Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) connector.

Advances ultra-dense, eye-safe optical interconnects for next-generation Ai data Centres.

The VersaBeam Mini, an ultra-compact, 16-fiber Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) connector that solves critical space, thermal and maintenance challenges in high-density Ai and hyperscale networks has been introduced by Molex. Building on the award-winning Molex VersaBeam EBO interconnect family, VersaBeam Mini combines expanded beam performance with a Very Small Form Factor (VSFF) to deliver the density required for next-generation Ai data centres and networking without compromising serviceability, safety or network uptime.

“As optical densities per rack grow exponentially, network architects are hitting hard physical walls in both scale-up GPU clusters and scale-out network fabrics,” said Trevor Smith, general manager, Optical Connectivity, Molex. “With VersaBeam Mini, we are providing a ‘less is more’ solution that pairs a VSFF footprint with zero-touch EBO technology, delivering less contamination risk, reduced downtime and a smaller blast radius without needing specialised technical expertise.”

Architectural agility and operational flexibility.
Designed for space-constrained co-packaged optics (CPO), optical backbones and front-panel switch applications, VersaBeam Mini packs 16 fibers into an ultra-compact 3.5 x 9 mm footprint. This precise form factor delivers a 3x density improvement over VersaBeam 16 connectivity, letting network architects scale up to 3,456 fibers in a standard 1RU panel. By maximising front-panel real estate while simplifying internal routing, VersaBeam Mini effectively addresses the ultimate bottlenecks in Ai data centre hardware—physical space on the panel and inside the chassis. In addition, support for 16-fiber granularity results in a 9x reduction in blast radius. This empowers technicians to isolate, re-route or hot-swap specific 16-channel lanes.

Additionally, an optional mass-insertion capability allows technicians to engage up to 9 VersaBeam Mini connectors (144 fibers total) with a single push. This unique feature accelerates turn-up speed during initial rack deployment, while preserving granular 16-channel serviceability later on. Molex maintains full 1RU packing density, enabling a modular approach to scaling and servicing ports without operational trade-offs.

VersaBeam Mini streamlines optical assembly for switch OEMs while removing operational hazards for field technicians. Leveraging the groove-based design of the 3M™ EBO Ferrule, VersaBeam Mini eliminates the need for guide pins and holes. This facilitates the use of high-speed robotic pick-and-place equipment to boost factory throughput during cable assembly. The need for fewer parts also translates into streamlined supply chain management and an overall reduction in bill of materials (BOM) costs.

Since its launch in 2025, the Molex VersaBeam EBO portfolio has been recognised for zero-touch EBO reliability, which expands the beam between connectors to reduce sensitivity to dust and debris. This dramatically lowers requirements for frequent cleaning and inspection, slashing deployment and maintenance overhead by up to 85% while enabling general technicians to service links without specialised optical equipment. Inherent laser eye safety helps protect field personnel from hazards during routine maintenance and system upgrades.

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@MolexConnectors @NapierPR #PAuto #Ai #DataCentres

Wideband linear amplifier.

Helping engineers accelerate next-generation optical device characterisation.

The AH15203A/B, a 140 Gbaud wideband linear amplifier with integrated bias tee has been launched by Anritsu. Designed for engineers developing next-generation optical transmission devices, the new amplifier helps simplify high-speed device characterization by delivering the broadband, high-output signal conditioning required for the Beyond-1 Tb era.

With a broad frequency response from 200 kHz to 125 GHz (-6 dB bandwidth), the AH15203A/B amplifies PAM4 signals up to 140 Gbaud with a maximum output of 2.0 Vpp. Its +15.0 dB gain and low jitter performance of 300 fs maximum help engineers maintain signal fidelity, compensate for transmission-path losses, and perform more reliable waveform evaluation during high-speed optical device development.

The AH15203A/B can amplify 140 Gbaud PAM4 signals from DSPs and other signal sources, while directly driving optical devices that require high-amplitude offset signals, such as modulators. This makes it well suited for characterizing optical modulators used in next-generation 800GbE and 1.6TbE digital coherent transmission systems, as well as IM-DD optical modulators widely deployed in optical communications. For engineers, this provides a practical way to validate demanding device performance with greater confidence and efficiency.

By combining wide bandwidth, high output, low jitter, and an integrated bias tee in a compact drive amplifier, Anritsu helps customers reduce test complexity, improve confidence in measurement results, and accelerate the deployment of faster, more reliable data centre and network infrastructure.

Development background.
Growth in AI, machine-learning, and cloud-service traffic is pushing data centre and network operators to increase capacity while maintaining signal quality, energy efficiency, and operational reliability.

To support these requirements, IEEE 802.3dj is advancing standardization for 200 Gbps/lane IM-DD modulation and digital coherent configurations including 800GBASE-LR1 (10 km), 800GBASE-ER1-20 (20 km), and 800GBASE-ER1 (40 km). In parallel, IEEE 802.3ds standardization is progressing toward optical links operating at 200 Gbps per wavelength for short-reach communications below 30 m. As speeds increase, signal attenuation becomes more challenging, creating a clear need for high-output linear drivers with integrated bias tee that can faithfully amplify PAM signals and directly drive EML, DML, and VCSEL devices during development and validation.

Product outline.
The AH15203A/B high-output linear amplifier supports 140 Gbaud PAM4 signal evaluation at up to 2.0 Vpp. With a 125 GHz bandwidth and integrated bias tee, it enables engineers to generate high-quality, high-speed drive signals without increasing setup complexity. Its low power consumption of 1.5 W also supports more efficient test environments, helping customers manage performance, space, and power considerations in advanced optical device characterization.

