Accelerate Optical Transceiver Development to 220 GHz

Keysight has introduced the N4378A Lightwave Component Analyzer (LCA), a new solution delivering fully calibrated S-parameter measurements up to 220 GHz.

The system is designed to help engineers address the increasing test challenges associated with next-generation optical components used in artificial intelligence (AI) and data center environments.

As AI and machine learning workloads continue to grow, data center networks are rapidly moving toward higher data rates. This shift requires highly accurate characterization of electro-optical (E-O) and opto-electronic (O-E) components at increasingly higher frequencies. Built to integrate seamlessly with the Keysight PNA-X Vector Network Analyzer (https://www.keysight.com/find/pnax), the N4378A provides a scalable measurement platform, enabling single-sweep, broadband analysis up to 220 GHz at 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths.

The N4378A: Foundation for AI-Scale Photonics Testing

At the core of this transformation is the N4378A Lightwave Component Analyzer.

Integrated with the Keysight PNA-X Vector Network Analyzer, it enables:

• Single-sweep S-parameter measurements up to 220 GHz
• Support for 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths
• Differential measurements for advanced modulators
• Deep characterization of photonic components beyond 170 GHz

This makes it a cornerstone technology for validating next-generation optical devices.

Designed for Next-Generation Optical Validation

The N4378A enables accurate testing of:

• Optical transmitters and receivers
• Photodiodes and modulators
• High-speed electro-optical interfaces

With a frequency range from 100 MHz to 220 GHz, engineers can validate performance across the full bandwidth required for next-generation systems—efficiently and reliably in a single sweep.

Flexible, High-Precision Measurement Platform

The system combines:

• Optical transmitter and receiver modules
• Integrated laser sources (1310 nm / 1550 nm)
• Frequency extenders up to 250 GHz
• Precision 0.5 mm calibration technology

Built-in de-embedding and optical power monitoring ensure accurate and repeatable measurement results.

Enabling Faster Optical Innovation

The N4378A helps engineers:

✔️ Validate 1.6T / 3.2T components
✔️ Correlate simulation with real-world data
✔️ Reduce design risk
✔️ Accelerate time-to-market

New Product Introductions (NPIs)

As a market leader in electronic and photonic test and measurement, Keysight Technologies provides a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to support the full validation workflow—from component characterization to system-level testing.

In addition to the N4378A, further complementary solutions include:

• N1096A/B DCA-M → Optical waveform analysis up to 200G per lane
• FITS-8CH Functional BERT Platform → Bit error rate and functional testing
• AresONE 1600GE → System-level validation for 1.6T Ethernet

Beyond these systems, Keysight offers a broad range of advanced measurement solutions and software designed to address the evolving challenges of high-speed optical and data center technologies.

Learn More

👉 https://www.keysight.com/de/de/product/N4378A/220-ghz-lighwave-component-analyzer.html

👉 https://www.keysight.com/au/en/product/N1096A/60-ghz-single-optical-channel-dca-m.html

👉 https://www.keysight.com/au/en/products/interconnect-test/functional-interconnect-test-solutions.html

👉 https://www.keysight.com/au/en/products/ethernet-traffic-emulation/hardware-accelerators-for-protocol-and-load-test/aresone-1600ge.html

👉 Interested in evaluating the N4378A?

Contact Computer Controls Photonics to discuss your application.