Automating the Lightwave Component Analyzer with SCPI
Application Notes
The Keysight N437x Series Lightwave Component Analyzer (LCA) is a solution which integrates a vector network analyzer (VNA) along with a calibrated lightwave test set to measure the transfer function of electrical to electrical (EE), electrical to optical (EO), optical to electrical (OE), and optical to optical (OO) components. Similar to a vector network analyzer both the magnitude and phase response of a component are characterized as a function of frequency. Typical measurements performed by the LCA include: gain, bandwidth, frequency response, flatness, and electrical return loss. A key value of the LCA is that the calibrated response of the lightwave test set is automatically de-embedded from the measurement and the reported results are isolated to the optical component under test. Additional information on the measurement fundamentals for the LCA can be found in the Keysight application note, High Speed Lightwave Component Analysis. [1] In this paper, we will review the steps required to automate the N437xA LCA and provide suggestions to help a new user quickly integrate the LCA into their automated test environment.