings.

Note: To enable the iOLM Bidirectional File Creation window again, follow the
instructions in Modifying Tolerance and Bidirectional Settings on page 215.

10. Click OK to save your settings.

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Managing Bidirectional iOLM Files

Working with Virtual Bidirectional Files

Virtual bidirectional files are a way to preview the resulting measurement
when you select two matching unidirectional measurements without going
through the process of fully creating the bidirectional file. The display in the
link view, Threshold, Elements and Results tables are the same as they
would if you are viewing an actual bidirectional measurement. The order
of display for the elements depend of the A -> B measurement. Since this
is a viewing option only, you cannot perform operations such as adding or
removing elements when the virtual bidirectional mode is active.

Note: You cannot create bidirectional files with multimode measurements.

To activate the virtual bidirectional file mode:

From the View menu, select iOLM, then Display Virtual Bidir.

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Viewing Section Length for Multiple Measurements

Viewing Section Length for Multiple

Measurements
When multiple measurements are opened, the application displays the
section length on the graph. You can also choose to hide it.
To view or hide the section length:
1. Open multiple iOLM measurements.
2. Right-click on the Fibers view and select View section Length.

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Matching Link Elements with a Reference

Matching Link Elements with a Reference

When any measurement is selected as reference measurement, all
elements of the reference measurement are considered as reference
elements. The application uses an algorithm with tolerance to match these
elements. For more information of setting the tolerance, see Modifying
iOLM Settings (FR2-FC Mode) on page 219.

Note: If you have selected a reference measurement, the link length displayed is
that of the reference measurement.

To set a reference measurement:

In the Elements Table tab, right-click on the measurement that you want to
use as the reference, then select Set as Reference. The measurement
changes color in the table to indicate its new status and the corresponding
row is blocked at the top of the table so that you always see it even when
scrolling down the list of other measurements.

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Matching Link Elements Without a Reference

Matching Link Elements Without a Reference

When multiple measurements are selected, the elements from different
measurements are matched according to their position (the position of the
elements can be slightly different). The application uses a algorithm with
tolerances to match these elements. For more information of setting the
tolerance, see Modifying iOLM Settings (FR2-FC Mode) on page 219.
When no reference measurement is selected, all elements of the first
measurement are considered as the reference elements. In the remaining
traces, if some elements are not matching, they are also included as
reference elements.
Matching is always done from left to right in accordance with the element
location. If elements are present before the link start (A), the matching will
be done from right to left.

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Displaying Statistics for Matched Measurements

Displaying Statistics for Matched

Measurements
When displaying matched measurements, it might be useful to view
statistics for them. The statistics are displayed for:
 Fibers (includes loss, reflection and attenuation data for splices,
connectors and sections), which are displayed on the far right of the
Elements Table tab.
 Elements and Sections (includes for loss, reflection and attenuation
data for each wavelength for each event and sections), which are
displayed at the bottom of the Elements Table tab.
The statistics displayed are the minimum value, the maximum value, and
an average for the selected files. If you click on the minimum and
maximum values, the corresponding element is highlighted in the Fiber or
Cable views.

Note: In the case of Fiber statistics, the highlighted element is based on the loss
value.

Note: You must have enabled the corresponding item for the statistic to appear.
For example, if you chose not to display the positions, the corresponding
statistic is also hidden.

To display the statistics:

1. Select the multiple measurements for which you want to view the
statistics.
2. In the Elements Table tab, right-click in one of the columns, and select
the type of statistics you want to view.

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Measurements
Once you have added files to your list, you can view the results for the
measurements they contain in the Results window, as well as
identification information about them.
The tabs available depend on the measurement type selected. For
example, for OTDR measurements, in addition to the Identification and
Summary tabs, there is also the Event Table tab, and the Markers tab, if
available for the selected measurement.

Editing Measurement Identification

Information
You can edit several of the fields on the Identification tab in the Results
pane. Other fields are populated from information in the measurement file,
if present, and will appear shaded.
Your FastReporter 2 application allows you to edit the general identification
information for single-fiber as well as multiple-fiber connector FIP files.
To edit the identification information:
1. Open the required file.
2. Select the measurements for which you want to view or modify the
identifier labels.
3. In the Results window, select the Identification tab.

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Editing Measurement Identification Information

4. Click in the white section to the right of a field label to select it, then
enter the desired value.

Note: The identifier labels are not editable if iOLM measurements are selected
with any other type of measurement (for example, OTDR).

Note: When the identifier label is selected as None, the values are not editable.

Modifying Auto-Increment Values for iOLM

Configuration Files
You can set auto-increment values for several items in your iOLM
measurement files.
To modify the auto-Increment values:
1. Open an iOLM configuration file.
2. Select the measurements for which you want to modify the auto
increment values.
3. In the Results window, select the Identification tab.

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Editing Measurement Identification Information

4. For each item that you want to include in the auto-increment process,
enable the Auto-Increment option.

5. Modify the start, stop, and step values for the items as needed.

Note: The step value must be smaller than the difference between the start and
stop values. If the start is greater than the stop, then the identifier value
begins decrementing by the specified step.

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Editing Measurement Identification Information

Modifying the Calibration Date for OTDRs

Sometimes, older OTDR models do not provide the right calibration date
required to view the data and perform your analysis. You may need to
change it.
In your OTDR result display, you can see the calibration dates for units A
and B, if there are any. You can modify the calibration date of the OTDR file;
the updated calibration date is saved in corresponding OTDR file.
The application allows you to edit the calibration date for the OTDR
measurements based on the following conditions:
 If the file direction is A->B, you can change the date of location A.
 If the file direction is B->A, you can change the date of location B.
 If the file is in OTDR Bidir format, you can change the date of both
locations A and B

Note: The application displays the date range for up to the last ten years for the
calibration date. If no date is indicated, and you want to edit the calibration
date, the application displays the date range up to the previous month.

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Editing Measurement Identification Information

To edit the calibration date:

1. Select one or several OTDR measurements.
2. Change the calibration date in the appropriate location.

Note: An asterisk (*) will indicate that the date was changed.

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Editing Measurement Identification Information

Modifying Additional Information

You can modify additional information for OLTS and OPM/PPM
measurements, such as comments relating to the cables or fibers.

Note: If a cable comment is present, the application merges this comment with
the comment of each fiber measurement of this cable. The cable comment
and the fiber comment are separated by a hyphen (-).

To modify the additional information:

1. Open the required file.
2. Select the Identification tab.
3. Click on the Comments field under the Additional Information
section to modify the additional information.

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Modifying Summary Information (FR2-FC Mode)

Modifying Summary Information (FR2-FC

Mode)
When viewing your test results, you can quickly find a summary of the
information, and modify the related test settings as needed to view the
impact on the OTDR measurement.
To edit the summary information:
1. Open the desired file.
2. Select the measurement for which you want to view or modify the
summary information.
3. Click in the field to the right of the field label.
4. Enter a value.

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Viewing and Sorting Files or Measurements

Viewing and Sorting Files or Measurements

You can view and sort files and measurements according various criteria,
depending on the type of file or measurements you are viewing. You can
sort the files according the header, or you can do manual shorting.

Select which items to

view from the list.
Right-click to
select columns to
Click to sort according display. Change
to a specific column. the order by
dragging the
Click and drag to change column to a new
position manually. location
(available for
OTDR and iOLM
only).
Right-click to
select other
sorting criteria.

Note: During manual sorting, if the files are not adjacent, you need to group them
by pressing Ctrl+G.

When you have sorted one of the tabs, you can apply the same sorting
criteria to the two other tabs. This is particularly useful to send your criteria
to the Matched Files tab, since it is used to determine the order in which
the files appear in your reports.

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Viewing and Sorting Files or Measurements

To apply sorting to other windows:

1. Select the files in the Files window or measurements in the
Measurements window.
2. Right-click and select Apply sort to other windows.
If you have sorted the files, click to apply the sorting to the
Measurements and Matched Files tab. If you have sorted the
measurements, click to apply the sorting to the Files and Matched
Files tab.

Note: When files in the Matched Files tab are not of the same type and the
sorting is based on the Files or Measurements tabs, it may be possible that
the sorting is not exactly the same, as priority is granted to file type and
priority.

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Saving Measurement Files

Saving Measurement Files

You can save the changes you make to selected measurement files or to all
measurement files in the current project.
To save selected measurement files:
1. In the Files tab, select the file or files that you want to save.
2. On the File menu, click Save Selected Files.
To save selected measurement files under a different name:
1. In the Files tab, select the files that you want to save.
2. On the File menu, click Save Selected Files As.
3. Select the location for your files, then click Save.

Note: If the files you have selected are for different test types and do not include
OTDR files, you can only change the location of the files.

Note: PMD files will be saved with the .pmdb extension, ConnectorMax files will
be saved with the .cmax2 extension, and OLTS files will be saved with the
.oltsx extension.

To save all files:

On the File menu, click Save All. All measurement files in the current
project and the project file are saved.

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Printing Reports
FastReporter 2 can print and generate two types of reports:
 Measurement report: This type of report contains one measurement
type and one measurement at a time.
 Summary report: This type of report combines different measurements
or several measurements of the same type.
The following options are included in measurement and summary reports:

Property or Element Option

Tools properties Distance units
OTDR properties Pulse baseline
Events calculation and thresholds
Numeric values precision
Pass/Fail thresholds
Macrobend tolerances
OPM, PPM, iOLM, OLTS, FIP, CD, and Pass/Fail thresholds
PMD properties
Data graph Zoom

If you want to include other options in a report, you must modify the
associated report template using Crystal Reports. For more details,
see Creating and Modifying Report Templates on page 290. You can modify
the report using Excel template. For more details, see Using Excel Report
Templates on page 293.
For examples of the reports that you can generate with FastReporter 2, see
Report Samples on page 365.

