Coherent Solutions, MultiLane, National Instruments show optical transceiver test on PXI platform at ECOC 2018

Coherent Solutions, MultiLane, and National Instruments collaborated at ECOC 2018 this week in Rome to demonstrate the use of a National Instruments PXI platform with modules from the other two test instrument vendors to test pluggable optical transceivers. The demonstration focused on the ability to perform production tests of a 100-Gbps QSFP28 optical transceiver. However, the companies assert the approach can scale to test 400-Gbps optical modules as well.

The setup at ECOC included an 18-slot PXI Express chassis from National Instruments, with the company’s electrical signal generation and analysis modules. The chassis also integrated new optical module lines from Coherent Solutions and MultiLane. Coherent Solutions showcased the OSAPXIe optical spectrum analyser, housed in two slots; the PowerPXIe optical power meter with analog option; the SwitchPXIe 8x8 matrix optical switch; and the PassivePXIe module for passive optical component integration. These modules extend the scope of Coherent Solutions’ existing PXI Express module offerings. MultiLane supplied elements of its new PX Series of PXI test modules, which includes modules for TDR and DAC testing, 28/56 GBaud PAM4 BERTs for receiver testing, and electrical and optical sampling oscilloscopes for transmitter testing. The MultiLane modules can address 100G to 400G copper and optical interfaces.

In a conversation on the show floor at his booth, where the demonstration took place, Coherent Solutions CEO Andy Stevens said he expects the collaboration to prove popular, as it offers electrical and optical transceiver test via the same compact platform. He said he could foresee modules for coherent testing being developed for the platform as well.

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