OVERVIEW

ModBox Optical Reference Transmitter

The Optical Reference Transmitter ModBoxes are a flexible and efficient Electrical to Optical converter. They cover all the existing Telecom digital and linear modulation schemes such as NRZ with and without impairments, DPSK, QPSK, QAM, and PAM-4 up to 56 G.

iXblue is the pioneer in Optical Reference Transmitter solutions at 850 nm, 1064 nm, O-Band, and C-Band. These ModBoxes address the Telecom market, making them the ideal Optical Transmitter for robust, reliable, and IEEE-compliant high-speed test solutions for next-generation telecommunications, Datacom, Long-Haul, and other optical interfaces.

A set of several Standard ModBox units are already available. If your ModBox product is not existing, a customized solution can be built for you.

HIGHLIGHTS

Benefits & Features

• Turn-key and standalone Optical Transmitter
• High-quality eye diagram
• Wide bandwidth components
• IEEE compliant

Applications

• Transmission system test
• Components characterization
• Production test
• R&D laboratories

Main Specifications

• 850 nm, O-Band, C-Band, L-Band
• NRZ up to 56 Gb/s
• PAM-4 up to 56 Gbaud
• DPSK up to 28 Gb/s
• QPSK, QAM, OFDM up to 64 Gbaud

OVERVIEW

iXblue offers the most comprehensive portfolio of versatile sub-nanosecond laser pulse generation transmitters based on unparalleled LiNbO3 modulator design.

These turn-key ModBoxes combine the best available optoelectronics components to provide state-of-the-art optical pulse performance. Available over a wide wavelength range, they can be tailored to specific applications:

• ModBox-PG: to generate square optical pulses
• ModBox-PS: to generate arbitrary shaped optical pulses
• ModBox-FE: to generate energetic arbitrary shaped pulses
• ModBox-SB: to suppress the Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
• ModBox-PP: to pulse pick
• ModBox-DER: to measure Very High Extinction Ratios
• ModBox-CBC: to combine several beams with individual phase adjustments

A set of standard ModBox units is available. If your required ModBox product does not exist, a customized solution can be built for you. iXblue has successfully installed these systems in many laboratories worldwide. To ensure the success of your project, iXblue offers system demonstrations, on-site installation, and local staff training. Contact us for more information.

HIGHLIGHTS

Benefits & Features

• Turn-key and standalone sub-ns pulse laser
• High-quality optical pulse
• Proven solution
• Custom design

Applications

• Laser cutting
• Inertial confinement fusion
• Interaction of intense light with matter
• Laser plasma interaction
• Laser implosion
• Interaction of ion beams with HP laser
• Material processing
• High-power fiber lasers for directed-energy applications

Main Specifications

• Very high pulse contrast
• Fast rise and fall times
• Low intrinsic jittering

OVERVIEW

ModBox Analog Optical Transmitter

The Analog Optical Transmitters are optical modulation units based on wide bandwidth and linear LiNbO3 modulators, combined with a low RIN laser. The RF amplifier can be optional if the ModBox is used with an electrical VNA to measure S-parameters in full 2-port calibration. Other applications include RF over fiber (RFoF) links, analog device characterization, and test and measurement.

These ModBoxes are available in the telecom C and O bands, with bandwidths up to 65 GHz. Custom versions can also be delivered in the Near Infra-Red window, supporting modulation bandwidths up to 40 GHz.

A set of standard ModBox units is already available. If your required ModBox product is not listed, a customized solution can be assembled for you.

HIGHLIGHTS

Benefits

• Turn-key and standalone Optical Transmitter
• High linearity
• Wide bandwidth components
• Low RIN laser and dither-less bias controller

Applications

• Transmission system test
• Components characterization
• [S] optical device measurement
• CS-SSB generation
• Production test
• R&D laboratories

Main Specifications

• NIR, O-Band, C-Band, L-Band
• Bandwidth up to 65 GHz
• High harmonics suppression

OVERVIEW

iXblue, the recognized worldwide PIONEER for innovative OPTICAL MODULATION SOLUTIONS

iXblue is an industrial group renowned for designing, developing, and manufacturing optical modulation solutions. Our integrated ModBox systems are Optical Transmitter solutions based on external modulation. These systems cater to high-speed and complex telecommunication modulation schemes such as (D)QPSK, PAM, DPSK, NRZ, sub-nanosecond optical pulse generation for fiber lasers, high-speed and linear modulation, CS-SSB, and more, covering an optical spectral range from 780 nm to 2000 nm.

CUSTOM DESIGNS based on CUSTOMER SPECIFICATIONS

Our standard ModBox portfolio can be customized to meet your specific technical requirements. iXblue’s expertise in photonics, RF, electronics, and interfacing allows us to integrate complex electro-optical systems and subsystems. We assist customers with selection, procurement, installation, and configuration—hardware and software—for optimal ModBox performance, providing services for both prototyping and volume production.

COMPETENCE to assist customers with their projects

iXblue’s ModBox is a convergence of photonics, RF, electronics, and software technologies. Our expertise in photonics allows us to master the entire chain of LiNbO3 modulators, ensuring the best optical performance, including low insertion loss, high extinction ratio, and wide bandwidth.

As a manufacturer of doped optical and passive fibers, our optical capabilities extend to managing optical amplifiers, couplers, beam combiners, and other passive components. Additionally, our in-house RF amplifiers are based on GaAs MMIC technology, supporting high-performance electronic and RF signal management.

For each custom ModBox, a dedicated engineering team develops the chassis, mechanical design, and PCB boards using Altium and SolidWorks. The ModBox meets European standards and complies with EMC and optical norms EN61326-1 and EN 60825.

Software & System Integration

Our bespoke software development accommodates customer preferences, including monitoring, control, data transfer, and system settings. We work with C, C++, Qt, .NET, and Python on platforms like Windows, GNU/Linux, and Android. We also support EPICS for integration into large-scale science facilities such as particle accelerators.