The Agilent 83434A is a 10 Gb/s lightwave receiver for converting digitally modulated optical signals into linear electrical data and recovered clock outputs. Its amplified PIN photodiode receiver supports wavelengths from 1300 nm to 1600 nm, optical inputs from -16 dBm to 0 dBm, and standard 9953.28 MHz clock recovery for OC-192 and STM-64 testing. Non-retimed data output, AGC stabilization, -16 dBm sensitivity, and precision APC-3.5 electrical interfaces support bit error ratio testing, optical eye analysis, Q-factor evaluation, receiver sensitivity testing, and high-speed telecom system development.
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The Agilent 83434A is a high-speed optical clock and data receiver designed for testing 10 Gb/s fiber optic transmitters, receivers, communication links, and related optical networking equipment. It converts a digitally modulated optical input into separate electrical data and recovered clock outputs for use with compatible bit error ratio testers, sampling oscilloscopes, and digital communications analyzers.
The receiver uses an amplified PIN photodiode with automatic gain control to support optical inputs from -16 dBm to 0 dBm across wavelengths from 1300 nm to 1600 nm. The electrical data output is linear, non-inverting, and non-retimed, preserving information about the incoming signal’s amplitude, timing, noise, and waveform quality for diagnostic analysis.
The standard Agilent 83434A recovers a nominal 9953.28 MHz clock from OC-192 and STM-64 NRZ optical signals. Separate APC-3.5 male connectors provide the electrical data and recovered clock outputs. The recovered clock can trigger a compatible sampling oscilloscope when a separate clock signal is unavailable, while the non-retimed data output supports eye-diagram, Q-factor, eye-contour, and bit error ratio analysis.
The optical input signal is detected by an amplified PIN photodiode receiver. A preamplifier and linear automatic-gain-control amplifier convert the detected optical waveform into an electrical data output suitable for compatible 50-ohm measurement equipment.
Automatic gain control helps maintain the electrical output amplitude as optical input power changes within the supported operating range. The electrical data output amplitude is specified from 0.5 V peak-to-peak to 1.5 V peak-to-peak.
The receiver does not retime the data output. Signal degradation such as amplitude variation, noise, timing distortion, reduced eye opening, and waveform irregularities remains available for analysis by connected test equipment.
The Agilent 83434A supports optical wavelengths from 1300 nm to 1600 nm and a specified optical input range from -16 dBm to 0 dBm. This wavelength coverage supports optical communication equipment operating near 1310 nm and 1550 nm.
The receiver provides -16 dBm sensitivity for a bit error ratio better than 1 x 10-10 under the documented test conditions. Applicable patterns include a 231-1 pseudorandom binary sequence and a pattern containing 100 consecutive ones or zeros within a 231-1 sequence.
The source extinction ratio must be at least 8.2 dB when measured within ±10% of the eye center. The sensitivity specification applies over an ambient temperature range of 25 °C ±10 °C.
The maximum safe optical input is +7 dBm at 1310 nm or 1550 nm. This value is a damage-protection limit and should not be interpreted as the normal operating range for undistorted measurements.
The standard Agilent 83434A provides clock recovery for 9.953 Gb/s OC-192 and STM-64 NRZ signals. Its recovered clock frequency is specified from 9953.26 MHz to 9953.30 MHz, with a nominal value of 9953.28 MHz.
The recovered clock output provides an electrical timing reference derived from the incoming optical data stream. It can be connected to a compatible bit error ratio tester or used to trigger a sampling oscilloscope when the device under test does not provide a separate electrical clock.
The clock output has a nominal 50/50 duty cycle, with a specified range from 45/55 to 55/45. Clock-to-data alignment is specified within ±25.12 ps, while recovered clock jitter generation is specified at 2 ps RMS.
The data output is linear, non-inverting, AC coupled, and non-retimed. Its lower 3 dB frequency is 0.10 MHz, and its upper 3 dB frequency is 6.5 GHz.
A non-retimed signal is useful for diagnostic testing because the receiver does not make a new digital decision before presenting the output. The connected analyzer can evaluate the actual waveform and optimize the decision threshold and timing position independently.
The output has a nominal impedance of 50 ohms and uses an APC-3.5 male connector. Only suitable cables, adapters, and instruments rated for the required frequency and signal level should be connected.
The Agilent 83434A provides the receiver-side optical interface required for bit error ratio testing. A digitally modulated optical signal from a transmitter, fiber link, optical component, or communication system is applied to the optical input. The resulting electrical data and recovered clock signals are then connected to a compatible error performance analyzer.
The Agilent 71612C 12.5 Gb/s Error Performance Analyzer is a documented companion instrument. The analyzer can optimize decision threshold and timing to determine bit error ratio performance and evaluate signal margin.
The receiver can also be paired with the Agilent 83433A Lightwave Transmitter to create a complete optical link for system, component, or fiber testing.
The recovered clock output can be used to trigger a compatible sampling oscilloscope, including an Agilent Infiniium DCA, when no separate clock source is available. The linear data output provides the electrical representation needed to display and analyze the incoming optical eye diagram.
This configuration supports evaluation of eye opening, timing variation, noise, amplitude, overshoot, undershoot, and other waveform characteristics. It can also support Q-factor and eye-contour analysis when used with compatible error-analysis equipment and software.
The standard Agilent 83434A recovers a nominal 9953.28 MHz clock for OC-192 and STM-64 operation. Optional configurations were available for other 10 Gb/s communication formats.
