Keysight Technologies introduced its new N7718C Optical Reference Transmitter for testing optical receivers that support 200G-per-lane transmission.
The N7718C Optical Reference Transmitter provides both clean and stressed signals, facilitating tests for optical receiver designs up to 120 GBd per lane. By generating a wide range of signal types, including NRZ, PAM4, PAM6, and PAM8 waveforms, it supports research into 400Gbit/s per lane transmission when paired with the M8199B Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG). Its integration with the M8050 series bit error ratio tester (BERT) enables the tool to simulate real-world conditions, allowing designers to validate optical receivers under variable conditions such as optical extinction ratio, TDECQ, noise, and jitter.
Keysight has designed the N7718C to be highly versatile, with features like automated bias control for consistent performance and a built-in distributed feedback (DFB) laser operating in the O-band at 1310 nm. The transmitter is also compatible with tunable lasers, making it adaptable for different testing requirements. This new solution simplifies optical testing by eliminating the need for an RF amplifier, reducing jitter and noise, which is critical for ensuring high signal integrity.
The N7718C is a key component of Keysight’s N4917DJCA Optical Receiver Stress Test solution, where it works in tandem with the M8050A BERT. This setup allows customers to emulate a 120 GBd optical transmitter and validate optical receivers under stressed conditions. The transmitter supports various wavelength grids such as LR4, ER4, and CWDM4, making it ideal for high-speed optical communication testing across diverse applications.
• Keysight launches N7718C Optical Reference Transmitter for testing 200G-per-lane optical receivers.
• Supports NRZ, PAM4, PAM6, and PAM8 waveforms for up to 400Gbit/s per lane research.
• Integrates with M8050 BERT for testing up to 120 GBd per lane and variable optical conditions.
• Features automated bias control and 1310 nm DFB laser for high-performance testing.
• Supports LR4, ER4, and CWDM4 wavelength grids, expanding its versatility in optical communications.
“The N7718C represents a major advancement in optical testing, allowing for reduced jitter and noise thanks to its low Vpi, eliminating the need for RF amplifiers in many cases,” said Armin Loeffler, Director of Broadband & Photonics at Keysight.