A dedicated power supply further helps reduce the risk of incorrect power handling, contributing to safer operation and greater confidence when integrating the amplifier into high-frequency test setups. 

 Markets include: High-speed optical and electrical device manufacturers; optical signal test and measurement-instrument manufacturers and applications: High-speed optical device characterization at up to 140 Gbaud

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR   #TandM #Optical

Sales leadership in optical and multisensor metrology systems for EMEA.

Optical Gaging Products (OGP®), part of Quality Vision International (QVI®), is accelerating its investment across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) with the appointment of Fabian Werner as EMEA Sales Director and a broader initiative to recruit new channel partners throughout the region. This strategic investment reflects OGP's long-term commitment to strengthening its international partner network and meeting growing demand for advanced dimensional metrology solutions.

Fabian Werner

Based in Germany, Fabian brings extensive international sales leadership experience and a proven record of building successful representative networks across Europe and global markets. He will support channel partners throughout the EMEA region by helping them grow their businesses through strategic sales development, technical collaboration, marketing support, and customer engagement.

"Expanding our channel network is a key part of OGP's global growth strategy," said Panos Angelopoulos, President, Global Sales and Services. "Fabian's appointment demonstrates our commitment to investing in our partners. We want potential representatives to know they are joining an organization that provides not only world-class technology, but also the leadership, resources, and support needed to build a successful, long-term business."

Opportunity for EMEA Metrology Partners.
OGP is growing its global channel partner network in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and is actively seeking channel partners in Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and additional strategic markets to represent its industry-leading portfolio of precision metrology solutions. As manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, semiconductor, and precision engineering continue to invest in automation and advanced quality control, demand for high-performance measurement technologies is growing. OGP is looking for partners with strong technical capabilities and customer relationships who are ready to capitalize on this expanding market and build a successful, long-term business with the support of a globally recognized metrology leader.

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@OGP_QVI @mepaxIntPR #Metrology #TandM #PAuto

Choosing the correct photodetector.

The launch of a new Detector Selector, an intuitive online search tool designed to help customers find the right component based on their specific application requirements has been announced by Laser Components.

Selecting the optimal photodetector often requires a balance with multiple parameters. Each system demands unique combination of wavelength range, active area size, and packaging options, which are all easily visible within the Detector Selector. The process is simplified with the Detector Selector instantly displaying each product that matches the user’s defined specifications. Detailed product documentation is available with a single click next to each product name/code, providing comprehensive specifications such as gain, operating temperature, noise, quantum efficiency (QE), detectivity (D*), responsivity, and all other relevant parameters.

Users can filter results by each of the detectors types within the company's portfolio, including standard photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes (APDs), position sensitive detectors, pyroelectric detectors, and photoconductive detectors (PbS and PbSe).

For purchasing inquiries, the Detector Selector includes a "request product"feature, that allows users to add products to our contact form and quoting tool just below the Detector Selector. This feature provides engineers and system integrators a way to start a conversation with a dedicated sales contact to support them throughout the process.

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@LaserComponents @lasercomp_uk @UnnGmbh @PresseBox #TandM #Pauto

Real-time, full-area layer inspection.

Researchers at TU Wien (Austria)) have unveiled an inline imaging-ellipsometer purpose-built for roll-to-roll (R2R) production, with an Allied Vision EXO250ZU3 polarized camera at its core. The system delivers real-time, full-area optical thickness measurement of functional coatings directly on moving foils, eliminating the sampling delays and blind spots that have long plagued R2R quality assurance.

The R2R Quality Problem.
R2R production lays down functional coatings onto flexible substrates at speeds exceeding 100 meters per minute, across applications from lithium-ion battery electrodes to flexible displays. At that throughput, a single process excursion such as a viscosity shift, temperature drift, or misalignment, can propagate undetected across an entire roll.

What's been missing is a metrology platform capable of measuring coating uniformity, thickness consistency, and surface defects simultaneously, non-destructively, and in real time across the full substrate width. That gap is precisely what this system closes.

Conventional ellipsometry is confined to the lab because foil widths of several meters demand collimated illumination across enormous apertures. TU Wien's solution: replace conventional refractive optics with large-aperture Fresnel lenses, collapsing cost and footprint while preserving the precise angle-of-incidence control ellipsometry demands. The result is the first imaging-ellipsometer deployed in an active R2R production line, demonstrated on 300 mm foil.

The EXO250ZU3 camera is built on Sony's IMX250MZR CMOS featuring 2448 × 2048 resolution, global shutter, 3.45 µm pixels, and operating at 75 frames-per-second. It integrates a nanowire polarizer above the pixel array, capturing all four polarization states (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) simultaneously in 2 × 2 super-groups.

A user-selectable LED illuminates across the camera's 350–1100 nm spectral window. Light passes through a single fixed linear polarizer at 45°, allowing the camera to resolve all four reflected intensity channels in one exposure. Two streamlined calculation methods translate polarization ratios into spatially resolved thickness maps with minimal latency, frame by frame at line speed.

The camera installation on a Coateme Click&Coat™ R2R substrate processing system (photo TU Wien)

Validated on Industrial Materials.
The system was tested on PEDOT layers on PET foil (organic electronics, transparent electrode manufacturing) and battery electrolyte coatings on copper foil. In both cases it delivered quantitative thickness maps at production speed. Critically, polarimetric sensitivity reveals coating uniformity deviations, edge anomalies, and surface defects invisible to conventional optical inspection with direct implications for yield improvement and early defect rejection.