The installed clock-recovery configuration should be confirmed from the instrument option label. Clock frequency should not be assumed from the base 83434A model number alone.
| Brand | Agilent Technologies |
| Model | 83434A |
| Product Category | 10 Gb/s Lightwave Clock and Data Receiver |
| Receiver Technology | Amplified PIN photodiode with automatic gain control |
| Wavelength Range | 1300 nm to 1600 nm |
| Optical Input Range | -16 dBm to 0 dBm |
| Standard Recovered Clock | 9953.28 MHz nominal |
| Data Output | Linear, non-inverting, non-retimed, and AGC stabilized |
| Data Output Bandwidth | 0.10 MHz to 6.5 GHz |
| Primary Application | Optical-to-electrical conversion and clock recovery for 10 Gb/s communications testing |
| Specification | Details |
| Wavelength Range | 1300 nm to 1600 nm |
| Optical Input Power Range | -16 dBm to 0 dBm |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -16 dBm for better than 1 x 10-10 BER under the specified conditions |
| Optical Input Return Loss | 28 dB |
| Loss-of-Input Alarm Threshold | Approximately -25 dBm to -20 dBm, characteristic |
| Maximum Safe Optical Input | +7 dBm at 1310 nm or 1550 nm |
| Optical Input Interface | Diamond HMS-10 universal interface |
| Standard Optical Adapter | FC/PC |
| Specification | Details |
| Output Type | Linear, non-inverting, non-retimed, and AGC stabilized |
| Amplitude | 0.5 V peak-to-peak minimum to 1.5 V peak-to-peak maximum |
| Lower 3 dB Frequency | 0.10 MHz |
| Upper 3 dB Frequency | 6.5 GHz |
| Return Loss | 9.5 dB from 0.01 MHz to 10.7 GHz |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Connector | APC-3.5 male |
| Supported PRBS Length | Up to and including 231-1 |
| Specification | Details |
| Standard Nominal Frequency | 9953.28 MHz |
| Standard Frequency Range | 9953.26 MHz to 9953.30 MHz |
| Output Amplitude | 0.5 V peak-to-peak minimum to 1.5 V peak-to-peak maximum |
| Duty Cycle | 50/50 nominal, 45/55 to 55/45 specified |
| Clock-to-Data Alignment | ±25.12 ps |
| Jitter Transfer Bandwidth | 4 MHz minimum, 5 MHz nominal, and 6 MHz maximum |
| Jitter Generation | 2 ps RMS |
| Return Loss | 12 dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Connector | APC-3.5 male |
| Configuration | Nominal Frequency | Application |
| Standard Agilent 83434A | 9953.28 MHz | OC-192 and STM-64 NRZ signals |
| Option 106 | 10664.228 MHz | Compatible forward error correction systems |
| Option H31 | 10312.50 MHz | 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| Specification | Details |
| AC Power | 100 V, 120 V, 220 V, or 240 V AC, ±10% |
| Line Frequency | 47 Hz to 63 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 45 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 °C to 70 °C |
| Height | 102 mm or 4 in |
| Width | 216 mm or 8.5 in |
| Depth | 444 mm or 17.5 in |
| Weight | Approximately 3.4 kg or 7.6 lb |
| Chassis Format | Agilent System II half-width case |
The Agilent 83434A receives comprehensive functional and performance testing before shipment. Testing may include AC power operation, startup, front-panel indicators, optical input detection, loss-of-input alarm response, automatic gain control, electrical data output, and recovered clock output.
When suitable 10 Gb/s equipment is available, testing may include operation with a digitally modulated optical signal, data-output amplitude, recovered clock frequency, clock duty cycle, clock-to-data alignment, and stable receiver operation across representative optical input levels.
The Diamond HMS-10 optical interface and removable adapter may be inspected for contamination, physical damage, or incompatible connector use. The APC-3.5 data and clock connectors may also be inspected for damaged threads, bent contacts, contamination, excessive wear, or loose mounting.
The exact testing scope depends on the installed clock-recovery option, available optical transmitter, error performance analyzer, sampling oscilloscope, optical adapters, RF cables, and supporting calibration equipment.
Buyers should confirm whether the receiver has the standard 9953.28 MHz clock recovery or includes Option 106 or Option H31. The recovered clock frequency must match the optical data format and intended test application.
The installed optical adapter should also be identified. Although the standard instrument included an FC/PC adapter, compatible HMS-10, DIN, ST, and SC adapters were available separately.
The Agilent 83434A is a receiver interface and does not form a complete bit error ratio test system by itself. A compatible optical transmitter, error performance analyzer, sampling oscilloscope, optical patch cable, precision RF cables, and application software may be required separately.
Only the receiver, installed optical adapter, APC-3.5 cables, optical patch cords, power cord, rack hardware, calibration records, documentation, and accessories specifically identified in the product listing should be considered included.
AssetRelay supplies professional equipment and product solutions for fiber optic, telecom, laboratory, production, electronic test, RF/microwave, photonics, inspection, cleaning, and digital communications applications. The Agilent 83434A supports engineers, laboratories, manufacturers, service organizations, and production facilities requiring 10 Gb/s optical-to-electrical conversion and clock recovery.
Buyers should review the product photographs, physical condition, clock-recovery configuration, optical adapter, connector condition, receiver sensitivity, data and clock output operation, included accessories, calibration status, and testing information before purchase.
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Download the Agilent 83434A Specification Sheet (PDF)