Agilent/Keysight N7744C

The Agilent/Keysight N7744C is a dual-channel optical multiport power meter designed for high-throughput characterization of optical components and simultaneous testing of multiple devices in research, development, and manufacturing environments. It measures four InGaAs sensor ports across the 1250 nm to 1650 nm band with power range switching from +10 dBm to −80 dBm, delivering up to 1 million samples per second per port with minimal averaging times down to 1 µs. The instrument achieves dynamic range exceeding 80 dB through fast power range switching and supports transient measurements with input power threshold triggering. Its compact half-width, single-rack-unit form factor integrates into dense test setups via LAN or USB control, with continuous data logging capacity of 1 M samples/port plus 1 M/port buffer. The N7744C characterizes multiplexers, PON splitters, wavelength selective switches, ROADMs, and other multiport optical components with ±2.5% power uncertainty and typical polarization dependence under ±0.01 dB.

– Technical Specifications

• Sensor Ports: 4 InGaAs channels
• Wavelength Range: 1250 nm to 1650 nm
• Power Range: +10 dBm to −80 dBm
• Minimum Averaging Time: 1 µs
• Bandwidth: Up to 250 kHz
• Data Acquisition Rate: Up to 1 million samples per second per port
• Memory: 1 M samples/port plus 1 M/port continuous logging buffer
• Data Transfer Rate: Up to 3× faster for continuous logging
• Dynamic Range (no ranging): Up to 65 dB in swept and logging applications
• Dynamic Range (with fast power range switching): >80 dB via 2-sweep stitching
• Power Uncertainty: ±2.5% at reference conditions
• Polarization Dependence: <±0.01 dB typical

– Key Features

• Optimized for simultaneous measurement of multiple optical signals in multiport components
• Fast swept-wavelength and transient measurements with input power threshold triggering
• Snap-on quadruple adapter (N7740 fiber connectivity concept) supporting MU, FC, SC, LC, and bare fiber connectors
• Bare fiber holder kits for fiber diameters up to 400 µm (81004BM) and 400–900 µm (81009BM)
• One-click zeroing adapter (N7740ZI) for 4-port zeroing
• Modern browser-accessible user interface
• Continuous data logging and readout capability up to 1 M samples/s per port

– Typical Applications

• Characterization of optical multiplexers, PON splitters, wavelength selective switches, and ROADMs
• Simultaneous single-port device testing
• Swept-wavelength and transient power measurements

– Compatibility & Integration

• LAN and USB control interfaces
• Parallel programming support over LAN or USB
• Programming code compatible with Keysight Lightwave solution platform
• Integration with tunable lasers and polarization synthesizers for spectral measurements