2008 Press Releases-16

AQ6370B High Cost-performance
Optical Spectrum Analyzer

On July 30, Yokogawa Electric Corporation will release the new AQ6370B Optical Spectrum Analyzer for measuring the quality of optical communications equipment and optical components. The AQ6370B is a replacement model for the AQ6370 Optical Spectrum Analyzer, which was released in February 2006. The AQ6370B reduces the measurement time, by 50 percent compared with the AQ6370 for example, thereby improving measurement efficiency and reducing cost on the production line.

Development Background
The rapid spread of high-speed optical networks has caused a dramatic increase in network traffic including image data. The 10-Gbit/s high-speed transmission, which has been used in backbone networks, is being used in metro networks (intra-city networks) and access networks (communications links between telephone termination points and the telephone exchanges). As a result, the production of communication equipment and optical components for 10-Gbit/s transmission has increased.

In addition, as service and price competition among communication carriers intensifies, further cost-cutting is required for optical equipment and components. Therefore, a superior cost-performance optical spectrum analyzer that delivers lower cost yet higher productivity is required by optical communications manufacturers. The AQ6370B has been developed to meet such requirements.

Released in 1998, the AQ6317 series have sold more than 3,000 units to capture the leading market share in the industry worldwide, followed by the AQ6370 to enhance measurement efficiency. The latest AQ6370B is expected to replace the AQ6317 series because a decade has passed since the series was released.

Product Features

1. A highest throughput in the industry
   The AQ6370B provides a 50 percent improvement in throughput over the earlier model, which offered a highest throughput in the industry at the time. The measurement speed is 10 times faster, and the data transmission speed and response speed in remote control are 100 times faster than those of the AQ6317 series, thus slashing measurement time. The AQ6370B will shorten the measurement time in an automatic measurement system at a production site from approximately ten seconds to less than three seconds.
   
   
2. Higher measurement accuracy
   The renewed conventional monochromator, which resolves a beam of light by wavelength, reduces the noise of light near the optical signal which is caused by the optical performance of the monochromator. In addition, the specifications of the close-in dynamic range*1 have been added in the area of peak ±0.1 nm. Therefore, the wavelength element of the laser beam and the DWDM*2 signal can be measured more accurately compared with the earlier model.

*1: Close-in dynamic range
The ability to suppress the optical noise near the optical signal in resolving light by wavelength.

*2: DWDM
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing.

3. 30% lighter than the previous model
   The weight of the body has been reduced to 19 kg, some 30% lighter than the previous model and making it easy to move the unit around the workplace or laboratory. Moreover, CO2 emissions related to the product lifecycle are 25% lower owing to the decrease in materials and production processes.

Main Markets
Communications carriers, optical communications equipment manufacturers, and optical communications component manufacturers

Applications
Product evaluation in developing and manufacturing optical components such as optical transmitters/receivers and optical amplifiers

Our Approach to the Optical Measurement Field
Yokogawa entered the optical measuring market in the 1980s, and has developed its business centering on optical sources in the visible spectrum and optical power meters. In April 2004, Yokogawa acquired Ando Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world’s leading measuring instrument manufacturers for optical communications, and has developed products by making the most of the strengths of the two companies. We set ourselves apart from other manufacturers by developing key devices in products in-house.

We respond to customers' needs with various products including the optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) which boasts a world’s top class share, optical power meters, and laser sources in addition to optical spectrum analyzers.

Yokogawa is determined to become a world-class manufacturer of optical measuring instruments by reflecting the latest market trends and users’ needs in product development.

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