Luna LWA 7600 Series Lightwave Analyzer (LWA 7601-C/CL/O)

Overview

The Luna LWA 7600 Series (LWA 7000 Family) is a lightwave analyzer series for testing passive optical components, modules and networks, including photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and silicon photonics devices. Models cover the C-band (LWA 7601-C), C/L-band (LWA 7601-CL) and O-band (LWA 7601-O) for telecom, datacom and silicon photonics applications.

Measurement principle

The instruments use optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) to measure backscattered or transmitted light as a function of distance/time or wavelength. They measure and analyze the insertion loss (IL) and return loss (RL) distribution, frequency response and length of optical components scanned in either reflection or transmission mode. The series builds on the OFDR technology of Luna's Optical Backscatter Reflectometer (OBR) platforms.

Sampling resolution is 20 μm on the LWA 7601-C and 10 μm in fiber on the LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O. Extended range options increase the maximum measurement length in reflection to 500 m (LWA 7601-C) or 1000 m (LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O), which allows testing of fiber networks as well as components. Measuring RL, IL and length with a single instrument reduces test cost and complexity in production.

Software and connectivity

The instrument is operated from a controller (workstation-class laptop or rack-mountable controller) running the Lightwave Analyzer application software, with remote user interfaces available for Windows and Linux. Remote automation is provided through a SCPI API over TCP/IP.

Models in this series

Model	Description
LWA 7601-C	Luna LWA 7601-C C-Band Lightwave Analyzer C-band OFDR lightwave analyzer that measures distributed return loss, insertion loss and length of optical components with 20 μm sampling resolution.	Details →
LWA 7601-C-RM	Luna LWA 7601-C-RM C-Band Lightwave Analyzer, Rack-Mountable Mainframe Rack-mountable C-band OFDR lightwave analyzer that measures distributed return loss, insertion loss and length with 20 µm sampling resolution.	Details →
LWA 7601-CL-RM	Luna LWA 7601-CL-RM Rack-Mountable C/L Band Lightwave Analyzer Rack-mountable C/L band OFDR lightwave analyzer measuring distributed return loss, insertion loss and length of optical components and networks.	Details →
LWA 7601-O	Luna LWA 7601-O O-Band Lightwave Analyzer (LWA 7600 Series OFDR) O-band OFDR lightwave analyzer that measures distributed return loss, insertion loss and length of optical components and networks.	Details →
LWA 7601-CL	LWA 7600 Series LWA 7601-CL C/L-Band Lightwave Analyzer C/L-band OFDR lightwave analyzer that measures distributed return loss, insertion loss and length in reflection or transmission.	Details →
LWA 7601-O-RM	LWA 7600 Series LWA 7601-O-RM O-Band Rack-Mountable Lightwave Analyzer Rack-mountable O-band OFDR lightwave analyzer that measures distributed return loss, insertion loss and length of optical components.	Details →

Key Features

Return loss (RL) and insertion loss (IL) analysis
Analyze components in reflection and transmission
Trace distributed RL over length of optical path
Spectral analysis of RL and IL
Detect and precisely locate reflective events and measure path length
Speed, resolution and accuracy for optimizing production test
20 μm sampling resolution on LWA 7601-C
10 μm sampling resolution in fiber on LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O (4.29 μm in silicon photonics, ng = 3.5)
12 Hz scan/acquisition rate on LWA 7601-C
1 Hz scan/acquisition rate on LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O
Optional 19-inch rack-mount version for lab and production environments
Reflection measurements: total IL, total path length, RL versus length, event loss (RL, IL), RL spectral amplitude analysis, event length
Transmission measurements: spectral amplitude response
Internal NIST-traceable HCN gas cell for wavelength and time-of-flight accuracy
SCPI API over TCP/IP remote interface

