ADVANTEST Q8384 Optical Spectrum Analyzer

ADVANTEST Q8384  Optical Spectrum Analyzer

INTRODUCTION

Can measure and evaluate ultra high-speed optical DWDM transmission systems, and optical components at high wavelength resolution and high accuracy. New high-end optical spectrum analyzer adopting a new four-pass monochromator system providing high wavelength resolution and wide dynamic range. 

● 10 pm resolution bandwidth 

● 20 pm wavelength accuracy (after calibration with Opt. 25) 

● Wide dynamic range: 50 dB (±0.1 nm), 60 dB (±0.2 nm) 

● Optical frequency display 

● Accurate NF measurement on EDFAs 

● Can handle power levels as high as +23 dBm (200 mW) 

● Abundance of WDM analysis functions 

● Limit line function for Pass/Fail analysis provided

In DWDM optical communications, exacting wavelength measurements are required of the optical source. Evaluating these specifications requires an optical spectrum analyzer with enhanced resolution bandwidth and wavelength accuracy. To meet these stringent requirements, the Q8384 achieves 10 pm wavelength resolution, the best in the world* and attains 20 pm wavelength accuracy in the 1550 nm band. This high performance makes it possible for the Q8384 to measure the oscillation wavelength characteristics of laser diodes accurately.

Excellent Basic Performance

10 pm high wavelength resolution 

The Q8384 realizes a wavelength resolution bandwidth as high as 10 pm through the employment of a newly developed monochromator system. This makes it possible to measure and evaluate the side bands of optical signals which are intensity modulated at 10 Gbps, a task formerly impossible with conventional spectrum analyzers.

20 pm high wavelength accuracy

The Q8384 can measure wavelengths at an accuracy of ±20 pm within the wavelength range of the 1530 to 1570 nm C-band and at ±40 pm within the L-band range of 1570 to 1610 nm after being calibrated with the built-in calibration light source (option 25). It can accurately evaluate the exacting characteristics of laser diodes and optical filters used in DWDM transmission systems. Since the Q8384 provides a wavelength linearity of ±10 pm for the wavelength range of 1530 to 1570 nm, it can also accurately measure the wavelength interval of wavelength division multiplexed signals.

50 dB (±0.1 nm)/60 dB (±0.2 nm) wide dynamic ranges

Signals are subject to wavelength division multiplexing spaced at 50 GHz (0.4 nm) or shorter intervals in a DWDM system. An optical spectrum analyzer with superior dynamic range is required to separate and measure these tightly spaced signals. The Q8384 realizes a dynamic range of 60 dB or more at 0.2 nm making it ideal for this task. At 0.1 nm, the instrument provides a dynamic range of 50 dB or more, thus enabling it to support future DWDM systems with signals at even closer intervals.

Abundance of analysis features

Frequency sweep function 

The Q8384 allows the display of optical frequencies on the horizontal axis; This is ideal for measuring the standardized wavelength grid frequencies specified by the ITU-T (ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector).

Measuring the noise figure of an optical fiber amplifier 

The Q8384 makes one button measurements of the noise figure with high accuracy possible through performance enhancements in dynamic range, polarization dependency, level accuracy, linearity, wavelength resolution setting accuracy, etc. and applying curve fitting and other functions. Since the Q8384 can accurately determine the ASE level of DWDM signals that are multiplexed at intervals of 50 GHz (0.4 nm) or narrower, it provides not only the capability to perform accurate noise figure measurements but also the capability to show a listing of multiple measurement results at the same time.

WDM Analysis function 

The Q8384 can display a maximum of 256 peak wavelengths and power levels of WDM signals. It can show wavelength and power level as deviations from the ITU-T channel spacing or from a reference signal as well as in absolute values.

Alternate sweep function 

The Q8384 can show two sets of measurement data with different setup conditions in two windows. These windows are always rewritable using the alternate sweep function of the Q8384. With this function the user can make detailed measurements of signals in a specific wavelength band while monitoring the entire wavelength area of the WDM system