The Keysight N1077A is an optical and electrical clock recovery module that extracts stable clock signals from high-speed data and clock streams via an integrated phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit. The recovered clock serves as a precise timing reference for oscilloscopes and bit error rate testers, enabling standards compliance testing, characterization of clock-less devices, and clock-to-data delay compensation. The module supports both NRZ and PAM4 signal types across data rates from 50 MBd to 32 GBd.
Technical Specifications
Clock Recovery Performance
• Data rate range: 50 MBd to 32 GBd (continuous)
• Recovered clock output: 50 MHz to 16 GHz
• Recovered clock amplitude: ≥ 320 mVpp at 5 GHz
• Random jitter (recovered clock): 220 fs maximum at ≥ 2 Gbd
• Auxiliary clock output: 4 GHz to 8 GHz with 550 mVpp characteristic amplitude and < 50 fs RMS jitter
• Intrinsic jitter: Low
• PLL adjustable loop bandwidth and selectable peaking
Input/Output Interfaces
• Electrical data input: Single-ended and differential, 2.92 mm (f) connector, AC coupled 50 Ω
• Optical data input: Single-mode and multimode fiber, FC/PC connector
• Electrical data output: 2.92 mm (f) connector (optical-to-electrical conversion)
• Auxiliary clock output: 2.92 mm (f) connector, DC coupled 50 Ω, single-ended
• Recovered clock output: Connects to oscilloscope clock or trigger input
Configuration Options
• Option SMS: Integrated 70-30 multimode and 50-50 single-mode splitters with bulk optics coupler; optical data output available
• Option SXT: No integrated splitter
• Jitter Spectrum Analysis (JSA): Optional capability for jitter distribution analysis
• FlexPLL Application Software (N1010300A): Supports compliant PLL bandwidth and peaking measurements
• PCI Express PLL Test Application (N1081PLCA): Available for PCI Express PLL testing
– Key Features
• Supports NRZ and PAM4 modulation formats
• Low intrinsic jitter with 220 fs maximum random jitter at high data rates
• Tunable PLL parameters for application-specific optimization
• Optional jitter spectrum analysis for detailed troubleshooting
• Dual clock outputs (primary recovered clock and auxiliary clock)
– Typical Applications
• Standards compliance testing
• High-speed digital interface characterization
• Component testing for clock-less devices
• Timing recovery and synchronization
• Jitter analysis and measurement
– Compatibility & Integration
The N1077A integrates with Keysight DCA-X, N1090A, and N1092/N1094-series DCA-M oscilloscopes for seamless timing reference integration in automated test environments.
