Anritsu Company VectorStar ME7848A/E-0210 User manual

Quick Start Guide
Opto-electronic Network Analyzer
Systems
VNA, O/E Calibration Module, and E/O Converter:
ME7848A/E-0210, 110 GHz 1550 nm system
ME7848A/E-0211, 110 GHz 1310 nm system
ME7848A-0240, 40 GHz 850 nm system
ME7848A-0270, 70 GHz 1550 nm system
ME7848A-0271, 70 GHz 1310 nm system
ME7848A-0272, 70 GHz 1310/1550 nm system
VNA and O/E Calibration Module only
ME7848A/E-0110 110 GHz, 1550 nm system
ME7848A/E-0111 110 GHz, 1310 nm system
ME7848A/E-0112 110 GHz, 1310/1550 nm system
ME7848A-0140 40 GHz, 850 nm system
ME7848A-0170 70 GHz, 1550 nm system
ME7848A-0171 70 GHz, 1310 nm system
ME7848A-0172 70 GHz, 1310/1550 nm system
Anritsu Company
490 Jarvis Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809
USA
http://www.anritsu.com
Part Number: 10410-00777
Revision: C
Published: October 2023
Copyright 2023 Anritsu Company. All rights reserved.

QSG-2 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
NOTICE
Anritsu Company has prepared this manual for use by Anritsu Company personnel and customers as a guide for the
proper installation, operation and maintenance of Anritsu Company equipment and computer programs. The
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reproduced, copied, or used in whole or in part as the basis for manufacture or sale of the equipment or software
programs without the prior written consent of Anritsu Company.
UPDATES
The latest service and sales contact information, and updated documents can be downloaded from the Anritsu
Website at: http://www.anritsu.com

1. Minimum Configurations
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-3
Opto-electronic Network Analyzer System
The ME7848A/E opto-electronic network analyzer (ONA) system comprises a VNA, a calibration O/E module,
and a laser/modulator converter assembly. Together, they allow calibrated RF response measurements of E/O,
O/E, and certain O/O devices. This document describes the system components, basic connection and operation
information, and some simple test steps to assure that the system is operating normally. Additional
measurement information is contained in the VectorStar®Calibration and Measurement Guide – 10410-00318.
This document and all other documentation that supports the ME7848A/E is available on the Anritsu web site:
http://www.anritsu.com/
1. Minimum Configurations
The following are the configurations for the -02xx opto-electronic network analyzer systems. The -01xx systems
differ in that they do not include the E/O converter and do not undergo system parameter test (although
individual elements are all fully tested and system specifications are expected to be met based on those
element tests). The -01xx systems do include the accessory kit described below.
The VNA may be equipped with other loop-enable options (-061 or -062) in lieu of option -051. Other VNA
options may also be added and none are excluded. Other O/E and E/O modules may be used with elements of
the system but the technical data sheet values do not apply.
Table 1. ME7848A/E ONA System Configuration Options (1 of 3)
ME7848A ONA System Configuration and Included Items
ME7848A-0210
110 GHz 1550 nm System
ME7838AX Broadband VectorStar VNA
MN4765B-0110 110 GHz 1550 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0110 110 GHz 1550 nm E/O Converter
2000-2119-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 (13 cm) F-M W RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 1 F-F W adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
ME7848E-0210
110 GHz 1550 nm System
ME7838EX Broadband VectorStar VNA
MN4765B-0110 110 GHz 1550 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0110 110 GHz 1550 nm E/O Converter
2000-2119-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 (13 cm) F-M W RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 1 F-F W adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)

