Anritsu adds 4-channel oscilloscope option to BER tester

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Anritsu Corp. has added a four-channel (4ch) sampling oscilloscope option for the BERTWave MP2110A , which integrates the functionality of a multi-channel oscilloscope and a bit error rate tester (BERT) in an all-in-one unit. The integration also cuts the unit cost per channel in half, said Anritsu, while maintaining the same performance.

The new tester combo supports 100G/400G optical module manufacturers that need to lower their testing costs as backbone networks and data centers move to 100G Ethernet, and in the future 400G Ethernet, in anticipation of 5G communications. The functionality of these optical modules, including NRZ/PAM4 signaling, multiple channels, and different wavelengths, used in these networks traditionally required more expensive high-performance test systems.

The new oscilloscope option provides multi-channel support in hardware and software and enables high-efficiency measurement of both multi-channel modules and multiple single-channel modules for high-usability evaluation environments.

Key BERTWave features:

• Built-in oscilloscope and BERT with selection of one, two, or four channels for development and manufacturing of 25G to 400G optical devices
• Sampling oscilloscope: High sensitivity supports wide optical signal analysis from 25-Gbaud NRZ to 53-Gbaud PAM4 with built-in clock recovery option
• BERT: Same waveform quality and sensitivity as R&D module, with clock recovery built in as standard
• Fast stable measurement using built-in PC

Target applications for the new tester include evaluating physical layer performance of 25G to 400G optical transceiver modules, optical cables, and their component parts for use in data centers, core/metro networks, 4G/5G mobile backhaul, and 5G mobile fronthaul.