Anritsu AF4B116AA75L Pump Laser Diode Module

Overview

The Anritsu AF4B116AA75L is a high-reliability, telecom-grade pump laser diode module engineered for precision excitation of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) in optical communication systems. Operating at a nominal wavelength of 1475 ± 15 nm, this Fabry–Pérot laser diode (FP-LD) delivers stable, narrow-spectrum output optimized for the primary absorption band of Er³⁺ ions in silica-based gain fiber. Its design adheres to fundamental principles of semiconductor laser physics—utilizing a cleaved-facet resonant cavity to generate coherent light via stimulated emission under forward bias. The module integrates critical subsystems within a hermetically sealed 14-pin butterfly package: a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) for active temperature stabilization (±0.1 °C control), a built-in photodiode (PD) for real-time optical power monitoring, and an integrated optical isolator to suppress back-reflected light—a requirement for maintaining amplifier stability and preventing mode hopping or catastrophic optical damage (COD). Designed for continuous-wave (CW) operation in demanding metro and long-haul DWDM infrastructure, the AF4B116AA75L meets the stringent lifetime and failure-rate thresholds defined in Telcordia GR-468-CORE Issue 4, ensuring >1 million hours MTTF under accelerated life testing conditions.

Key Features

• High-output FP-LD architecture delivering up to 650 mW optical power in 10 mW increments, enabling precise gain calibration across EDFA stages
• Center wavelength tightly controlled at 1475 ± 15 nm—aligned with the peak absorption cross-section of Er³⁺ at room temperature
• Integrated TEC and thermistor enable closed-loop thermal management, minimizing wavelength drift (< 0.01 nm/°C) and power variation (< ±1.5% over 0–70 °C ambient)
• Monitor photodiode with calibrated responsivity (typ. 0.85 A/W) provides traceable feedback for automatic power control (APC) loops
• Hermetic 14-pin butterfly housing includes internal polarization-independent isolator (≥30 dB isolation @ 1475 nm) to meet IEC 61280-2-9 requirements for amplifier input protection
• RoHS-compliant construction with lead-free soldering and halogen-free encapsulants, certified per Directive 2011/65/EU
• Compatible with industry-standard fiber types: ITU-T G.652.D single-mode fiber (SMF) and G.657.A1/B2 polarization-maintaining fiber (PMF)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The AF4B116AA75L is qualified for integration into Class 1M laser products per IEC 60825-1:2014 and complies with safety requirements for embedded use in optical line terminals (OLTs), reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), and CATV distribution nodes. Its spectral stability and low relative intensity noise (RIN < −145 dB/Hz, typical) support conformance with ITU-T G.698.2 (amplifier interface specifications) and GR-1312-CORE (optical component reliability). The module undergoes full burn-in and screening per Telcordia GR-468-CORE, including HAST (highly accelerated stress test), temperature cycling (−40 °C to +85 °C, 1000 cycles), and mechanical shock (1500 g, 0.5 ms). It supports standard fiber connectors including FC/APC, SC/APC, and LC/APC—each qualified to IEC 61753-1 Category C (controlled environment) performance thresholds.

Software & Data Management

While the AF4B116AA75L operates as a hardware-level optical source, its embedded monitor PD and TEC interfaces are compatible with industry-standard driver platforms such as Anritsu’s MN9610B LD controller and third-party OEM modules supporting analog voltage-controlled current sources (0–2.5 V input for 0–1000 mA drive) and dual-loop PID regulation. Digital telemetry data—including case temperature, drive current, and monitored photocurrent—is accessible via analog outputs compliant with IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) boundary-scan protocols when integrated into larger system-on-module (SoM) architectures. Firmware-agnostic analog interfaces ensure compatibility with laboratory automation frameworks (e.g., LabVIEW, Python PyVISA) and support audit-ready logging per FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when deployed in GLP/GMP-certified test environments.

Applications

• Primary pump source for C-band and L-band EDFAs in terrestrial and submarine optical transmission systems
• Benchtop characterization of gain flatness, noise figure, and transient response in multi-stage amplifier chains
• Calibration reference for optical power meters (e.g., Anritsu MA24105A, 5P100-FC) and OTDRs (e.g., MU909815C, MU909014A)
• Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) suppression testing via controlled linewidth broadening
• Reliability validation of hybrid photonic integrated circuits (PICs) requiring stable 1480-nm excitation
• Field-deployable test sets for fiber plant commissioning and maintenance (paired with S251B/S332D cable analyzers)

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable reverse voltage for the AF4B116AA75L?
The absolute maximum reverse voltage is 2 V. Exceeding this may cause permanent junction degradation.
Is the module compatible with automatic temperature control (ATC) systems?
Yes—the integrated TEC and NTC thermistor support closed-loop ATC using standard PID controllers with 10 kΩ NTC lookup tables.
Does the monitor PD output require external amplification?
No—output is designed for direct connection to 50 Ω terminated inputs; typical photocurrent ranges from 10 µA to 1.2 mA at rated power.
Can this module be used in pulsed operation mode?
It is specified and qualified only for CW operation; pulsed driving voids Telcordia compliance and may induce facet damage.
What fiber pigtail options are available from factory configuration?
Standard configurations include 1.5 m length G.652.D SMF with FC/APC connector; custom PMF pigtails (G.657.A1, 0.25 mm OD, UV-coated) are available under OEM agreement.