Industry first for next generation optical comms.

Multicore fibre evaluation solution.

Anritsu has developed the industry’s first* Multi Channel fibre Tester MT9100A, enabling transmission quality evaluation of multicore fibres supporting next-generation high-capacity optical communications. While the test solution has been offered exclusively in Japan since last November (2025), its official global rollout has now been announced.

This test solution is based on the multi-channel OTDR method invented by Special Honorary Professor Masataka Nakazawa at Tohoku University. By synchronising multiple Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), this method measures both the transmission and return losses in multicore fibres, as well as measures and visualises the distribution of signal interference between cores (inter-core crosstalk) along the fibre length. This test solution with four OTDR channels, provides powerful support for applications such as verifying optimal installation conditions during R&D, and high-speed inspection tasks required by manufacturing.

Development background
The recent proliferation of AI and cloud services has driven a continuous increase in transmission capacity for optical communications linking submarine cables and data centers. However, the transmission capacity of conventional optical fibre is nearing its limits. As a solution, “multicore fibres,” which independently accommodate multiple cores (optical transmission paths) within a single fibre, are gaining attention.

Research on multicore fibres has been conducted since the 2000s. Anritsu has collaborated with Tohoku University, a pioneer in this field, to develop measurement methods using the multi-channel OTDR method. For the practical application of multicore fibres, quality evaluation including core-to-core crosstalk and technology for high-speed inspection are required. To address these market challenges, we have commercialised a multi-channel OTDR measurement instrument capable of evaluating multicore fibres.

Product features.
The MT9100A features a unique mechanism that synchronises the operation of four OTDR channels. Primarily designed for multicore fibre R&D and manufacturing applications, it offers the following three key features:

• Distribution Measurement of Core-to-Core Crosstalk - The MT9100A can measure and display core-to-core crosstalk as a spatial distribution along the fibre length. By visualising areas where crosstalk locally increases and the amount of crosstalk increase in any given section, it contributes to optimising fibre installation conditions.
• Improved Workability with Single-End Measurement - The MT9100A enables measurement at one end of the multicore fibre. This eliminates the need to position operators at both ends during field tests where fibre ends are far apart, significantly reducing time and labour during installation and operation.
• Enhanced Productivity for Multicore fibres - The MT9100A enables simultaneous measurement of transmission loss, return loss, and core-to-core crosstalk – essential quality evaluation parameters for multicore fibres – or up to four cores without reconnecting. This allows faster inspection than with the conventional crosstalk evaluation method.

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* As a multi-channel OTDR-based tester (Anritsu survey as of November 2025)

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