1. Minimum Configurations
QSG-4 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
ME7848A-0211
110 GHz 1310 nm System
ME7838AX Broadband VectorStar VNA
MN4765B-0111 110 GHz 1310 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0111 110 GHz 1310 nm E/O Converter
2000-2119-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 (13 cm) F-M W RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 1 F-F W adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
ME7848E-0211
110 GHz 1310 nm System
ME7838EX Broadband VectorStar VNA
MN4765B-0111 110 GHz 1310 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0111 110 GHz 1310 nm E/O Converter
2000-2119-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 (13 cm) F-M W RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 1 F-F W adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
ME7848A-0240
40 GHz 850 nm System
MS4644B 40 GHz VectorStar VNA with Option 051, 061, or 062
MN4765B-0040 40 GHz 850 nm O/E Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0040 40 GHz 850 nm E/O Converter
2000-1957-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 one meter F-M K RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 2 semi-rigid K cables to allow VNA coupler reversal for increasing
forward dynamic range
• 1 F-F K adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
ME7848A-0270
70 GHz 1550 nm System
MS4747B 70 GHz VectorStar VNA with Option 051, 061, or 062
MN4765B-0070 70 GHz 1550 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0070 70 GHz 1550 nm E/O Converter
2000-1958-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 one meter F-M V RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 2 semi-rigid V cables to allow VNA coupler reversal for increasing
forward dynamic range
• 1 F-F V adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
Table 1. ME7848A/E ONA System Configuration Options (2 of 3)

1. Minimum Configurations
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-5
ME7848A-0271
70 GHz 1310 nm System
MS4747B 70 GHz VectorStar VNA with Option 051, 061, or 062
MN4765B-0071 70 GHz 1310 Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0071 70 GHz 1310 nm E/O Converter
2000-1958-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 one meter F-M V RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 2 semi-rigid V cables to allow VNA coupler reversal for increasing
forward dynamic range
• 1 F-F V adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
ME7848A-0272
70 GHz 1310/1550 nm System
MS4747B 70 GHz VectorStar VNA with Option 051, 061, or 062
MN4765B-0072 70 GHz 1310 nm & 1550 nm Calibration Module
(with characterization files)
MN4775A-0072 70 GHz 1310 nm & 1550 nm E/O Converter
2000-1958-R Accessory Kit which includes:
• 2 one meter F-M V RF cables
• 1 one meter FC/PC-FC/APC fiber patch cord
• 2 semi-rigid V cables to allow VNA coupler reversal for increasing
forward dynamic range
• 1 F-F V adapter
• Optical connector cleaning accessories
(for both fiber ends and ferrule-based connectors)
Table 1. ME7848A/E ONA System Configuration Options (3 of 3)

2. System Connections
QSG-6 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
2. System Connections
The basic system connections are illustrated in Figure 1 (for the 40 and 70 GHz system configurations; a
similar setup for the 110 GHz systems is used, except the VNA is a broadband configuration). Port 1 of the
VNA is connected to the E/O modulator (the MN4775A in the -02xx systems) and Port 2 of the VNA is
connected to the MN4765B O/E calibration module. The ports can, of course, be swapped and the optical
de-embedding software will support such a swap, but the configuration shown in Figure 1 is the most common
and will be assumed in the rest of this document. |S12| will be in the noise floor of the VNA in this common
configuration. All RF cables (K (2.92 mm) or V (1.85 mm)) should be torqued to the usual 8 in-lbs. 1 mm (W)
cables are torqued normally to 4 in-lbs.
This section discusses connections for the -02xx systems. Many of the steps are similar for -01xx systems, but
those configurations may have different E/O converters, so details related to that part of the system will vary.
An optical patch cord is used to connect the E/O converter to the O/E module. The MN4765B is connectorized
for FC/APC fiber (and those patch cord connections are often denoted by a green boot). The MN4775A (and
many other modulators) is connectorized for FC/PC fiber (and those connections are often denoted by a white
boot). The accessory kit includes a FC/PC-FC/APC adapting patch cord for this purpose… it is important to
orient the cable appropriately (while some surface scratching or other damage of the fiber ends is unlikely,
high insertion loss will be the outcome for reversing the patch cord). Example pictures of these different boots
are shown in Figure 2. If another patch cord is used, check with the vendor for color coding information.
The MN4775A-007x/011x models have a loopback fiber between the laser output and modulator input, as
shown in Figure 1 (not present in the -0040 model), that must be connected (and is included with the
MN4775A-007x and MN4775A-011x). This fiber patch cord should be polarization-maintaining (usually
denoted by a blue jacket cover) for stable operation of the modulator.
Figure 1. Typical ME7848A Measurement Setup