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Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

You can easily generate a variety of reports in either electronic format or
print them out for later consultation (see Printing Reports on page 284 for
details on printing).
FastReporter 2 can generate reports in the following formats:

File Type Application

*.xls, *.xlsx Microsoft Excel
*.pdf Adobe Reader
*.html Any Web browser

Note: The Crystal Reports (PDF format) have a limited the number of
measurements that you can include which changes depending on the files
you are including. For reports including larger amounts of files, use an Excel
template. You will be notified if the number of files in the report exceeds
what the format (or FastReporter 2 itself) can handle.

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Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

To generate a report:
1. Select measurements or files in the Measurements or Files tabs.
2. On the Tools menu, click Report.
3. If needed, select the location where to save the report.

4. In the Template list, select a report template.

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Generating, Previewing and Printing Reports
Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

5. You can have the report generated in one file, or multiple files
depending on the number of rows or matched groups present in the
window. To separate the report into multiple files, select the
corresponding option.

6. If you select a multiple-file report, select how the files are named:
 Identifiers: the identifier present in the measurement
 Original Measurement Filename: the measurement file name.

Note: If you clear the Generate individual report files option, the Launch
report viewer option is automatically selected.

Note: If you want to generate the report for more than one measurement files, the
list of measurement files involved in the group of matched measurements
is displayed in the Select Report Filename window.

7. Select whether you want to generated the file name based on the
measurement, or if you want to enter a customized name.

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Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

8. Depending on your choice, select the file name from the list, or enter it
directly.

9. Click OK to close the window.

10. Enter a name for the report.

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Generating Reports (FR2-FC Mode)

11. In the File Type list, select whether you want to save the report as a
PDF, html, or Excel file.

Note: By default, the file type is selected as Excel (*.xls) when you run the
application for the first time. The templates displayed on-screen depend on
the file type you have selected.

IMPORTANT
You should always enable macros in Microsoft Excel before
generating the report in that format. Refer to the Excel help for
information on how to enable macros.

12. Click OK.

Note: The application retains the last selected used file type and report template
when you restart the application.

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Previewing Reports

Previewing Reports
You can view your reports on-screen before you print them.

Note: The print preview function is only applied on the reports created using the
Crystal Report templates.

To preview a report:
1. Select measurements or files in the Measurements or Files tab.
2. On the File menu, click Print Preview.
3. In the Select Template File dialog box, select a report template.

4. Click OK.
In the print preview window, click , and select a zoom option from
the list, if desired.
To select a different summary report template, click , and select a
template in the Select Template File dialog box.
5. To close the Print Preview window, click Close.

Note: Only the Crystal report templates are visible during print preview and print.

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Generating, Previewing and Printing Reports
Printing Reports

Printing Reports
FastReporter 2 allows you to print your reports for future consultation.
To print a measurement report:
1. Select measurements or files in the Measurements or Files tab.
2. On the File menu, select Print.
3. If needed, change the printer or printer settings.
4. Select a measurement report template.

5. Click OK.

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Using the Clipboard (FR2-FC Mode)

Using the Clipboard (FR2-FC Mode)

You can copy and paste the measurement graph from FastReporter 2 into
other applications. For example, you can paste a graph into an e-mail
message, or applications such as Microsoft Excel for use in existing
measurement reports.
To use the clipboard:
1. Click on the graph in FastReporter 2.
2. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
3. Switch to the application you want to paste the graph into (e-mail
client, spreadsheet, word processing application, etc.).
4. Place the mouse pointer where you want to insert the graph and, on
the application’s Edit menu, click Paste.

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Importing and Exporting Templates

Importing and Exporting Templates

You can import existing templates you have elsewhere, or export them to
other locations easily.
To import a template:
1. From the Tools menu, select Reports.
2. Navigate to the desired location, then click Import.

3. Click to access the file location.

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Importing and Exporting Templates

4. Browse to the current location of the template, then select it. You may
have to change the file filter at the bottom of the window to see the
appropriate format.

5. Click Open.
6. If desired, rename the template. If you want to add a specific folder
name for your report, use the corresponding button.

7. Click Import. The new template is now available.

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Importing and Exporting Templates

To export a template to another location:

1. From the Tools menu, select Reports.
2. Select which report you want to export, then click Export.

Note: The name of the report automatically bears the word Copy to prevent
unintentional overwrites.

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Importing and Exporting Templates

3. Select the location where you want to export the file. If needed, you
can use the New Folder button to add a folder to suit your needs.

4. Click Save.

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Creating and Modifying Report Templates

Creating and Modifying Report Templates

You can create a new report template, or to modify an existing report
template using the Crystal Reports application. Excel reports are also
customizable. For details on using Crystal Reports, refer to your Crystal
Reports product documentation. For details on using Excel template,
see Using Excel Report Templates on page 293.
To create a new report template, EXFO recommends that you start with an
existing FastReporter 2 report template and modify it as required. This way
you will have access to the database fields for populating the report with
measurement data. Once you are done, save it using a different name that
suits your testing needs.
To access the available report templates:
Select the File menu, then Print Preview.
OR
Select the File menu, then Print.
OR
Select the Tools menu, then Report.

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Using Crystal Report Templates

Using Crystal Report Templates

Using Crystal report templates you can modify the PDF and HTML report
templates.
You can access the Crystal report template from C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Application Data\Exfo\FastReporter2
\<version>\ReportTemplate if your computer is running on Windows XP.
OR
C:\ProgramData\EXFO\FastReporter 2\<version>\ReportTemplate, if your
computer is running on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.
To modify a PDF or HTML report template:
1. Start Crystal Reports.
2. On the File menu, click Open.
3. On the Open dialog box, select and open the folder containing the
report template you wish to modify.
4. Select a report template and click Open.
5. On the File menu, click Save As.
6. Type a new name for the report. This will preserve the original
FastReporter 2 report templates.
7. Modify the template by modifying or adding labels, header and footer
information, company logo, etc.
8. Add fields to the report as needed by selecting them from the Field
Explorer window.
9. Once you have finished modifying the report, click Save on the File
menu.

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Using Crystal Report Templates

To add a report template to the list of available templates:

Save the template directly in the appropriate folder within the Report
Template folder after you have modified it in Crystal Reports.
OR
Move the template into the appropriate folder within the Report Template
folder so that it will be available on the Select Template File dialog box.
You can also create your own folders and subfolders within the Report
Template folder to organize your report templates.
To remove a report template from the list of available templates:
In Windows Explorer, remove the files from the folder where it is located,
either by copying it elsewhere, or by deleting it.

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Using Excel Report Templates

Using Excel Report Templates

The default templates installed in FastReporter 2 are stored in
C:\ProgramData\Exfo\FastReporter 2\<Version>\ReportTemplate
Each template has two sheets:
 A configuration sheet where you can select different tag settings for the
report.
 A sheet with the actual report with all the "tags" that are used to
generate the required report.

Configuration
Report selection
selection

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Using Excel Report Templates

Using the Configuration Sheet

The configuration sheet contains three parts.
 Flags
 Sheet Details
 Filter Details
Flags are used to specify to Excel how to handle specific behavior as well
as data display. By default, you have access to two different flag settings,
Apply Thresholds and Cell Merging. These flag settings are visible in the
Configuration sheet. The table below contains details for each flag setting.

Setting Purpose Note

Apply Thresholds Apply pass/fail thresholds True = will use threshold
from FastReporter 2, that is from FastReporter 2
change font and False = no threshold
background color used in applied. It can use
the application. conditional formatting from
Excel.
Cell Merging Merges cells with matched To improve the
records. For example, if the performance, this option is
FiberID is the same for 3 always to "False" in all the
measurements, they are report templates, except in
merged into a single cell the FiberCharacteration
template. This should be set
to "True" when extra
processing is done with
Excel's Pivot table.

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Some non-mandatory, or supportive flags, are hidden. One or more can be

added as needed.

Note: The setting name should be written in one block without spaces. They have
been separated on more than one text line in the table below for readability
purposes only.

Default
Setting Purpose
Value
DisplayOnlyMatched To specify if only the data common to both matched FALSE
Measurements measurements is to be displayed.
For example, if you match two measurements
containing common and different wavelengths
(measurement one has 1310, 1550 and 1625, while
measurement two has 1310, 1410 and 1625), and the
setting is set to true, the report data is displayed for
every distinct wavelength.
DisplayGraphPer To specify if a graph should be displayed for each FALSE
Measurement trace in the measurement, or if all measurements are
to be displayed in a single graph.
MeasurementPerSheet Maximum number of measurements allowed per Blank
sheet. A blank value indicates that there is no limit.
WavelengthPerSheet Maximum number of wavelengths allowed per Blank
sheet. A blank value indicates that there is no limit.
MeasurementTypes To specify which measurement type should be Blank
supported. A blank value indicates that it supports all
measurement types.
FillOnlyMatched To display data of common wavelengths. Used when FALSE
Wavelengths data is coming from different origins and common
wavelengths needs to be displayed.
For example, if your report includes iOLM, OTDR and
FIP files, The iOLM wavelengths are treated first, then
only the OTDR files with matching wavelengths.

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Default
Setting Purpose
Value
FillMatchedOLM To display the details from two different iOLM files FALSE
Measurements with different directions in a single row. (Used in
InSingleRow iOLM cable summary reports.)
MergeAllSheets To merge all sheets into first sheet. FALSE
InSingleSheet
MergeSheets To merge sheets with the same identifiers. (This info FALSE
ByIdentifier needs to be confirmed)

The sheet details are used to specify if multiple sheets should be inserted.
This table is not mandatory and is hidden by default.
Once the SheetDetails table is displayed, you need to specify the fields
below to insert multiple sheets:
 SheetName: to specify the name of the sheet for which multiple sheets
are inserted. If you rename a sheet, you must also change it in the
sheet details to make sure that you generate multiple sheets in the
report.
 AddMultipleSheets: to specify if multiple sheets should be inserted.
 Tables (optional): to specify which tables are used in a particular sheet.
 PrimaryTable: to specify the table from which you have to use distinct
values and add multiple sheets for each value.
 PrimaryColumn: to specify the column name from the Primary table. A
new sheet is inserted for each distinct value of the PrimaryColumn.
Filter details are used to specify filter criteria. This is not mandatory, and
should be used when filters are required. Filter details are not hard coded.
You can specify the required filters; to do so the FilterDetails table must be
present in the report template.

