The Agilent/Keysight 83481A is a dual-channel plug-in module for simultaneous optical and electrical signal analysis. It combines a 3 GHz optical channel (1000–1600 nm) with a 20 GHz electrical channel, delivering high-resolution measurements across complex communication system architectures. The module integrates into Keysight mainframe platforms for comprehensive signal characterization in development, validation, and troubleshooting workflows.
Technical Specifications
Optical Channel
• Bandwidth: 3 GHz
• Wavelength Range: 1000–1600 nm
• Fiber Compatibility: 9/125 µm single-mode fiber
Electrical Channel
• Bandwidth: 20 GHz
• Input Connector: 3.5 mm male
• Trigger Level Range: ±1 V
• Maximum Trigger Signal: <2 V DC + AC peak (+16 dBm)
Triggering Modes (Electrical Channel)
• Limited Mode: DC to 100 MHz
• Normal Mode: DC to 2.5 GHz; minimum trigger sensitivity 40 mVpp at 100 MHz, increasing linearly to 200 mVpp at 2.5 GHz; trigger jitter <2.5 ps rms + 5E-5*delay at 2.5 GHz with 200 mV source
• High Speed Mode (Option 100): 2.0–12 GHz (1–15 GHz typical); minimum trigger sensitivity 200 mVpp sine wave; trigger jitter <2 ps rms for delays under 100 ns (typical 1.3 ps)
• Pulse Width Trigger: 200 ps at 200 mV
Display and Averaging
• Resolution: 451 points (horizontal) × 256 points (vertical)
• Graticule Modes: Full grid, axes with tic marks, frame with no tic marks, or no graticule
• Averaging: 1 to 4096 averages
– Key Features
• Dual-rate architecture supports parallel optical and electrical measurements
• High-speed electrical triggering with selectable bandwidth modes
• Low trigger jitter enables precise timing analysis
• Flexible display options for signal visualization
• Electrical channel performance equivalent to 83483A module
– Typical Applications
• Optical transceiver characterization
• Dual-domain signal analysis in optical communication systems
• High-speed electrical signal acquisition and triggering
• Wavelength-selective optical measurements (1000–1600 nm)
– Compatibility & Integration
The 83481A operates with these Keysight mainframe systems:
• 83480A Digital Communications Analyzer
• 86100A/B Infiniium DCA
• 86100C Infiniium DCA-J
• 86100D Infiniium DCA-X
Status: Obsolete. No longer in active production.
