Agilent / Keysight 83446A Lightwave Clock/Data Receiver 2.48832 Gb/sec

The Agilent/Keysight 83446A Lightwave Clock/Data Receiver extracts clock and data from digitally modulated optical signals at 2.48832 Gb/sec. Built around a high-gain avalanche photodiode (APD), gain-controlled amplifier, and integrated clock/data recovery hybrid, it delivers synchronized outputs from signals as low as −27 dBm. The unit supports both 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths and produces 0.5 V pk-pk data and clock outputs with characteristic RMS jitter of 5 degrees.

Technical Specifications

• Data Rate: 2.48832 Gb/sec (OC-48/STM-16), ±0.5%


• Wavelength: 1310 nm and 1550 nm


• Optical Sensitivity: −27 dBm minimum (characteristics to −28 dBm)


• Input Optical Power Range: −27 dBm to +10 dBm


• Data/Clock Outputs: 0.5 V pk-pk each


• Auxiliary Output: 0.5 V pk-pk (>−24 dBm input); 0.25 V pk-pk (>−27 dBm input), AGC stabilized


• Clock/Data RMS Jitter: 5 degrees (characteristic)


• Optical Return Loss: 27 dB


• Output Electrical Return Loss: 12 dB @ 1 GHz, 9 dB @ 2 GHz, 6 dB @ 2.5 GHz


• Auxiliary Output Bandwidth: 0.1 to 1500 MHz (characteristic)


• Power Requirements: 100, 120, 220, or 240 VAC ±10%, 47–63 Hz


• Power Consumption: <75 VA

Key Features

• High-gain APD with gain-controlled amplification for low-power optical signal recovery


• Integrated clock/data recovery hybrid ensures precise synchronization


• Auxiliary electrical input (200 mV pk-pk characteristic sensitivity; 2 V pk-pk maximum safe input)


• Auxiliary monitoring output with AGC stabilization


• NRZ coding support


• Optical connector interface: FC/PC (Agilent 81000xI Series connectors sold separately)

Typical Applications

• SONET/SDH system testing and characterization


• High-speed bit-error-ratio (BER) analysis on optical signals


• System acceptance and BER floor assessments


• Integration with high-speed BERT instrumentation

Compatibility & Integration Designed for direct integration with bit-error-ratio test systems. Optical interface supports standard FC/PC connectors with optional interface modules.