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The FilterDetails table is divided into three columns:

 SheetName
 Range
 Filters

The sheet name is used to specify the sheet name for which you want to
apply a filter. If you rename the sheet, you must change the name
accordingly in the FilterDetails table for it to be identified correctly and
apply the filters.

Note: It is not mandatory to specify sheet names if no filters are applied on that
sheet.

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One sheet can have multiple filters.

The range indicates the address of the first cell and last cell for which you
want to apply the filter, separated by a colon. The range must exactly
match the range in the sheet; if you specify a filter range of $A$3:$C$3 and
the actual range in the FilterDetails table is $A$3:$F$3, the formula is not
applied because they are not considered as matching.
The filters are to specify conditions and support the AND and OR operators.
You need to provide TableName.FieldName as a field. For example,
OTDREventTable.IsEvent=true AND OTDREventTable.IsEventReflective
=true AND OTDREventTable.EventLossAtoBPassFailStatus='Fail'
An additional sheet is available, the Table sheet. The Table sheet is
generated by a macro when a template is saved. It contains information on
different tags present in the template and it will be used to generate the
appropriate data set (result values) needed for the report.

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By default, this sheet is hidden. To view it, right-click on the name of the
active sheet and select Unhide, then select Table and click OK.

Note: To create a new template, you must start from an existing template.
Otherwise the Table sheet will not be created and the template will not
work, as FastReporter 2 will not be able to generate the dataset needed.

Note: Since the Table sheet is be generated using macro, you must enable
macros to modify it.

The Report sheet is where you can define how you want the output (the
report) to look like. The report sheet will contain different FieldName tags.
Field Name tags are the combination of TableName and ColumnName.
(TableName.ColumnName), for example, Identification.FiberID. You
should use the field names from the Universal sheet. For more information,
see Using the Universal Sheet on page 307.

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You have to provide special prefixes and suffixes to the fieldname while
designing templates. These prefixes and suffixes are used to perform the
data insertion, and determine whether data should be filled in a single cell,
if multiple rows should be inserted, or a block should be repeated.
Tags are categorized in five groups:
 Single Cell
 Multi Row
 Multi Column
 Block
 Image
The single cell tag organizes data in a single cell.If multiple values are
available, they are separated by a semicolon. The prefix for this tag is <<,
and the suffix is >>.
Example: <<Identification.TestDate>>

Excel
template

Output in
the report

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The multi-row tag inserts multiple rows in Excel. For example, if one file
has three measurements, three rows are inserted. The prefix for this tag is
$$, and the suffix is $$.
Example: $$OTDRSummary.Wavelength$$

Excel
template

Output in
the report

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The multi-column tag is used to process one single tag at a time. It does
NOT insert new columns, but rather uses the existing columns. While
designing the template, you should make sure that there are enough empty
columns available after the Multi Column tag. If not, it will overwrite
existing data.
The prefix for this tag is {{ and the suffix is }}.
Example, {{OTDRSummary.Wavelength_FiberSize}}

Excel
template

Output in
the Report

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The Block tag contains several other tags. It indicates a structure such as
that of the Event table, where you insert rows and columns. Only one block
tag group should be specified per sheet.

Note: These tags are supported for the OTDR Event table and iOLM Element and
Section tables.

The prefix for the block tag is ##, and the suffix is ##.
The prefix for inserting rows is [[, and the suffix is ]].
The prefix to insert column blocks is [[##, the suffix is ##]].

[[prefix and]] suffix to specify

field for which column should
be inserted.
[[##prefix and ##]] suffix to
specify fields for which values
should be filled for multiple
rows and columns.

To add multiple blocks, such as for the iOLM element and section table,
add a + sign between the prefix/suffix and the tag.
For example, adding a second block would look like this: [[+##tag##+]]
Adding a third block would look like this: [[++##tag##++]]
You do not need to add a + sign to add a row, as the number of rows will
remain the same in the case of multiple blocks.

Required Report
format

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To add blocks for loss, reflectance and attenuation, you have to add blocks
for each wavelength. Fill the loss values first (insert a separate column for
each wavelength), then reflectance and then attenuation.

As mentioned in the figure above, for loss the tag is

 [[iOLMElementsSectionDetails.Wavelength]] - To add columns
 [[##iOLMElementsSectionDetails.ElementLoss##]] - To add data row
and column wise.
For the next block, you have to use the + sign. The next block tag will look
like:
 [[+iOLMElementsSectionDetails.Wavelength+]]
 [[+##iOLMElementsSectionDetails.ElementReflectance##+]]
To add one more block for attenuation, you have to add two + signs. The
next block tags will look like:
 [[++iOLMElementsSectionDetails.Wavelength++]]
 [[++##iOLMElementsSectionDetails. SectionAttenuation##++]]

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In the case of multiple tags in a single cell, since the tag related to the loss
of an event/element or a section are not the same, you need to put the two
possibilities.

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Since there is only one possibility for the reflectance, you simply have to
put the corresponding tag.

The image tag uses (( as a prefix, and )) as a suffix.

Example: ((iOLMGraph.GraphFromApplication))
To modify an Excel report template:
1. Access the Excel report templates folder.
2. Create a copy of the report template that you want to modify.
3. Open the duplicate report template with Microsoft Excel.
4. Add new column information using the {{Tag}}. Refer to the Universal
sheet for the list of supported tags. You can remove a column by
deleting the cell contents.
5. Add new row information using the $$Tag$$. Refer to the Universal
sheet for the list of supported tags. You can remove the row
information by deleting the cell contents.
6. Change the logo using the header/footer option in Microsoft Excel.

Note: For more information on the Universal sheet, see Using the Universal Sheet
on page 307.

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Using the Universal Sheet

The universal sheet provides the list of tags for different fields used in
FastReporter 2. You can use these tags to create custom report templates
for the fields such as GeneralSettings, MatchedFilesDetails,
CustomIdentifier, Identification etc. related to the OTDR, iOLM, OLTS, CD,
PMD, OPM/PPM, and FIP measurements. You can copy the supported tags,
which are highlighted in green, to customize your Excel report template.
You can access the universal sheet from C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\Exfo\FastReporter 2\<version>\ReportTemplate, if
your computer is running on Windows XP.
OR
C:\ProgramData\Exfo\FastReporter 2\<version> if your computer is
running on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.
 GeneralSettings: include the general settings that will be used in the
Excel reports. For example, GeneralSettings.DistanceUnit defines the
unit for distances.
 MatchedFilesDetails: correspond to the Matched Files tab in
FastReporter 2. This includes the setting for displaying the matching file
details. For example, MatchedFilesDetails.Identifier displays the files
having similar identifiers.

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Universal
Sheet

Contains

Tables and
Fields

Tables Fields

Ready to use Fields

Common Plug specific
tables tables

Used by more Used by single plug

than one plug
OTDR OLTS FIP
- Identification
- OTDRSummary - OLTSSummary - FIPSummary
- Customidentdifiers
- OTDREventTable - OLTSThresholds - FIPThresholds
(used by iOLM,
power meter, FIP) - OTDRMarkers - OLTSTable - FIPTable
- GeneralSettings - OTDRThresholds - FIPGraph
- GlobalStatus - OTDRMacrobendTolerances
- OTDREventMatchingTolerances
- OTDRSettings
- OTDRSpanDetails
- OTDRPrecisionDetails
- OTDRMacrobend
- OTDRGraph
- OTDREventTableCalculatedColumns
- OtdrEventsSummary

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14 Using FastReporter 2 Tools
Tools are available to help you better manage your data:
 Data transfer tools
 Related analysis tools
To start a data transfer application:
On the Tools menu, select Data Transfer, and select the application
associated with the handheld unit to or from which you want to send or
receive data.

Note: Data transferred from a handheld unit is not automatically added to your
FastReporter 2 project. The files will be stored on your computer and you
need to add them to your project using one of the methods described in
Adding and Removing Measurement Files on page 41.

The corresponding application opens. Refer to the user documentation

corresponding to the selected data transfer application for details.

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To start an analysis tool:

1. Select the measurement in the Measurements tab.
2. On the Tools menu, click Start Related Analysis Tool.

Note: If you modify the measurement file in the related analysis tool,
FastReporter 2 will ask you if you want to reload the file.

The corresponding application opens. Refer to the user documentation

corresponding to the data analysis application you have selected for more
details.

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Setting a Reference File or Measurement (FR2-FC Mode)

Setting a Reference File or Measurement

(FR2-FC Mode)
A reference file is used to compare fibers within the same cable, monitor
fiber deterioration or compare fibers before and after installation. Once a
measurement file has been added to a project, you can set it as a reference
file. The reference file can then be used to automatically document other
measurement files (see Automatically Documenting Measurement Files
(FR2-FC Mode) on page 313).
For supported OTDR file formats, FastReporter 2 will display the reference
measurement, in red, in the Event Table. The reference measurement can
then be applied as a template (see Setting and Applying OTDR/OTDR Bidir
Reference as Template (FR2-FC Mode) on page 148). You can set a file as a
reference if the file format supports applying a reference as a template.

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Setting a Reference File or Measurement (FR2-FC Mode)

To set a reference measurement:

1. In the Measurement window, select the file.
2. In the event table, right-click on the measurement in the Fiber ID, P/F,
Wavelength or Dir. column, and select Set as Reference on the
shortcut menu.

To set a reference file:

1. In the Files window, select the file.
2. On the Files menu, click Set as Reference File.

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Automatically Documenting Measurement Files (FR2-FC Mode)

Automatically Documenting Measurement

Files (FR2-FC Mode)
The auto documentation feature can be used to copy selected
identification information from a reference file to selected files. You can
also use this feature to automatically assign fiber IDs to selected files.

Note: The auto documentation tool is available even if no reference file is

defined; in that case, you cannot copy reference file information to files, but
you can assign fiber IDs automatically if your selected files contain at least
one fiber ID identifier.

