Test technology vendor Quantifi Photonics says it has developed an O-band IQRX coherent optical receiver that, alongside its VISIQ coherent signal analysis software, played a key role in a demonstration of coherent transmission in the O-Band that Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) conducted at OFC 2023. The new offerings are designed to enable the testing and validation of next-generation coherent optical technology such as Intel’s silicon photonics-based coherent photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
The IQRX-1005 is the first coherent receiver to enable coherent signal testing in the O-Band, Quantifi asserts. The VISIQ OMA analysis software, meanwhile, improves coherent modulation analysis by optimizing critical test flows. It offers drag-and-drop DSP nodes and full visibility of the DSP sequence to reduce configuration errors, according to the company. The software also supports enhanced DSP with multi-iteration adaptive equalizers, as well as automatic system deskew for fast, accurate measurements. VISIQ also is designed to enable a cost-effective upgrade path for existing coherent signal analysis test systems as it interfaces with most real-time oscilloscopes, Quantifi adds.
The O-Band is being investigated as a path toward cost-effective use of coherent transmission technology in short-reach data center interconnect and similar point-to-point applications where direct-detect is currently common. “Having access to innovative test and measurement solutions such as Quantifi Photonics’ O-Band IQRX coherent optical receiver and VISIQ coherent signal analysis software enabled Intel to validate our silicon photonics coherent optical transmitter PIC quickly and efficiently,” commented Scott Schube, senior director of strategic marketing and business development in Intel’s Silicon Photonics Products Division. “Coherent optical communication is going to play a more dominant role in data center interconnection, and Intel’s proven high-volume silicon photonics platform is well-suited for these applications. Time-to-market is everything, and timely test and measurement solutions can provide a competitive edge.”
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