Keysight Introduces New 224G Test Solutions to Enable 1.6T Optical Network Validation

Key Terms

tdecq technical

TDECQ is a standardized technical score that measures how much a high-speed optical transmitter’s signal has been distorted as it travels through fiber, similar to rating how blurry a camera picture becomes after being transmitted. Investors care because a lower (better) TDECQ indicates a product meets industry performance standards and is more likely to be accepted by network operators, which affects a supplier’s competitiveness, warranty risk and potential revenue from telecom equipment sales.

tdecq codeword error ratio technical

TDECQ codeword error ratio measures how often blocks of digital data (codewords) still contain errors after the receiver’s built‑in correction when using high‑speed optical links. Think of it as counting how many pages of a fax still have mistakes after the machine tries to fix smudges; a higher ratio means poorer link quality. For investors, it signals product performance, compliance with industry standards, and potential customer satisfaction or replacement costs.

dca-m technical

A monthly dollar-cost averaging strategy where an investor commits a fixed amount of money each month to buy a particular stock, fund, or other asset. Like buying the same size scoop of ice cream regardless of price, this approach spreads purchases over time so you avoid trying to time the market and reduce the impact of short-term price swings. For investors, it smooths entry risk, enforces disciplined saving, and can lower the average price paid over long periods.

sampling oscilloscope technical

A sampling oscilloscope is a test instrument that measures extremely fast, repeating electrical signals by taking tiny snapshots over many cycles and stitching them together to recreate the full waveform, like assembling a slow-motion video from single frames captured at different moments. Investors care because these instruments are essential for developing and validating high-speed electronics, fiber optics and semiconductor devices; sales or shortages can signal demand, technological progress, or production bottlenecks in connected industries.

pam4 technical

PAM4 is a digital signaling method that sends information by using four distinct voltage or light levels instead of the usual two, letting each transmitted symbol carry two bits of data. Think of it like a radio knob with four clear positions instead of just on/off; it boosts transmission speed without needing extra wires or spectrum but is harder to read reliably, so it matters to investors because it drives demand for higher-performance chips, better cables and optics, and can affect product costs, margins and upgrade cycles in networking and data-center markets.

asic technical

ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator that enforces rules for companies, financial advisers and market operators; think of it as the referee and rulebook keeper for financial activity. It matters to investors because ASIC’s oversight, investigations and enforcement actions affect company credibility, legal risk and market fairness—actions that can change stock prices, investor confidence and the safety of financial products.

Solutions provide end-to-end electrical and optical validation from R&D through high-volume manufacturing

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today introduced new 224G test solutions that expand its 1.6T end-to-end portfolio, addressing the growing R&D validation and manufacturing challenges of next-generation electrical and optical interconnects for AI data centers.

The N1096A and N1096B DCA-M Optical Sampling Oscilloscopes empower engineers to characterize 224 Gbps multimode optical waveforms, supporting next-generation optical interconnect development.

As AI workloads drive unprecedented scale-up and scale-out architectures, data center networks are rapidly transitioning to 224G electrical lanes and 1.6T optical modules. These advances introduce significant challenges across the development lifecycle, including signal integrity at extreme data rates, tighter compliance margins, and the need for efficient, repeatable testing in high-volume manufacturing.

Engineers require integrated, standards-compliant solutions that reduce test complexity while ensuring interoperability, reliability, and yield as networks scale. The new Digital Communication Analyzer (DCA)-based test applications support IEEE 802.3dj electrical and optical development from early validation through production testing. Together, they enable engineers to move faster from bring‑up and characterization to compliance readiness, reducing design risk and accelerating time‑to‑market for next‑generation 224G‑per‑lane data center and AI interconnects.

The new 1.6T optical and electrical solutions portfolio includes:

224G DCA Optical Transmitter Conformance Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj
Keysight N1095DJCA is an IEEE 802.3dj-aligned optical transmitter conformance test application developed to support conformal optical measurements as designs mature. The application delivers high-fidelity, repeatable results on the DCA platform and supports the new N1093 DCA-M sampling oscilloscopes, enabling higher sensitivity and improved measurement margin for next-generation optical interfaces.

• Correlates optical transmitter quality metrics, Transmitter and Dispersion Eye Closure Quaternary (TDECQ) and TDECQ Codeword Error Ratio (TDECQ-CER), across R&D and pre-production environments.
• Reduces debug and validation time through an automated characterization workflow for 1.6T single-mode optical transceivers aligned with IEEE 802.3dj test methodology.
• Ensures standards-compliant optical performance with high-sensitivity measurements that preserve margin at 224G data rates.
• Delivers comprehensive measurement reports, transforming complex data into customer-ready reports in seconds.

224G DCA Electrical Transmitter Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj
Keysight N1091DJPA is an IEEE 802.3dj electrical validation application designed for R&D debug environments. It enables engineers to characterize transmitter behavior using half-rate clocking setups, making it ideal for early silicon, ASIC, and system validation. The application is ideal for uncovering margin, isolating issues, and informing design decisions quickly.

• Accelerates electrical testing by guiding users through setup and configuration with an application-driven workflow that eliminates manual complexities.
• The 224G electrical validation solution features the Keysight DCA-X wide-bandwidth sampling oscilloscope and DCA-M clock recovery modules, reducing overall test time.

224G Multimode DCA-M Sampling Oscilloscope
The N1096 multimode DCA-M supports the high-speed demands of AI-driven data centers, offering 224 Gbps or 112 GBd PAM4 measurement capability for multimode (MM) short-reach applications for next-generation AI infrastructure.

• Accelerates 224 Gbps multimode optical development with high-bandwidth measurement capability, enabling direct waveform validation beyond previously measurable limits.
• Enables the development of next-generation multimode optical components and modules of 1.6T interconnects for AI applications.
• Expedites 1.6T multimode optical transceiver development from initial R&D to early manufacturing readiness.

Dr. Joachim Peerlings, Vice President of Network and Data Center Solutions at Keysight, said: “As the industry moves rapidly toward 224G and 1.6T interconnects, customers need test solutions that span electrical and optical domains while scaling seamlessly from R&D to manufacturing. These new solutions reinforce Keysight’s commitment to enabling reliable, high-performance AI data center networks.”

Keysight will showcase its expanded 224G portfolio at OFC 2026, demonstrating end-to-end electrical and optical test workflows that support next-generation data center interconnects.

Resources

• Product Page: DCA Optical Transmitter Conformance Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj
• Product Page: DCA Electrical Transmitter Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj
• Product Page: DCA-M Sampling Oscilloscopes

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we’re delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product lifecycle. We’re a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.

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Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.