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Automatically Documenting Measurement Files (FR2-FC Mode)

To use the auto documentation feature:

1. In the Files window, select the file that will serve as the reference file.
2. From the File menu, click Set as Reference File.
3. In the Files window, select the files to which you want to export the
information.

4. From the Tools menu, click Auto Documentation.

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5. To copy items from the reference trace to your selected file, enable the
corresponding option, then select the desired items.

The file information options listed are the identifiers included in the
reference file and will differ depending on the file type.

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6. Select whether you want to copy the fiber IDs or all of the identifiers for
all the files.

 If you are copying the fiber IDs, enter a prefix and suffix, and select
the number of digits and increment value to use.

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 If you are using all of the identifiers, select which values to use in
the list. You can modify the ID or start and stop values, indicate
whether they will be incremented automatically, and what step
value to use if that is the case.

The start and stop values can be either numeric or alphabetic

If you enter items separated by semicolons in the Values cell, this
is the sequence that will be used for incrementation.
If your selection includes PPM files, OLT, ONT and location
identifiers are displayed
If your selection includes OTDR, CD, PMD or OLTS files, Cable ID,
Fiber ID, Location and Location B identifiers are displayed.
If your selection includes only iOLM and FIP files, custom
identifiers are displayed; you will be able to change their names as
needed.

Note: The information is copied to the selected files only if they contain the
corresponding field.

7. Click OK.

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Using the Duplicated Measurements Tool (FR2-FC Mode)

Using the Duplicated Measurements Tool

(FR2-FC Mode)
Sometimes, you might need to verify if tests were actually performed on
fibers and that the analysis or results were not just copied and pasted there
for speedy execution purposes. The duplicated measurements tool can
help you to quickly locate such files.
When you select at least two measurement files, you can have
FastReporter 2 automatically compare them and indicate which files show
the same acquisition time, measurement wavelength and module serial
number. These files can then be selected automatically so you do not have
to look for them through your list, and batch processed.

Note: For FIP, the application will match the fiber ID, test configuration name and
test date/time of the measurement to mark the measurements as
duplicated.

Note: In the case of bidirectional OTDR files, both directions are analyzed
separately.

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Using the Duplicated Measurements Tool (FR2-FC Mode)

To search for duplicated information in files:

1. Open the files on which you want to use the tool.
2. Select the desired measurements.

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3. Select the Tools menu, then Duplicate Measurements Tool.

The files are analyzed and the result appears on-screen. The duplicate
measurement tool will display the unit serial number, test date/time,
identifiers, and filename details.

4. By clicking Select Duplicate Measurements, you will automatically

pick the detected files in the Measurements tab.
5. Proceed with any batch operation you want to perform for those files.

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15 Exporting Data for
Postprocessing (FR2-FC Mode)
FastReporter 2 can issue data files in a simplified, raw format for further
data processing purposes. The data is put in a Microsoft Excel (.xls) format.
To export data:
1. Select measurements or files in the Measurements or Files tab.
2. On the Tools menu, click Report.
3. If needed, select the location where to save the data.

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4. In the Template list, select a data export template.

5. In the File Name box, type a name for the data file.

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6. In the File Type list, select .xls.

7. Click OK.

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16 FastReporter 2 Examples
This chapter walks you through the tasks required to create and modify
projects, reports, and templates. Detailed procedures are provided for
creating the following examples:
 Creating an OTDR Bidirectional project: Create an OTDR project with
OTDR traces going in both directions (that is, from A to B and from B
to A).
 Creating a fiber characterization report: Create a printed or electronic
fiber characterization report based on selected measurements.
 Creating a project template: Create a project template containing the
properties and settings that you often use in your projects.

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Creating an OTDR Bidirectional Project

Creating an OTDR Bidirectional Project

You can change the directions of the OTDR files and create bidirectional
projects.
To create an OTDR Bidirectional project:
1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. In the list, click the template you want to use.

3. Click OK.
4. On the File menu, click Open File.
5. Select the OTDR files to be added to the project. The selected files are
highlighted.
6. Click Open.
7. In the Files window, select the file or files for which you want to
change the direction.
8. On the File menu, point to Direction, and click A->B or B->A.

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Creating a Fiber Characterization Report

Creating a Fiber Characterization Report

Throughout the network life cycle, fiber characterization reports are
essential for avoiding delays in service provisioning before system
component installation, in results comparison for post-installation
troubleshooting, and in ongoing network analysis and trending.
To create a fiber characterization report:
1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. In the list, click the template you want to use.

3. Click OK.
4. On the File menu, click Open File.
5. Select multiple CD, OLTS, PMD, iOLM or OTDR files.

Note: You must select files with matching fiber IDs and Cable IDs.

6. Click Open to add the selected files to the project.

7. On the Settings menu, click Project Settings.
8. Click the File Matching tab.

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9. Click By information present in the file.

10. Click OK.

11. In the Measurements window, select the measurements you want to
include in the report.

12. To print or create an electronic version of the report, follow the

appropriate procedure below.

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To print the report:

1. On the File menu, click Print.
2. If needed, change the printer settings.
3. In the Template list, select Fiber Characterization.

4. Click OK.

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Creating a Fiber Characterization Report

To create an electronic version of the report:

1. On the Tools menu, click Report.
2. To change the destination folder, click , select a folder on the
Browse for Folder dialog box, and click OK.

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3. Select a file type for your report. You can select between Excel, PDF
and HTML.

4. In the Template list, click Fiber Characterization.

(Example shown for

Excel format)

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5. In the File Name box, type a name for the report.

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Creating a Project Template

Creating a Project Template

You can save the properties and settings you often use when creating
projects in a project template. For example, you can save the pass/fail
thresholds that you often use in your OTDR projects in an OTDR project
template.
To create a project template:
1. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.
2. In the list, click a template. Use an existing template that already
contains some of the properties and settings that you want to use as a
starting point, if applicable.

3. Click OK.

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Creating a Project Template

4. On the Settings menu, click Project Settings.

5. Under the Identification tab, enter the information to identify your

template. Click into each item to activate it, then type in the
information.
6. When you have finished making changes to the project properties,
click OK.
7. On the File menu, click Save Project As Template.

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8. In the File name box, type a name for the project template file.

IMPORTANT
FastReporter 2 automatically saves project templates in the Project
Template folder. If you change the location, the template will not be
available for selection in the New Project dialog box when you start
a new project.

9. Click Save.
10. On the File menu, point to New, and click Project.

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Creating a Project Template

11. To set the new project template as the default template, click the file
name, and click Set as Default.

12. Click OK to start a new project or Cancel if you do not wish to start a
new project at this time.

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17 Troubleshooting
Help and support options for FastReporter 2 are available on the Help
menu.

Consulting the Online Help

Help for FastReporter 2 is available directly in your application.
To display online help:
On the Help menu, click Help on FastReporter 2.
OR
Press the F1 key.

Contacting the Technical Support Group

To obtain after-sales service or technical support for this product, contact
EXFO at one of the following numbers. The Technical Support Group is
available to take your calls from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time in North America).

Technical Support Group

400 Godin Avenue 1 866 683-0155 (USA and Canada)
Quebec (Quebec) G1M 2K2 Tel.: 1 418 683-5498
CANADA Fax: 1 418 683-9224
[email protected]

For detailed information about technical support, and for a list of other
worldwide locations, visit the EXFO Web site at www.exfo.com.
If you have comments or suggestions about this user documentation, you
can send them to [email protected].

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A Description of Event Types
This section describes all types of events that may appear in the events
table generated by the application. Here is a guide to the descriptions:
 Each type of event has its own symbol.
 Each type of event is represented by a graph of a fiber trace, which
illustrates the power reflected back toward the source as a function of
distance.
 An arrow points to the location of the event type in the trace.
 Most graphs show one complete trace; that is, an entire acquisition
range.
 Some graphs show only a portion of the entire range to view events of
interest more closely.

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Description of Event Types
Span Start

Span Start
The Span Start of a trace is the event that marks the beginning of the fiber
span. By default, the Span Start is placed on the first event of a tested fiber
(typically the first connector of the OTDR itself).
You can make another event the start of the span you want to focus your
analysis on. This will set the beginning of the events table at a specific
event along the trace.

Span End
The Span End of a trace is the event that marks the end of the fiber span. By
default, the Span End is placed on the last event of a tested fiber, and is
called the end-of-fiber event.
You can also make another event the end of the span you want to focus
your analysis on. This will set the end of the events table at a specific event
along the trace.

Short Fibers
You can test short fibers with the application. You can even define a fiber
span for short fibers by placing the span start and the span end on the same
event.

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Continuous Fiber

Continuous Fiber
Reflected power
(dB)

Continuous
fiber

Distance
(km)

This event indicates that the selected acquisition range was shorter than
the fiber length.
 The fiber end was not detected because the analysis process ended
before reaching the end of the fiber.
 The acquisition distance range should therefore be increased to a
value greater than the fiber length.
 There is no loss or reflectance specified for continuous fiber events.

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End of Analysis

End of Analysis
Reflected power
(dB)

Distance
(km)

This event indicates that the pulse width used did not provide enough
dynamic range to get to the end of the fiber.
 The analysis ended before reaching the end of the fiber because the
signal-to-noise ratio was too low.
 The pulse width should therefore be increased so the signal reaches
the end of the fiber with a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio.
 There is no loss or reflectance specified for end-of-analysis events.

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Non-Reflective Event

Non-Reflective Event
Reflected power
(dB)

Non-reflective
event

Linear downward slope

due to Rayleigh
backscatter

Distance
(km)

This event is characterized by a sudden decrease in the Rayleigh

backscatter signal level. It appears as a discontinuity in the downward
slope of the trace signal.
 This event is often caused by splices, macrobends, or microbends in
the fiber.
 A loss value is specified for non-reflective events. There is no
reflectance specified for this type of event.
 If you set thresholds, the application indicates a non-reflective fault in
the events table, whenever a value exceeds the loss threshold.

