Yenista unveils optical spectrum analyzer with gesture control

Fiber-optic test and measurement equipment developer Yenista Optics says it has developed a new, high-performance optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). The OSA20, a diffraction-grating based instrument, operates from 1250 to 1700 nm. It is the first instrument of its type to use a touch-sensitive display with multi-touch gesture control, the company claims. Yenista says the instrument has been designed for both R&D and production environments. Rapid scans of up to 2000 nm/s combine with a 20-pm wavelength-resolution bandwidth, high-performance monochromator, and sampling every 2 pm to achieve very fast, ultra-precise spectral measurements. Wavelength accuracy is also excellent, the vendor claims, within ±20 pm over the telecom C and L wavelength bands. The OSA20 has what Yenista describes as an extensive suite of built-in analysis modes and functions that enable rapid analysis for many common applications. The suite includes, for example, channel analysis of DWDM signals, detailed analysis of singlemode lasers, broadband sources, optical amplifiers, and passive optical components. The OSA20 also has a full complement of input/output ports with multiple USB and Gigabit Ethernet ports to allow integration into a broad range of test systems. According to Alain Poudoulec, Yenista’s CTO, “The two and a half year development represents a significant investment for Yenista. But, as a completely new product, we have been able to use the latest advances in hardware and software to bring a really high-specification product to market. Our beta testers really liked the multi-touch gesture control which is very intuitive. You can easily scroll and zoom the scans and it dramatically improves ease-of-use compared to traditional interfaces.” The OSA20 will be showcased at the ECOC 2013 exhibition in London, UK, from September 23 to 25. For more information on test equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.