ILX 7900B System Mainframe WDM Source 8x 1578.69-1584.53

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

• 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.