Post Processing Software 343

Description of Event Types
Reflective Event

Reflective Event
Reflected Clipped level
power (dB)
Reflective events

Distance
(km)

Reflective events appear as spikes in the fiber trace. They are caused by an
abrupt discontinuity in the index of refraction.
 Reflective events cause a significant portion of the energy initially
launched into the fiber to be reflected back toward the source.
 Reflective events may indicate the presence of connectors,
mechanical splices, or even poor-quality fusion splices or cracks.
 Normally, loss and reflectance values are specified for reflective
events.
 When the reflective spike reaches the maximum level, its top may be
clipped due to the saturation of the detector. As a result, the dead zone
(minimum distance for making a detection or attenuation
measurement between this event and a second nearby) may be
increased.
 If you set thresholds, the application indicates a reflective fault in the
events table, whenever a value exceeds reflectance or connector loss
thresholds.

344 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Positive Event

Positive Event
Reflected power
(dB)

Positive event

Distance
(km)

This event indicates a splice with an apparent gain, due to the junction of
two fiber sections having different fiber backscatter characteristics
(backscatter and backscatter capture coefficients).

Post Processing Software 345

Description of Event Types
Launch Level

Launch Level
Reflected power
(dB)

Launch level
event position Second event

Launch
level

Linear area

Distance
(km)

This event indicates the level of the signal launched into the fiber.
 The figure above shows how the launch level is measured.
A straight line is plotted using least-square approximation to fit all trace
points in the linear area between the first and second detected events.
The straight line is projected toward the Y-axis (dB) until it crosses the
axis.
The crossing point indicates the launch level.
 <<<< in the events table indicates that the launch level is too low.

346 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Fiber Section

Fiber Section
Reflected power
(dB)

Fiber Fiber
section section

Distance
(km)

This symbol denotes a fiber section with no event.

 The sum of all fiber sections contained in an entire fiber trace equals
the total fiber length. Detected events are distinct even if they cover
more than one point on the trace.
 A loss value is specified for fiber section events. No reflectance is
specified for this type of event.
 The attenuation (dB/distance in kilometers) is obtained by dividing the
loss by the fiber section length.

Post Processing Software 347

Description of Event Types
Merged Event

Merged Event
Reflected power
(dB)

Reflective events

Point A
Total loss ( dB)

Point B
Merged Reflective event position Distance
(km)

This symbol denotes an event combined with one or more other events. It
also indicates the total loss produced by the merged events following it in
the events table.
 A Merged Event is composed of subevents. Only the Merged Event is
attributed a number in the events table, not the subevents composing
it, if they are displayed.
 Reflective events may indicate the presence of connectors, mechanical
splices, or poor-quality fusion splices or cracks.
 Non-reflective events may indicate the presence of splices, splitters or
bendings.
 A reflectance value is specified for all merged events and indicates the
maximum reflectance for the merged event. A reflectance value is also
displayed for each reflective subevent composing the Merged Event.

348 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Merged Event

 The total loss ( dB) produced by the events is measured by plotting

two straight lines.
 The first line is plotted by fitting, through least-square
approximation, trace points in the linear area preceding the first
event.
 The second line is plotted by fitting, through least-square
approximation, trace points in the linear area following the second
event. If there were more than two merged events, this line would
be plotted in the linear area following the last merged event. This
line is then projected toward the first merged event.
 The total loss ( dB) equals the power difference between the
point where the first event begins (point A) and the point on the
projected straight line located just below the first event (point B).
 No loss value can be specified for the subevents.

Post Processing Software 349

Description of Event Types
Merged Event

Pass/Fail Tests
As an example about pass/fail tests, let us consider the situation below:

Merged event

Merged sub-events:
2 reflective losses
1 non-reflective loss

Thresholds:
Event loss Reflective loss: 0.5 dB
Non-reflective Loss: 0.2 dB

For a merged event, it is possible to determine the global event loss, but not
the contribution of each sub-event. This is why the pass/fail test may
sometimes lead to “false positive” or “false negative” results.
When evaluating event status against thresholds, we are faced with two
possible conditions:
 All event types are tested (reflective, non-reflective)
 Only some event types are selected (for example, you could decide not
to test reflective loss)
The third case would be to test none of the event types, which means the
same as not wanting to know the status of the events.

350 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Merged Event

All Event Types Are Tested

In the first case, where all event types are tested, the pass/fail conditions
are as follows:
 If the event loss is less than or equal to the smallest threshold value,
then the event status is Pass.
 If the event loss is greater than the sum of the number of sub-events of
a type, multiplied by the threshold value for this event type, then the
event status is Fail.
 If the event loss is “in between”, since it is not possible to know exactly
the weight of a sub-event in the merged event, the global event is
considered to have a status of Pass.

Pass/Fail Analysis 0 Fail Level

Pass =(Nsub x Thsub)
0.2
= (2 x 0.5) + (1 x 0.2)
= 1.2
Pass

1.2
Fail

If the merged event loss is smaller than or equal to 1.2, then the status is
Pass. Otherwise, it is Fail.

Post Processing Software 351

Description of Event Types
Merged Event

Not All Event Types Are Tested

In this situation, the only thing that we can clearly know is when the loss
has a Pass status. If the global event loss is less than or equal to the
smallest threshold value (a value that is tested, of course), we are sure that
the merged event status is Pass. Otherwise, we cannot know, so the status
of the event is Unknown.
In our example, if we suppose that you chose not to test non-reflective
losses, then the analysis would be done as shown below:

0
Pass
0.5

1.2 Unknown

352 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Merged Event

Effect of Event Status in the Global Trace Status

 A trace status is, by default, set to Unknown.
 If a trace is set to Fail once, it remains with that status (it cannot be set
back to Pass or Unknown).
 Whenever an event status is Fail, so is the trace status.
 If an event status is Pass, the trace status can change from Unknown to
Pass.
 If an event status is Unknown, the trace status remains the same. In
other words, the event, in this case, has no influence on the trace
status.
To avoid Unknown statuses, do not unselect loss thresholds individually.

Post Processing Software 353

Description of Event Types
Echo

Echo

Reflected power
(dB)

OTDR connector

Second connector

End connector

Echo

Lightwave travel
Distance
(km)

This symbol indicates that a reflective event has been detected after the
end of the fiber.
 In the example above, the launched pulse travels up to the end
connector and is reflected back toward the OTDR. Then, it reaches the
second connector and is reflected again toward the end connector. It is
then reflected back to the OTDR.
 The application interprets this new reflection as an echo because of its
characteristics (reflectance and particular position with respect to
other reflections).
 The distance between the second connector reflection and the end
connector reflection is equal to the distance between the end
connector reflection and the echo.
 There is no loss specified for echo events.

354 FastReporter 2
 Description of Event Types
Reflective Event (Possible Echo)

Reflective Event (Possible Echo)

Reflected power
(dB)
OTDR connector

Second connector

Third connector

Reflective event (possible echo)

Distance
(km)

This symbol indicates a reflective event that can be a real reflection or an

echo produced by another stronger reflection located closer to the source.
 In the example above, the launched pulse hits the third connector, is
reflected back to the OTDR and reflected again into the fiber. It then
reaches the third connector a second time and is reflected once more
to the OTDR.
The application would therefore detect a reflective event located at
twice the distance of the third connector. Since this event is almost null
(no loss), and since its distance is a multiple of the third connector
distance, The application would interpret it as a possible echo.
 A reflectance value is specified for reflective events (possible echo).

Post Processing Software 355

B Measuring Chromatic
Dispersion: Theory
EXFO’s Chromatic Dispersion Analyzer applies the phase-shift method,
which consists of measuring the phase variation of a sinusoidal intensity
modulated signal at a specific wavelength to obtain the relative group
delay of a fiber. The derivative of the relative group delay calculated from
fitted equations on computed results gives the dispersion, the
zero-dispersion wavelength and the dispersion slope.

Method behind the Chromatic Dispersion

Analyzer
In EXFO’s Chromatic Dispersion Analyzer, the light source is a broadband
source, which is intensity modulated at a high frequency. This light is
injected into the fiber under test and the modulated light travels along the
fiber. The high-frequency intensity modulation propagates at a speed that
depends on wavelength and polarization. Values are obtained for the
differences in travel time between modulations at different wavelengths.
The higher the number of wavelengths at which this is done, the more
accurate the chromatic dispersion results will be.
The first fixed filter in the receiver extracts the portion of the light that will
follow an optical path. A second filter, which is a time-tunable filter, will
extract a second part of the original signal and then follow a different
optical path.
Different path combinations are added using a chopper. The amplitude of
the high-frequency signals are measured and digitized. The phase
difference is then computed using the different amplitudes. This value is
stored along with the tunable filters position and a new measurement
cycle begins. A new time delay is computed and stored with wavelength
data. When sufficient data is accumulated, chromatic dispersion can be
computed.

Post Processing Software 357

Measuring Chromatic Dispersion: Theory
Using Data Fits to Obtain Dispersion

Using Data Fits to Obtain Dispersion

This section gives you details about the way EXFO uses the data fits to
obtain dispersion. Once group delays are computed, equations are fitted in
order to obtain dispersion, dispersion slope and zero-dispersion
wavelengths. The dispersion curve of typical singlemode fibers follows
certain equations used to interpolate zero-dispersion wavelength and
slope. The following table graph shows the equations applied to
singlemode fibers in specific wavelength ranges.

