New Capabilities Include High-Throughput Multichannel Test with Advanced Automation Capabilities
SAN DIEGO, Calif., OFC/NFOEC, Booth 1515, March 22, 2010 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a plug-in module for its industry-leading 86100C digital communications analyzer (DCA) that allows engineers to simultaneously test multiple optical signals.
Simultaneous analysis of multiple optical signals provides two key benefits. First, testing several single-lane devices in parallel can dramatically reduce the effective cost of transceiver test. Second, as more optically based communications systems rely on a parallel scheme to increase effective transmission rates, the ability to observe several lanes of data at once becomes important.
Transceiver manufacturers face continual pressure to reduce the prices they charge for their products. They must also be able to respond quickly to large swings in customer volume requirements and simultaneously maintain high-level transceiver performance. The Agilent 86100C/86115D system helps transceiver manufacturers with all of these issues by providing cost-effective test and delivering the highest accuracy.
The 86115D optical reference receiver plug-in module can be configured with two or four optical ports. The 86100C DCA mainframe can accept up to two 86115D plug-in modules. As a result, the DCA system can monitor from two to eight optical signals. Each channel of the 86115D is designed for precision waveform analysis of optical transceivers operating at 8X or 16X Fibre Channel and 10-Gb SONET/SDH/Ethernet rates. The integrated optical receiver has an unfiltered bandwidth exceeding 20 GHz, and switchable compliant reference receivers. The 86115D allows complete waveform analysis over multiple transceiver technologies, from early R&D through volume manufacturing.
Virtually every high-volume manufacturing system employs various levels of automation to minimize test times. Firmware enhancements for the 86100C DCA mainframe streamline automated transceiver test. Enhancements include faster and more robust auto-scaling, utilities for fast laser tuning and an acquisition system that allows engineers to analyze multiple channels in parallel.
"By enabling multiple optical transceivers to be tested in parallel, the 86115D can provide a dramatic improvement in throughput," said Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business. "This improvement will dramatically lower the cost required to test each transceiver -- in many cases, our customers can expect a greater than 50 percent reduction in cost-of-test."
Additional information about Agilent's 86100C Series products can be found at www.agilent.com/find/86115D. Product images are available at www.agilent.com/find/86115D_images.
Background information about optical component and transceiver test and Agilent's solutions is available at: www.agilent.com/find/oct_backgrounder.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Agilent 86115D module can be ordered beginning in April and has a starting price of $68,000. Shipments will start in June. The free 86100C firmware revision 9.0 upgrade also will be available in June.
