Advanced Multi-Channel Tunable Laser Sources
A multi-channel tunable laser source is a rack-mounted system that hosts many independent tunable lasers in one chassis, each with its own output, wavelength and...
Advanced Multi-Channel Tunable Laser Sources
Scalable Multi-Channel Tunable Laser Mainframe for DWDM Loading and Coherent Testing — CoBrite MX by ID Photonics
A multi-channel tunable laser source is a rack-mounted system that hosts many independent tunable lasers in one chassis, each with its own output, wavelength and power control. It lets a test lab generate a full set of DWDM channels, or dozens of independent light sources, from a single instrument with one control interface.
The CoBrite MX from ID Photonics GmbH, Germany, is a 19″ mainframe system built from slide-in cards, each carrying up to four CoBrite tunable lasers. The CBMA24 mainframe holds up to 24 lasers and the CBMA48 up to 48, and several CBMA48 chassis can be combined for higher channel counts. Each laser can be a narrow linewidth N-type (25 kHz typical), a high-power S-type (up to +17.8 dBm) or a general-purpose G-type, in the C-band or L-band, all controlled through a browser GUI or SCPI commands over Ethernet and USB.
United Spectrum Instruments is the official authorised distributor of the CoBrite MX in India, providing system configuration, quotations, delivery and after-sales technical support across the country.
The CoBrite MX is a field-scalable tunable laser mainframe hosting up to 48 independent lasers per chassis for DWDM channel loading, coherent transceiver testing and optical network R&D — available in India through United Spectrum Instruments.
Understanding the Multi-Channel Tunable Laser Source
What is a multi-channel tunable laser source?
A multi-channel tunable laser source combines many tunable lasers in one rack-mounted platform. Each laser emits a continuous-wave (CW) output that can be set to any wavelength in its band, independently of the others. Together they can emulate a fully loaded DWDM system, provide many local oscillators at once, or feed a large number of devices under test in parallel.
How the CoBrite MX is built
The CoBrite MX uses a mainframe-and-card architecture. Each slide-in card carries two or four CoBrite tunable lasers, and cards slot into one of two mainframes:
- CBMA24 — up to 6 cards and 24 lasers in a compact chassis, for low to medium channel counts.
- CBMA48 — up to 12 cards and 48 lasers in a full-width 19″ chassis, the core platform for demanding applications. Multiple CBMA48 units can be linked for more than 48 lasers.
Because cards can be added later, a lab can start with a few lasers and grow towards full-band loading as projects and budgets develop, without replacing the mainframe.
Why use one mainframe instead of many separate lasers?
Running dozens of benchtop lasers means dozens of power supplies, cables and control connections. The MX replaces them with one chassis, one network address and one command set. Channel plans can be loaded and changed by script in seconds, every laser shares the same calibration and control software, and rack space and wiring are greatly reduced.
Where the MX fits in the CoBrite family
- CoBrite DX1 — one laser, benchtop, USB.
- CoBrite DX2 — one or two lasers, 1 HE half-width.
- CoBrite DX — up to four lasers with touchscreen, 2U half-width.
- CoBrite MX — up to 48 lasers per mainframe, expandable beyond.
All share the same laser modules and SCPI command structure, so test code developed on a smaller unit scales directly to the MX.
Technical Specifications
Mainframe
| Parameter | CBMA24 | CBMA48 |
| Card Slots | 6 | 12 |
| Maximum Lasers | 24 | 48 (expandable with multiple chassis) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 345 × 152 × 380 mm | 482 × 152 × 540 mm (19″ rack) |
| Weight | 4 kg | 8 kg |
| Power Consumption | 150 W | 300 W |
| Interfaces | Ethernet (front and rear), USB (front) | |
| Control | Installation-free browser-based GUI; SCPI-style commands | |
| Laser Safety | Front interlock key plus software interlock | |
| Power Supply | 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz | |
| Operating / Storage Temperature | 0 to 40 °C / −20 to 60 °C, non-condensing | |
Laser Modules (2 or 4 lasers per card)
| Parameter | N-Type | S-Type | G-Type |
| Band | C-band (1524.5–1572 nm) or L-band (1568.8–1611.7 nm) | C-band (1527.6–1568.6 nm) | C-band (1527.6–1568.8 nm) |
| Linewidth | 25 kHz typical, <100 kHz | 80 kHz typical; <100 kHz below +16 dBm, <150 kHz above | <100 kHz |
| Output Power | C: +10.0 to +16.0 dBm L: +9.0 to +14.5 dBm | +8.8 to +17.8 dBm | +9.5 to +15.5 dBm |
| Fine Tuning Range / Resolution | ±6 GHz / 1 MHz | ±10 GHz / 10 MHz | ±6 GHz / 1 MHz |
| Tuning Speed (typical) | 10 s | 1 s | 10 s |
| Frequency Accuracy (24 h) | 0.3 GHz | ||
| SMSR | >40 dB (55 dB typical) | ||
| Power Accuracy / Setting Resolution | ±0.5 dB over tuning range / 0.1 dB | ||
| Output Fibre | Polarisation-maintaining PANDA, PER >18 dB (25 dB typical) | ||
| Connectors | FC/APC, FC/PC or SC/PC | ||
| Compliance | Class 1M laser product (EN/IEC 60825-1), RoHS | ||
| Card Order Code | CBMX-XY-XY-XY-XY-CC (X = laser type, Y = band per laser, NN = empty position) | ||
Key Features and Advantages
Up to 48 Independent Lasers per Mainframe
The CBMA48 hosts 12 cards and 48 lasers in one 19″ chassis, enough to emulate a substantial portion of a DWDM channel plan. For larger systems, multiple CBMA48 mainframes can be combined.