Specifications

Measurement

Wavelength range LWA 7601-C	1515 nm – 1570 nm
Wavelength range LWA 7601-CL	1520 nm – 1630 nm
Wavelength range LWA 7601-O	1260 nm – 1360 nm
Length measurement modes (in reflection) LWA 7601-C	20 m, 50 m, 100 m; Optional: 200 m, 500 m
Length measurement modes (in reflection) LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	20 m, 50 m, 100 m; Optional: 200 m, 500 m, 1000m
Maximum measurement length, reflection LWA 7601-C	100 m / 500 m 500 m with extended range option OPT07650. Web page lists 1000 m; datasheet value used
Maximum measurement length, reflection LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	100 / 200 / 500 / 1000 m 500 m / 1000 m with extended range option OPT07650 / OPT07651
Maximum measurement length, transmission LWA 7601-C	200 m / 1000 m 1000 m with extended range option OPT07650. Web page lists 2000 m; datasheet value used
Maximum measurement length, transmission LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	200 / 400 / 1000 / 2000 m Per length mode; longest modes with extended range option
Sampling resolution (two-point) LWA 7601-C	20 µm / 80 µm Distance between two sample points along the length axis in SMF-28; 80 µm with extended range option OPT07650
Sampling resolution (two-point) LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	10 / 20 / 80 / 80 µm Distance between two sample points along the length axis in SMF-28; per length mode
Wavelength accuracy LWA 7601-C	± 6 pm Guaranteed via internal NIST-traceable HCN gas cell
Wavelength accuracy LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	±1.5 pm Guaranteed via internal NIST-traceable HCN gas cell
Wavelength resolution (max) LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	0.02 pm
Time-of-flight delay accuracy LWA 7601-C	± 0.001 % Guaranteed via internal NIST-traceable HCN gas cell
Time-of-flight delay accuracy LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	± 0.001 / ± 0.001 / ± 0.005 / ± 0.005 % Per length mode; guaranteed via internal NIST-traceable HCN gas cell
Center wavelength LWA 7601-C	1546.69 nm
Center wavelength LWA 7601-CL	1566.35 nm
Center wavelength LWA 7601-O	1305 nm
Wavelength scan range LWA 7601-C	± 20 / ± 5 Standard / extended range option; unit not printed in datasheet
Wavelength scan range LWA 7601-CL	± 40 / ± 20 / ± 5 / ± 5 nm Per length mode
Wavelength scan range LWA 7601-O	± 30 / ± 15 / ± 3.75 / ± 3.75 nm Per length mode
Measurement time (in continuous mode) LWA 7601-C	0.08 s (20 m), 0.4 s (100 m); 0.5 s 0.5 s with extended range option OPT07650
Measurement time (in continuous mode) LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	~1 (50 m), ~2.1 (100 m) / ~2.3 / ~1.3 / ~2.3 s Per length mode
Maximum optical power	5 mW

Return Loss Characteristics (Reflection Mode)

RL dynamic range LWA 7601-C	70 dB Range between strongest reflection greater than -60 dB and noise floor
RL dynamic range LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	90 dB Range between strongest reflection greater than -60 dB and noise floor
Total range LWA 7601-C	0 to -130 dB Noise floor return loss at half of maximum length
Total range LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	0 to -140 dB Noise floor return loss at half of maximum length
Sensitivity LWA 7601-C	-135 dB Noise floor return loss at half of maximum length
Sensitivity LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	-145 dB Noise floor return loss at half of maximum length
Resolution LWA 7601-C	± 0.1 dB Measured with 1 cm integration width
Resolution LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	0.05 dB Measured with 50 cm integration width, and 85 nm wavelength range / 10 THz optical frequency range
Accuracy LWA 7601-C	± 0.5 dB Measured with 1 cm integration width
Accuracy LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	±1 dB Measured with 50 cm integration width, and 85 nm wavelength range / 10 THz optical frequency range

Insertion Loss Characteristics (Reflection/Transmission)

IL dynamic range, in transmission mode LWA 7601-C	70 dB
IL dynamic range, in transmission mode LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	90 dB
IL dynamic range, in reflection mode LWA 7601-C	15 dB Two way loss before backscatter reaches noise floor and IL measurements are no longer possible
IL dynamic range, in reflection mode LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	20 dB Two way loss before backscatter reaches noise floor and IL measurements are no longer possible
Resolution LWA 7601-C	± 0.1 dB With 10 cm integration width for 20 m mode, and 40 cm for 500 m mode
Resolution LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	0.05 dB Localized event IL from fiber Rayleigh scatter RL before and after the event; sweep ≥10 THz, integration width ≥0.5 m
Accuracy LWA 7601-C	± 0.2 dB With 10 cm integration width for 20 m mode, and 40 cm for 500 m mode
Accuracy LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	± 0.4 dB (typical ± 0.2) Localized event IL from fiber Rayleigh scatter RL before and after the event; sweep ≥10 THz, integration width ≥0.5 m

Physical

Remote interface	SCPI API over TCP/IP
Optical connector type	FC/APC
Dimensions	35 (L) x 47 (W) x 10 (H) cm
Weight (controller not included) LWA 7601-C	15 lb (7 kg) Printed as 15 (7) lb (kg)
Weight (controller not included) LWA 7601-CL, LWA 7601-O	25 lb (11.4 kg) Printed as 25 (11.4) lb (kg)

Applications

Spatial RL testing
Automated IL test and analysis
Skew measurement with sub-picosecond resolution
PIC waveguide devices, PLCs, AWGs, ROADMs
Silicon photonics
Optical fiber networks, cable and subassemblies
Telecom and datacom component manufacturing test

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
OPT07650	Extended range option — Extends measurement length of the LWA 7601-C to 500 m (in reflection); 500 m extended range for LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O.
OPT07651	Extended range option — Extends measurement length of the LWA 7601-CL and LWA 7601-O to 1000 m (in reflection).