Fiber Type and

Expression for D
Wavelength Range
G.652 NDSF 2 –2
    = A + B + C
1200 nm    1600 nm D    = 2  B – C 
–3

G.653 DSF     = A + B + C
2

1500 nm-1600 nm
D    = 2B + C
G.655 NZDSF  D  1560  – D  1530   
D    =  -------------------------------------------------    – 1560   + D  1560 
up to 1560 nm 30
 

G.655 NZDSF

 D  1565  – D  1530   
1530 nm-1565 nm (C Band) D    =  -------------------------------------------------    – 1565   + D  1565 
 35 

1565 nm-1625 nm (L Band)

 D  1625  – D  1565   
D    =  -------------------------------------------------    – 1625   + D  1625 
 60 

358 FastReporter 2
 Measuring Chromatic Dispersion: Theory
Using Data Fits to Obtain Dispersion

Fiber Type and

Expression for D
Wavelength Range
G.653 DSF     = A + B + C ln   
D    = B + C + C ln   

1200 nm    1600 nm

50/125 2 –2
    = A + B + C
50nm    1450nm –3
D    = 2  B – C 

62.5/125 2 –2
    = A + B + C
750nm    1450nm D    = 2  B – C 
–3

G.655 NZDSF  D  1565  – D  1530   

D    =  -------------------------------------------------    – 1565   + D  1565 
1530 nm-1565 nm  35 

Post Processing Software 359

Measuring Chromatic Dispersion: Theory
Helping You Manage Chromatic Dispersion

As the previous table demonstrates, specific fits are recommended for

specific types of fiber and specific wavelength ranges. Fits should be used
carefully when extrapolating parameters to obtain maximum precision.
 The 3-Term Sellmeier applies mostly to standard fibers with single zero
dispersion at 1300 nm.
 The 5-Term Sellmeier has five zero crossings. Since it is extremely
elastic, it should be used with caution when extrapolating because the
fit may curve away from the true results beyond fitted points.
 The same warning applies to the cubic fit.
 The lambda-log-lambda fit is applicable to dispersion-shifted fibers
with a zero dispersion wavelength in the 1550 nm wavelength region.
 The linear fit is useful when there are too few measurements for
multiple parameter fits to be used. It is applicable to all fibers if the
range is sufficiently small.
The fits will give you a tool to obtain the dispersion slope and zero-
dispersion point.

Helping You Manage Chromatic Dispersion

The zero-dispersion wavelength (where dispersion is at zero) corresponds
to the wavelength point at which the fiber under test reaches its maximum
bandwidth.The slope from this zero-dispersion point indicates how fast
dispersion rises as wavelength increases. Key chromatic dispersion
parameters are the dispersion zero and the slope at zero dispersion.
Getting precise chromatic dispersion parameters helps you choose the
right dispersion-compensated fiber or material in order to reverse the
dispersion and dispersion slope before the data is interpreted by the
receiver at the other end of the line.
The effects of chromatic dispersion decrease with a reduction in the
absolute value of the fiber chromatic dispersion or with dispersion
compensation.

360 FastReporter 2
C Measuring Polarization Mode
Dispersion: Theory
The dispersion phenomenon is described as a number of
non-intensity-dependant physical occurrences resulting directly in signal
loss (pulse spreading or time jitter in a digital system; distortion in an
analog system). PMD is an important type of signal dispersion. As
unrepeated link distances are increased and transmission rates pushed
upwards, PMD can significantly reduce system performance.
To better understand the impact of PMD, consider the example of a pulse
passing through a wave plate. Upon entering the wave plate, the pulse is
decomposed into polarization components aligned with each of the two
birefringent axes of the plate (known as the fast and slow axes). The
components propagating independently through the wave plate at different
group velocities will recombine at the end of the wave plate as a
superposition of two pulses split in time.
The delay between those pulses is designated as the differential group
delay (DGD) and is written as . For a Gaussian, unchirped input pulse
of rms width , the rms width at the output is given by

2 2 2
 =  0 + r 0  1 – r 0   

where r is the fraction of the input-pulse energy launched into one of the
birefringence axes.
Worst-case spreading occurs when the signal is perfectly split in two
(r = 1/2), while no spreading occurs if the input state of polarization
(SOP) of the launched signal is aligned with one of the birefringence axes.
To generalize this example, consider a long, weakly birefringent
telecommunications fiber as a concatenation of many, randomly
orientated birefringent wave plates. Each interface between two wave
plates redistributes the optical energy along both axes of the subsequent
wave plate. This transfer of energy is called mode coupling.

Post Processing Software 361

Measuring Polarization Mode Dispersion: Theory

In a long fiber, numerous mode-coupling events occur along the fiber

length, so that light emerging from the output end is the superposition of a
number of pulses with different delays. Nonetheless, it turns out that for
any given optical frequency, , one can always find two orthogonal input
principal states of polarization (PSPs) such that a light pulse with the same
input SOP as the input PSP, undergoes no spreading. For a single wave
plate, the PSPs are the two birefringent axes, whereas for a concatenation
of wave plates, neither the input nor the output PSPs correspond to the
alignment of the birefringent axes anywhere.
Contrary to the case of a wave plate, the DGD and PSPs of a long fiber are
dependent on wavelength and fluctuate in time as a result of
environmental variations such as temperature, external mechanical
constraints, etc. Their behavior is random, both as a function of wavelength
at a given time and as a function of time at a given wavelength. Fortunately,
this behavior can be characterized statistically. It can be demonstrated that
the probability density function of  is Maxwellian and, by definition, PMD
is its rms value, that is:

2
PMD = DGD

Note: PMD is sometimes defined as the mean value of the DGD, which for a
Maxwellian distribution yields a value 17 % lower than the rms definition.

If the average is calculated over , PMD is stable in time, provided that the
averaging window is sufficiently large (Dwdt >> 1).

362 FastReporter 2
 Measuring Polarization Mode Dispersion: Theory

It is essential to keep in mind that DGD fluctuates in time and can be either
smaller or larger than its rms value or PMD. This results in a statistical
probability that a pulse (information bit) is broadened, and leads to the
eventual impaired ability of the receiver to efficiently decode the
information. This adverse PMD effect makes it a critical phenomenon in
limiting transmission of high-bit-rate information.
In the case of PMD in a long fiber, there is a specific state called input PSP.
In this state, when the input SOP of the signal is aligned with one of its
axes, it will propagate through the fiber without any spreading or distortion
of the signal. This phenomenon is defined as this specific input SOP such
that the output SOP is independent of optical frequency. Again, the worst
case occurs when the signal is equally split between both input PSPs.
For long telecom fibers with random coupling of energy between modes
(that is. L >> h, where h is the coupling length), PMD grows as the square
root of the distance, whereas PMD of strong HiBi fiber (negligible mode
coupling) is directly proportional to the distance. Therefore, the PMD
coefficient for negligible mode coupling is expressed as ps/km, while
the PMD coefficient for random mode coupling is defined as ps/km1/2.

Post Processing Software 363

D Report Samples
This section presents samples of some reports you can generate using
FastReporter 2. Keep in mind that those reports are samples and your final
results may differ depending on the options and number of files you have
selected. Various other report types are also available for your other testing
needs.

Post Processing Software 365

Report Samples
Bidirectional OTDR

Bidirectional OTDR


 
 


   






 




  
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366 FastReporter 2
 Report Samples
OTDR

OTDR



  


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Post Processing Software 367

Report Samples
Fiber Characterization

Fiber Characterization

 
   
    




   
  
 

 
  
    

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368 FastReporter 2
 Report Samples
Fiber Inspection Probe

Fiber Inspection Probe




 




 

 
 
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Post Processing Software 369

Report Samples
iOLM

iOLM


  



 

 

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370 FastReporter 2
 Report Samples
OTDR Advanced Cable (Excel Template)

OTDR Advanced Cable (Excel Template)

This report displays various information related to the OTDR Advance
cable, such as: Cable information, Measurement information, Fail report,
Length, Reflectance, Splice and reflectance, Splice loss, Attenuation, and
Loss.

Post Processing Software 371

Report Samples
iOLM + FIP (Excel Template)

iOLM + FIP (Excel Template)

This report displays the iOLMandFIP measurement values in single report
based on matching.If multiple measurements are selected, the report
displays multiple worksheets for the each of the selected measurements.
The worksheets are labeled as iOLM + FIP (n). Where, (n) represents the
measurement number.

372 FastReporter 2
 Report Samples
iOLM Bidirectional (Excel Template)

iOLM Bidirectional (Excel Template)

This report displays the Bidirectional measurement with corresponding
unidirectional measurements A-B and B-A.

Post Processing Software 373

Report Samples
iOLM Advanced Cable Report (Excel Report)

iOLM Advanced Cable Report (Excel Report)

This report shows detailed information for your cables. Each category of
the report (cable information, measurement information, fail report,
summary results, link elements, splice elements, connector elements,
A & B elements, and attenuation section) is on a separate sheet.

374 FastReporter 2
 Index

Index
basic PMD theory ...................................... 361
batch documentation, OTDR ..................... 167
2:N splitters............................................... 244 bidirectional
extracting unidirectional files ............... 164
A iOLM files..................................... 215, 255
A-B loopback ................................................ 71
LSA loss ............................................... 139 OTDR files ............................................ 161
OTDR trace direction.............................. 41 OTDR measurements............................ 160
absolute OTDR report ......................................... 366
lengths, span positions ........................ 155 project example ................................... 325
power unit........................................... 194 browser for EXFO Connect .......................... 85
adding
elements .............................................. 232 C
files to project........................................ 41 cable view.................................................. 213
advanced cable report, iOLM (Excel) ......... 374 calibration date for OTDR .......................... 270
after-sales service ...................................... 337 caution
analysis range............................................ 182 of personal hazard ................................... 6
analyzing of product hazard .................................... 6
bidirectional measurements, OTDR ...... 160 CD
measurements, iOLM........................... 248 analyzer, internal design ...................... 357
measurements, OTDR .......................... 152 changing analysis range....................... 182
appearance, modifying ............................... 16 changing fiber length .......................... 183
application, exiting...................................... 33 fiber type ............................................. 180
applying sorting to other windows ........... 275 files supported ..................................... 175
attenuation, OTDR settings ....................... 111 options ................................................ 176
automatic loopback .............................. 58, 71 switching between curve types ............ 184
automatically changes, unsaved in project template ......... 44
documenting measurement files ......... 313 changing
hiding panes.......................................... 18 direction, files ........................................ 47
incrementing values for iOLM.............. 268 display options....................................... 28
matching files, OTDR ............................. 52 element matching tolerance ................ 216
refreshing folder .................................... 56 element type........................................ 236
available features .......................................... 1 fiber length .......................................... 189
main measurement, OTDR ................... 130
B measurement identification ................. 267
B-A OTDR file format .................................. 168
axis inverting, OTDR............................. 132 supported measurement types .............. 27
OTDR trace............................................. 41 checking in files, EXFO Connect............. 92, 97

