Keysight has introduced the N4378A Lightwave Component Analyzer (LCA), a test setup aimed at validating next-generation optical transmitter and receiver components used in AI and data center interconnects. The system is built to deliver fully calibrated S-parameter measurements up to 220 GHz for electro-optical (E-O) and opto-electronic (O-E) devices.
The N4378A is designed to integrate with Keysight’s PNA-X Vector Network Analyzer and frequency extenders, and it supports single-sweep, broadband measurements up to 220 GHz at 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths. Keysight is positioning the platform for characterization work tied to higher-speed optical technologies, including 1.6 Tb/s and 3.2 Tb/s optical component development.
For data center engineers, the practical value is simple: as electrical and optical bandwidth requirements climb, link design gets increasingly sensitive to component-level frequency response, packaging, and interconnect effects. Having calibrated, broadband S-parameter visibility into modulators and photodetectors can shorten the gap between simulation results and what actually shows up on the bench, especially as designs push further into mmWave measurement territory.
Keysight highlights differential measurement capability for validating dual-drive optical modulators, along with support for O-band data center interconnects and C/L-band terrestrial and submarine applications with the same instrument configuration. The company also calls out mechanical and interconnect handling features aimed at 0.5 mm coaxial setups, including a quick-release fixture intended to protect sensitive coaxial connections and allow repositioning between calibration and measurement.
Dr. Joachim Peerlings, vice president of Network and Data Center Solutions at Keysight, said, “By combining industry-leading optical bandwidth with wideband wavelength coverage and a robust 0.5 mm coaxial ecosystem, engineers can correlate simulation with real-world measurements and accelerate time-to-market.”
Keysight also said it worked with industry partners on RF probes, coaxial adapters, and test cables for the 0.5 mm coaxial ecosystem to support the measurement workflow.
Source: Keysight
