Agilent Introduces Fully Integrated Optical Modulation Analyzer for Testing 40/100G

February 29, 2012. Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced what the company calls the industry’s first portable, fully integrated optical modulation analyzer with a laptop-size screen. The compact design and affordable price make the new Agilent N4392A optical modulation analyzer accessible to all engineers who need to analyze complex modulated optical signals during development and manufacturing of 40/100G coherent transmitters and receivers.

The N4392A enables engineers to characterize components like in-phase quadrature modulators and integrated coherent receivers designed according to industry standards for 100G coherent transmission. The integrated design significantly accelerates setup and eliminates configuration effort so users can focus on design challenges.

Built-in performance verification and recalibration routines deliver high- confidence test results and extend the recommended recalibration period, improving uptime and lowering the cost of ownership.

Agilent used advanced integrated circuit technology to create the first optical modulation analyzer in the form factor of a mid-size oscilloscope. A 15″ analysis screen shows more information at the same time, making it easier for engineers to characterize complex modulated optical signals.

In addition to the features currently available in other optical modulation analyzers, the N4392A offers four differential RF input channels to help engineers characterize integrated coherent optical receivers.

Said Juergen Beck, general manager of Agilent’s Digital and Photonic Test Division. “40/100G technology has gained broad acceptance in the last few years. We are committed to this application field and are proud to provide sophisticated test instrumentation for high-end research as well as affordable engineering test equipment to support the ramp of 100G technology in development and manufacturing.”

The N4392A, optimized for 40/100 Gb/s test requirements, extends Agilent’s portfolio of optical modulation analyzers. For 400 Gb/s to 1 Tb/s next-generation transmission rates, Agilent offers the N4391A optical modulation analyzer enabled by Agilent’s 90000 X-Series oscilloscopes.

The new optical modulation analyzer family offers signal-processing algorithms for modulation-format-transparent polarization alignment and phase tracking. The family also offers chromatic dispersion and first-order polarization mode-dispersion measurement and compensation. All modulation analyzers provide a defined interface to customer-developed MATLAB algorithms. This feature enables consistent results from early research to final manufacturing qualification, including the exchange of configuration files.

Features of the Agilent N4392A optical modulation analyzer include full support of 32-Gbaud modulation formats, 63-Gs/s real-time sampling, and optical and differential RF inputs in one instrument.

Agilent will unveil the N4392A at OFC/NFOEC 2012 in Los Angeles, March 6-8.

The Agilent N4392A optical modulation analyzer will be available to order in May; shipments will begin in September. Price for a typical configuration for use in research and development is $165,000. www.agilent.com/find/N4392A.

Visit the previous “Breaking News” item.