2. System Connections
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-7
The user's DUT (an E/O, O/E or O/O device) would substitute into one of the positions shown in the figure and
the remaining system components calibrated or de-embedded out to reveal the DUT response. The MN4765B
can also be connected to VNA Port 1 (and E/O converter to VNA Port 2) if desired.
The cable on the left (green boot) of Figure 2 is typically of an FC/APC connector which should be used with the
MN4765B O/E module. The two other cables (yellow and white boots) are typical of FC/PC connectors; these
ends should be used with the MN4775A E/O converter. Other lasers and modulators/converters may be
connectorized differently.
The MN4775A (and equivalent units) contain a laser and are accompanied by a warning label like that shown
in Figure 3. The MN4775A-007x/011x are class 1M and the MN4775A-0040 is class 3B (due to the shorter
wavelength).
In addition to the above basic setup, it is possible to improve dynamic range of the measurement in certain
frequency ranges but altering some basic connections to effectively ‘reverse’ the port 2 test couplers in the VNA
(connections shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5). This does not apply to the 110 GHz -0x1x systems. On the rear
panel, existing loops are simply rotated 90 degrees and reconnected. For the front panel, semi-rigid cables are
included in the accessory kit to help accomplish this task that make use of the loop access points provided by
options 51/61/62 in the VNA. In the common configuration, we are much more interested in S21 than S12, so by
reversing the port 2 coupler we improve the noise floor for S21 at the expense of drive power for S12.
Figure 2. Common Color-coding of Patch Cord Ends (green often for FC/APC (angled) and yellow or white often
for FC/PC (non-angled))
Figure 3. Laser Warning Labels Examples

3. System Check
QSG-8 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
Consult the ME7848A/E Technical Data Sheet – 11410-01145 for more information on the amount of dynamic
range/noise floor improvement possible with the ‘reversed’ vs. the ‘normal’ coupler arrangement, but it is
generally on the order of 10 dB at low frequencies, decreasing to 0 dB slightly above 40 GHz.
3. System Check
Initial Settings
1. Begin with the VNA in a Preset state and then set up for the measurement:
a. Set test port power to +5 dBm (POWER Menu) for -0240 systems and -10 dBm for the -021x and
-027x systems.
b. Set IFBW to 100 Hz (AVERAGING menu).
c. Set the frequency range from 70 kHz to 40/70/110 GHz (for -0240, -027x or -021x systems,
respectively) with 201 points.
d. Set up one trace to display S21 in log mag form.
2. Connect the RF cables from the accessory kit to the VNA ports (uses the FF adapter on port 2).
Module/VNA ports may be used as well.
3. Perform a full 2-port SOLT (or broadband cal for -021x systems) calibration of the VNA at the cable ends
(see the VectorStar Calibration and Measurement Guide if more information is needed on this).
4. Make all connections to form the opto-electronic system as outlined in the previous section (port 1 cable to
the E/O converter, port 2 cable to the O/E module, fiber patch cord between the E/O and O/E devices).
The O/E module should be powered up and warmed up. The E/O converter should be powered up but the
laser still off.
Figure 4. Rear Panel: ‘Normal’ (left) and ‘Reversed’ (right) Configurations (for 40 and 70 GHz systems)
Figure 5. Front Panel: ‘Normal’ (left) and ‘Reversed’ (right) Configurations (for 40 and 70 GHz systems)

