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

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

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:05pm

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Keysight Technologies has 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 new solutions include a Digital Communication Analyzer (DCA)-based test application for IEEE 802.3dj electrical and optical development, as well as a multimode DCA-M sampling oscilloscope supporting 224 Gbps or 112 GBd PAM4 measurement capability for multimode short-reach applications.

Why it matters

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. Keysight's new solutions aim to help engineers overcome these challenges and accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation data center interconnects.

The details

Keysight's new 224G test solutions include the 224G DCA Optical Transmitter Conformance Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj, which delivers high-fidelity, repeatable results on the DCA platform and supports the new N1093 DCA-M sampling oscilloscopes. The 224G DCA Electrical Transmitter Test Software for IEEE 802.3dj enables engineers to characterize transmitter behavior using half-rate clocking setups, ideal for early silicon, ASIC, and system validation. Additionally, the N1096 multimode DCA-M sampling oscilloscope supports 224 Gbps or 112 GBd PAM4 measurement capability for multimode short-reach applications.

  • Keysight introduced the new 224G test solutions on March 13, 2026.

The players

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

An American technology company that provides electronic design and test instruments, systems, and services.

Dr. Joachim Peerlings

The Vice President of Network and Data Center Solutions at Keysight.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Dr. Joachim Peerlings, Vice President of Network and Data Center Solutions

What’s next

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.

The takeaway

Keysight's new 224G test solutions aim to help engineers overcome the significant challenges of developing and deploying next-generation electrical and optical interconnects for AI data centers, enabling faster time-to-market and improved reliability for these critical infrastructure components.