The Keysight N1078A is a high-performance optical/electrical clock recovery module for DCA-M and DCA-X oscilloscopes. It delivers standards-compliant clock recovery across 125 MBd to 64 GBd for both single-mode optical and electrical NRZ and PAM4 signals. The module features a “Golden PLL” with adjustable peaking and loop bandwidth to 20 MHz, an optional variable equalizer for closed-eye signal acquisition, and jitter spectrum analysis capabilities. Its integrated optical-to-electrical converter supports wavelengths from 1260 nm to 1620 nm, while auxiliary clock output reaches 8 GHz to 16 GHz at 700 mVpp with sub-80 fs RMS jitter. Ideal for 100/400G Ethernet and 64GFC receiver and transmitter validation.
Technical Specifications
Data Rate Coverage
• 125 MBd to 64 GBd (continuous) for electrical and optical NRZ and PAM4
• Option 264: 125 MBd to 65.6 GBd (characteristic)
• Option 253: 53 GBd to 58 GBd
• Option 232: 125 MBd to 32.8 GBd (characteristic)
• Option 225: 25 GBd to 29 GBd
• Option 216: 125 MBd to 16.4 GBd (characteristic)
Clock Recovery & PLL
• Loop bandwidth adjustable to 20 MHz
• Peaking adjustment for standards compliance
• Clean-up PLL functionality for jittered clock signals
• Variable equalizer option (EVA) for closed-eye locking
• Jitter Spectrum Analysis option (JSA)
Electrical Input
• Input voltage range: ±500 mV
• Acquisition threshold (Option 264, open eye): 30 mVpp at ≤53.125 GBd; 60 mVpp above 53.125 GBd
• Characteristic minimums: 10 mVpp at 10.3125 GBd, 20 mVpp at 53.125 GBd, 50 mVpp at 64 GBd
• Closed-eye threshold (PAM4): 50 mVpp at 26.56 GBd with 20 dB channel loss at 13.28 GHz
Optical Input
• Wavelength range: 1260 nm to 1620 nm (tested at 1310 nm and 1550 nm)
• Single-mode fiber compatible
• Option S50: internal 50% single-mode splitter (9/125 µm)
Auxiliary Clock Output
• Frequency: 8 GHz to 16 GHz
• Output voltage: 700 mVpp @ 13.28 GHz (characteristic)
• Jitter performance: <80 fs RMS (characteristic)
• Interface: single-ended, DC coupled, 50 Ω
– Key Features
• Standards-compliant "Golden PLL" architecture
• Simultaneous optical and electrical signal conditioning
• Degraded signal recovery via variable equalization
• Jitter root-cause analysis with optional JSA
• Minimal input thresholds for high-sensitivity operation
– Typical Applications
• 100 Gbps and 400 Gbps Ethernet receiver/transmitter characterization
• 64 GFC optical transceiver testing
• High-speed serial data eye diagram closure analysis
• Reference clock cleanup in jitter-sensitive measurements
– Compatibility & Integration
Designed for Keysight DCA-M and DCA-X oscilloscope platforms. Plugs directly into instrument slots for immediate clock recovery and jitter analysis integration.
