Agilent/Keysight N1078A

The Keysight N1078A is a optical/electrical clock recovery module for DCA-M and DCA-X oscilloscopes. It delivers standards-compliant clock recovery across 125 MBd to 64 GBd for both single-mode optical and electrical NRZ and PAM4 signals. The module features a "Golden PLL" with adjustable peaking and loop bandwidth to 20 MHz, an optional variable equalizer for closed-eye signal acquisition, and jitter spectrum analysis capabilities.

Its integrated optical-to-electrical converter supports wavelengths from 1260 nm to 1620 nm, while auxiliary clock output reaches 8 GHz to 16 GHz at 700 mVpp with sub-80 fs RMS jitter. Ideal for 100/400G Ethernet and 64GFC receiver and transmitter validation.

Technical Specifications

• 125 MBd to 64 GBd (continuous) for electrical and optical NRZ and PAM4


• Option 264: 125 MBd to 65.6 GBd (characteristic)


• Option 253: 53 GBd to 58 GBd


• Option 232: 125 MBd to 32.8 GBd (characteristic)


• Option 225: 25 GBd to 29 GBd


• Option 216: 125 MBd to 16.4 GBd (characteristic) Clock Recovery & PLL


• Loop bandwidth adjustable to 20 MHz


• Peaking adjustment for standards compliance


• Clean-up PLL functionality for jittered clock signals


• Variable equalizer option (EVA) for closed-eye locking


• Jitter Spectrum Analysis option (JSA) Electrical Input


• Input voltage range: ±500 mV


• Acquisition threshold (Option 264, open eye): 30 mVpp at ≤53.125 GBd; 60 mVpp above 53.125 GBd


• Characteristic minimums: 10 mVpp at 10.3125 GBd, 20 mVpp at 53.125 GBd, 50 mVpp at 64 GBd


• Closed-eye threshold (PAM4): 50 mVpp at 26.56 GBd with 20 dB channel loss at 13.28 GHz Optical Input


• Wavelength range: 1260 nm to 1620 nm (tested at 1310 nm and 1550 nm)


• Single-mode fiber compatible


• Option S50: internal 50% single-mode splitter (9/125 µm) Auxiliary Clock Output


• Frequency: 8 GHz to 16 GHz


• Output voltage: 700 mVpp @ 13.28 GHz (characteristic)


• Jitter performance: <80 fs RMS (characteristic)


• Interface: single-ended, DC coupled, 50 Ω

Key Features

• Standards-compliant "Golden PLL" architecture


• Simultaneous optical and electrical signal conditioning


• Degraded signal recovery via variable equalization


• Jitter root-cause analysis with optional JSA


• Minimal input thresholds for high-sensitivity operation

Typical Applications

• 100 Gbps and 400 Gbps Ethernet receiver/transmitter characterization


• 64 GFC optical transceiver testing


• High-speed serial data eye diagram closure analysis


• Reference clock cleanup in jitter-sensitive measurements

Compatibility & Integration Designed for Keysight DCA-M and DCA-X oscilloscope platforms. Plugs directly into instrument slots for immediate clock recovery and jitter analysis integration.