Southern Photonics, Micram launch 34-GS/s arbitrary waveform generator

Southern Photonics Ltd, a New Zealand-based specialist in high-speed optical test and measurement, in collaboration with Micram Microelectronic GmbH, has launched a 34-GS/s (giga-samples per second) arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). The instrument will be demonstrated for the first time at OFC/NFOEC 2012 in Los Angeles, CA, on March 6-8, 2012.

Co-developed by Southern Photonics and Micram, the AWG-34G is a fully integrated fast AWG system that enables researchers and engineers to generate high-order complex modulation formats, such as 16QAM, at speeds of up to 136 Gbps. The AWG-34G leverages the power of Micram’s VEGA DACII ultrafast signal converter to deliver what the partners claim is the world’s fastest AWG performance of up to 34 GS/s.

"Currently available bench-top AWGs simply do not have the bandwidth necessary to meet the needs of future communications systems development," said Dr. John Harvey, CEO of Southern Photonics. "By leveraging Micram’s unique ultrafast VEGA signal converter technology, we are enabling researchers to generate any high-speed multi-level electronic signal they require, and convert them into complex modulated optical signals using our IQ Transmitter, which we are also demonstrating at OFC. We can then fully characterize the optical performance with the IQScope, our new Complex Modulation Analysis tool."

By offering a complete suite of tools, Southern Photonics says its customers and partners can focus their efforts on their R&D priorities, instead of being distracted by the need to build their own signal generators, sources, or characterization tools.

The AWG-34G also incorporates a powerful and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), the company claims. The AWG-34G generates simple arbitrary waveforms, which can then be easily modified via its integrated “Making Waves” GUI to achieve complex operations such as precompensation for channel dispersion. A built-in library of PRBS patterns enables engineers to generate waveforms for system and device evaluation and optimization.

"Micram has successfully placed VEGA technology in research labs worldwide, but an increasing number of our customers want a complete turnkey solution for waveform generation," said Dr. Matthias Tom Frei, CEO of Micram. "By partnering with Southern Photonics’ expert software and system design teams, we can now deliver a complete AWG system that fully utilizes the ultrafast speed of our devices in a simple, easy to use package." Southern Photonics and Micram plan to continue working together on future products, he says.

Southern Photonics and Micram will be demonstrating the AWG-34G in their respective booths at OFC/NFOEC. Southern Photonics booth is located at 2235 and Micram’s booth is at 2136.

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