2

General Information

Agilent’s N4373C Lightwave Component Analyzer (LCA)

offers a modulation bandwidth of 67 GHz which makes it

the ideal choice to develop and characterize electro-optical

components, for the upcoming 40G/10GbE as defined in

IEEE802.3ba.

Accuracy

For these modern optical transmission systems with ad-

vanced modulation schemes it is key for the electro-optical

components to have very flat S21 transfer function in ampli-

tude and delay. This performance can be achieved only with

electro-optical S-parameter test as provided by the N4373C

LCA.

In addition fast, accurate, repeatable and traceable charac-

terization of these electro-optical components, like lasers,

modulators and detectors is required, to guarantee the per-

formance with respect to modulation bandwidth, jitter, gain,

and distortion.

By optimizing the electrical and the optical design of the

N4373C for lowest noise and ripple, the accuracy has been

improved by better than a factor of 2, compared to its pre-

decessor, the 86030A 50GHz LCA. This increased accuracy

improves the yield from tests performed with the N4373C by

narrowing margins needed to pass the tested devices.

This advanced design together with temperature-stabilized

transmitter and receiver ensures repeatable measurements

over hours without recalibration

Turn-key solution

The fully integrated “turn-key” N4373C helps reduce time

to market, compared to the time-consuming development of

a self-made setup. In addition you get a fully specified easy

transferable and reliable test instrument. With guaranteed

specifications Agilent takes the responsibility to provide

you with accurate and traceable test results that can only

be achieved in a turn key solution.

High productivity

The N4373C achieves fast measurements by including the

E8361C Performance Network Analyzer. A unique new cali-

bration concept significantly reduces setup time to a maxi-

mum of several minutes, depending on the selected mea-

surement parameters. This results in increased productivity

in R&D or on the manufacturing floor.

Using the advanced measurement capabilities of the net-

work analyzer, all S-parameter related characteristics of

the device under test, like responsivity and 3dB-cutoff fre-

quency, can be qualified with the new N4373C Lightwave

Component Analyzer from 10 MHz to 67 GHz.

Network analyzer

The N4373C LCA is based on the new E8361C network ana-

lyzer with an identical and well known user interface across

all Agilent network analyzers.

Key benefits

High absolute and relative accuracy measurements

improve the yield of development and production pro-

cesses. With the excellent accuracy and reproducibil-

ity, measurement results can be compared among test

locations world wide.

High confidence and fast time-to-market with a NIST-

traceable turnkey solution.

Significantly increased productivity using the fast and

easy measurement setup with an unique new calibra-

tion process leads to lower cost of test.

External optical source input option to test at custom-

er selected wavelength.

Common PNA and LCA user interface across all

N437xB/C LCA series.

Identical LCA software and remote control across the

N437xB family simplifies integration.

Relative frequency response uncertainty:

± 0.8 dB @ 50 GHz (typ)

± 1.3 dB @ 65 GHz (typ)

Absolute frequency response uncertainty:

± 1.2 dB @ 50 GHz (typ)

± 1.8 dB @ 65 GHz (typ)

Noise floor:

-60(55) dB(A/W) for O/E measurements @ 50(65) GHz

-64(59) dB(W/A) for E/O measurements @ 50(65) GHz

Typical phase uncertainty:

±2.3°

Transmitter wavelength:

1550nm ± 20 nm

1310nm ± 10 nm

1290 - 1610 nm with external source input

Built-in optical power meter

For fast transmitter power verification

Powerful remote control:

State of the art programming interface based on Microsoft

.NET or COM.

Warranty:

1 year warranty is standard for the N4373C Lightwave

Component Analyzer.

Extension to 3 or 5 years available on request.