Agilent/Keysight 83430A Lightwave Source

The Agilent/Keysight 83430A is a directly modulated DFB lightwave source engineered for high-speed optical receiver and system characterization. It delivers SDH/SONET-compliant digital and analog modulation across data rates from OC-1 (52 Mb/s) to OC-48/STM-16 (2.488 Gb/s), supporting TDM and WDM test applications. The 83430A functions as both a standalone optical source and as a core instrument in integrated test benches for sensitivity analysis, dispersion measurement, and transceiver waveform validation.

Technical Specifications

• Laser Type: DFB directly modulated


• Wavelength: 1309.0 nm and 1309.6 nm; user-selectable with ±1.25 nm adjustment or ±1 nm center wavelength


• Data Rate Support: 52 Mb/s (OC-1), 155 Mb/s (OC-3/STM-1), 622 Mb/s (OC-12/STM-4), 2.488 Gb/s (OC-48/STM-16)


• Optical Output Power: 1.35 mW average (AC digital In); 0.7 mW average (Analog In); +8.1 dBm maximum (6.5 mW)


• Modulation Bandwidth: Up to 1.3 GHz (AC digital In); up to 70 MHz (Analog In)


• Modulation Inputs: Analog In (AC coupled), Digital In (AC coupled), Digital In (DC coupled)


• Extinction Ratio: User adjustable


• Laser Classification: IEC Class 1


• Optical Interface: FC/PC (standard Agilent interface)

Key Features

• Directly modulated architecture minimizes setup complexity for standard optical testing


• Adjustable extinction ratio enables optimization for receiver sensitivity and jitter tolerance measurements


• Multiple modulation input configurations support both digital and analog test signals


• User-selectable wavelengths with fine adjustment capability accommodate fiber and component variations

Typical Applications

• Optical receiver sensitivity and power penalty characterization


• Dispersion testing on single-mode fiber links


• Transceiver waveform analysis including filtered conformance masks and eye diagrams


• Jitter tolerance assessment of high-speed receivers


• Digital, WDM, and analog signal validation up to 2.5 Gb/s

Compatibility & Integration The 83430A integrates with Agilent/Keysight measurement systems including the 71603A Error Performance Analyzer, 83446A Lightwave Clock/Data Receiver, and 83480A Digital Communications Analyzer for end-to-end optical system characterization.