3. System Check
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-9
5. For the ME7848A/E-0210:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0110 E/O Converter.
i. Turn the laser on.
A. Adjust the wavelength to 1550 nm.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +3 dBm.
6. For the ME7848A/E-0211:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0111 E/O Converter:
i. Turn the laser on.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +3 dBm.
7. For the ME7848A-0240:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0040 E/O Converter:
i. Turn the laser on.
ii. Set modulator bias to quadrature and dither.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and -3 dBm.
8. For the ME7848A-0270:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0070 E/O Converter.
i. Turn the laser on.
A. Adjust the wavelength to 1550 nm.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature and dither.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +5 dBm.
9. For the ME7848A-0271:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0071 E/O Converter:
i. Turn the laser on.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature and dither.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +2 dBm.
10. For the ME7848A-0272:
a. Configure the MN4775A-0072 E/O Converter for 1550 nm operation:
i. Turn the laser on.
A. Set the wavelength to 1550 nm.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature and dither.
A. Initiate a bias calibration.
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +4 dBm.
iv. Observe the response described in Step 9.

3. System Check
QSG-10 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
b. Configure the MN4775A-0072 E/O converter for 1310 nm operation:
i. Turn the laser on.
A. Set the wavelength to 1310 nm.
ii. Set the modulator bias to quadrature and dither.
A. Initiate a bias calibration
iii.Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +2 dBm.
iv. Perform the observation described in Step 9 below.
11. Observe |S21| on the trace set up in step 1.d. The low frequency response will range from -30 dB to
-50 dB for the various models and there should be a roughly monotonic decrease with frequency (about
15 dB of roll-off to 70 GHz for the -027x systems, 18 dB of roll-off to 40 GHz with the -0240 systems, or
20 dB roll-off to 110 GHz for the -021x system).
In Figure 2, the blue curve is at 5 dBm optical power out of the modulator which is the test condition
mentioned above. The red curve is at +2 dBm optical power for information. ME7848A-0271 systems will have
a similar curve shape but shifted lower in values than the red curve (due to lower O/E responsivity).
ME7848A-0240 systems will roll-off faster and have a shift down in values relative to the red curve (due to
lower O/E responsivity). 110 GHz systems will have curves shifted slightly lower and with similar amounts of
roll-off to 110 GHz instead of 70 GHz.
Figure 2. Example Plot of |S21| for the System Check on a ME7848A-0270 System at +5 and +2 dBm Optical
Power Levels. The absolute values and approximate shape are of interest.

3. System Check
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-11
Functional Test
1. Measurement setup
a. Set the VNA to sweep from 70 kHz to the 40/70/110 GHz (depending on the system), 201 points,
100 Hz IFBW, +5 dBm for -0240 systems and -10 dBm for the -021x/-027x systems.
b. Set the display parameter to be user-defined b2/1|P1.
c. Connect an RF thru line (ends of RF cables connected together).
d. Perform a port 2 test receiver calibration (under the power menu). The plot after the cal should be
a flat line at -10 dB.
2. Connect the port 1 RF cable to the modulator input and the port 2 RF cable to the O/E calibration module
as before (VNA/module ports can be used directly as well in many cases). Also ensure the optical patch
cord is in place. Activate the laser and set the modulator as discussed in the previous section.
3. The response is the absolute detected power and will have a similar shape to the |S21| plots in the
previous section but the numerical levels will be different.
An example plot of the functional test is shown in Figure 3 for the ME7848A-0270 system at +5 dBm optical
power (blue curve) and +2 dBm optical power (for reference, red curve). The -0271/0272 and -0240 systems will
have values somewhat lower than the red curve (2-5 dB for the -0271/0272 and 5-10 dB lower for the -0240).
110 GHz systems will have similar curves.
Figure 3. Example Plot of the Functional Test at +5 and +2 dBm Optical Power Levels

