High-precision optical spectrum analyser for next-generation component development

Yokogawa has launched a new optical spectrum analyser (OSA) designed to offer the extreme accuracy required by researchers developing the next generation of optical communication components.

With the exponential growth of the 'Internet of things', cloud computing services, video broadcasting and conferencing, and increased mobile broadband access, the demand for data capacity will increase dramatically in the coming years.

High-capacity optical backhaul networks will be needed to serve this increasing traffic density.

Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM dense wavelength division multiplexing) is an optical multiplexing technology used to increase bandwidth on the existing fibre network.

As data-hungry applications drive up the performance requirements of DWDM systems, telecommunication channels are becoming ever closer together, making it more difficult to separate individual channels in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) analysis via an OSA.

In response, the Yokogawa AQ6380 OSA offers unrivalled optical performance to enable engineers and scientists to develop and improve the speed, bandwidth and quality of next-generation communications networks, while its ease of use ensures fast and efficient operation.

The AQ6380 hasexcellent optical wavelength resolution of up to 5 picometres (pm), allowing optical signals in close proximity to be clearly separated and accurately measured.

With the AQ6380, waveforms that were previously not even visible in a typical OSA, such as modulation side peaks in the laser spectrum, can now be accurately visualised.

The instrument offers a wavelength range from 1200 to 1650 nm, allowing one unit to meet different wavelength measurement needs.

With the ability to change the wavelength resolution from 5 pm to 2 nm, a wide range of applications can be supported, from narrowband peak/notch measurements to broadband spectral measurements.

One of the main challenges for optical researchers has been to maintain theaccuracy of their instruments, with variations in ambient temperature, vibration and shock potentially affecting the measurement accuracy of optical spectrum analysers.

To maintain consistently high accuracy, the AQ6380 features on-board calibration based on a built-in light source.

Wavelength calibration is performed automatically at set intervals by switching the optical path with an internal optical switch.

Another important parameter in optical waveform analysis is the dynamic range close in, defined as the difference in power level measured from the signal peak to noise at a specified distance from the peak wavelength.

The AQ6380 features a newly developed monochromator with sharper spectral characteristics than previously available, achieving a close dynamic range of up to 65 dB.

The result is that close-in signals can be clearly separated and precisely measured.

The new monochromator also offershigh suppression of stray light, an important criterion in optical measurement. For example, in situations such as SMSR laser measurement, where several optical spectra with different levels are measured simultaneously, stray light can interfere with the measurement.

The AQ6380 offers a best-in-class stray light suppression value of 80 dB.

High measurement speed is another major advantage, with the AQ6380 acquiring data points in just 0.23 seconds compared to 5.4 seconds for the existing model (AQ6370D) under certain conditions.

The new AQ6380 is also designed for ease of use and efficiency, ensuring that the measuring scheme can be set up quickly and data can be captured easily.

The high-resolution, responsive 10.4-inch LCD touchscreen display makes the device as easy and intuitive to use as a tablet.

When it comes to analysing the results, the AQ6380 has built-in analysis functions to characterise the optical spectrum from a variety of optical systems and devices, such as WDM, DFB-LD, EDFA and filters.

Analysis functions include: DFB-LD, FP-LD, LED, spectral width (peak/notch), SMSR, optical power, WDM (OSNR), EDFA (gain and NF), filter (peak/bottom) and WDM filter (peak/bottom).

The AQ6380 also features an application-based "APP mode" menu, which makes setting up the measurement much easier.

Pressing the APP button displays an overview of the pre-installed test apps: WDM, DFB-LD, FP-LD and LED tests.

A wizard guides the user through an easy configuration process for specific measurements and analyses.

Additional or new test applications will be made available for download from the Yokogawa website and may be added to the AQ6380 via future firmware updates.

Comments

"TheAQ6380 is demonstrably the best 'grating based' OSA in the world, outperforming the nearest competition in terms of wavelength accuracy, resolution, dynamic range and effective measurement speed," says Terry Marrinan, Vice President of Marketing at Yokogawa Test & Measurement.

"The new product also offers a highly efficient alternative to other measurement technologies, favorably comparing the wavelength range and effective dynamic range and offering superior measurement speed and application adaptability, as well as a highly competitive price."

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