The Q8384 Optical Spectrum Analyzer measures and evaluates ultra-high-speed optical DWDM transmission systems and optical components with high wavelength resolution and high accuracy.

The new high-end optical spectrum analyzer utilizes a new four-pass monochromator system to provide high wavelength resolution and wide dynamic range.

● 10 pm resolution bandwidth

● 20 pm wavelength accuracy (using Opt.)

● Wide dynamic range: 50 dB (±0.1 nm), 60 dB (±0.2 nm)

● Optical frequency display

● Accurate NF measurement of EDFAs

● Handles power levels up to +23 dBm (200 mW)

● Rich WDM analysis functions

● Provides limit line function for pass/fail analysis

In DWDM optical communications, accurate wavelength measurements of light sources are required. Evaluating these specifications requires optical spectrum analyzers with higher resolution bandwidth and wavelength accuracy.

To meet these stringent requirements, the Q8384 has the world’s highest wavelength resolution of 10 pm* and wavelength accuracy of 20 pm.

It also achieves 20 pm wavelength accuracy in the 1550 nm band. This high performance enables the Q8384 to accurately measure the oscillating wavelength characteristics of laser diodes.

DWDM optical communication systems also include wavelength division multiplexing channels.

DWDM optical communication systems also contain WDM channels spaced close to 50 GHz (0.4 nm).

In this environment, an optical spectrum analyzer with excellent dynamic range is required to separate the optical signal and measure the noise figure (NF) of the optical amplifier.

With a dynamic range of 50 dB at 0.1 nm and 60 dB at 0.2 nm, the Q8384 fully meets these requirements.

The instrument is equipped with an automatic optical amplifier NF measurement and calculation function, allowing the user to perform the measurement in a simple manner.

The Q8384 can be optionally equipped with a built-in reference wavelength light source and an EE-LED (Edge Light Emitting Diode).

When calibrated with this reference light source, the instrument ensures wavelength accuracy of 20 pm in the 1550 nm band.

Utilizing the EE-LED’s broadband light source, the Q8384 allows the user to easily measure and evaluate the transmission and loss characteristics of narrowband filters.

Superior Fundamental Performance

10 pm High Wavelength Resolution The Q8384 achieves a wavelength resolution bandwidth of up to 10 pm by using a newly developed monochromator system.

This makes it possible to measure and evaluate the sidebands of 10 Gbps intensity-modulated optical signals, a task previously impossible with conventional spectrum analyzers.

20 pm high wavelength accuracy

Calibrated with the built-in calibration light source (option 25), the Q8384 achieves wavelength measurement accuracy of ±20 pm in the C-band wavelength range from 1530 to 1570 nm.

The Q8384 achieves wavelength measurement accuracy of ±20 pm in the C-band wavelength range of 1530 to 1570 nm and ±40 pm in the L-band wavelength range of 1570 to 1610 nm.

It enables accurate characterization of laser diodes and filters used in DWDM transmission systems.

The Q8384 can also accurately measure the wavelength spacing of WDM signals because of its ±10 pm wavelength linearity over the 1530 to 1570 nm wavelength range.

50 dB (±0.1 nm)/60 dB (±0.2 nm) Wide Dynamic Range

In DWDM systems, signals need to be WDMed at intervals of 50 GHz (0.4 nm) or less.

Separating and measuring these closely spaced signals requires an optical spectrum analyzer with excellent dynamic range.

The Q8384’s dynamic range of 60 dB or more at 0.2 nm makes it ideal for this task.

With a dynamic range of 50 dB or more at 0.1 nm, the instrument can support future DWDM systems with closer signal spacing.

+23 dBm (200 mW) high-power direct input The Q8384 can directly measure high-power signals from fiber amplifiers or pump laser diodes without attenuation.

Extensive Analysis Functions

Sweep Function

The Q8384 displays the optical frequency on the horizontal axis; this is ideal for measuring the grid frequencies of standardized wavelengths specified by the ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector).

Measuring the noise figure of a fiber-optic amplifier The Q8384 improves the noise figure of a fiber-optic amplifier by enhancing the dynamic range, polarization correlation, level accuracy, linearity, and accuracy of wavelength resolution settings.

As well as applying curve fitting and other features, the Q8384 realizes high-precision noise figure measurements at the touch of a button.

Since the Q8384 can accurately determine the ASE signal level of DWDM signals that are multiplexed at 10-minute intervals.

Since the Q8384 can accurately determine the ASE signal level of DWDM signals multiplexed at intervals of 50 GHz (0.4 nm) or narrower, it not only performs accurate noise figure measurements, but it can also accurately measure the noise figure of DWDM signals multiplexed at intervals of 10 minutes.

It not only performs accurate noise figure measurements, but also displays multiple lists of measurement results at the same time.

WDM Analysis Functions

The Q8384 can display up to 256 wavelength peaks and power levels of WDM signals.

It displays the deviation of the wavelength and power level from the ITU-T channel spacing or reference signal as well as the absolute value.

Alternate Scanning Function

The Q8384 can display two sets of measurements under different setup conditions in two windows. These windows are always rewritable using the Q8384’s alternate scan feature.

With this feature, users can make detailed measurements of signals in a specific wavelength band while monitoring the entire wavelength region of the WDM system.