Eliminating Noise at the Architecture Level.
Foil vibration, backside reflections, substrate birefringence — each has historically made reliable inline ellipsometry all but impossible. The system addresses all of them with one architectural decision: measurement directly on a roll. On-roll geometry suppresses vibration, fixes the effective AOI, and redirects backside reflections away from the detector. The LED's 20–60 nm spectral bandwidth ensures front- and back-surface reflections are mutually incoherent, eliminating interference artifacts at the physics level.

The system scales linearly with foil width, positioning it for wide-web battery, display, and flexible electronics manufacturing. Measurable thickness range spans nanometers (highly absorbing layers) to microns (transparent layers), adapting to vastly different process chemistries on a single hardware platform.

TU Wien will now target in-line and in-time thickness-measurements and further installations in R2R-lines up to foil widths of 2 meters. Since the ellipsometer uses simple components and works without moving parts on a fixed wavelength with a fixed illumination angle, it promises straight-forward and cost-effective installations on production lines.

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• See also: Real-time imaging-ellipsometry with a polarization camera in R2R-applications: Ferdinand Bammer et al 2026 Flex. Print. Electron. 11 015005

#Allied Vision #PAuto #R2R @tuwien.at

Award for outstanding team engineering and innovation.

TOPTICA Photonics' TOPTICLOCK Team has been awarded the 2026 Paul F. Forman Team Engineering Excellence Award presented by OPTICA, recognising outstanding teamwork and engineering achievement in the successful transfer of cutting-edge research into commercial optical atomic clock.

The award honours the development of TOPTICLOCK, a commercial single-ion optical clock that combines ultra-low-noise photonics with advanced quantum technology to achieve unprecedented accuracy in an industrial form factor. Within just three years, the TOPTICLOCK Team developed and qualified the commercial optical quantum clock and successfully commissioned it at a lead customer site. From fundamental metrology to industrial reality.

The TOPTICLOCK initiative originated from a close collaboration between TOPTICA Photonics and Germany’s national metrology institute PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt). Building on the joint research project opticlock, coordinated by TOPTICA and PTB, the team transferred key know-how from a research demonstrator into an industrial optical frequency standard. The TOPTICLOCK Team consists of TOPTICA engineers and scientists with deep expertise in quantum technologies, lasers, photonics, and software, and PTB optical clock expert Dr. Nils Huntemann as scientific advisor. This close collaboration across institutional and disciplinary boundaries was a decisive factor in achieving the project’s ambitious goals.

Engineering excellence at the Quantum limit.
Optical quantum clocks provide unprecedented stability and accuracy. At their heart are a local oscillator, a quantum reference, and an optical frequency comb – each requiring extreme stability and control. In TOPTICLOCK, the local oscillator is a diode laser system whose linewidth is reduced to below the Hz-level by translating the passive length stability of an optical cavity into frequency stability of the laser. For long-term accuracy, the clock laser is disciplined to the electric quadrupole transition of a single laser-cooled ¹⁷¹Yb⁺ ion at 436 nm. Four additional frequency-stabilized laser systems spanning wavelengths from 370 nm to 935 nm are required to prepare, cool, and read out the ion’s quantum state. All optical, electronic, thermal, and magnetic influences on the ion must be precisely controlled or characterized to fully exploit the potential of quantum-state-based timekeeping. What makes TOPTICLOCK exceptional is not only its performance – with relative stability and accuracy on the order of 10⁻¹⁷, outperforming thermal-vapor-based optical clocks by around two orders of magnitude – but the fact that this performance is achieved in a transportable, industrial 19-inch rack system. All subsystems are integrated into two racks, combining optics, electronics, vacuum technology, control hardware, and comprehensive software into a reliable system designed.

“The engineering challenges to transfer a laboratory setup that can only be operated by experienced scientists into an industrial footprint – while maintaining world-class performance – are enormous,” said Dr. Stephan Ritter, Senior Director Quantum Technology Solutions, TOPTICA Photonics.

Impact Beyond the Lab.
This level of performance in an industrial form factor marks an important milestone on the path toward a future redefinition of the SI second based on optical clocks. Beyond fundamental metrology, TOPTICLOCK opens new possibilities for applications such as advanced time scales and time services, network synchronization, ground references for satellite navigation, and high-precision fundamental research.

“The Paul F. Forman Team Engineering Excellence Award recognizes exactly what made this project successful – a truly collaborative team that mastered extraordinary engineering challenges to bring quantum-enabled performance into the real world,” said Dr. Jürgen Stuhler, Vice President Quantum Technologies of TOPTICA Photonics. “This award underlines TOPTICA’s commitment to translating pioneering photonics and quantum research into technologies that create real impact.”

The TOPTICLOCK project once again demonstrates how close cooperation between research institutions and industry, combined with strong systems engineering and team excellence, can turn visionary science into commercial solutions.

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• See also Innovative optical quantum clock wins. (22/1/2026)

@TOPTICA_AG @OpticaWorldwide @PresseBox@UnnGmbh  #Pauto #Photonics

New function added to network test instruments.

Accelerating Data Center Interconnect and Next-Generation Network Deployment 

100ZR coherent optical transceiver evaluation has been added to Anritsu's portable Network Master Pro MT1040A/MT1000A testers, enabling comprehensive communication performance testing for the next-generation 100ZR standard (QSFP28) as part of network verification, installation, and maintenance.

Product Overview

Network Master Pro MT1040A/MT1000A The all-in-one portable MT1040A/ MT1000A tester handles installation and maintenance of various communications networks as follows:

MT1040A: Supports 10M to 400G with 400G FEC measurements, remote operation, automated and dual-port 400G testing.