Post Processing Software 375

Index

checking out files, EXFO Connect .......... 92, 93 deleting

chromatic dispersion elements .............................................. 238
coefficient............................................ 184 template ................................................ 46
factors ................................................. 360 description
managing ............................................ 360 event types .......................................... 339
theory .................................................. 357 main window......................................... 16
clipboard, using ........................................ 285 details, elements and sections ................... 225
closing panes .............................................. 17 diagnostics ................................................ 254
coefficient, dispersion ............................... 184 direction, OTDR trace .................................. 41
composition, link....................................... 209 discarding check out, EXFO Connect ........... 92
configuration display
files...................................................... 252 modifying .............................................. 16
FIP, importing ...................................... 203 options ............................................ 17, 28
settings................................................ 253 displaying
sheet.................................................... 294 panes ..................................................... 17
connecting to EXFO Connect....................... 83 toolbars ................................................. 17
connector.................................................. 227 distance
conventions, safety ....................................... 6 OTDR settings ...................................... 111
copying graph ........................................... 285 unit ........................................................ 43
correction factor, power meter ................. 198 documentation
creating batch ................................................... 167
bidirectional files ................................. 161 online................................................... 337
iOLM bidirectional file ......................... 215 documenting measurement files ............... 313
project from scratch .............................. 35 duplicated measurement tool.................... 318
reports......................................... 277, 290
Crystal reports ................................... 290, 291
E
Ctrl key........................................................ 20
editing
current threshold, changing...................... 116
iOLM element properties ..................... 237
curve type, CD ........................................... 184
measurement identification ................. 267
custom elements ....................................... 239
OTDR event properties ......................... 128
customizing
elements
display ................................................... 16
adding ................................................. 232
elements for multiple measurements... 228
custom................................................. 239
main window ........................................ 16
deleting ............................................... 238
description........................................... 227
D details .......................................... 225, 228
data editing iOLM ........................................ 237
exporting ............................................. 321 group................................................... 230
transfer applications, handheld ........... 309 matching tolerance .............................. 216
default template ......................................... 46 matching with a reference ................... 264
matching without a reference.............. 265

376 FastReporter 2
 Index

statistics....................................... 154, 266 Excel

types.................................................... 236 iOLM advanced cable report ................ 374
enabling iOLM bidirectional report ..................... 373
2:N splitters ......................................... 244 iOLM plus FIP ....................................... 372
bidirectional file creation ..................... 215 OTDR advanced cable report................ 371
end-of-fiber reports ......................................... 278, 290
event ................................................... 340 templates............................................. 293
threshold ............................................. 152 EXFO Connect
erasing element......................................... 238 browser.................................................. 85
event matching tolerances checking in files ............................... 92, 97
changing ............................................. 110 checking out files ............................. 92, 93
macrobend .......................................... 118 connection information ......................... 83
pulse, add/remove ............................... 124 discarding files ....................................... 92
event table exporting files ................................ 92, 103
matching tolerances ............................ 121 filters...................................................... 90
options ................................................ 127 log in ..................................................... 84
event types log out ................................................... 84
description........................................... 339 searching files ........................................ 87
continuous fiber .................................. 341 undo check out files............................... 95
echo..................................................... 354 uploading files ................................. 92, 99
end of analysis..................................... 342 viewing files ................................... 92, 101
end-of-fiber ......................................... 340 existing element, launch/receive fibers ...... 246
fiber section......................................... 347 exiting FastReporter 2.................................. 33
launch level.......................................... 346 exportig
merged event ...................................... 348 EXFO Connect files ............................... 103
non-reflective event ............................. 343 exporting
positive event ...................................... 345 data ..................................................... 321
reflective event .................................... 344 fiber characterization project ................. 40
reflective event (possible echo) ............ 355 OTDR file to text................................... 169
short fiber............................................ 340 report templates .................................. 288
span end.............................................. 340 exporting files, EXFO Connect ..................... 92
span start ............................................ 340 extracting unidirectional files from bidir file ....
events 164
adding to other measurements ........... 146
description of types ............................. 339
F
editing OTDR ....................................... 128
failed items, viewing.......................... 153, 249
modifying marker ................................ 144
FastReporter 2
examples
exiting.................................................... 33
fiber characterization report ................ 325
installing .................................................. 8
project template .................................. 325
starting .................................................... 9
tasks .................................................... 325
uninstalling .............................................. 8

Post Processing Software 377

Index

features for your product .............................. 1 report................................................... 369

fiber results .................................................. 202
changing length .......................... 183, 189 serial number....................................... 201
core size ...................................... 158, 224 thresholds ............................................ 202
type ..................................................... 180 unit model ........................................... 200
view..................................................... 213 fits
fiber characterization 3-Term Sellmeier .................................. 360
exporting project ................................... 40 5-Term Sellmeier .................................. 360
importing project .................................. 38 cubic .................................................... 360
report example ............................ 325, 368 equations............................................. 358
fiber inspection probe. see FIP lambda log lambda.............................. 360
files linear.................................................... 360
additional information......................... 272 fixed license................................................. 12
bidirectional, iOLM .............................. 255 flags .......................................................... 294
changes unsaved ................................... 38 floating license ............................................ 12
changing direction................................. 47 folder auto refresh....................................... 56
format ................. 109, 171, 185, 193, 209 formats, OTDR files.................................... 168
format, OTDR....................................... 168 four points event loss ................................ 139
matching rules..................................... 110
matching, identifiers.............................. 50
G
measurements ..... 109, 171, 185, 193, 209
generating
reference ............................................. 311
measurement reports........................... 279
renaming ............................................... 38
reports ................................................. 277
saving .................................................. 276
summary reports.................................. 279
sorting ................................................. 274
text files, OTDR measurements ............ 169
summary information .......................... 273
graph view, OTDR...................................... 107
supported format ........ 109, 171, 175, 199
graphic
Telcordia.............................................. 109
display options, OTDR .......................... 132
test settings, OTDR .............................. 159
overlay, fiber inspection probe............. 204
filter, failed items .............................. 153, 249
group elements ......................................... 230
filters
grouped view ............................................ 213
details.................................................. 294
EXFO Connect........................................ 90
FIP H
cable connector view ........................... 205 handheld data transfer applications .......... 309
configuration file, importing ............... 203 hiding
file formats .......................................... 199 FIP results............................................. 202
image .................................................. 204 markers................................................ 138
legacy file format................................. 207 html report ................................................ 278
multi-fiber view ................................... 205
overlay................................................. 204
plus iOLM report (Excel)....................... 372

378 FastReporter 2
 Index

I SOR file ................................................ 249

identifiers splitter ratio ......................................... 221
file matching ......................................... 50 thresholds ............................................ 217
labels ................................................... 222 virtual bidirectional files....................... 262
importing IOR value by distance ................................ 157
configuration file ................................. 203
fiber characterization project................. 38 L
FIP file.................................................. 207 labels, identifier ......................................... 222
report template ................................... 286 language selection....................................... 25
information, splitter ratio.......................... 221 launch fiber existing element..................... 246
installing FastReporter 2............................ 7, 8 launching FastReporter 2............................... 9
inverting B-A dB axis, OTDR....................... 132 legacy file format, FIP ................................ 207
iOLM length, OTDR settings ................................ 111
advanced cable report (Excel) .............. 374 license agreement ........................................ iii
analyzing measurements ..................... 248 license, activating ........................................ 12
auto-increment values ......................... 268 linear view, viewing section length............ 132
bidirectional files ................................. 255 link
bidirectional report (Excel)................... 373 grouped ............................................... 213
cable view............................................ 213 matching elements .............................. 265
configuration files................................ 252 view ..................................................... 209
configuration settings.......................... 253 locking markers ......................................... 136
customizing elements .......................... 228 log in, EXFO Connect................................... 84
diagnostics .......................................... 254 log out, EXFO Connect ................................ 84
editing element properties .................. 237 loopback
element or section details.................... 228 bidirectional........................................... 71
enabling bidirectional file creation ...... 215 unidirectional......................................... 58
extended element matching tolerance. 216 loss
fiber core size ...................................... 224 OTDR settings ...................................... 111
fiber view............................................. 213 statistics ....................................... 154, 266
file formats .......................................... 209
group elements ................................... 230
identifier labels .................................... 222 M
link view .............................................. 209 macrobends
matching elements, no reference ........ 265 description ........................................... 227
matching link elements, reference ....... 264 identification........................................ 118
measurement statistics ................ 154, 266 tolerances ............................................ 118
multiple measurements ....................... 213 viewing ................................................ 120
plus FIP report (Excel) .......................... 372 main measurement, OTDR ......................... 130
report .................................................. 370 main window, customizing ......................... 16
section length...................................... 263 managing
settings................................................ 219 multiple measurements ....................... 213
projects .................................................. 35

Post Processing Software 379

Index

manual minimum requirements ................................. 7

loopback.......................................... 58, 71 mismatch................................................... 227
matching of OTDR files .......................... 54 model number, FIP .................................... 200
measurement on OTDR markers .......... 138 modifying
sorting of measurements..................... 274 additional information on file .............. 272
markers application display ................................. 16
adding OTDR event...................... 140, 141 element type........................................ 236
hiding .................................................. 138 measurement identification ................. 267
locking................................................. 136 OTDR calibration date .......................... 270
manual measurements, OTDR.............. 138 reports ................................................. 290
modifying position .............................. 144 summary information .......................... 273
OTDR ........................................... 132, 136 monitors...................................................... 24
retrieving position ............................... 147 moving
showing............................................... 138 items between monitors ........................ 24
matched measurements, statistics .... 154, 266 pane ...................................................... 19
matching toolbars ................................................. 18
identifiers for files.................................. 50 multiple items, selecting.............................. 20
link elements ............................... 264, 265 multiple measurements
OTDR files .................................. 48, 52, 54 customizing elements .......................... 228
tolerance, elements ............................. 216 managing ............................................ 213
measurement files, auto documenting...... 313 viewing section length ......................... 263
measurement reports
generating ........................................... 279
N
overview .............................................. 277
navigating the graph window, OTDR ........ 133
printing ............................................... 284
new element.............................................. 232
measurements
number, FIP ............................................... 200
adding event ....................................... 146
analyzing ..................................... 152, 248
changing direction................................. 47 O
copying graph ..................................... 285 OLTS
duplicated ........................................... 318 adding/removing wavelengths............. 172
editing identification ........................... 267 file formats .......................................... 171
files...................... 109, 171, 185, 193, 209 results .................................................. 208
generating text files, OTDR .................. 169 settings ................................................ 172
OTDR bidirectional............................... 160 online help ................................................ 337
reference ............................................. 311 opening
saving files........................................... 276 handheld data transfer applications .... 309
sorting ................................................. 274 project ................................................... 37
statistics............................................... 190 related analysis tools............................ 310
types...................................................... 27 OPM
measuring chromatic dispersion ............... 357 correction factor .................................. 198
menus, accessing ........................................ 20 settings ................................................ 195

