Datacom Textron Announces FiberMeter for Premise Wiring Optical Fiber Certification; New FiberMeter Is the First Dual Fiber Tester to Include a Talk Set.

EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 1999--

Datacom Textron today announced FiberMeter(TM) the first in Datacom's new Ra Series of Fiber Certification System for field testing of premises wiring multimode and singlemode fiber links.

FiberMeter is the first portable tester to provide automated measurement of optical loss and cable length on pairs of multimode fiber, Pass/Fail certification against industry standards, detailed certification reports, and a built-in talk set. FiberMeter will be available in December 1999 through authorized Datacom distributors at a list price of $3600.

With FiberMeter, testing of premises wiring multimode fiberoptic links is greatly simplified compared to manual loss test sets, by eliminating the need for interpretation of raw test data and the need to swap connectors, cables and light sources. FiberMeter automatically completes bi-directional loss measurements at both 850 and 1300 nm wavelengths, measures cable length and propagation delay, compares results against industry standards, such as TIA 568A, ISO 11801, or Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-SX, and provides Pass/Fail analysis based upon those standards. "FiberMeter will significantly reduce the time spent setting up and performing tests, and will quickly pay for itself with productivity improvements," said Jim Bordyn, Strategic Marketing Director at Datacom Textron. "Use of FiberMeter for multimode fiber certification can cut testing time up to 80 percent or more compared to manual loss measuring methods. And for solo-operator testing, FiberMeter saves even more time spent as tests can be initiated from either end of the fiber link using either FiberMeter handset."

The FiberMeter test system consists of a pair of identical handsets, each of which includes both a power meter and dual LED source. Each handset has a backlighted, graphical LCD display and memory for up to 1000 test records. As each handset can initiate an Autotest and store results, the system can hold up to 2000 test records. Test reports can be uploaded to a PC, using the provided Report Manager Software, for sorting, archiving and printout.

FiberMeter includes LinkTalk(TM), a built-in two-way talk set for communicating between operators at opposite ends of multimode fiber links. "LinkTalk talk set is a great convenience when installing fiber within multi-story buildings, hospitals, and government facilities," said Bordyn. "Two-radio reception is often obstructed by surrounding building steel, and in some facilities use of such radios is strictly prohibited because of potential interference with other communications."

Singlemode fiber testing will also be supported by FiberMeter with a free firmware update planned to release in January 2000. Each FiberMeter handset can be used as a precision optical power meter for measuring loss on singlemode fiber at both 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths using a separate laser source.

Datacom Textron, a division of Greenlee Textron and subsidiary of Textron, Inc. (NYSE:TXT), has been a technology leader for more than 15 years. Datacom Textron is recognized as a leading manufacturer of network media certification and network diagnostic test equipment. Best known for its award winning LANcat series of cable testers, noted for ease-of-use, field reliability, superior measurement accuracy, and patented modularity. The NETcat series of network analysis instruments pioneered industry development of affordable physical layer troubleshooters capable of diagnosing common network problems associated with NICSs, Hubs, Routers and Switches. Datacom Textron is an ISO 9001 company.

For more information, contact Datacom at 425/355-0590, by fax [phone]. E-mail at [e-mail], or visit Datacom's web site at http://www.datacom.textron.com.