MT1000A: Supports 10M to 100G with remote operation, automated testing, GNSS-synchronized high‑precision measurements and on-site MAN and backhaul network testing.

As a next‑generation optical transmission standard, 100ZR reduces power consumption and lower costs to facilitate deployment of advanced data center interconnects (DCI) and access networks. Adding this new function streamlines quality verification for 100ZR optical transmission and supports construction of reliable networks.

Furthermore, the time-series visualization function, which is already available for 100G Ethernet and OTU4 testing, can now be used for 100ZR as well. Combining these tests allows detailed verification of the coherent transmission quality of 100ZR transceivers.

Development background.
The 100ZR/400ZR standard adopts coherent transmission technology in pluggable transceivers for optical networks. It is gaining attention as a technology that enables wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) with low power consumption and costs.

The 400ZR standard is preferred for DCI due to the high bandwidth required by the rapid spread of technologies such as generative AI and Cloud services. Conversely, 100G provides sufficient capacity for short-range communications like metropolitan area networks (MAN) in urban areas and access networks for enterprises and homes. Consequently, 100ZR adoption is anticipated due to its ability to integrate easily into existing 100G networks.

When deploying these coherent optical transceivers, it is essential to pre-verify interoperability with products from different vendors as well as transmission quality.

As a member of the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), an industry group promoting standardization of optical communications technology, Anritsu participated in the ECOC2025 Interoperability Demo in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 2025. At this event, Anritsu demonstrated interoperability with 100ZR devices from multiple vendors.

The MT1040A/MT1000A builds on this track record by enabling evaluation of communication quality over time in test environments.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @OiForum @NapierPR #Communications  #TandM 

Optical power meter modules.

The AQ23211A and AQ23212A optical power meter modules (OPMs) have been launched, by Yokogawa Test & Measurement, as additions to their AQ2300 Series – a multi-application test system for manufacturers of semiconductor devices and optical components such as optical fibers.

These modules, available in both 1-channel and 2-channel variations, inherit the functionality and high reliability of the predecessor AQ2200 Series while offering new features such as a synchronous connection function between the OPMs and source measure unit (SMU), faster communication speeds within the frame, and faster file transfer speeds outside the frame. By providing a converged, single-chassis photonics-electronics measuring solution, the AQ2300 Series delivers substantial space and time savings for customers.

Development of the AQ23211A and AQ23212A OPMs was driven by the need for faster and more accurate optical measurements in the fields of photonics and electronics. Yokogawa aimed to create a solution that meets the increasing demand for high-speed data acquisition and large-volume data transfer in optical power measurements.

Main Features

1. Fast sampling and data transfer - The AQ23211A/AQ23212A OPMs feature a 20µs averaging time (time for repeating measurements to calculate average value) – a substantial improvement from the previous 100µs. This enhancement enables faster and more accurate data collection that improves measurement efficiency. Additionally, the transfer time for files containing up to 100,001 data points is now less than one second, enabling high-speed, large-volume data transfer. For optical power logging measurements, the maximum number of data points has increased from 20,001 to 1,000,001. These improvements make the AQ23211A and AQ23212A OPMs highly efficient and precise, offering significant time and cost savings.
2. Synchronization with SMU - Part of the development ambition was for the new OPMs to also integrate seamlessly with the already released AQ23811A SMU inside the single-frame AQ2300 Series modular multi-application test system. The SMU offers high-quality pulse waveform generation (50µs width), high interoperability, and the ability to perform simultaneous voltage and current measurements. Users can easily synchronize the SMU and OPMs within the frame without any wiring requirements, providing a convenient and space-saving photonics-electronics convergence measurement solution that flexibly meets various application requirements.

According to Yokogawa’s research, the AQ2300 Series modular multi-application test system hosting both the SMU and new AQ23211A/AQ23212A OPMs in a single chassis is the first such solution available on the market. The frame features a digital I/O interface that can link to external devices, enabling the AQ2300 to receive measurement start signals and transmit measurement end signals. This feature enhances the system's flexibility and adaptability, making it suitable for small and medium-sized measurement systems.

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@Yokogawa, @Yokogawa_EU, @Yokogawa_Europe @NapierPR #Automotive #TandM

Optical Jack Sockets.

Extended range of optical jack sockets offers immunity to noise.

Cliff Electronics have extended their popular range of optical jack sockets, widely used in communication systems where fibre-optic connectivity provides increased immunity to noise. These products enhance the company's reputation in the optical market, providing more solutions for customers.

Their optical jacks meet the industry standard footprint and may be used in a wide range of applications such as Digital Optical Data Links, Sound Cards, Set Top Boxes, Televisions and Audio Equipment including Amplifiers, DVD players and MDs.

The new range includes optical transmitters and receivers, featuring high-speed signal transmission (up to 16 Mbps) and low power consumption.

Key models include:

• FCR684214T and FCR684215T (optical transmitters), with TTL input compatibility and a +3~+5V power source. Applications include DVD players, TVs, sound cards, and set-top boxes.
• FCR684214R and FCR684215R (optical receivers), with high PD sensitivity for red light and low current dissipation, suited for amplifiers, audio equipment, and digital optical data links.
• FCR684216T and FCR684216R, similar to the above models but with additional mounting options for panel installation.
• FCR684217T, FCR684217R, FCR684218T, and FCR684218R, featuring self-tapping holes for easy panel mounting.

