Multi-Terabit Optical Test Solution for Telecommunications & Optical Networks

Why Optical Networks Need Fully Loaded Test Beds

Optical networks are moving to higher symbol rates and denser modulation on every carrier. A transceiver that works well on a single channel can behave differently when it shares the fibre with a full DWDM load, passes through amplifiers and ROADMs, and meets nonlinear effects over several spans.

Testing that properly needs more than one transmitter and one receiver. It needs many carriers at controlled wavelengths and powers, a reference transmitter for the channel under test, a coherent receiver and a way to check the spectrum. Assembling those from separate instruments takes time, and getting them to work together is often the hardest part.

The same need runs through the wider supply chain for optical networks. Component makers want to see how a laser, modulator or amplifier performs inside a loaded system, data centre interconnect teams need to benchmark pluggable optics on open line systems, and research groups want a stable reference against which to try new modulation and fibre types.

The Multi-Terabit Optical Test Solution

The multi-terabit optical test solution brings these parts together as one closed-loop bench. ID Photonics developed and validated it with the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, and it is delivered pre-integrated in 19-inch high-density racks.

CoBrite tunable laser sources provide the carriers, OMFT dual-polarisation multi-format transmitters modulate the channels, CORX coherent receivers detect them and the ID OSA checks the spectrum. An amplification chain, RF interconnects and automation software complete the system, so optical networks teams can start testing instead of building the bench.

Because every instrument is specified to work with the others, the results from one run can be repeated on the next. This matters when a test campaign compares designs over weeks, or when a lab must show the same result to a customer or partner.

Why Channel Loading Matters

Three capabilities decide how close the test bed comes to a real link:

• Channel count: up to 200 DWDM channels, each with its own wavelength and power, for full-load studies.
• Per-carrier capacity: up to 1.4 Tb/s per carrier, for single-carrier testing at 400G and above.
• Effects under load: the platform supports studies of nonlinear effects such as XPM, FWM and SRS, and amplifier characterisation.

Built for Telecommunications and Optical Network Labs

The platform is modular, so laser cards, receiver upgrades, L-band coverage and further instruments can be added later.

Carriers and bands

Carriers sit on the ITU-T G.694.1 grid across the C-band, with frequency tuning resolution below 100 MHz. CoBrite N-type modules offer linewidth below 25 kHz.

Formats and symbol rates

The system covers DP-QPSK, DP-16QAM, DP-64QAM, probabilistically shaped QAM and Nyquist WDM, at symbol rates from 28 GBaud to beyond 120 GBaud.

Coherent reception

CORX receivers are available with 20, 40 or 60 GHz bandwidth, chosen to match the symbol rates under test. A lower bandwidth suits earlier symbol rates, while the higher options are needed as the channel under test moves towards the top of the platform’s range.

Automation and control

Ethernet, USB, SCPI and a REST API allow programmed test sequences and parameter sweeps from Python, LabVIEW or MATLAB. Long sweeps across channel power, wavelength or format can then run overnight without an operator at the bench.

Building a Complete Setup

Inside the multi-terabit optical test solution, the Multi-Channel Tunable Laser Sources load the DWDM grid, and the OMFT Optical Multi-Format Transmitter generates the modulated channel under test. The CORX Coherent Optical IQ Receiver detects and analyses that channel after the link, and the ID OSA Optical Spectrum Analyser checks channel placement and power across the loaded spectrum. Each instrument can also be bought on its own for smaller benches.

Who Uses It

• Transceiver and line card developers qualifying new designs
• Network equipment makers testing ROADMs, WSS and multi-span links
• Component teams characterising lasers, modulators, amplifiers and PICs
• Data centre interconnect teams testing 400G ZR and ZR+ links
• Photonics research groups at universities and national laboratories

Supply and Support in India

United Spectrum Instruments (USI), Chennai, is the distributor for ID Photonics in India and supplies the multi-terabit optical test solution to telecom, research and optical networks teams.

USI provides system configuration advice, pre-delivery application validation, installation and commissioning on site or remotely, hands-on training and long-term service, with GST-compliant invoicing for Indian institutions.

Request a Configuration

Download the brochure from this page, use the Enquire Now button, write to sales@unitedspectrum.in, or call +91 93631 83748 / +91 97899 04948. Please mention:

• The number of DWDM channels you need to load
• The bands: C-band, L-band or C+L
• The modulation formats and symbol rates to be tested
• Your control software and any instruments already on your bench