Japanese test and measurement specialist Anritsu has unveiled what it calls the world’s first 145 GHz opto-electrical (O/E) reference calibration module, a move aimed at meeting the soaring performance demands of data centres being reshaped by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The new MN4765B-0140 module extends traceable measurement capability to 145 GHz — well beyond the 110 GHz limit of current US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards — marking a technical milestone in optical-electrical testing.
The company said the device will be critical as data-centre interconnects transition from 224 Gbps to 448 Gbps per lane in pursuit of 1.6 terabit-per-second (1.6T) throughput.
When paired with Anritsu’s VectorStar ME7838D 145 GHz vector network analyser, the module creates what the firm claims is the only fully traceable system for verifying the performance of high-speed optical components such as transmitter, receiver, and bi-directional optical sub-assemblies used in next-generation coherent optics.
Anritsu said the MN4765B-0140 offers a reference photodetector covering frequencies from 70 kHz to 145 GHz at the 1550 nm wavelength, providing what it described as the widest commercially available calibration range. The company has secured traceability to a recognised national metrology institute, a key differentiator for customers seeking verified measurement accuracy at extreme frequencies.
“The AI revolution is demanding a massive leap in data-centre interconnect speeds, making the 145 GHz bandwidth non-negotiable for 1.6T deployment,” a company spokesperson said. “The MN4765B-0140 eliminates measurement uncertainty at these critical frequencies. Coupled with our VectorStar platform, customers gain a cost-effective tool with a simple upgrade path and superior measurement speed.”
Anritsu, which employs about 3,500 people in more than 90 countries, said the MN4765B-0140 is available for order immediately.
The development underscores growing investment in high-frequency testing infrastructure as component makers and cloud operators race to address the data-transfer bottlenecks posed by AI workloads. Competitors have offered high-end analysers, but Anritsu’s solution is currently the only system with a 145 GHz reference calibration module, allowing traceable verification across the full opto-electronic bandwidth range.
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