All versions have TTL compatible inputs and require a +3~+5V power source. This extended range of Optical transmitters and receivers provide enhanced performance and flexibility for various audio, video, and data transmission applications and increases their product offering to this growing market, helping customers find the correct connectors for their applications and reducing their vendor base." said a spokesman.

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@proactivefleet #CliffElectronics #PAuto #Electronic

Optical transmission network co-operation.

Anritsu Corporation has joined the OpenROADM Multi-Source Agreement (MSA), which defines specifications that facilitate multi-vendor interoperability for optical transmission networks. Anritsu’s participation in these efforts aims to enhance efficiency and flexibility of the optical transmission network.

As Test & Measurement instrument vendor, Anritsu’s OpenROADM activities contribute to the openness and efficiency of optical transmission networks by promoting interconnect specifications and interoperability verification.

“Anritsu is thrilled to become the inaugural Test & Measurement instrument vendor in the OpenROADM MSA, comprising service providers and vendors. The OpenROADM MSA Group is committed to the open evolution of network management and vendor interoperability. We eagerly anticipate collaborating on network orchestration, which will enable us to control and monitor the quality of the entire network. Additionally, we are excited about the prospect of introducing test & measurement innovations facilitating network fault detection and causal analysis.” says Tadanori Nishikobara, Marketing Director of the Service Infrastructure Solutions Division at Anritsu Corporation.

Anritsu contributes to OpenROADM activities through test & measurement proposals and support for interoperability verification.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR @OpenroadM #TandM 

OCV sensor.

The new DCR 1048i OCV sensor from Leuze, combines 1D/2D code reading with Optical Character Verification (OCV), enhancing quality control in industrial automation. They have expanded their Simple Vision portfolio with a powerful sensor for print quality verification:the DCR 1048i OCV .

Vision sensors are the ‘eyes of industrial automation’. That is because the devices enable machines to see and interpret their surroundings. Anyone looking for a particularly powerful sensor for print quality verification can now find what they need in the DCR 1048i OCV from Leuze: It can read 1D/2D codes within one application and also check quality using the OCV process. This makes it possible to reliably determine whether the best-before date, batch or other printed information is present, complete and legible.

Users can teach the vision sensor for OCV print quality verification quickly and easily. All you need to do is present it with a reference image of the optimum print. The DCR 1048i OCV then reliably detects defective printing – for example due to, clogged print heads, low ink cartridges, or adhesion problems. Once the threshold value is set, products recognized as defective can be rejected. The DCR 1048i OCV offers an efficient and flexible solution for production processes.

Performance, flexibility and usability are what count when it comes to image processing sensor technology for industrial automation. Simple Vision sensors meet these requirements. They are as easy to operate as optical sensors, plus they are as powerful as camera systems. The Sensor People from Leuze offer this concept as a quick and straightforward introduction to vision technology.

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@LeuzeUK @LeuzeUSA @mepaxIntPR #Manufacturing #Pharma

Laser power meter with calibration.

The PRONTO-250-FLEX laser power meter from GENTEC-EO offers flexible calibration options to ensure that customers only pay for the functions they actually use. The compact, handy device is exclusively distributed by Laser Components in Europe and is ideal for mobile use during maintenance and repair work.

Three calibration options are available:

• Basic broadband calibration “Y”: from UV to the NIR range (248 nm to 2.5 µm).
• Additional calibration “C”: for CO2 lasers (10.6 µm).
• Additional calibration “E”: for single-shot energy measurements with ± 5% accuracy.

The calibrations of the PRONTO-250-FLEX are metrologically traceable to NIST at 1064 nm and optionally at 10.6 µm. The same applies to the wavelength correction. It is therefore ensured that all measurement results comply with the international standards defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

One of the key reasons for the success of the PRONTO 250 series is its intuitive touchscreen interface and wide measuring range (0.5 W - 250 W). If desired, the measurement data can be saved on the device and transferred to a computer over a USB interface for evaluation and storage.

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@LaserComponents @GentecEO #PAuto #Europe

Wideband-high-output linear amplifier.

The AH15199B 140 Gbaud Wideband/High-Output (2 Vpp) Linear Amplifier*1, developed by Anritsu to evaluate optical transmissions devices in the generation of beyond 1 Tera is now on the market.

Technical Terms *1 Linear Amplifier: Amplifies input signal at fixed ratio *2 PAM4: Abbreviation for Pulse Amplitude Modulation used to increase transmission capacity by amplitude modulation using four voltage levels *3 Gain: Parameter indicating how many times input frequency sinusoidal amplitude multiplied at output; plotted as frequency on logarithmic x-axis and gain in dB relative units on y-axis *4 Jitter: Parameter indicating quality of digital signal as timing fluctuation; larger jitter causes errors in acquiring digital signal values *5 DSP: Abbreviation for Digital Signal Processor; specialized microprocessor for processing digital signals and generally used in real-time computing *6 Digital Coherent Data transmission method using light phase and polarization to transmit high-capacity signals over long distances due to low signal degradation *7 IM-DD: Abbreviation for Intensity Modulation-Direct Detection (IM-DD); data transmitting/receiving system using changes in light intensity

This new linear amplifier features a wideband frequency response of 200 kHz to 135 GHz at a –6 dB bandwidth and can amplify 140 Gbaud PAM4*2 signals to 2.0 Vpp. The high-gain*3 amplification of +15.5 dB and low jitter*4 fluctuation of 300 fs from the actual signal timing support amplification of even high-quality input signals attenuated during transmission.

