Precision Making

Yokogawa AQ7290: Pushing OTDR reliability, ease-of-use, and productivity to new levels

by Edwin Luijks March 6, 2025

Here at Yokogawa, we are releasing a reliable, easy-to-use optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) with a number of added-value benefits for users. The new AQ7290 series will see our existing AQ7280 platform replaced over time. Among numerous improvements are simpler OTDR measurements and the ability to measure over longer distances than ever before. With its enhanced functionality, large capacity battery, and 8.4-inch user-friendly touchscreen, our new AQ7290 empowers you to make fast, precise fiber-optic measurements with complete confidence.

The AQ7290 series is an all-in-one (non-modular) OTDR. You can presently select from a concise range of up to six standard and high-performance models, providing a choice of two or three wavelengths to satisfy a broad range of fiber-optic test and measurement needs in research, manufacturing and optical network analysis.

With our new optical fiber field test instrument, you will benefit from up to 2dB dynamic range improvement over the previous-generation AQ7280 series. The result? Technicians have the ability to measure over a longer distance than previously, including long-distance fibers that serve as the metro/core network between buildings and cities.

Further added value arrives courtesy of improved waveform quality and event detection performance, as well as high-reflection real-time measurement. Moreover, the AQ7290’s robust design supports reliable operation in harsh field conditions, making this OTDR ideal for telecommunications carriers, telecommunications network installation companies, and network service providers operating in the power, cable TV, or railway sectors. Its proven operating system assures stability, prompt response, and superior protection against software virus attacks.

Regarding ease-of-use, the instrument boasts dual operation modes through an 8.4-inch high-luminance color LCD touchscreen and hard-key buttons. It enables fully automatic measurements and easy-to-read analytic reports via new software applications that provide smartphone-like usability. In addition, a new simple OTDR mode supports a wide range of users, including beginners.

Rapid start-up and immediate reporting via wireless connectivity means the multi-tasking operational capabilities of our AQ7290 OTDR will help maximize your productivity. You can gain from the efficient multi-fiber measurement of up to 2000 fibers, and auto-execute multiple measurements and analyses using the Smart Mapper function.

As a field-ready instrument, the AQ7290 features a high-capacity battery that operates for up to 15 hours, so you never have to worry about running out of power during the working day. However, to enhance field operations further, the introduction of a USB Type-C port for a DC power supply means there is no requirement for a dedicated AC adapter during charging. It’s also possible to power the AQ7290 from a USB Power Delivery compliant mobile battery, ensuring you can respond to sudden service calls with total peace of mind. Connecting via your PC or smartphone for file transfer or remote-control purposes is easy using Wi-Fi (USB dongle), wireless LAN (USB-LAN converter), or USB.

We have designed our new AQ7290 OTDR series to reflect the current and future needs of those operating in the optical communications network market. Please contact our expert team to discover more about the value it can add to your fiber-optic test and measurement applications.

For further information on the AQ7290 OTDR series, click here.