Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Releases AQ2200-131 and AQ2200-132 Grid TLS Modules

Tokyo, Japan - November 12, 2012

Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corporation announces the release on this date of the AQ2200-131 and AQ2200-132 grid TLS modules for the AQ2200 multi-application test system. The AQ2200-131, a 1-channel model, and the AQ2200-132, a 2-channel model, are tunable laser sources (TLS) that can be tuned to different wavelengths in the C and L bands*1.

Left: AQ2200-131, AQ2200-132 Grid TLS modules, Right: AQ2200 multi-application test system
Left: AQ2200-131, AQ2200-132 Grid TLS modules
Right: AQ2200 multi-application test system

Development Background

Due to the rapid adoption of technologies such as the Internet, smartphones, and digital terrestrial TV that necessitate the high-speed transmission of large volumes of data, the demand for optical transmission systems as well as the optical amplifiers that are built into these transmission systems is increasing year by year. Optical transmission systems that make use of dense wavelength division multiplexing*2 (DWDM), also known as DWDM systems, play a key role in large-volume, high-speed, large-scale optical communication networks and are being widely developed and manufactured. To evaluate the optical amplifiers in these DWDM systems, from 16 to 40 light sources are required, and each of these must be set to a different wavelength. The DFB-LD light source*3 is widely used, but it is preset to a fixed wavelength. This necessitates a separate light source for each wavelength, which takes up too much space, has a high initial cost, and is labor intensive, requiring the light source to be changed whenever an optical amplifier with different specifications is used in a DWDM system.

As a solution, Yokogawa Meters & Instruments Corporation has developed the AQ2200-131 and AQ2200-132 grid TLS modules for use with the AQ2200 multi-application test system. These can be easily tuned to a number of widely used wavelengths in the C and L bands, allowing the optimal configuration of a modular optical measurement system.

Product Features

  1. Tunable laser source
    Both modules can be set to a variety of wavelengths on a grid span in the C and L bands, as specified by the ITU-T, reducing the number of light sources that a facility must have to cover the various test configurations required for specific optical transmission systems and amplifiers.
  2. Compact design
    With the AQ2200, the desired measurement system can be configured by combining multiple light source modules to evaluate the characteristics of DWDM and other systems that require different light sources. The AQ2200-132 2-channel model can evaluate two separate wavelengths and is thus the more compact option.
  3. Evaluation of digital coherent systems*4
    Standard and advanced versions are available for both the AQ2200-131 and the AQ2200-132 modules. The advanced models emit light with a narrow spectral width (width of the wavelength or frequency of the spectrum) of 0.1 MHz and can thus be used to evaluate digital coherent systems.

Major Target Markets

Development and manufacturing divisions of manufacturers of optical transmission systems and optical devices (optical amplifiers and phase modulator/demodulators), as well as universities and research laboratories

Applications

Evaluation of the characteristics of optical transmission systems, optical devices, and digital coherent systems

About the AQ2200 multi-application test system

To evaluate optical characteristics when developing and manufacturing optical transmitters or devices, several components are needed: light sources, optical switches for changing the path of light signals, variable optical attenuators, and optical power meters. The AQ2200 multi-application test system accommodates a variety of plug-in modules that perform all of these functions. Users can combine these modules to configure a measurement system that meets their particular evaluation requirements.

For more information

*1 Wavelength bands for fiber-optic communications that have been classified by the International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). C band: 1,530 to 1,565 nm, L band: 1,565 to 1,625 nm

*2 A fiber-optic transmission technology that multiplexes light signals having different wavelengths on a single optical fiber

*3 A semiconductor laser that is ideal for long-distance transmission

*4 An optical phase modulation technology that is less susceptible to signal degradation and noise. This is a core technology for next-generation, 100 Giga bit per second or faster optical transport networks.

 

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa's global network of 90 companies spans 55 countries. Founded in 1915, the US$4 billion company conducts cutting-edge research and innovation. Yokogawa is engaged in the industrial automation and control (IA), test and measurement, and other businesses segments. The IA segment plays a vital role in a wide range of industries including oil, chemicals, natural gas, power, iron and steel, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and food. For more information about Yokogawa, please visit the company's website www.yokogawa.com

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