VectorStar ME7848A Opto-Electronic Network Analyzer

VectorStar opto-electronic network analyzer for traceable O/E, E/O and O/O measurements at 850, 1310 and 1550 nm up to 110 GHz.

Frequency: 70 kHz – 40, 70, 110 GHz
Wavelengths: 850, 1310, 1550 nm
Dynamic range: 99 dB maximum
Noise floor: -91 dBm minimum

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu VectorStar ME7848A opto-electronic network analyzer (ONA) takes a modular approach to optical measurements of O/E, E/O and O/O devices operating at 850, 1310 and 1550 nm. The system combines a VectorStar vector network analyzer with a traceable MN4765B O/E calibration module and, in the -02xx configurations, an MN4775A E/O converter.

Two configuration families are available. The ME7848A-01xx systems include the VNA and the MN4765B O/E calibration module only, while the ME7848A-02xx systems add the MN4775A E/O converter. The -02xx systems can switch between O/E, E/O and O/O measurements, with traceability established through the MN4765B module. 110 GHz systems are based on the ME7838AX broadband VNA, or on the ME7838EX for the ME7848E variants.

Measurement capabilities

The ONA measures domain-transfer devices such as optical modulators, modulated lasers, optical transmitters, photodiodes, photo-receivers and transceivers. It characterizes E/O and O/E transfer functions in terms of bandwidth, flatness and phase linearity (group delay). It also supports optical loss, balanced (four-port differential) and E/E (S11/S22) measurements. One 12-term calibration can be applied to E/E, E/O and O/E set-ups.

Calibration and modularity

The magnitude and phase of the MN4765B O/E calibration module are characterized against a primary standard that NIST characterized and that is held in the Anritsu Calibration Lab. Built-in application menus guide the user through set-up and calibration with internal de-embedding. To move the system to another wavelength, the user adds the matching MN4775A E/O converter and MN4765B module, so no additional VNA is needed. A -100 series system can be upgraded to a -200 series system by adding an MN4775A E/O converter.

Key Features

Error-corrected transfer function, group delay and return loss measurements of E/O and O/E components and subsystems
MN4765B O/E calibration module: thermally stabilized photodiode reference standard detector with internal bias control
MN4775A E/O converter with lithium niobate (LiNbO3) modulator stabilized by a fully automatic bias controller
Tunable or fixed-wavelength laser source in the E/O converter
NIST-derived magnitude and phase characterization of the O/E calibration module
Internal VNA de-embedding with built-in application menus for guided set-up and calibration
Full 12-term calibration with de-embedding for stable, repeatable measurements
Single 12-term calibration applicable to E/E, E/O and O/E set-ups
Wavelength change by adding the appropriate MN4775A E/O converter and MN4765B O/E calibration module
100 series systems upgradeable to 200 series by adding an MN4775A E/O converter
Measurements at 850, 1310 and 1550 nm wavelengths
Frequency coverage from 70 kHz to 40, 70 or 110 GHz depending on configuration

Specifications

Summary

Frequency	70 kHz – 40, 70, 110 GHz
Wavelengths	850, 1310, 1550 nm
Dynamic range	99 dB maximum
Noise floor	-91 dBm minimum