Furthermore, the AH15199B can amplify 140 Gbaud PAM4 signals from various signal sources, such as DSP*5, and can directly drive modulators and other devices requiring high amplitude. Therefore, it is a suitable driver for evaluating optical modulators for 800GbE and 1.6TbE digital coherent*6 system, now the focus of attention as next-generation transmission systems, as well as for IM-DD*7 systems used widely in optical communications.

This wideband linear amplifier supports the growth and smooth operation of high-speed networks.

Development Background.
Mobile data traffic is increasing with the growth of AI, machine learning, and other services, but further increases in communication speeds for servers and network devices are a major challenge.

The next-generation Ethernet standard IEEE802.3 supporting high-speed networks will use digital coherent methods, such as 800GBASE-LR1 (for 10 km), 800GBASE-ER1-20 (for 20 km), and 800GBASE-ER1 (for 40 km), as well as the IM-DD method. The OIF (Optical Internetworking Forum) is studying specifications for optical transmission technologies, such as 800ZR, 1600ZR, as well as coherent technology to support increased optical network capacity and accelerate growth of “beyond 1 Terahertz” systems.

On the other hand, higher transmission speeds suffer larger signal attenuation, so a high-power linear driver is needed to amplify PAM signals faithfully and drive modulators directly.

The AH15199B high-power linear amplifier supports evaluation of 2.0 Vpp signals at 140 Gbaud PAM4 for high-speed, high-output data transmissions at a low maximum power consumption of 1.5 W. A 140 Gbaud data speed equals 140 billion signal changes per second.

The standard, small, dedicated power supply reduces the risk of damage from incorrect handling.

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@Anritsu @AnritsuEMEA @NapierPR #TandM #Communications

Hyperspectral cameras for orbit!

Space is the only location that allows greenhouse gas emissions to be monitored freely across jurisdictions, enabling unbiased reporting.

ABB has secured a third contract with GHGSat, the global leader in high-resolution greenhouse gas monitoring from space, to manufacture optical sensors for their C12, C13, C14 and C15 satellites set to launch into orbit in 2024.

Photo: GHGSat.

The new satellites will join GHGSat’s expanding constellation which detects and quantifies industrial gas leaks from space. Over the past two years, GHGSat has enabled the mitigation of 5.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from industrial facilities around the world. ABB has built the payloads – the instruments carried on board the satellites – for ten of GHGSat’s emissions monitoring satellites launched into space.

Earlier this year, GHGSat reported that their existing satellites have doubled their methane emission measurement capabilities thanks to the exceptional performance of the sensors[2]. This has allowed GHGSat to accelerate the scaling of its monitoring services, aiding industries such as oil and gas, power generation, mining, and more in understanding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The new contract is a testament to GHGSat’s confidence in ABB’s manufacturing capabilities to build complex, high-performing optical payloads for hyperspectral earth observation,” said Marc Corriveau, Head of Global Operations, Business Line Analytical, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “This year, we doubled our manufacturing infrastructure dedicated to space projects, so that we can better serve the booming private space sector. We strive to contribute to the success of our current customers as we expand to other Earth observation mandates.”

“Our collaboration, which began in 2018, has showcased ABB’s technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities,” said Stéphane Germain, CEO, GHGSat. “This experience has fortified our belief in ABB’s capacity to support GHGSat's expansion in building proprietary high-resolution payloads. Such partnerships are the key to achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately making a concrete impact in the battle against climate change.”

ABB has been a pioneer in gas sensing from orbit for over two decades, starting with the development of the Canadian Space Agency SCISAT mission payload, which profiles the concentration of more than 70 different gas types down to parts per trillion from cloud top to outer space.

They also provided hyperspectral technologies to the Japanese GOSAT program, which pioneered the global mapping at regional scale of sources and sinks of greenhouse gases from orbit starting with a first satellite in 2009 and an improved version in 2018.

Today, ABB builds on this legacy by manufacturing enhanced versions of GHGSat’s proprietary wide-angle Fabry-Perot (WAF-P) interferometer, which tracks the same infrared fingerprint of greenhouse gases. In this way, ABB applies its vast expertise acquired in earlier high-profile government space missions to the private sector space with a focus on actionable low latency satellite data for civil uses.

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@ABBgroupnews @ABBMeasurement @abb_automation @admiralpr #Automation #Environment

Powering semiconductor automatic optical inspection.

Facing Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) applications relating to, and caused by the shortcomings of consumer DRAM.

The recent launch of Innodisk AI provides a complete AI solution for industrial integrators, DDR5 series DRAM plays a key role for a variety of applications, including Automated Optical Inspection solutions. With the rise in demand for semiconductors, and the trend towards smaller and smaller processes, the need for automatic systems to detect semiconductor production defects has grown significantly. AOI systems are now used at every step of the semiconductor manufacturing process, and their stability is paramount to production efficiency.

Modern AOI systems face three core issues that Innodisk’s DDR5 RDIMM (registered memory) help to solve: memory bandwidth, accuracy, and high temperatures.

Memory Bandwidth.
Due to the high memory bandwidth needed for training models, AOI systems often struggle when lower capacity modules are used. Innodisk’s DDR5 RDIMM solves this issue with large capacities, including 32GB and 64GB modules.

Accuracy.
Due to semiconductor processes going down to the nanometer level, the resolution requirement and accuracy requirements for AOI systems has increased. Innodisk’s DDR5 RDIMM features a new dual 40-bit sub-channel architecture, and supports rigorous side-band ECC, which can handle AOI’s high-accuracy detection demands.

