Quantifi Photonics delivers O-band IQRX coherent optical receiver, VISIQ coherent signal analysis software for Intel’s coherent O-Band demo at OFC 2023

March 10, 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).

Stephen Hardy

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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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.