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iXBlue ModBox VNA User Manual

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ModBox VNA
User's Manual

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Summary of Contents for iXBlue ModBox VNA

  • Page 1 ModBox VNA User’s Manual...

  • Page 3: Revision History

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Revision History Table for the Software product: Edition Date Release Comments 02/2020 ModBox Interface Control v1.1 Creation ModBox Interface Control v1.4 05/2020 Added support for DG MBC Remote VNA GUI v1.3 Ref. Ed. B – 12/05/2020...

  • Page 4: Copyright

    In no event shall iXblue be liable for any consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to loss of business profits or any commercial damages, arising out of the use of this product.

  • Page 5: Warranty

    In order to avail itself of this warranty, Customer must notify iXblue of the defect before expiry of the warranty period and take all steps necessary to enable iXblue to proceed.

  • Page 6: Export Regulation

    Export of the products and services described in this document may be subject to different national rules and regulations related to export control. iXblue products and services shall not be exported, re-exported or used in the following countries (including their territorial waters): Cuba, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
  • Page 7 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual • From an EU country member, the good can only be re-exported to a non EU country member under the dual-use goods export control procedures set forth by the local national authorities. • From a “bona fide” country, the good can only be re-exported under the dual-use goods export control procedures set forth by the local national authorities.

  • Page 8: Manual Overview

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Manual Overview This manual is the user guide for the ModBox VNA system manufactured by iXblue. It must be read and understood prior to using the product. The manufacturer shall in no case be held liable for any application or use that does not comply with the stipulations in this manual.

  • Page 9: Abbreviations And Acronyms

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Abbreviations and Acronyms Near Infra-Red Mach Zehnder Modulator Acceptance Test Report Man Machine Interface Not Applicable Signal to Noise Ratio Ref. Ed. B – 12/05/2020...

  • Page 10: Text Usage

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Text Usage Bold Bold text is used for items you must select or click in the software. It is also used for the field names used into the dialog box. Text in this font denotes text or characters that you...

  • Page 11: Table Of Contents

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Table of Contents EVISION ISTORY ......................1 OPYRIGHT ........................2 ISCLAIMER ........................2 RADEMARKS ........................2 ARRANTY ........................3 XPORT EGULATION ......................4 ANUAL VERVIEW ......................6 BBREVIATIONS AND CRONYMS ..................7 SAGE ........................8 CONS ..........................

  • Page 12: Introduction

    NTRODUCTION The ModBox-VNA is a bench top modulation unit intended at expanding vector network analysis features into the optical domain. The ModBox VNA can operate in the C-Band, O-Band, 850 nm and other optical bands with up to 70 GHz bandwidth (-6dB) following customer requests.
  • Page 13 1.2.2 S YSTEM TRUCTURE The ModBox VNA is a 19” 2U rackable modulation unit integrating: • A modulation block : One high bandwidth, chirp-free LiNbO Mach-Zehnder analog...

  • Page 14: Installation

    For that, you will find in the shipping case a packing-list detailing all the shipped items. This packing list had been completed and checked for by iXblue shortly before shipment. On receipt of the equipment, its overall condition should be checked and iXblue...

  • Page 15: Panel Features

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 2.3 Panel Features RONT ANEL 2.3.1 <5> <1> <3> <2> <4> Figure 2: ModBox Front Panel <6> <1> LCD touch screen display: Allows front panel system control and displays all necessary information to run the system <2>...
  • Page 16 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual ANEL 2.3.2 <3> <2> <1> <4> Figure 3: ModBox Rear Panel <1> Internal ground port: This port connects to the internal ground. <2> Mains power supply socket and general mains switch: Fuse socket accepts 5*20 mm sized fuse (2A, quick action) <3>...

  • Page 17: General Recommendations

    Do not make any attempt to service or maintain the ModBox system. Should you need any help, contact iXblue staff to get customer service support. The ModBox is designed for indoor use. To avoid personal injuries do not expose the instrument to water or excessive moisture.

  • Page 18: Installation Procedure

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 2.5 Installation Procedure During the installation process you may need the following document and devices: • User’s Manual • • Country specific power cord • iXblue ModBox USB key • Ethernet cable Step Action Make sure the general mains switch is in OFF position (<10>, rear panel)

  • Page 19: Connecting The Components

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 2.6 Connecting the Components Here we will describe how to connect the ModBox system to your application. Step Action You should prepare at least 2 optical fiber patch cords (with FC or SC connectors depending purchased option) to use the ModBox system with the embedded reference photo receiver (if you purchased this option).

