In the R&D and manufacturing of high-speed optical communication networks, optical chips, devices, and modules, high-performance sampling oscilloscopes are critical tools for precision measurement and validation. To accurately capture the eye diagrams of high-speed optical-electrical signals, oscilloscopes must possess high bandwidth, low amplitude noise, and low intrinsic jitter.

Leveraging the principle of equivalent-time sampling, sampling oscilloscopes do not rely on ultra-high sampling rate ADCs. Instead, they utilize ADCs with a higher number of effective bits. This approach not only enhances measurement precision but also effectively controls costs, making these instruments the recognized standard for consistency testing in ultra-high-speed optical/electrical interface verification.

A History of Innovation Semight Instruments launched the DCA4201, a 12 GHz sampling oscilloscope, in 2018, followed by the release of the 30 GHz DCA6201 in 2020. Both products have been successfully validated by renowned enterprises domestically and internationally, achieving a cumulative sales volume reaching tens of millions of RMB.

Breakthroughs in PAM4 Testing In 2021, building upon the hardware architecture of the DCA6201, Semight Instruments successfully implemented PAM4 eye diagram reconstruction and TDECQ testing algorithms. By early 2022, the company officially launched the DCA6201-PAM, a sampling oscilloscope option supporting 53 Gbps (26.5625 Gbaud) PAM4 signals.

To meet the demanding bandwidth requirements of single-lane 100G high-speed optical modules, Semight Instruments continues to invest heavily in core technology R&D. The company is currently in the process of the proprietary tape-out of a 50 GHz sample-and-hold amplifier chip, aiming to achieve a technical breakthrough with a 50 GHz sampling oscilloscope in the near future.

Technical Features & Advantages Semight Instruments' current portfolio of sampling oscilloscopes offers the following distinct advantages:

• Multi-Rate Eye Diagram Testing Support: The DCA4201 is designed for eye diagram and extinction ratio testing of optical-electrical signals at 10G and below. The DCA6201 supports NRZ/PAM4 optical eye diagram testing at rates of 25~28 Gbaud, offering full compatibility with TDECQ testing as defined by industry standards such as IEEE 802.3bs/cd.

• Integrated Multi-Port Design: With a footprint approximately 1/4 the size of traditional sampling oscilloscopes, the device significantly saves bench space. It supports a 4-optical-port configuration, meeting the parallel testing needs of 100G QSFP modules and 400G QSFP-DD SR8/FR8/DR8 modules simultaneously, thereby drastically improving testing efficiency.

• Calibrated Reference Receiver: The frequency response tolerance strictly complies with industry standards, ensuring eye diagram shapes are highly consistent with mainstream imported sampling oscilloscopes.

• Intelligent Calibration Algorithms: Features such as extinction ratio correction factors and dark current self-calibration ensure test results remain consistent with industry-standard reference instruments.

• High Sensitivity and Low Noise: The DCA4201 achieves a sensitivity of -10 dBm, while the DCA6201 achieves -8 dBm.

• Rapid Testing Capability: The DCA6201 can complete the cumulative measurement of 1,000 NRZ eye diagram waveforms within 7 seconds.

• Multi-Wavelength Support: Covers single-mode and multi-mode signal testing from 750 nm to 1650 nm.

• Efficient Eye Diagram Debugging Mode: Supports rapid refresh rates (1Hz data update), significantly increasing test throughput and reducing comprehensive testing costs.

• Intelligent User Interface: Enables one-click completion of all optical-electrical eye diagram parameter tests and generation, making operation simple and efficient.

Semight Instruments remains committed to the innovation of optical-electrical test technologies and the enhancement of instrument performance, providing solid and reliable testing assurance for the development of the global optical communication industry.