High Temperatures.
The high-speed and high-precision inspection that AOI systems provide generates high amounts of heat at the DRAM level, and this can cause overall system temperatures to rise sharply. Innodisk’s DDR5 RDIMM solves these heat concerns via a two-pronged strategy, involving an integration of both hardware and software. Two thermal sensors on the modules detect ambient temperatures, and two software tools: iCAP (Innodisk Cloud Administration Platform), and iSMART monitor temperatures and send warning messages.

Although memory technology is constantly being updated, Innodisk’s observation of the industry's current situation shows that customers' demands for new technologies vary greatly.

@Innodisk_Corp @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

Optical inspection.

For fast, high-precision scanning of manufactured materials.

The LMI Photon™ Optical Inspection System has been released by LMI Technologies. This non-contact system provides surface characterization of multi-layered, textured, mixed, and a wide range of other manufactured materials. The system is CE and FCC certified.

This system leverages Line Confocal and Laser Profiler sensor technology to provide out-of-the-box surface characterisation and reporting of multi-layered, textured, mixed and other precision-manufactured materials.

Photon™ leverages LMI's Line Confocal and Laser Profiler sensor technology to scan material surfaces with submicron precision, and at a level of quality and speed that outperforms competing technologies.

The system uses high-precision encoders, vibration-free movement, and automated stitching software to scan challenging materials--over large fields of view--in a variety of offline and at-line quality inspection applications, as well as laboratory and R&D processes.

Every Photon™ Optical Inspection System includes vacuum table, industrial PC (with onboard motion path planning and standard inspection software), display, keyboard, mouse, joystick, and calibration block. It's surface characterization capabilities include part alignment, automatic feature detection and profile extraction, multi-coordinate measurement, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), surface roughness analysis, and more.

Photon™ can be used to perform surface characterization and reporting of some of the most difficult applications including:

• Multi-layered cell phone display glass
• Curved-edge cell phone display glass
• Glue bead volume & position (transparent/translucent)
• Medical seal integrity
• PCB to chip solder ball / ball grid arrays
• Battery weld seam integrity
• Non-contact surface roughness on practically any material

“ Photon provides manufacturers with a versatile, high-speed scanning system that can be used in a wide variety of offline and at-line quality inspection, lab metrology, and R&D applications, where challenging material surfaces need to be characterized and reported on. And, this system comes in at a significantly lower cost than competing technologies such as optical microscopes and CMMs, while still delivering the high-precision measurement results production engineers demand,” said Len Chamberlain, Chief Commercial Officer with LMI.

The Photon™ Optical Inspection System is now available for order in limited stock.

@lmi3d @PresseBox #PAuto #Manufacturing

Optical connectors and accessories.

Cliff Electronics have increased their range of optical connectors, cables and accessories suitable for many applications from high quality audio and broadcast systems, AV installations, automation, instrumentation, data and IT connectivity, medical equipment, instrumentation, industrial control, data acquisition and other high bandwidth signal connections.

John Hall, Managing Director of Cliff Electronics, comments; “Optical connectors are virtually unaffected by noise when transmitting and receiving signals and have been adopted as standard in many applications, including Professional Audio and Visual mixing desks and high-end consumer Audio applications and Telecom and Data Centres. Our wide range of feedthrough connector and jack options allow us to provide best-fit solutions for OEMs and Systems Integrators.”

Optical connectivity is virtually unaffected by electrical noise when transmitting and receiving digital signals and is rapidly becoming a standard feature of HDTV, high-quality audio equipment including portable products and IT systems.

Cliff Electronics optical jacks are available as single or dual optical transmitter/receiver versions with right-angle PCB mounting and a self-tapping screw hole for panel mounting. All conform to the EIAJ/JEITA rectangular standard CP-1210, RC-5720 and JIS C5974-1993 F05 standards for digital audio interfaces including fibre-optic interconnections. Standard and low-profile versions are available, and three models replace a plug-in cover with a convenient hinged shutter to protect against contamination.

Electrical specification of Cliff’s optical jacks is; supply voltage -0.5 to 7.0V maximum, input voltage -0.5 to +0.5V maximum, operating temperature -20 to +70ºC and soldering temperature 260ºC maximum.

Fibre Optic Connectors are also available in Cliff’s market leading Feedthrough connector series. SC Simplex, LC Duplex, TOSLINK EIAJ and now also the increasingly specified MTP brand MPO type fibre-optic connection options are available in plastic or rugged metal shells. Designed to fit into the industry standard 24mm diameter XLR connector panel cutout, this simplifies panel design and manufacture and improves end product aesthetics. Fibre-optic FeedThrough connectors may also be supplied pre-assembled into 19” rack panels to simplify and speed up system assembly.

To accompany their optical connector range Cliff also manufactures moulded optical lead assemblies (TOSLINK cables) for use with optical jacks. The TOSLINK (Toshiba Link) Optical Audio Data Cables conform to a standard, optical fibre, fiber,digital, audio interface and are available in 1.5 and 2.5 metre lengths. Lead terminals conform to the EIAJ/JEITA rectangular standard CP-1201, RC-5720 and JIS C5974-1993 F05 standards for digital audio interfaces including fibre-optical fiber-optical interconnections.

Completing the Cliff Fibre-Optic product range is an adapter providing a 3.5mm jack connection from a TOSLINK cable termination.

3D line confocal sensors.

The official release of its new Gocator® 5500 series of smart 3D line confocal sensors has been announced by LMI Technologies (LMI). They say this is a major product release introduces the first line confocal sensor running Gocator® 's trusted smart sensor platform, complete with next-generation on-sensor IIoT vision web-based software, onboard measurement tools, I/O connectivity, and much more.