Field-Scalable Card Architecture
Lasers are delivered on slide-in cards of two or four. Start with the channels you need today and add cards as requirements grow, protecting the original investment instead of replacing the system.
Mix Laser Types and Bands in One System
Each laser position can be specified as narrow linewidth N-type, high-power S-type or general-purpose G-type, in the C-band or L-band. A single mainframe can therefore carry narrow linewidth channels under test alongside cost-effective loading channels and L-band lasers for C+L systems.
Continuous, Gridless Tuning
Every laser tunes to any frequency in its band, supporting fixed ITU grids, flexible-grid channel plans and superchannel configurations. Fine tuning reaches 1 MHz resolution on N-type and G-type lasers, and S-type lasers retune in about one second for fast channel-plan changes.
Precise, Repeatable Power Control
Output power is set in 0.1 dB steps with ±0.5 dB accuracy across the tuning range, so channel powers can be equalised or deliberately tilted to test amplifier gain flatness and power-dependent effects.
Installation-Free Browser Control and SCPI Automation
A pictographic GUI runs in any browser over Ethernet, with no software to install. For automated test, SCPI-style commands over Ethernet or USB integrate the MX with LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB and production test frameworks, using the same command set as the rest of the CoBrite family.
Polarisation-Maintaining Outputs
All lasers output on PM PANDA fibre with a polarisation extinction ratio above 18 dB (25 dB typical), ready for coherent modulators, receivers and integrated photonic devices.
Built-In Laser Safety
A front-panel interlock key and a software interlock control laser emission, and the system is a Class 1M laser product to EN/IEC 60825-1, supporting safe operation in shared labs and production areas.
Applications Across Industries
Full DWDM Channel Loading for Telecom Networks
Network equipment makers and operators use the MX to load an optical line system with many real laser channels for telecommunications and optical network testing. Real channels reproduce amplifier saturation, gain tilt and nonlinear interaction more faithfully than broadband noise loading.
EDFA, ROADM and Wavelength-Selective Switch Testing
Dozens of independently tunable channels let engineers measure EDFA gain flatness, transient response when channels are added or dropped, and ROADM or WSS port routing across the full C-band or C+L band.
Coherent Transceiver Qualification
Combined with an optical multi-format transmitter and a coherent optical receiver, the MX surrounds a channel under test with realistic neighbouring channels to measure crosstalk tolerance, filtering penalties and OSNR performance at 400G and beyond.
Parallel Production Test of Optical Components
In opto-electronic packaging and component manufacturing, multiple lasers feed several test stations or multi-port devices at once, raising throughput for transceivers, AWGs, filters and photonic integrated circuits.
Multi-Wavelength Quantum Network Testbeds
Researchers building quantum key distribution and quantum networking testbeds use the MX to provide classical DWDM traffic alongside quantum channels, studying coexistence and Raman noise in shared fibre.
Optical Network Testbeds for Space and Defence
For satellite and space communication and defence and secure communication programmes, the MX supports laboratory emulation of multi-channel optical links and ground-segment networks before field deployment.
Spectral Characterisation and Channel Monitoring
Paired with a high-resolution optical spectrum analyser, the MX provides precisely spaced reference channels for characterising filter shapes, verifying channel plans and testing optical performance monitors.
