TECHNOLOGIEModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

Delivering Modulation Solutions
ModBoxThe ModBox-Pulse is an optical modulation unit that generates high performance
optical pulses. The equipment incorporates a modulation stage based on a highbandwidth LiNb03 Mach-Zehnder modulator, coupled with a high performancepulse RF driver and an automatic bias control circuitry. It also integrates anoptional laser source and a programmable pulse generator.
The optical pulses delivered by the ModBox-Pulse are characterized by sharpedges, short width down to 100 ps and high extinction ratio compatible withpost optical amplification. Moreover, when driven with a user modulation signal,
the pulses profile can be tailored to any shape, allowing for pre-distorsion.

Features

The ModBox-Pulse provides R&D and production engineers with state of theart performance and the peace of mind of a turn-key instrument. It can be used
as a reference transmitter in laboratories and production for a broad variety ofapplications : components and material characterization, seeder for high energy
lasers, lidars...

• Tunable pulse width down to 100 ps• Short rise / fall time : 30 ps

Performance Highlights• High extinction ratio > 30 dBParameter• High stability, pulse-to-pulse repeatability

Optical wavelength rangeApplications• Reference pulse transmitter

MinTypMax

850, 1053, 1060, 1064, 1080, 1550, 2000

Unit
nm

Rise / fall time

-30-psPulse width

80 p-1ms

Frequency repetition rate

1-10 GHz

Optical pulse extinction ratio

30-55dB• Test in R&D and production• Pulse generation / picking / slicing

100 ps Optical Pulse• High energy laser seederOptions• Internal laser• Internal pulse generator• Internal optical receiver• Shorter rise / fall time
• Custom designs

www.photline.com

p. 1/6contact@photline.com

TE

CHNO

L

OGI

E

ModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

Delivering Modulation Solutions
ModBoxFunctional Block Diagram

ModBox Front
Panel

ModBox Back
Panel
Laser

Out Laser

Laser Power
Control - GUI

Power Control

Laser lControl - GUI

In ModDC

MBC Control Display & Keypad

Modulator

MBC
Control - GUI

MBC

Gain Control
RFPulse amplifier

In Elect Pulse

Out Mod

PPG
Control - GUI

PPGOut Elect Pulse

In Elect ClockPDIn PD

Out PD

The ModBox-1060nm-ProgPulse integrates :•a high speed, high power handling and high extinction ratio LiNb03 Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM),•

a high speed RF pulse amplifier with gain level tuning for optical pulse extinction ratio adjustment,•a modulator bias control circuit to lock the MZM in extinction mode and ensure a highly stable output optical signal,•

an optional programmable electrical pulse generator (PPG) for short to long pulse generation,••

an optional laser source (DFB, ECL, ITLA) with its high precision driver to control the output power and wavelength,
an optional high bandwidth photodetector (PD).

www.photline.com

p. 2/6contact@photline.com

TECHNOLOGIE

ModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

ModBoxInput Electrical Specifications - Driver input - user supplied, not a ModBox specification when ordered without optional PPG
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Min

TypMax

Unit

Type-

Single ended - AC coupled

Operating input voltage

VIN

Single ended - AC coupled-500-mVpp

Impedance matching

ZIN--50-W

Input signal amplitude

VINSingle ended-0.5-

VppPulse withPW-80 p-1ms

Frequency repetition rate

FRR-1-10 GHz

Rise & fall timetR / tF

20 % - 80 %-30-

ps

Pulse

-

Input Optical Specifications - Modulator input - user supplied, not a ModBox specification when ordered without optional laser
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Laser type

-CW

DFB

-

Optical wavelength range *lOther wavelength on request

850, 1053, 1060, 1064, 1080, 1550, 2000

nm

Polarization--Linear and controlled-Spectral widthDlFWHM-1-

MHzSMSR--30--dB

OPIN-CW

Continuous--100mW

OPIN-P

Peak power--5W

Input optical power

Min

TypMaxUnit* Performance is optimized for one wavelength.

Output Optical Specifications
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Min

TypMaxUnit

Insertion lossIL

At maximum modulator transmission

-

46dB

DC extinction ratio

ERDC-30-

55dB

Pulse width

PW-

80 p-

1ms

Frequency repetition rate

FRR-

1-

10 G

Hz

Rise & fall timetR / tF

20 % - 80 %-30-ps

Return loss

ORL--40-45-dB

Chirpa-

-0.1

00.1

-

Additive RMS jitterG---1

ps

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Stresses in excess of the absolute maximum ratings can cause permanent damage to the device. These are absolute stress ratings only. Functional operation of the device is not implied at these or any otherconditions in excess of those given in the operational sections of the data sheet. Exposure to absolute maximum ratings for extended periods can adversely affect device reliability.

