Show Highlights

OFC/NFOEC 2006, Anaheim Convention Center, March 5–10, Anaheim, CA, www.ofcnfoec.org. During OFC/NFOEC 2006, a panel of industry experts met with the press to discuss the status of TV carried over IP networks (IPTV). Chris Rice, executive VP of network planning and engineering at AT&T, said that his company has deployed some IPTV over 1-Gbps Ethernet passive optical networks (PONs), but it is waiting for GPON standards to mature. GPONs, which should bring 2.5-Gbps bandwidth to homes, are needed because MPEG-2 video streams don't have enough compression to handle high-definition TV and because MPEG-4 decoders that offer the necessary compression are still too expensive for widespread deployment.

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SyntheSys Research (www.bertscope.com) showed its physical-layer analyzers that perform BER analysis and display eye diagrams. The company also introduced the BERTScope CR 12500A clock-recovery instrument that recovers clocks for optical networks such as 10 GigE, Fibre Channel, and SONET. Agilent Technologies (www.tm.agilent.com) introduced three bit-error rate (BER) testers including the N5980A, a 3.125-Gbps serial BER tester that connects to a PC through an Ethernet link.

Yokogawa (www.yokogawa.com/us) introduced the AQ6370 optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), which performs frequency sweeps 10 times faster than its predecessor and adds high-speed IEEE 488, Ethernet, and USB interfaces. Apex Technologies (www.apex-t.com) displayed the AP2440A OSA, which measures both optical power and phase. Luna Technologies (www.lunatechnologies.com) showed an OSA that measure insertion loss, polarization-dependent loss, polarization-mode dispersion, chromatic dispersion, and group delay in optical components and networks.

LeCroy (www.lecroy.com) exhibited its SGA100G serial data analyzer with 100-GHz bandwidth. Anritsu (www.us.anritsu.com) introduced the MP1800 series of modular signal quality analyzers. The series consists of three mainframes and a 12.5-Gbps synthesizer, a pulse pattern generator, an error detector, and a 128-Mbit test-pattern memory.

Arroyo Instruments (www.arroyoinstruments.com) introduced three products for testing laser-diode modules. ILX Lightwave (www.ilxlightwave.com) displayed laser-diode controllers, diode current sources, temperature controllers, and mounting fixtures.

Analog Devices (www.analog.com) introduced the ADN2865, a loop-timed SerDes IC for PONs at data rates up to 2.5 Gbps. Exfo (www.exfo.com) exhibited the PPM-352B-EG PON power meter, which measures and displays pass/warning/fail analysis of all signal types. The company also displayed test modules for its SONET/SDH testers.

Tempro (www.tempro.textron.com) showed its line of optical time-domain reflectometers. dBm Optics (www.dbmoptics.com) exhibited the Model 2004 component spectrum analyzer, which tests components for polarization-dependent loss and other parameters. Thorlabs (www.thorlabs.com) exhibited systems that measure polarization-mode dispersion and polarization-dependent loss in optical fibers.

Fiberpro (www.fiberpro.com) exhibited the Model CI 4000 acoustic fiber cable identifier. It uses noninvasive tapping to produce audio and visual representations of the fiber's signals. CEYX Technologies (www.ceyx.com) announced the LightSmart X100 digital laser control system that can monitor itself and compensate for temperature and age.

Circadiant Systems (www.circadiant.com) released the Hydra system for testing long-reach multimode (LRM) components and systems to the IEEE 802.3aq standard. Glimmerglass (www.glimmerglass.com) demonstrated the System 600, a low-profile, high-density optical-switching system. Inphi (www.inphi-corp.com) displayed the 2080MX, a 20-Gbps 4:1 multiplexer IC designed for use in SONET test and measurement equipment. Polatis (www.polatis.com) introduced the OMB series of CompactPCI optical switch modules that can be configured in combinations from 1x15 to 8x8.

JDSU (www.jdsu.com) introduced several products, including the SmartClass testers that let telecom carriers test broadband access networks such as ADSL 1/2/2+. The SmartClass OTS-55 optical test set tests for dark fiber installations. Peleton (www.peleton.com) displayed the TM 2530 series of tunable lasers and its TM3050C 96-channel laser source. Promet International (www.promet.net) displayed an interferometric fiber-optic connector testing system.

Measurement Science Conference, February 27–March 3, Anaheim, CA, www.msc-conf.com.

Panel discussions at the 2006 Measurement Science Conference covered updates to critical calibrations standards. In "Proposed Revisions RP-1: The Establishment and Adjustment of Calibration Intervals," Don Wyatt of Diversified Data Systems described the reasons for updating the 10-year-old document. For example, it's now possible to perform complex analysis on large data sets that were impossible to do in 1996, simply because of the improvement in inexpensive computer power. As a result, the next revision of RP-1 will recommend that cal labs keep more data on an instrument's calibration history.

In the Z540 panel session, "Calibration Requirements for M&TE, The Revision of ANSI/NCSL Z540-1," Paul Nelson of Raytheon discussed the current standard and the proposed new standard, Z540.3. The new revision sets out to control access to an instrument's calibration constants by forcing manufacturers to lock out users from the calibration data.

In his keynote address, Philip Coyle, senior advisor to the president of the Center for Defense Information, spoke of the importance of measurements in the field of battle. He attributed the accuracy of laser and GPS-guided missiles to the quality of the measurements used in their design and manufacture. "Shooting down an enemy missile with another missile against the backdrop of space is like trying to score a hole-on-one when the hole is moving at 17,000 miles per hour," he said. "The defense missile needs to distinguish between the real missile and any decoys."

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Several companies demonstrated software for calibration management and automated instrument calibration. They included Anmar (www.anmar.com), AssetSmart (www.assetsmart.com), Diversified Data Systems (www.dds-inc.com), Edison Mudcats (www.edisonmudcats.com), Integrated Sciences Group (www.isgmax.com), Northrop Grumman (www.surecal.com), Fluke (www.fluke.com), Norvada (www.norvadallc.com), One RedX Software (www.1redx.com), On Time Support (www.ontimesupport.com), and SanSueB Software (www.sansueb.com).

Fluke (www.fluke.com) demonstrated calibration standards and multifunction calibrators, and its Hart Scientific subsidiary (www.hartscientific.com) exhibited the Model 5901 triple point of water cell. Symmetricom (www.symmetricom.com) exhibited its cesium-based time and frequency references. Guildline Instruments (www.guildline.ca) exhibited its 6622 resistance bridge. The bridge uses current to measure resistances up to 100 kV and voltage (up to 1000 V) for higher resistances.

Tektronix (www.tektronix.com) exhibited its recently announced DPO4000 and DPO7000 line of oscilloscopes. Rigol (www.rigol.com) exhibited a line of two-channel, 100-MHz low-cost oscilloscopes. Yokogawa (www.us.yokogawa.com) exhibited its latest oscilloscope offering, the DL9000. Agilent Technologies (www.tm.agilent.com) exhibited high-end RF spectrum analyzers and power meters for calibrating equipment and components.