University and National Research Testbeds
Universities and national laboratories use a single MX to serve several research groups, assigning lasers from one shared mainframe to different experiments over the network.
Why Choose United Spectrum Instruments?
Official Authorised Distributor in India
United Spectrum Instruments is the authorised Indian distributor for ID Photonics CoBrite tunable lasers, so you receive a genuine system backed by the manufacturer.
System Configuration Support
Choosing between CBMA24 and CBMA48, how many cards to start with, and which laser types and bands go in each position has a direct impact on cost. We work through your channel plan and test requirements and recommend a configuration that meets today’s needs with a clear upgrade path.
Experience with Indian Research and Industry
We work with IITs, CSIR laboratories, defence establishments, telecom companies and photonics start-ups across India and understand their procurement and documentation requirements.
Delivery and Local Technical Support
We deliver anywhere in India and provide after-sales support for installation, network setup, SCPI integration and troubleshooting.
A Complete Optical Test Portfolio
Alongside the CoBrite family, we supply coherent receivers, multi-format transmitters, optical spectrum analysers, PM amplifiers and multiplexers, so a complete coherent test bench can come from one partner.
Contact Us
Phone: +91 93631 83748 / +91 97899 04948
Email: sales@unitedspectrum.in
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FAQs
What is the CoBrite MX multi-channel tunable laser source?
The CoBrite MX is a 19″ mainframe system from ID Photonics GmbH that hosts many independent tunable lasers on slide-in cards. A CBMA24 holds up to 24 lasers and a CBMA48 up to 48, each with its own wavelength, power and on/off control, for DWDM loading and coherent testing.
How many lasers can the CoBrite MX hold?
The CBMA24 mainframe holds up to 6 cards and 24 lasers. The CBMA48 holds up to 12 cards and 48 lasers. For more than 48 lasers, several CBMA48 mainframes can be combined into one system.
Can I start with a few lasers and add more later?
Yes. Lasers are supplied on slide-in cards carrying two or four lasers each. You can buy the mainframe with only the cards you need now and add more cards later as your channel count grows.
Can different laser types and bands be mixed in one CoBrite MX?
Yes. Each laser position can be a narrow linewidth N-type, a high-power S-type or a general-purpose G-type, and N-type lasers are available in the C-band or L-band. One mainframe can therefore carry C-band and L-band lasers of different types.
What linewidth do the CoBrite MX lasers offer?
N-type lasers have 25 kHz typical linewidth (below 100 kHz). S-type lasers have 80 kHz typical linewidth, below 100 kHz at output powers under +16 dBm. G-type lasers are below 100 kHz.
What output power does each CoBrite MX laser provide?
N-type lasers deliver +10 to +16 dBm in the C-band and +9 to +14.5 dBm in the L-band. S-type lasers deliver +8.8 to +17.8 dBm, and G-type lasers +9.5 to +15.5 dBm. Power is set in 0.1 dB steps with ±0.5 dB accuracy across the tuning range.
How is the CoBrite MX controlled?
Through an installation-free browser GUI over Ethernet, or with SCPI-style commands over Ethernet or USB for automation in LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB and production test software. The mainframe has Ethernet ports on the front and rear and a USB port on the front.
Why use real laser channels instead of noise loading for DWDM testing?
Real tunable laser channels reproduce how a loaded system actually behaves, including amplifier saturation, gain tilt, channel add-drop transients and nonlinear interaction between channels. Noise loading approximates total power but not these channel-specific effects.
How does the CoBrite MX compare with the CoBrite DX?
The CoBrite DX holds up to four lasers in a 2U half-width chassis. The CoBrite MX scales to 48 lasers per mainframe and beyond. Both use the same laser modules and SCPI commands, so the MX is the natural step up when a lab outgrows four channels.
What are the size and power requirements of the CoBrite MX?
The CBMA24 measures 345 × 152 × 380 mm, weighs 4 kg and draws 150 W. The CBMA48 measures 482 × 152 × 540 mm for a 19″ rack, weighs 8 kg and draws 300 W. Both run on 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
Who is the authorised distributor of the CoBrite MX in India?
United Spectrum Instruments, Chennai, is the authorised distributor of ID Photonics CoBrite tunable lasers in India, supplying telecom companies, research institutions and defence establishments nationwide with configuration guidance and after-sales support.
How can I get a quote or datasheet for the CoBrite MX in India?
Use the Get in Touch form on this page, email sales@unitedspectrum.in, or call +91 93631 83748 or +91 97899 04948. Share your channel count, bands and laser types, and we will send the datasheet and a quotation for your configuration.
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