Parameter
Optical input power
Pulse input voltage

www.photline.com

SymbolMinMax

UnitOPIN-CWCW optical input signal

100mW

OPIN-PPulse optical input signal

5W

EVin-1Vpp

p. 3/6contact@photline.com

TE

CHNOL

OGIE

ModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

ModBoxOptional Laser Specifications
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Min

TypMaxUnit

Wavelengthl

Other wavelength on request

850, 1053, 1060, 1064, 1080, 1550, 2000

nm

Laser type--

DFB, DBR-

Optical output power

OPIN-CW

CW

10-

100mW

Spectrum linewidth

Dl

FWHM

-1-MHzOptical return loss

ORL-3035-dBSide mode suppression ratio

SMSR-30--dB

Optical output power adjustment

PCW

Front & back panels with GUI

20-

100mW

Wavelength laser tuning range-Back panel with GUI-

0.8

1nmMaxUnit

Exampe of Optional Programmable Electrical Pulse Generator Specifications : PPG-100
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Generator type-

Discrete

Programmable PW & FRR-

Pulse shape--

Square-Pulse width

PW-

100-

3 400psRise & fall timetR / tF--35-

ps

Pulse width tuning step

DPW

Discrete-

100-

ps

Freq repetition rate tuning stepDFRR

N = integer-

156*2N-MHzInternal clock frequency

ClkIN

Fixed622625707

MHz

Clock output power

PClk-Out--0-

dBm

POut-SE

Single ended swing

300

400

500

POut-D

Differential swing

600

8001000--

Output pulse amplitude
Electrical coupling

Min

TypAC

mVpp
-

Optional Photodetector Specifications
Parameter

SymbolCondition

Photodetector type

--

APD

-

Operating wavelength rangel-850, 1053, 1060, 1064, 1080, 1550, 2000

nm

Operating optical input range

Popt--20-

13dBm

Rise & fall timetR / tF--35-psOptical return loss

ORL-25--dB

Photodiode DC responsivity

ROptimum polarisation

-0.5

-A/W

www.photline.com

p. 4/6

MinTypMax

Unit

contact@photline.com

TECHNOLOGIE

ModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

ModBoxElectrical & Optical Pulse Diagrams
The following equipment was used in obtaining these results :- Pulse Pattern Generator : Programmable Pulse Generator PPG-100- Optical Spectrum Analyzer = Agilent 86142B

100 ps Input / Output Pulses

Electrical input signal from PPG-100

Output response1 ns Input / Output Pulses

Electrical input signal from PPG-100

Output response

100 ns Input / Output Pulses

Electrical input signal
www.photline.com

Output response
p. 5/6contact@photline.com

TECHNOLOGIE

ModBox Pulse

S

100 ps - ms Optical Pulse Transmitter

ModBoxDimensions - Interfaces - ComplianceDimensions
Dimensions

19 inches x 3U

Weight3 kg - 6.6 pounds

Power supply (rear panel)

100 - 120 V / 220 - 240 V automatic switch, 50 - 60 HzInterfaces
Optical connectors

FC/UPC - FC/APC - SC/UPC50 W - SMA female

RF connector
Fiber

Polarization maintaining fiber

Remote type for MBC / Laser / PPG

USB type B with Labview driverCompliance
SafetyEN 60625-1

Marking

CE

Ordering Information

ModBox-W-PW-FRR-L-PPG-ORx-XX

W = Wavelength : 850 nm, 1053 nm, 1060 nm, 1064 nm, 1080 nm, 1550 nm, 2000 nm				PW = Pulse Width (range or fix value)
FRR = Frequency Repetition Rate (range or fix value)
L = Laser Option, omit if no Laser - L : with Laser
PPG = Pulse generator Option, omit if no pulse generator - PPG : with Pulse Generator	ORx = Photodetector Option, omit if no photodetector - Rx : with Photodetector
XX = Input / Output connectors, FA : FC/APC - FC : FC/UPC - SC : SC/UPC

About us
Photline Technologies is a provider of Fiber Optics Modulation Solutions based on the company LiNb03 modulatorsand high-speed electronics modules. Photline Technologies offers high speed and high data rate modulation solutions
for the telecommunication industry and the defense, aerospace, instruments and sensors markets. The products
offered by the company include : comprehensive range of intensity and phase modulators (800 nm, 1060 nm, 1300nm, 1550 nm, 2000 nm), RF drivers and modules, transmitters and modulation units.
Photline Technologies reserves the right to change, at any time and without notice, the specifications, design, function or form of its products described herein. All statements, specification, technical information related to the products herein are given in good faith and based
upon information believed to be reliable and accurate at the moment of printing. However theaccuracy and completeness thereof is not guaranteed. No liability is assumed for any inaccuracies and as a result of use of the products. The user must validate all parameters for eachapplication before use and he assumes all risks in connection with the use of the products.

ZI Les Tilleroyes - Trépillot
16, rue Auguste Jouchoux - 25 000 Besançon - FRANCEtél. : +33 (0) 381 853 180 - fax : + 33 (0) 381 811 557

www.photline.com

p. 6/6contact@photline.com

V1, PT-March-2012