We pride ourselves on meticulous testing and validation procedures. Covering qualification, testing and compatibility of solutions, our processes have ensured a reliability rating of 99.98% across all components in our portfolio. Here’s how we achieve this:
Step One: Qualification
Before testing begins, our team conducts thorough in-house inspections of every optical component.
Every datasheet and reliability report associated with an optical component is meticulously examined by our team of experienced engineers, including the full Bill of Materials. Every technology undergoes our ten-point inspection process, considering all factors that could impact its longevity in use.
Elements such as temperature cycling and shock vibrations are accounted for and logged in our proprietary in-house order tracking system, Data Traveler System™ (DTS), which tracks every optic from initial materials to customer delivery.
Step Two: Validation
With an extensive portfolio of solutions and a robust test bed, our validation process involves multiple stages to ensure exceptional performance and reliability to our customers. This includes a rigorous 2,000-hour reliability validation process. While basic testing procedures are consistent across all our transceivers, components over 400G undergo additional advanced equipment testing.
First, comes the validation of a solution’s hardware. Through optical test equipment from reputable brands such as EXFO, we can check that the solution is meeting the relevant standards, and that the maximum possible data rates are consistently achieved.
Next, optical evaluation involves various Multilane ONTs (Optical Network Testers) to examine key characteristics necessary for a high-performance component. One such test, the ‘eye diagram,’ measures high-speed data quality by visualizing timing and level errors like jitter. Additionally the team evaluates the extinction ratio (ratio of high to low power in an optical signal, indicating signal clarity and data quality).
Step Three: Compatibility
Once qualification and validation are complete, we conduct platform-specific compatibility tests in our lab, designed for high efficiency and thorough analysis. Each transceiver is tested at its maximum fiber reach in a Network Equipment Manufacturer (NEM) environment specific to our customer’s needs, ensuring seamless integration.
Using our DTS system, the team identifies requirements and matches customer-end platforms. Once this has been determined, we begin to test compatibility which includes integrating transceivers with NEM switches and conducting traffic generation tests to ensure long-term reliability. Our diverse range of switches, fiber spools, and lab equipment replicates real-world scenarios in-house, ensuring components perform flawlessly before they reach the field.
Test results are documented in our DTS system, where our experienced team inspects diagnostics, code and performance data before proceeding to the final stage: optical Inspection.
Step Four: Optical Inspection
After completing compatibility tests, we perform auto-analysis inspections of each TOSA (Transmit Optical Subassembly) and ROSA (Receiving Optical Subassembly) to ensure the devices are clear of any defects or contamination and meet the rigorous standards set by Addon Networks, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Our team has extensive experience testing solutions against traditional NEM infrastructure. As a result, we are the only supplier capable of coding multiple NEMs on a single transceiver. Today, our commitment to proven interoperability has led to optical solutions compatible with over 100 systems and thousands of switches. The DTS ensures coding and testing is completed in the intended application, and within the targeted switch environment.
The AddOn Advantage
The quality of our solutions reflects our stringent end-to-end certification and testing procedures. We remain the only supplier to test every optical transceiver to meet the specific requirements of our customers’ environments. By ensuring a seamless networking experience, our partners and customers can rely on a constant stock of dependable, market-leading optics.
As network demands increase, we will maintain this commitment to deliver cost-effective solutions. Our processes guarantee users of our solutions can enjoy the unique benefits of third-party suppliers without compromising on quality or performance.
Contact us to learn more.