With the exponential growth of the Internet of Things, as well as cloud computing services, video streaming and conferencing, and the increasing access to mobile broadband, the demand for data capacity will expand enormously in the coming years. High-capacity optical backhaul networks will be needed to serve this growing traffic density. Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is an optical multiplexing technology used to increase bandwidth on existing fiber networks.
As data-hungry applications increase the performance requirements of DWDM systems, telecom channels are becoming more widely spaced, making it more difficult to separate individual channels in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) analysis in an OSA.
The Yokogawa OSA AQ6380 offers optical performance that enables engineers and scientists to develop and improve the speed, bandwidth, and quality of next-generation communication networks, while its ease of use ensures speed and efficiency.
The AQ6380 boasts excellent optical wavelength resolution down to 5 picometers (pm), enabling the clear separation and precise measurement of closely spaced optical signals. With the AQ6380, waveforms previously invisible on a typical OSA, such as lateral modulation peaks in the laser spectrum, can now be accurately visualized.
It also offers a wavelength range of 1200 to 1650 nm, allowing a single unit to meet diverse wavelength measurement needs. Thanks to the ability to adjust the wavelength resolution from 5 pm to 2 nm, a wide range of applications can be supported, from narrowband peak and spot measurements to broadband spectral measurements.
A major challenge for optical researchers has been maintaining the accuracy of their instruments, as changes in ambient temperature, vibrations, and shocks can affect the precision of optical spectrum analyzer measurements.
To maintain consistently high accuracy, the AQ6380 features integrated calibration based on a built-in light source. Wavelength calibration is performed automatically at preset intervals by switching the optical path with an internal optical switch.
Another important parameter in optical waveform analysis is the near dynamic range, defined as the difference in measured power level from the signal peak to the noise at a specific distance from the peak wavelength.
The AQ6380 incorporates a newly designed monochromator with sharper spectral characteristics than previously available, achieving a near dynamic range of up to 65 dB. As a result, closely spaced signals can be clearly separated and accurately measured.
The new monochromator also offers very high stray light suppression, an important criterion in optical measurement. For example, in situations such as laser SMSR 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 rating of 80 dB.
It captures 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 quick setup of the measurement setup and easy data acquisition.
The high-resolution, highly responsive 10.4-inch LCD touchscreen makes the device as easy and intuitive to operate as a tablet.
When analyzing results, the AQ6380 features built-in analysis functions to characterize the optical spectrum of a wide variety of optical systems and devices, such as WDM, DFB-LD, EDFA, and filters.
These analysis functions include: DFB-LD; FP-LD; LED; Spectral Width (Peak/Spot); SMSR; Optical Power; WDM (OSNR); EDFA (Gain and NF); Filter (Peak/Foot); and WDM Filter (Peak/Foot).
The AQ6380 also features an "APP Mode" menu, which greatly simplifies measurement setup. Pressing the APP button displays an overview of the pre-installed test applications: WDM, DFB-LD, FP-LD, and LED tests. A wizard guides the user through a straightforward process of setting up specific measurements and analyses.
New or additional trial applications will be available for download from the Yokogawa website and may be added to the AQ6380 via future firmware updates.
