Optical test system.

Yokogawa has expanded its AQ2200 Series Multi-Application Test System (MATS) with a range of optical attenuation and switch modules for applications involving GI50 multimode optical fibre.

Multi-mode optical fibre has a much larger core diameter than single-mode fibre, which simplifies connections and allows the use of lower-cost electronics such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) which operate at the 850 nm and 1300 nm wavelength. It is ideally suited for communication over short distances, such as within a building or on a campus.

Because of its superior bandwidth compared with copper cables, GI50 multimode fibre is rapidly becoming the preferred worldwide communications medium for short-reach, large-capacity, high-speed transmission systems in applications such as data centres. As a result, there has been an increased demand for instruments to test associated equipment such as SP4/SR10 optical transceivers and IP routers and hubs, and the new additions to the AQ2200 Series have been developed specifically to address this market.

The AQ2200 Series is a modular optical test platform with a wide selection of modules to allow the optimal configuration of test solutions in the design and manufacture of optical components and network systems. The system is available with two different frame controller platforms with three or nine slots for connecting modules, allowing users to select the optimum configuration for the intended measurement application.

A single MATS frame, which is programmable and remote-controllable, can handle multiple applications simultaneously, allowing different users to control the modules with savings in cost. The fast response of the instrument makes it an ideal tool in a manufacturing environment.

Yokogawa offers a wide range of hot-swappable modules for the AQ2200 Series, including variable optical attenuators (with or without built-in power meters), high power and multi-channel power meters, high-stability laser sources and switches in a variety of channel counts.