What are the available wavelength ranges of the AP2040 series ultra high resolution Optical Spectrum Analyzers?

3 wavelength ranges are available :

• C band : 1515nm to 1570nm
• C & L band : 1515nm to 1570nm & 1555nm to 1610nm
• C+L band : 1520nm to 1630nm

What are the available wavelength ranges of the AP2440 series Optical Complex Spectrum Analyzers?

3 wavelength ranges are available :

• C band : 1515nm to 1570nm
• C & L band : 1515nm to 1570nm & 1555nm to 1610nm
• C+L band : 1520nm to 1630nm

What are the available wavelength ranges of the AP3010 series hand-held Optical Power Meters?

• AP3011 : 400nm to 1050nm
• AP3013 : 800nm to 1700nm
• AP3016 : 1000nm to 1700nm

How much does an AP2040A series ultra high resolution OSA unit cost?

All our models are competitively priced versus conventional grating based OSA’s. To receive a quotation click here.

How much are your AP3016A series hand held Optical Power Meters?

All our models are competitively priced versus other brands in the same category. To receive a quotation click here

Can the AP2040A ultra high resolution optical spectrum analyzer measure any kind of optical signal?

Apex Technologies optical spectrum analyzers can measure any kind of optical signal within its specified wavelength range. Our OSAs are based on an interferometric principle which is able to achieve a resolution of 20MHz (0.16pm), has a +/-3pm absolute wavelength accuracy and has a close-in dynamic range of 60dB @ 10pm. Click here

Can we use the AP2040A series optical spectrum analyzer to characterize passive components?

Using an ASE source, optical passive components can be characterized with a maximum resolution of 0.16pm (20MHz) and a WL accuracy better than +/-3pm. For measurement setup and details, click here to contact us.

Can we use the AP2040A series optical spectrum analyze to characterize laser linewidth?

Yes, provided that the linewidth of the laser under test is wider than 0.16pm (20MHz), AP2040A can charaterize laser linewidth. Click here for a measurement example request

Can we use the AP2040A series optical spectrum analyze to characterize DFB relaxation oscillation?

Yes, for more information please Click here

Can we use the AP2040A series to characterize the modulation efficiency accurately?

The AP2040A has a 60 times higher resolution than the best grating based OSA, it is the perfect instrument for accurate modulation analysis. Click here

Does the AP2040A ultra high resolution OSA’s require a clock signal to enable measurements?

No, the AP2040A series can be used like any standard grating based OSA.

Does the AP2440A Complex OSA’s require a clock signal to enable measurements?

Yes an external electrical clock signal is required and has to be synchronized with the signal under test for optical complex spectrum analysis.

What clock frequency can the AP2440A Complex OSA’s accept ?

AP2440A series analyzers are equipped with two clock inputs :

• Front panel clock input : from 9.5GHz to 12.5GHz (SMA connector)
• Back panel clock input : from 2.375GHz to 3.125GHz (SMA connector)

What is the measurement principle used in the AP2040A ultra high resolution OSA series?

Our OSAs are based on an interferometric principle which is able to achieve a resolution of 20MHz (0.16pm), a +/-3pm absolute wavelength accuracy and a close-in dynamic range of 60dB @ 10pm.

What is the complex spectral analysis principle used in the AP2440A series?

This method is based upon a spectral analysis of the optical field, and allows one to extract the amplitude and the phase of each frequency component (whereas classic spectrum analyzers measure the power spectral density, providing only the amplitude). Knowing the amplitude and the phase of each spectral component, the temporal variations of the amplitude and the phase can be calculated by the Fourier transform, providing the intensity and the chirp as a function of time...

Can the AP2440A Complex OSA accept various bit rates, or does one have to specify at the time of order what bit patterns one plans to use?

The measurement method on which the AP2440A series is based made it independent of the bit rates one would like to use; so, it can accept various bit rates. For example, the same instrument can measure 10Gb/s as well as 640Gb/s signals.

What kind of bit patterns can the AP2440A Complex OSA series accept?

The complex spectral analysis principle used by the AP2440A series require a repeated pattern :

• At 2.5Gb/s : 1bit (RZ pulse) or 4bits pattern
• At 10Gb/s : 4bits or 16bits patterns
• At 40Gb/s : 16bits or 64bits patterns
• At 80Gb/s : 32bits or 128bits patterns
• At 160Gb/s : 64bits or 256bits patterns
• At 320Gb/s : 128bits or 512bits patterns
• At 640Gb/s : 256bits or 1024bits patterns
  

What is the "pattern repetition rate" or "pattern frequency" specified in AP2440A series brochure?

The Optical complex spectrum analyzer principle requires a repeated pattern.
Pattern frequency (or pattern repetition rate) = bit rate / number of bits of the pattern
The length of this repeated bit sequence depends on the bit rate (click here for pattern length information).
The AP2440A series offer two different ranges of pattern frequency :

• Range 1 : 2.48GHz to 3.12GHz
• Range 2 : 620MHz to 781MHz

For other, custom repeat frequencies, please, contact us.

Can one use PRBS patterns for an optical complex spectrum analysis with the AP2440A?

For an optical complex spectrum analysis with the AP2440A, two conditions have to be met :

• The number of bits of the repeated pattern have to be a power of 2 (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, ....)
• The pattern -repeat- frequency (pattern frequency = bit rate / number of bits of the pattern) has to fall within one of these two ranges :
  • 2.48GHz to 3.12GHz
  • 620MHz to 7841MHz

For other, custom patterns, please, contact us.

What does a typical setup for a time resolved chirp measurement with AP2440A looks like?

Click here

Is it possible to characterize the alpha chirp factor of a modulator?

Yes, the AP2440A Complex OSA can display the time resolved chirp but also the alpha chirp factor of a modulated signal. Click here

Can the AP2440A complex OSA measure adiabatic chirp?

The AP2440A can measure as well adiabatic and transient chirp.

Is it possible to measure short optical pulses with the AP2440A complex OSA series?

Yes, Click here for a 40GHz mode locked fiber laser measurement example, a typical measurement setup, and the AP2440A 's maximum temporal resolution...

What is a typical setup for high speed system measurements with the AP2440 Complex OSA?

The following is a typical measurement setup of a 320Gb/s system... Click here

back to the top

Is it possible to use the AP2440A Complex OSA for an eye diagram characterization?

Yes, NRZ and RZ eye diagrams can be displayed with the AP2440A. Click here

back to the top

How can one measure phase modulation (DPSK, QPSK...)?

The AP2440A Complex OSA’s are the only instruments able to characterize phase modulations... Click here

Is it possible with the AP2440A Complex OSA to measure every kind of phase variation as a function of time?

Yes, based on our patented 'complex spectral analysis' method, every kind of phase variation can be measured. The AP2440A is the perfect instrument to characterize new modulation formats such as DPSK, QPSK, Duo-Binary... Click here