Anritsu VectorStar ME7848A Series User manual

Quick Start Guide
Opto-electronic Network Analyzer
Systems
ME7848A-0240, 40 GHz 850 nm System
ME7848A-0270, 70 GHz 1550 nm System
ME7848A-0271, 70 GHz 1310 nm System
ME7848A-0140 40 GHz, 850 nm System (VNA and O/E module only)
ME7848A-0170 70 GHz, 1550 nm System (VNA and O/E module only)
ME7848A-0171 70 GHz, 1310 nm System (VNA and O/E module only)
Anritsu Company
490 Jarvis Drive
Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809
USA
http://www.anritsu.com
Part Number: 10410-00777
Revision: A
Published: November 2019
Copyright 2019 Anritsu Company. All rights reserved.

1. Minimum Configurations
QSG-2 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A ME7848A QSG
Opto-electronic Network Analyzer System
The ME7848A 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 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 ONA System Configuration Options (1 of 2)
ME7848A ONA System Configuration and Included Items
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)

2. System Connections
ME7848A QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A QSG-3
2. System Connections
The basic system connections are illustrated in Figure 1. 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.
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.
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)
Figure 1. Typical ME7848A Measurement Setup
Table 1. ME7848A ONA System Configuration Options (2 of 2)

2. System Connections
QSG-4 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A ME7848A QSG
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 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).
This fiber patch cord should be polarization-maintaining (usually denoted by a blue jacket cover) for stable
operation of the modulator.
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.
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))

2. System Connections
ME7848A QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A QSG-5
The MN4775A (and equivalent units) contain a laser and are accompanied by a warning label like that shown
in Figure 3. The MN4775A-007x 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). 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.
Consult the ME7848A 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.
Figure 3. Laser Warning Labels Examples
Figure 4. Rear Panel: ‘Normal’ (left) and ‘Reversed’ (right) Configurations
Figure 5. Front Panel: ‘Normal’ (left) and ‘Reversed’ (right) Configurations

3. System Check
QSG-6 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A ME7848A QSG
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 -027x
systems.
b. Set IFBW to 100 Hz (AVERAGING menu).
c. Set the frequency range from 70 kHz to 40/70 GHz (for -0240 or -027x 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).
3. Perform a full 2-port SOLT 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.
5. 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.
ii. Set VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and -3 dBm.
6. 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.
ii. Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +5 dBm.
7. 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.
ii. Set the VOA (variable optical amplifier) to constant power output and +2 dBm.
8. 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
10 dB of roll-off to 70 GHz for the -027x systems or 12 dB of roll-off to 40 GHz with the -0240 systems).

3. System Check
ME7848A QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A QSG-7
In Figure 6, 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).
Functional Test
1. Measurement setup
a. Set the VNA to sweep from 70 kHz to the 40/70 GHz (depending on the system), 201 points, 100 Hz
IFBW, +5 dBm for -0240 systems and -10 dBm for the -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. Also ensure the optical patch cord is in place. Activate the laser and set the modulator as
discussed in the previous section.
Figure 6. 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.

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
QSG-8 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A ME7848A QSG
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 7 for the ME7848A-0270 system at +5 dBm optical
power (blue curve) and +2 dBm optical power (for reference, red curve). The -0271 and -0240 systems will have
values somewhat lower than the red curve (3-5 dB for the -0271 and 5-10 dB lower for the -0240).
4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
The typical measurement scenario with the ME7848A 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 6 will represent the combined
conversion loss of the E/O and O/E modules and the optical interconnect.
Figure 7. Example Plot of the Functional Test at +5 and +2 dBm Optical Power Levels

4. Making Opto-electronic Component Measurements
ME7848A QSG PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A QSG-9
•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 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 7; no de-embedding needed) will accomplish the task.
A screenshot of an E/O measurement dialog on VectorStar is shown in Figure 8. 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
QSG-10 PN: 10410-00777 Rev. A ME7848A QSG
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 6) will
suffice.
Figure 8. E/O Measurement Dialog