  • Page 20: Configuring The Modbox

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 3 Configuring the ModBox 3.1 Software installation Users can operate the ModBox system using the touchscreen interface on the front panel. Once the system is started, the ModBox interface application is launched and the system is now ready for operation.

  • Page 21: Modbox Connections

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual If you need help retrieving the ModBox’s IP address, please report to the Network Configuration section (p. 27) of this document. Once the software is connected to the ModBox, please report to the Operation Procedure section (p.

  • Page 22: Embedded User Interface Operation

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 4 Embedded User Interface Operation We consider here that the user has installed the hardware items related to the ModBox system. We also consider that the user is familiar with ModBox configurations and that the ModBox configuration is presently set.

  • Page 23: Settings Description

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action Figure 6: Main Tab Laser on Wait few seconds and the MoxBox will be ready to use. 4.2 Settings description When you click on the settings gear, you will be able to change some ModBox parameters:...
  • Page 24 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action Depending on your order, the ModBox may include either a Digital (DG) or an Analogic (AN) MBC. Ignore this step and step 2 if your ModBox includes a Digital MBC (see step 3).
  • Page 25 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action Figure 9: AN MBC Voltages tracking Click on PD Gains: Figure 10: AN MBC PD Gains tab • Gain Coarse/Fine: Used to calibrate the feedback. Adjust both to move feedback locking point to the value you want.
  • Page 26 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action Figure 11: DG MBC Feedback tab MAN/AUTO & DC Bias: This parameter allows the user to switch between automatic and manual mode. In manual mode, you can set the bias voltage manually using the following DC Bias value parameter: you can set it between -10 V and 10 V.
  • Page 27 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action • Graph: Useful to save DC bias value over time for stability testing (Figure 12). Figure 12: DG MBC DC Bias tracking Go back to the previous menu and click on a wavelength: Figure 13: Laser tab •...
  • Page 28 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Step Action • Temperature: Adjust laser temperature 0 to 100%. Usually, it can change the laser wavelength up to 1nm. If you wish to shut down the ModBox, first press the ON/OFF button (<5>) on the left of the front panel and wait about 10 seconds before cutting power to the ModBox.
  • Page 29 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual The main ModBox settings have now been covered. The next section covers more secondary or advanced features. Go back to the general Configuration menu and click on General Settings: Remote: Figure 14: Remote tab This menu allows you to manage the remote connections. You may also change...
  • Page 30 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Figure 16: Manual Network Settings You are now able to edit those settings as you wish. If you want your changes to have any effect, you must press the Apply button, and restart the system. Upon pressing the Apply button, you will be prompted to properly reboot the system.
  • Page 31 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Interface: This last menu allows you to recalibrate the touchscreen or upgrade ModBox software. You rarely should have to use those features on your own. Ref. Ed. B – 12/05/2020...

  • Page 32: An Mbc Manual Calibration

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual 4.3 AN MBC manual calibration: Step Action Check that a laser is turned on. Go into Configuration (Settings gear) > MBC > Feedback tab and set the MBC in manual mode. Find the maximum light on the output modulator by changing DC bias value.

  • Page 33: Ixblue Contact - Support

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual iXblue CONTACT - SUPPORT For support: • by email: contact.photonics@iXblue.com • using the form on the iXblue Photonics web site https://photonics.ixblue.com/ iXblue CONTACT - SALES North America / NORAM • +1 508 975 4640 Yves DEISS...

  • Page 34: Appendices

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Appendices EHNDER INTENSITY MODULATORS Lithium niobate (LiN ) Mach-Zehnder Modulators (MZM) are external modulator that have been widely used since the mid-nineties, mostly in long haul optical networks for their ability to modulate optical signal from 1300 and 1550 nm laser diodes with short transition times and without chirp compared to direly modulated diode lasers.

  • Page 35: B Drift Effects

    ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Figure 18: Typical electrode and waveguide architecture of an MZM RIFT FFECTS DC drift is the optical output power variation under the constant DC bias voltage application. Fig.15 shows the output power of the modulator as a function of the applied voltage.
  • Page 36 ModBox VNA – User’s Manual Figure 20: RC equivalent circuit model of the MZM with vertical and horizontal components Thermal or humidity drift stands for optical output power fluctuations induced by thermal or humidity variations. Local temperature variations induce pyroelectric charge growth inside the LiNbO3 crystal. These charges migrate to the outermost surfaces of the crystal and between the electrodes, thus leading to a charge growth across the arms of the interferometer.

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