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
QSG-12 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
The typical measurement scenario with the ME7848A/E opto-electronic network analyzer system is to analyze
the conversion behavior of E/O or O/E devices or to study the RF envelope behavior for signals passing through
O/O components. All of these measurements are done from an RF perspective by the VNA with the optical
carrier (provided by the laser) acting as a parameter. Much more measurement information is available in the
VectorStar Calibration and Measurement Guide, 10410-00318, (with an entire chapter devoted to this
particular measurement class) but some salient points will be summarized here.
•The VNA calibration establishes reference planes (for insertion loss and phase, group delay, and
reflection) at the ends of the RF cables (or wherever the calibration was performed). Thus a
measurement of, for example insertion loss, the structure in Figure 2 will represent the combined
conversion loss of the E/O and O/E modules and the optical interconnect.
•To study individual components (i.e., an E/O converter of interest is to be inserted into the path), the
other components need to be de-embedded. There are many ways to start this process, but for reasons of
maximum accuracy and traceability, the MN4765B O/E module is delivered with a characterization file
describing its behavior). After the non-DUT components have been de-embedded, the residual response
is that of the device of interest.
•Most transmission measurements in this class are relative (e.g., to get at 3 dB or 10 dB bandwidth) but
absolute responsivities can be extracted using the known optical power and the known absolute
responsivities of the system components.
•Measurements on 2- and 4-port VectorStar VNAs are possible that allow the coverage of differential and
dual devices. These measurements are not covered in detail here since the ME7848A/E system
definitions are 2-port-based, but upgrades are possible and more information is available in the
VectorStar Calibration and Measurement Guide, 10410-00318.
E/O Measurements
This is the simplest class where the E/O DUT is connected to the MN4765B calibration module (and patch cord
losses are usually neglected) and the MN4765B is de-embedded. In the VNA software is a dialog like that
shown below where the configuration is entered and the .s2p file describing the MN4765B is loaded. When this
dialog is exited, the calibration coefficients will be modified by the de-embedding file so the resulting
measurement represents the response of the DUT. If input match of the E/O device is of interest, a direct S11
measurement (assuming the configuration of Figure 3; no de-embedding needed) will accomplish the task.
A screenshot of an E/O measurement dialog on VectorStar is shown in Figure 4. The measurement is
configured and the characterization data for the O/E device are loaded and, upon hitting 'Done', the calibration
coefficients are updated on the instrument to de-embed the O/E characteristics.

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-13
O/E Measurements
In this case, the E/O device must be de-embedded. Sometimes, the .s2p file of that device is available but, if not,
a two-step process is used. The MN4765B is connected to the E/O device (the MN4775A usually) and the VNA
tools are used to generate the .s2p file for the MN4775A by de-embedding the MN4765B. Now the DUT is
connected in place of the MN4765B and the MN4775A response is de-embedded instead. The calibration
coefficients are modified upon dialog exit and the resulting measurement response is that of the O/E device of
interest. If O/E match is of interest, a simple S22 measurement (assuming the configuration of Figure 2) will
suffice.
Figure 4. E/O Measurement Dialog

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
QSG-14 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C ME7848A/E QSG
O/O Measurements
These measurements require de-embedding of both O/E and E/O devices and the pattern should be obvious
from the previous subsections. The O/O measurements described here are slightly different from those one
might conduct with optical power meters or optical spectrum analyzers in that the system monitors what
happens to the RF envelope. Broadband insertion loss results will be similar unless the O/O device has some
bandwidth-limiting properties that affect the envelope. Optical return loss is not corrected in this
measurement so fiber end preparation/care can have more of an effect. In all of the measurements, absolute
insertion phase has little meaning because of the (usually) very large electrical lengths represented by the
optical components. Group delay (a frequency derivative of phase) or deviation from linear phase are more
often the angular metrics of most interest.
In addition to the VectorStar Calibration and Measurement Guide, additional white papers (such as Wideband
Optical Modulator and Detector Characterization, available on the Anritsu website) and application notes are
available that discuss this measurement class.

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
ME7848A/E QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. C QSG-15

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Anritsu Company
490 Jarvis Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809
USA
http://www.anritsu.com