Teledyne LeCroy, Coherent Solutions Ltd., Anritsu Co. and Oclaro Inc. announced a new joint effort to demonstrate the highest performance single-carrier 16 QAM signal generation and analysis capabilities available at 56 Gbaud. The demonstration of the partners’ latest optical communications test equipment platform takes place at OFC 2016 in Anaheim, Calif. in the Teledyne LeCroy Booth #1115.

The platform incorporates the highest-performance equipment available for generating, transmitting, receiving and analyzing coherent optical signals at 400G rates. Anritsu’s MP1800A Signal Quality Analyzer and G0361A high-speed DAC generate the high-quality 56Gbaud, PAM4 RF signal (112 Gbps). Coherent Solutions’ IQTransmitter then uses Oclaro’s latest 40 GHz LiNbO3 modulator to turn these PAM4 RF signals into an optical 16 QAM signal.

New modulation-format-independent Automatic Bias Control (ABC) technology, also from Coherent Solutions, automatically optimizes and stabilizes the signal. Teledyne LeCroy’s 65 GHz LabMaster 10-65Zi-A high-bandwidth real-time oscilloscope combines with the 70 GHz IQS70 coherent optical receiver and Optical-LinQ integrated OMA software to accurately characterize the modulated optical signal.

“Being able to generate a high-quality 16 QAM signal at rates as high as 56 GBaud using commercially available instruments is a major milestone in the pathway to single-carrier 400G. It is also a great way to showcase the latest products in the coherent communications ecosystem,” said Andy Stevens, CEO of Coherent Solutions.

Anritsu’s MP1800A Signal Quality Analyzer (SQA) is a market-leading Bit Error Rate tester offering a comprehensive suite of test capabilities to support complete signal and transmission integrity analysis. In the demonstration, the MP1800A will be integrated with the G0361A, a 64Gbaud 2-bit D/A Converter (DAC) with dual-channel 2x1 multiplexers. The solution featuring the G0361A and MP1800A BERT eliminates the complex setup and configuration issues associated with legacy systems while also minimizing capital equipment costs.

“The 400GbE Ethernet standard now under investigation uses faster symbol bit rates and more lanes, as well as the PAM modulation method to increase the transfer capacity per unit time. As will be shown in the demonstration, connecting the new G0361A to the MP1800A SQA offers support for generating high-baud-rate PAM4 signals to help move next-generation technology forward,” said Hiroshi Goto, Digital/Optics Business Development Manager, Anritsu Co.

Coherent Solutions’ new IQTransmitter offers an unparalleled 40 GHz of RF bandwidth and incorporates the new modulator Automatic Bias Control (ABC) circuitry, which provides fully pattern-independent bias control. This is a critical capability for the investigation of higher-order modulation formats such as 16 QAM. The 40 GHz IQTransmitter provides research, development, and production environments with a stable, coherently modulated optical signal for component and system characterization. “We are very pleased to showcase our new IQTX-40 IQTransmitter in this system, which sets a new standard for high baud-rate optical signal generation and analysis instrumentation,” states Coherent Solutions’ CEO, Andy Stevens.

The Oclaro 400G LiNbO3 external modulator is the industry’sfirst device explicitly designed to enable speeds of 400G and beyond on a single wavelength or carrier.  “By eliminating the need to use two wavelengths with the 16QAM modulation format, Oclaro’s new modulator will enable customers to accelerate the design and test of next-generation, high-speed 400Gb/s networks,” said Adam Carter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oclaro. “We are pleased to see our modulator being used in this industry-first development platform as this represents a major milestone in the design, test, and delivery of the higher-speed networks that carriers are demanding.”

Teledyne LeCroy’s Optical Modulation Analysis solution provides the industry’s best performance by combining the highest bandwidth with the most flexible analysis. The 70 GHz bandwidth IQS70 Coherent Optical Receiver integrates seamlessly with the world-leading LabMaster 10Zi-A oscilloscope and OpticalLinQ software, delivering the most complete optical modulation analysis package. “Consistent bandwidth leadership means Teledyne LeCroy oscilloscopes have become crucial tools for those pushing the boundaries of optical communications technology,” said Patrick Connally, Product Manager for high-performance oscilloscopes at Teledyne LeCroy. “Our complete optical modulation analysis solution enables us to continue that trend in this leading-edge development platform.”

The joint demonstration will be on display at the Teledyne LeCroy booth #1115. A secondary set up will be on display at Oclaro booth #1601.

A technical presentation showcasing the set up will be hosted on Wednesday, March 23, 3 p.m., at Booth #1115.

For more information, visit teledynelecroy.com, www.coherent-solutions.com, www.oclaro.com or www.anritsu.com.