HP Agilent 83447A Lightwave Trigger

The HP Agilent 83447A Lightwave Trigger converts optical waveforms into electrical trigger signals for precise timing reference in optical signal analysis. Operating across 1200 nm to 1600 nm, it extracts clock timing from NRZ data streams ranging from 50 Mb/s to 2.5 Gb/s—eliminating the need for external electrical clock signals. This capability makes it essential for eye-diagram analysis and high-speed optical characterization in telecommunications and development environments.

– Technical Specifications

• Data rate (NRZ): 50 Mb/s to 2.5 Gb/s
• Wavelength range: 1200 nm to 1600 nm
• Operating input power: -20 dBm to +3 dBm
• Maximum through-path optical insertion loss: 1.5 dB
• Electrical trigger output return loss: ≥10 dB
• Minimum electrical output level: 400 mV pk-pk (at optical input > -15 dBm)
• Maximum output jitter: 0.012 UI rms (<1000 Mb/s at -15 dBm); 0.02 UI rms (1000 Mb/s at -15 dBm); 0.05 UI rms (>1000 Mb/s at -20 dBm)
• Maximum safe continuous optical input power: 10 mW peak
• Nominal trigger output impedance: 50 ohms

– Key Features

• Accepts single-mode and multimode fibers with 50 µm core diameter
• Low-jitter trigger extraction across extended power and data-rate ranges
• Direct optical-to-electrical conversion preserves signal timing integrity
• 50 ohm output impedance ensures direct integration with standard test instrumentation

– Typical Applications

• Eye-diagram analysis of optical telecommunications signals
• Timing reference extraction from NRZ optical waveforms
• Clock recovery for oscilloscope synchronization
• High-speed optical signal characterization in R&D

– Compatibility & Integration

Designed for use with oscilloscopes and optical test equipment in telecommunications measurement systems. Operates within standard optical fiber interface specifications.