380 FastReporter 2
 Index

optical tests possible ..................................... 1 modifying marker position................... 144

options outside spans....................................... 132
activating............................................... 12 pass/fail thresholds ...................... 110, 113
CD ....................................................... 176 pulse baseline ...................................... 110
event table view, OTDR........................ 127 pulse tolerance value ........................... 124
PMD..................................................... 186 report................................................... 367
OTDR section length ...................................... 132
absolute span positions ....................... 155 settings ................................................ 110
adding event to other measurements.. 146 SOR file ................................................ 249
adding event with all markers ............. 141 trace direction........................................ 41
advanced cable report (Excel) .............. 371 virtual bidirectional files....................... 166
analyzing measurements ..................... 152 zoom functions .................................... 133
apply reference as template................. 148 out of range element................................. 227
batch documentation .......................... 167 outside spans, OTDR.................................. 132
bidirectional measurements................. 160 overview, link ............................................ 209
bidirectional project example .............. 325
bidirectional, report............................. 366
P
calibration date ................................... 270
panes
changing file format ............................ 168
auto-hiding ............................................ 18
changing main measurement .............. 130
closing ................................................... 17
creating bidirectional files.................... 161
displaying .............................................. 17
current measurement thresholds ......... 116
moving................................................... 19
editing event properties....................... 128
resizing .................................................. 17
event matching tolerances........... 110, 121
pass/fail
event table options.............................. 127
changing thresholds .................... 113, 195
event table view options...................... 127
status ................................................... 210
event with one marker......................... 140
pass/fail thresholds
fiber core size ...................................... 158
CD........................................................ 176
file formats .......................................... 109
OLTS..................................................... 172
file test settings ................................... 159
PMD ..................................................... 186
generating text files............................. 169
PDF report ................................................. 278
graph................................................... 107
PMD
graphic display options........................ 132
changing fiber length .......................... 189
inverting B-A dB axis............................ 132
file formats .......................................... 185
IOR value by distance........................... 157
options ................................................ 186
macrobend tolerances ......................... 118
statistics ............................................... 190
marker position ................................... 147
theory .................................................. 361
markers........................................ 132, 136
position
markers, manual measurements .......... 138
of markers in OTDR file ........................ 147
matching files ........................................ 48
statistics ....................................... 154, 266
matching files automatically.................. 52
possible optical tests ..................................... 1
matching files manually......................... 54

Post Processing Software 381

Index

power meter refreshing folders ........................................ 56

changing unit. ..................................... 194 related analysis tools ................................. 310
correction factor.................................. 198 removing
results.......................................... 208, 255 element................................................ 238
power unit, changing................................ 194 files from project ................................... 42
PPM template ................................................ 46
correction factor.................................. 198 renaming template...................................... 46
file formats .......................................... 193 reports
settings................................................ 195 bidirectional OTDR ............................... 366
previewing reports .................................... 283 creating ............................................... 290
printing reports ......................................... 284 Crystal.................................................. 291
priority, file matching.................................. 48 exporting templates............................. 288
projects fiber characterization ........................... 368
adding files............................................ 41 FIP........................................................ 369
creating ................................................. 35 formats ................................................ 278
default template.................................... 35 importing template.............................. 286
exporting fiber characterization............. 40 iOLM .................................................... 370
fiber characterization, importing ........... 38 iOLM advanced cable report (Excel) ..... 374
opening ................................................. 37 iOLM bidirectional (Excel) .................... 373
properties .............................................. 43 iOLM plus FIP (Excel) ............................ 372
removing files ........................................ 42 measurement....................................... 277
saving .................................................... 38 modifying ............................................ 290
template example ................................ 325 OTDR.................................................... 367
template unavailable ............................. 45 OTDR advanced cable (Excel) ............... 371
templates .............................................. 44 previewing ........................................... 283
templates, set as default........................ 46 printing................................................ 284
properties, general ...................................... 43 summary.............................................. 277
pulse baseline, OTDR ................................. 110 requirements for installing FastReporter 2..... 7
pulse, selecting.......................................... 124 resizing panes.............................................. 17
results
iOLM .................................................... 219
R
OLTS .................................................... 208
range, analysis .......................................... 182
power meter ................................ 208, 255
raw data.................................................... 321
reverting to file test settings...................... 159
receive fiber existing element .................... 246
right-clicking in menus ................................ 20
reference
as a template, OTDR ............................ 148
for matching link elements .................. 264 S
setting file ........................................... 311 safety
setting measurement........................... 311 caution .................................................... 6
reflectance OTDR settings ......................... 111 conventions ............................................. 6
reflection statistics ............................ 154, 266 warning ................................................... 6

382 FastReporter 2
 Index

saving span end

measurement files ............................... 276 description ........................................... 340
OTDR file in a different format ............ 168 excluded .............................................. 115
searching files, EXFO Connect ..................... 87 span positions, absolute lengths ............... 155
section details span start
customizing ......................................... 228 description ........................................... 340
viewing ........................................ 225, 228 excluded .............................................. 115
section length splice ......................................................... 227
linear view ........................................... 132 splitters
multiple measurements ....................... 263 2:N....................................................... 244
sections description ........................................... 227
editing element properties .................. 237 ratio information ................................. 221
editing event properties....................... 128 starting
statistics....................................... 154, 266 FastReporter 2.......................................... 9
selecting handheld data transfer applications .... 309
language ............................................... 25 related analysis tools............................ 310
multiple items........................................ 20 statistic measurements, PMD..................... 190
serial number, FIP...................................... 201 statistics for matched measurements 154, 266
server for EXFO connect .............................. 83 summary information for files ................... 273
setting a reference file............................... 311 summary reports
setting up application ................................. 20 description ........................................... 277
settings generating ........................................... 279
CD ....................................................... 176 overview .............................................. 277
configuration....................................... 253 supported
display ................................................... 16 file formats .. 109, 171, 175, 193, 199, 209
OLTS .................................................... 172 measurement types................................ 27
OPM/PPM............................................. 195 symbols, safety .............................................. 6
OTDR ................................................... 110
OTDR file tests ..................................... 159
T
PMD..................................................... 186
table, wavelength...................................... 179
sheet
tabs
details.................................................. 294
auto-hiding ............................................ 18
universal .............................................. 307
moving................................................... 19
Shift key ...................................................... 20
technical support....................................... 337
showing
Telcordia files............................................. 109
FIP results ............................................ 202
templates
markers................................................ 138
Excel..................................................... 293
software customization wizard ................... 20
exporting ............................................. 288
SOR file ..................................................... 249
OTDR file as reference .......................... 148
sorting
project ................................................... 44
files...................................................... 275
project, set as default ............................ 46
measurements ..................................... 274

Post Processing Software 383

Index

removing ............................................... 46 Update Manager ........................................... 7

renaming ............................................... 46 uploading files, EXFO Connect .............. 92, 99
report .................................................. 286 user guide ................................................. 337
unavailable ............................................ 45 user interface language ............................... 25
tests you can perform ................................... 1
text files, OTDR.......................................... 169
V
theory
viewing
chromatic dispersion ........................... 357
macrobends ......................................... 120
polarization mode dispersion .............. 361
OLTS results ......................................... 208
three points reflectance ............................ 139
online help........................................... 337
thresholds
power meter results ..................... 208, 255
CD ....................................................... 176
section length .............................. 132, 263
iOLM.................................................... 217
viewing failed items........................... 153, 249
not applied .......................................... 115
viewing files, EXFO Connect ................ 92, 101
OLTS .................................................... 172
views
OTDR ................................................... 110
cable .................................................... 213
pass/fail, OTDR..................................... 113
fiber ..................................................... 213
PMD..................................................... 186
link....................................................... 209
value for current measurement ........... 116
section length .............................. 132, 263
time setting................................................. 28
virtual bidirectional files
tolerances
iOLM .................................................... 262
OTDR event matching .......................... 110
OTDR.................................................... 166
OTDR event matching pulse................. 124
tool for duplicated measurements ............ 318
toolbars W
displaying .............................................. 17 warranty....................................................... iii
moving .................................................. 18 wavelength for OTDR main measurement . 130
trial version ................................................. 10 wavelength table....................................... 179
two points section attenuation ................. 139 wavelengths
type of element, changing ........................ 236 adding and removing .......................... 172
types of measurements supported .............. 27 adding to OLTS project ........................ 172
windows, sorting....................................... 275
U working with two monitors......................... 24
undoing check out, EXFO Connect .............. 95
unidirectional
files from bidirectional file................... 164
loopback................................................ 58
uninstalling FastReporter 2............................ 8
units, distance ............................................. 43
universal sheet .......................................... 307
unsaved changes......................................... 38

384 FastReporter 2
 Index

Z
zero-dispersion wavelength, definition ..... 360
zoom
auto zoom level 1 ................................ 134
auto zoom level 2 ................................ 134
full graph............................................. 133
horizontal ............................................ 133
horizontal plus vertical ........................ 134
manual ................................................ 135
OTDR functions.................................... 133
selected event...................................... 135
undo zoom .......................................... 135
vertical................................................. 134

Post Processing Software 385

P/N: 1067505

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