Exfo IQS-500 Intelligent Test System

The EXFO IQS-500 Intelligent Test System is a modular platform for optical and transport network analysis in laboratory and field environments. Built on industrial PC architecture with Pentium III processing, it hosts up to 100 test modules and scales from 5 to 10 module slots per controller, with expansion capability via successive IQS-510E units. The system runs EXFO’s IQS Manager software on Windows 2000 Professional and maintains backward compatibility with IQ-200 Optical Test System modules, protecting existing capital equipment investments.

– Technical Specifications

• Control Units: IQS-505P (5 module slots, 8.4-inch TFT touchscreen) or IQS-510P (10 module slots, optional 1U rack-mountable screen/keyboard)
• Processor: Industrial Pentium III
• Maximum Module Capacity: 100 modules across primary controller and up to nine IQS-510E expansion units
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Connectivity: Ethernet (10/100 Base-T), RS-232, optional GPIB

– Key Features

• Modular Architecture: Supports power meters, light sources, optical component analyzers, and transport/network test modules
• Backward Compatibility: IQ-200 generation modules integrate directly into IQS-500 platform
• Scalable Expansion: Single controller manages up to nine expansion units without additional processing overhead
• Local and Remote Operation: Integrated touchscreen for benchtop use; Ethernet and GPIB enable remote automation and data acquisition
• Local Processing Capability: Applications run directly on controller hardware

– Typical Applications

• Optical power measurement and characterization
• Wavelength analysis and source validation
• Return loss and polarization state verification
• SONET/SDH and PDH electrical transport testing
• Ethernet and packet-layer network diagnostics

– Compatibility & Integration

The IQS-500 platform accommodates EXFO IQS-series modules including calibration and high-speed power meters, tunable and broadband light sources, variable attenuators, wavelength meters, and transport test modules. RS-232, Ethernet, and GPIB interfaces enable direct integration into automated production and laboratory environments.