"The Gocator® 5500 Series introduces a powerfully effective line confocal scanning approach for the inspection of challenging material structures such as multi-layer, transparent and curved edge, and now with next-generation on-sensor IIoT vision software and Gocator’s renowned smart features and capabilities. The result is an end-to-end, user-friendly surface evaluation solution that provides customers with unmatched performance leveraging the industry’s first smart LCI technology", said Mark Radford, CEO, LMI Technologies.

Gocator® 5500 sensors are unique among existing confocal technologies in that they feature a dual-axis design that delivers simultaneous generation of 3D topography, 3D tomography, and 2D intensity data. This allows Gocator® 5000 sensors to scan practically any material type including multi-layered, transparent/translucent, curved edge, shiny, textured, mixed, and many more with submicron precision, and at a level of quality and speed that outperforms competing confocal technologies.

A quick look at Gocator 5500 sensor capabilities:

• Simultaneous generation of multiple profiles from multi-layer structures
• Generates 1792 data points per profile
• Fast scan rates (Over 10 kHz with PC acceleration)
• High X resolution, sub-micron Z precision
• Handles wide variety of material types
• Dual-axis optical design provides higher signal quality
• Runs next-generation onboard measurement and inspection software

Gocator® 5504 and 5512 models are now available and the Gocator 5516 model will be available for order later in 2022. 

@lmi3d @PresseBox #PAuto #Manufacturing

Looking after the optics.

The Endress+Hauser subsidiaries SpectraSensors Inc. and Kaiser Optical Systems Inc. have joined forces to form a new company: Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis Inc. By consolidating its expertise in the field of laser-based measurement technology, the Group is strengthening its focus on laboratory and process analysis and positioning itself to provide customers with even better support for analysis tasks in the future.

John Schnake

“Our customers expect easy-to-use, robust measurement instruments that fit their applications,” says Managing Director John Schnake, who leads the new unit. With laser-based measurement technologies, Endress+Hauser offers an integrated product portfolio for analysis that supports industrial customers from product and process development through to quality control and production.
 

Endress+Hauser has placed a strategic focus on process and laboratory analysis for years. The company supports customers from product and process development to production, bringing advanced analysis and quality measurements to process engineering applications. Success in its core markets confirms this approach, with the Group generating nearly one-fourth of its sales through analysis technology.

Consolidation under one umbrella
In order to bundle the Group’s expertise in laser-based measurement principles and create a basis for sustainable growth, SpectraSensors and Kaiser Optical Systems merged under the new name Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis on 1 January 2022. Both companies boast a long history of innovation and offer market-leading product lines for optical analysis.

The acquisition of these two US-based companies in 2012 and 2013, brought innovative technologies on Endress+Hauser board. The Group strengthened its position in gas analysis with tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology from SpectraSensors. Kaiser Optical Systems, a global leader in Raman spectroscopy, brings expertise in solid, liquid and gas analysis across a wide range of applications, including vaccine production.

Offerings from laboratory to process

Dr Manfred Jagiella

“We want to further develop and expand our portfolio for laboratory and process analysis. Together with Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis and the Analytik Jena subsidiary, Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis forms an important element of our Group’s analysis strategy,” says Dr Manfred Jagiella, who is responsible for the analytical business on the Endress+Hauser Executive Board.

Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis is headquartered in Ann Arbor, (MI USA), where Raman spectroscopic instruments are also developed and manufactured. TDLAS instrumentation continues to be produced in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The new company, with around 200 employees, will remain a wholly owned subsidiary of the Endress+Hauser Group.

The Ann Arbour Plant

@Endress_Hauser @Endress_US @Endress_UK #PAuto #Optics

Easy-to-use display interface board.

KARD enables simple, straightforward evaluation of optical performance.

KOE (Kaohsiung Opto-Electronics) has announced the introduction of an easy-to-use display interface board. KARD, which is derived from a combination of ‘KOE’ and ‘Card’, has been designed and developed to provide a convenient, efficient solution to drive and evaluate KOE TFT display modules.

KOE are actively developing and introducing a series of value-added support tools to enable customers to assess and appraise the optical performance of an extensive range of LVDS-enabled medium-size TFT display modules. The KARD interface board allows optical performance characteristics such as contrast, brightness, colour saturation and viewing angle to be reviewed and tested within a design and development environment.

Benson Huang, marketing manager, KOE said “We are very keen to ensure our customers have access to easy-to-use, cost-effective design support solutions when using KOE TFT display modules. We are proactively enhancing an expanding range of value-added services and solutions that include touchscreens, optical bonding, high brightness backlights and display interface boards.”

The fully embedded GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) on the KARD display interface board supports both HDMI and DisplayPort input interfaces and generates a video output signal via a 20-pin LVDS interface to drive TFT display modules with a display resolution of 640 x 480 pixels up to 1920 x 1080 pixels.

An additional on-screen display (OSD) control board, which connects to the KARD driver board via an OSD interface cable, features five micro push-button switches supporting Power On/Off, PWM (pulse width modulation) backlight brightness control, a HDMI/DisplayPort input signal selector, and display resolution configuration.

Closely resembling the size of a standard business card, the KARD interface board features compact external mechanical dimensions of 55mm (w) x 90mm (h) x 14.5mm (d). The KOE KARD display interface board provides support for a range of KOE TFT display modules, from 5.7-inch up to and including 12.3-inch, which feature a 20-pin LVDS data interface.

Offering flexibility for specific market and application needs, KOE can support bespoke custom design requirements for the KARD including alternative data interfaces, display connections and touch functionality.

@KOE_Europe #PAuto #TFT