Basic Specifications

RF frequency range ME7848A-0240	70 kHz-40 GHz Assumes VNA Option 70; without Option 70, the minimum frequency is 10 MHz
RF frequency range ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	70 kHz-110 GHz Assumes VNA Option 70; without Option 70, the minimum frequency is 10 MHz
RF frequency range ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	70 kHz-70 GHz Assumes VNA Option 70; without Option 70, the minimum frequency is 10 MHz
RF connector type ME7848A-0240	K (2.92 mm)
RF connector type ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	W (1 mm)
RF connector type ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	V (1.85 mm)
Optical source input connector type	FC/PC Polarization-maintaining fiber recommended
Optical output and modulated input connector type	FC/APC
Receiver wavelength range ME7848A-0240	800 - 1700 nm
Receiver wavelength range ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A-0270	1480 - 1620 nm
Receiver wavelength range ME7848A/E-0211, ME7848A-0271	1300 - 1330 nm
Receiver wavelength range ME7848A-0272	1300 - 1330 nm and 1480 - 1620 nm
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A-0240	> 0.2 A/W (850 ± 20 nm)
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A/E-0210	> 0.5 A/W (1550 ± 20 nm)
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A/E-0211	> 0.25 A/W (1319 ± 10nm) Typical
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A-0270	> 0.7 A/W (1550 ± 20 nm)
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A-0271	> 0.45 A/W (1319 ± 10nm)
Receiver DC responsivity ME7848A-0272	> 0.45 A/W (1319 ± 10nm), > 0.65 A/W (1550 nm ± 20 nm)
Maximum linear optical power to receiver ME7848A-0240	2 dBm < 0.5 dB variance in frequency response shape
Maximum linear optical power to receiver ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211, ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	6 dBm < 0.5 dB variance in frequency response shape
Maximum safe optical power (average) to receiver ME7848A-0240	6 dBm
Maximum safe optical power (average) to receiver ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211, ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	10 dBm
Optical return loss (modulation output and detection ports)	>24 dB
Average optical power uncertainty (transmit)	± 0.5 dB
Optical modulation sensitivity (RF Vπ at 1 GHz) ME7848A-0240	2.3 V pk-pk Typical
Optical modulation sensitivity (RF Vπ at 1 GHz) ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	3.3 V pk-pk Typical
Optical modulation sensitivity (RF Vπ at 1 GHz) ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	5.5V pk-pk Typical
Transmit wavelength ME7848A-0240	850 nm
Transmit wavelength ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A-0270	1527-1565 nm
Transmit wavelength ME7848A/E-0211, ME7848A-0271	1310 nm
Transmit wavelength ME7848A-0272	1310 nm or 1527-1565 nm
Average output power range ME7848A-0240	-17 to -1 dBm Typical; recommended operation at -3 dBm and below for optimal modulator performance
Average output power range ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	-15 to +3 dBm Typical
Average output power range ME7848A-0270	-15 to +5 dBm Typical
Average output power range ME7848A-0271	-17 to +2 dBm Typical
Average output power range ME7848A-0272	-20 to +4 dBm Typical
Output power stability	± 0.1 dB Over 4 hours and 3 °C temperature range
Optical modulation path loss ME7848A-0240, ME7848A-0270	8 dB Quadrature bias, typical
Optical modulation path loss ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	14 dB Quadrature bias, typical
Optical modulation path loss ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	10 dB Quadrature bias, typical
Modulation port return loss (raw) ME7848A-0240	> 10 dB for < 20 GHz, > 7.5 dB for 20 to 40 GHz
Modulation port return loss (raw) ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	> 10 dB for < 70 GHz, > 6 dB for 70 to 110 GHz Typical
Modulation port return loss (raw) ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	> 10 dB for < 20 GHz, > 7.5 dB for 20 to < 50 GHz, > 3 dB for 50 to 70 GHz
Detection port return loss (raw) ME7848A-0240	> 10 dB for < 18 GHz, > 3dB for 18 to 40 GHz
Detection port return loss (raw) ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	> 8 dB for < 50 GHz, > 4 dB for 50 to 110 GHz Typical
Detection port return loss (raw) ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	> 8 dB for < 50 GHz, > 5 dB for 50 to 70 GHz
0.1 dB compression point of RF receiver (at port) ME7848A-0240, ME7848A-0270, ME7848A-0271, ME7848A-0272	> +5 dBm for 70 kHz to 300 kHz, > +11 dBm above 300 kHz Characteristic
0.1 dB compression point of RF receiver (at port) ME7848A/E-0210, ME7848A/E-0211	> +5 dBm for 70 kHz to 300 kHz, > +10 dBm above 300 kHz Characteristic

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Responsivity measurements (frequency response, conversion efficiency, receiver gain)
Transfer function measurements
Group delay measurements
Optical loss measurements
Balanced four-port differential measurements of electro-optical devices
E/E measurements (S11/S22)
Optical modulator characterization
Modulated laser and optical transmitter test
Photodiode and photo-receiver characterization
Optical transceiver test

Included

MS464XB VNA with option 051 or ME7838AX/EX Broadband VNA system
MN4765B-XXXX O/E Calibration Module
MN4775A E/O Converter (-02XX systems only)
1 m single mode patch cord (FC/PC-FC/APC)
Two 1 m RF cables (13cm W(1 mm) cables for the -021x systems)
Fiber connector cleaning kit
Two semi-rigid cables to support the reversed coupler configuration (not included for 110 GHz systems)

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
ME7848A-0210	110 GHz 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Based on ME7838AX broadband VNA system
ME7848A-0211	110 GHz 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Based on ME7838AX broadband VNA system
ME7848E-0210	110 GHz 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Based on ME7838EX broadband VNA system
ME7848E-0211	110 GHz 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Based on ME7838EX broadband VNA system
ME7848A-0240	40 GHz, 850 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4644B), sold separately
ME7848A-0270	70 GHz, 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately
ME7848A-0271	70 GHz, 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately
ME7848A-0272	70 GHz, 1310/1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module and E/O Converter — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately
ME7848A-0110	110 GHz 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838AX broadband VNA system
ME7848A-0111	110 GHz 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838AX broadband VNA system
ME7848A-0112	110 GHz 1310/1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838AX broadband VNA system
ME7848E-0110	110 GHz 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838EX broadband VNA system
ME7848E-0111	110 GHz 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838EX broadband VNA system
ME7848E-0112	110 GHz 1310/1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Based on ME7838EX broadband VNA system
ME7848A-0140	40 GHz, 850 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4644B), sold separately
ME7848A-0170	70 GHz, 1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately
ME7848A-0171	70 GHz, 1310 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately
ME7848A-0172	70 GHz, 1310/1550 nm system with O/E Calibration Module only — Requires Option 51, 61, or 62 (for MS4647B), sold separately