New PXIT Modules for Optical Transceiver Manufacturing - Agilent

Agilent introduced its new PXIT modules for optical transceiver manufacturing, offering a combined bit error ratio tester (BERT) and Digital Communications Analyzer (DCA) with double the bit-rate coverage. The new modules are: The N2100B PXIT DCA,  N2101B PXIT 10.7 Gb/s BERT,  N2102B PXIT 11.1 Gb/s pattern generator, and N2099A PXIT synthesizer. The flexibility and  modularity of these modules enable optical transceiver manufacturers to combine key instruments needed to perform required measurements, in one mainframe via the same interface.

Agilent’s PXIT Modules: N2102B PXIT 11.1 Pattern Generator & N2099A PXIT Synthesizer

Sigi Gross, Agilent's Digital Test Division, said:

…We acquired PXIT in December 2006 to address the requirements of our customers in transceiver manufacturing

Our customers wanted a smaller, faster, more cost-effective solution. The release of the next generation of PXIT modules builds on all these traits and now provides customers with a solution that can test their next generation of products as well as their previous ones…

The new Agilent PXIT Modules:

• The N2100B PXIT DCA (Digital Communications Analyzer) implements a coherent patented vector under-sampling technique which combines the benefits and measurement capabilities of a real time scope with the bandwidth of a sampling scope. The N2100B performs accurate eye diagram analysis to characterize the quality of transmitters from 1.063 Gb/s to 8.5 Gb/s. Price start at US$27,000.
  Properties:
  • Eye diagram, mask, and jitter testing in a single instrument
  • High throughput measurement engine
  • Cost effective architecture
  • Small form-factor 4-slot PXI module allowing multiple instruments to be deployed in a single chassis
  • Wide optical bandwidth coverage from 780 nm to 1620 nm
  • Ideal for manufacturing environments
  • Integral clock recovery for measurements up to 2.7 Gb/s
  • Single ended electrical input
• The N2101B PXIT 10.7 Gb/s BERT (Bit Error Ratio Tester) consists of a high accuracy clock source, data pattern generator, and error detector. It will automatically perform bit error ratio analysis to characterize the quality of devices at 10 standard internal rates from 155 Mb/s to 8.5 Gb/s.
  In conjunction with a synthesizer such as the Agilent N2099A, the N2101B BERT can operate at any rate up to 10.7 Gb/s.
  To realize the most complete value of the N2101B it can be combined with the Agilent PXIT family of products such as the N2100B PXIT Digital Communication Analyzer and the N2102B Pattern Generator. Price start at US$35,000.
  Properties:
  • Single instrument 3-slot wide PXI card containing pattern generation with error detection
  • Bit error display over time
  • Easily combined with DCA, Synthesizer, Pattern Generator or multiple BERT modules in a PXI chassis
  • Automatic clock data align
  • Error injection: single error or error rate injection
  • Jitter Bathtub display
• The N2102B PXIT 11.1 Gb/s Pattern Generator is a 2-slot module capable of generating multiple patterns. The N2102B enables complete coverage from 622 Mb/s to 11.1 Gb/s with improved jitter and transition times. Price start at US$17,000.
  Properties:
  • PRBS Generations 2n -1, (N=7, 9, 15, 23, 31)
  • Single error and error rate injection
  • User selectable patterns: K28.5, K28.7, CRPAT, user loadable 2 Kbits
  • Differential data output
  • SMA clock input and output
  • SMA trigger output (Clock / 128, Pattern, user defined burst enable)
  • Requires an external clock
  • 2-slot PXI module
• The N2099A PXIT Synthesizer is a 2-slot module that covers a 2 GHz tuning range and is available at a number of center frequencies: 5.25GHz, 9.4GHz and 10.5GHz. The N2099A is a suitable clock source for the N2101B and N2102B modules when an external clock is required. Price start at US$8,000.
  Properties:
  • Several frequency ranges available between 3 and 12 GHz
  • 2 outputs
  • 2 GHz tuning range
  • 10 MHz Ref Output
  • Excellent phase noise performance
  • Non-volatile storage of set frequency - unit powers up at previously set frequency
  • 2 slot PXI module

More info: Agilent’s PXIT Modules for Optical Transceiver Manufacturing