EXFO Launches Second-Generation Broadband Source

QUEBEC, Oct. 10 -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. has launched its FLS-2300B Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) Broadband Source, a second-generation broadband source that displays 0.01-dB spectral power stability suitable for characterization of DWDM passive components such as thin-film filters, arrayed waveguides and fiber Bragg gratings, as well as for network characterization. The new broadband source also covers an extended spectral wavelength range, including the C- and L-Bands.

Recent advances in optical-amplifier technology have opened up the L-Band for commercial transmission equipment, effectively doubling the potential capacity of DWDM systems. However, associated with this extended wavelength range has come the need for the same rigorous testing of L-Band components as that already in place for C-Band components. EXFOR says the FLS-2300B is particularly well adapted for testing in both bands. Combined with EXFO’s manufacturing-plant (IQ-5250) or field-ready (FTB-5240) Optical Spectrum Analyzer, it achieves a fast testing time and a high dynamic range over the larger spectral window now used in advanced optical networking. Bundled with EXFO’s PCA-8000 Passive Component Analyzer, EXFO says it represents the most accurate DWDM passive component test system on the market.

The FLS-2300B ASE Broadband Source will be displayed at ECOC Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 in Amsterdam.