VIAVI Solutions introduced what it says is the industry’s first all-in-one medium- and long-range bidirectional testing and certification solution designed specifically for hollow core fiber (HCF). The platform targets emerging deployments of HCF in data center interconnect (DCI), AI infrastructure, and other latency-sensitive networks where conventional single-mode fiber test methods fall short.
The solution integrates VIAVI’s 8100 Series OTDR modules, optical dispersion measurement (ODM) modules, and ReportPRO software with proprietary HCF-specific algorithms. These algorithms enable bidirectional OTDR analysis, dispersion testing, and attenuation profiling tailored to the unique optical characteristics of hollow core fiber, including different backscattering behavior and spectral requirements. VIAVI said the system has been validated through trials with fiber manufacturers, specialist contractors, and three leading hyperscalers.
Hollow core fiber is gaining traction for long-distance, high-performance links due to lower latency, reduced chromatic dispersion, and lower attenuation compared with single-mode fiber. VIAVI positioned its new platform as a way to de-risk these higher-cost deployments by enabling full certification of splice quality, connector loss, and fiber integrity across short-, medium-, and long-haul HCF links using a single test system hosted on the OneAdvisor 800 Fiber platform.
- Supports bidirectional OTDR, PMD, CD, and attenuation profile testing for hollow core fiber
- Designed for DNANF and PBG hollow core fiber types
- Suitable for short-, medium-, and long-distance links without OTDR-based dispersion limits
- Validated in trials with three hyperscalers and multiple fiber ecosystem partners
“A key advantage of hollow core fiber is that it transmits data faster over longer distances, but testing splice quality, connector losses, and fiber integrity requires a different approach,” said Kevin Oliver, Vice President and General Manager, Fiber and Access Solutions at VIAVI.
🌐 Analysis
As hyperscalers evaluate hollow core fiber for AI-driven data center interconnect, financial trading, and emerging quantum communications, testing and certification has become a gating factor for broader deployment. VIAVI’s move reflects a shift in the optical test market toward specialized tools that align with next-generation fiber architectures, as competitors also adapt OTDR and dispersion platforms for higher-performance, longer-reach optical links.
