The ILX Lightwave FOM-7900B System Mainframe is an 8-bay modular platform for WDM and CWDM fiber optic testing. It accommodates plug-in laser sources, power meters, and switches to support EDFA, SOA, and optical component characterization. Up to 25 additional mainframes can be linked via single GPIB control for 200-channel synchronized testing. Internal TTL modulation spans 0.1–500 kHz with <100 ns channel-to-channel synchronization, <250 ns rise/fall time, and 100% modulation depth. External TTL modulation accepts 1–500 kHz input with <1 µs optical delay and <50 ns jitter. The mainframe outputs TTL-level signals with <60 ns gate delay per unit and drives up to 3 additional 7900B units in parallel. TTL trigger input/output operates at active-low levels with 100 ns minimum pulse width. All modulation and trigger signals use BNC female connectors on the rear panel.
Technical Specifications
Mainframe Architecture
• 8-bay chassis with 25-unit expandability (200 channels total)
• Single GPIB address controls all linked units
Internal Modulation
• Waveform: TTL
• Frequency range: 0.1–500 kHz
• Duty cycle: 50% ±1%
• Modulation depth: 100%
• Rise/fall time: <250 ns
• Channel-to-channel synchronization: <100 ns
External Modulation Input
• Level: TTL
• Frequency range: 1–500 kHz
• Duty cycle: 50% ±1%
• Polarity: 0 V = OFF, 5 V = ON
• Optical delay: <1 µs
• Jitter: <50 ns
• Channel synchronization: <100 ns
Modulation Output
• Level: TTL (0 V = OFF, 5 V = ON)
• Gate delay: <60 ns per mainframe
• Jitter: <50 ns
• Load capability: 3 additional mainframes in parallel
External Trigger
• Level: TTL, active low
• Minimum pulse width: 100 ns
Interfaces
• GPIB/IEEE-488.2, RS-232
• LabVIEW instrument drivers available
– Key Features
• Synchronous modulation of up to 200 channels across linked units
• Configurable plug-in module architecture for mixed-function testing
• Sub-100 ns inter-channel timing precision
• Low-jitter TTL control with TTL trigger capability
• Rear-panel BNC connectors for modulation and trigger signals
– Typical Applications
• EDFA and SOA characterization
• WDM and CWDM system testing
• Multi-channel optical component validation
• High-density automated test scenarios
– Compatibility & Integration
Works with ILX Lightwave FOS-79800D/E Series WDM DFB fiber optic source modules (1475–1625 nm, S/C/L-band coverage). Daisy-chain up to 25 FOM-7900B mainframes for distributed test architecture. GPIB and RS-232 control enables integration into ATE and laboratory automation systems.
