Agilent Technologies Introduces Industry's First Fully Integrated Optical Modulation Analyzer for Testing 40/100G

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) recently introduced 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 more 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 today's most advanced integrated circuit technology to create the first optical modulation analyzer in the form factor of a mid-size oscilloscope. The smaller size allows for true portability. A 15-inch 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. This makes the new instrument an ideal tool for R&D engineers involved in 40/100G characterization and debugging. The ability to analyze signals correctly whenever needed steeply increases the engineers' insight into the nature of complex modulated optical signals and helps them avoid possible pitfalls in their designs.

"This is the kind of test instrument engineers have been waiting for," 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 Gbit/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 industry-leading N4391A optical modulation analyzer enabled by Agilent's 90000 X-Series oscilloscopes.

The new optical modulation analyzer family offers novel 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.
• Optical and differential RF inputs in one instrument.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

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.

Additional information about Agilent's N4392A optical modulation analyzer is available at www.agilent.com/find/N4392A. High-resolution images are available at www.agilent.com/find/oma_images.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,700 employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.