LeCroy Introduces 30 GHz / 4 Channel Real-Time Oscilloscope Solution

Chestnut Ridge, NY, February 2, 2010 – LeCroy Corporation has extended the power of its WaveMaster® 830Zi 30 GHz real-time oscilloscope by providing a simple and fast method to combine two oscilloscopes and provide 4 channels at 30 GHz. This solution is ideal for measurement and analysis of 28 to 56 Gb/s IQ modulated signals where ultra-high real-time bandwidth and four channels is required, or for capture and detailed analysis of other leading edge technologies. The solution is enabled with the Zi-8CH-SYNCH Oscilloscope Synchronization Kit, which is compatible with all WaveMaster 8 Zi models, so it may be used to create four channel data captures from 20GHz to 30GHz or eight channel data captures from 4GHz to 16GHz.

The oscilloscope synchronization kit is comprised of a small hardware module that plugs into one of the two oscilloscopes. Once attached, it identifies that oscilloscope as the “Master” for display and control purposes. A variety of other cables for trigger synchronization, clock sharing, and data transfer are connected between the “Master” and a “Slave” oscilloscope. Triggering of both oscilloscopes may be performed in a pseudo-auto trigger mode, or by application of a customer trigger signal. Upon successful trigger, all waveforms from both the “Master” and the “Slave” oscilloscope are displayed on the “Master” oscilloscope grid for easy viewing, debug and analysis. The complete setup time is no less than 5 minutes prior to deskewing channels.

At the European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC) held in September 2009, a research team led by Dr. Peter Winzer of Alcatel-Lucent presented a paper regarding an experiment which used the WaveMaster 830 Zi 4 channel / 30 GHz capability to reach record-breaking signal transmission speeds that sent data at twice the rate as the previous record. The experiment demonstrated the first 56-Gbaud coherent detection with full digital impairment compensation to be transmitted over a single-channel. The large bandwidth and high sampling rate of the WaveMaster 830 Zi over 4 channels were key enablers of this experiment and the signal fidelity over such a wide bandwidth was critical to achieving the demonstrated performance.

The LeCroy WaveMaster 830 Zi oscilloscope was launched on January 5, 2009 as the second product line developed from LeCroy's next-generation "Apollo" chipset. The scope features a real-time bandwidth of 30 GHz and a sampling rate of 80 Gigasamples/second on two channels. The complete acquisition system used in the Alcatel-Lucent experiment used two WaveMaster 830 Zi oscilloscopes for a total of 4 channels at 30 GHz.

The Zi-8CH-SYNCH Oscilloscope Synchronization Kit requires software version 6.0.1.x (or later), but otherwise does not require any further modification or addition to a previously purchased oscilloscope. Delivery time is 3-4 weeks ARO.

Engineers and technicians who would like to know more can contact LeCroy at 1-800-5LeCroy (1-800-553-2769) or visit the LeCroy web site (www.lecroy.com).

The Alcatel-Lucent – LeCroy paper “56-Gbaud PDM-QPSK: Coherenet Detection and 2,500-km Transmission” is available on the LeCroy website.

LeCroy Corporation is a worldwide leader in serial data test solutions, creating advanced instruments that drive product innovation by quickly measuring, analyzing, and verifying complex electronic signals. The Company offers high-performance oscilloscopes, serial data analyzers, and global communications protocol test solutions used by design engineers in the computer and semiconductor, data storage device, automotive and industrial, and military and aerospace markets. LeCroy’s 45-year heritage of technical innovation is the foundation for its recognized leadership in “WaveShape Analysis”—capturing, viewing, and measuring the high-speed signals that drive today's information and communications technologies. LeCroy is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York. Company information is available at http://www.lecroy.com

© 2010 by LeCroy Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice.