Highland Technology Launched Model J736 Converter
The new optical-to-electrical converter provides signal conversion up to 15 MHz for high-speed instrumentation.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Semiconductors
Highland Technology has released the Model J736, a high-voltage optical-to-electrical converter designed for stable, high-strength signal processing. The device is now available for specialized electronic and fiber-optic instrumentation tasks.
Why it matters
The J736 provides a solution for systems requiring precise conversion of fiber-coupled signals into high-voltage electrical outputs. It specifically addresses the need for low-jitter performance in high-impedance industrial and research signal paths.
The J736 supports signal frequencies from DC to over 15 MHz, offering output amplitudes up to 20 V for high-impedance loads and 10 V for 50-ohm loads. It utilizes a T577 GaN output driver to achieve 1 nanosecond rise and fall times, maintaining jitter below 10 picoseconds RMS.
The players
Highland Technology
A developer of specialized precision instruments including high-speed fiber-optic links and high-voltage pulse generators for physics and engineering research.
The details
The J736 functions by converting incoming fiber-coupled optical signals—data transmitted via pulses of light through glass strands—into electrical signals. Users set analog input thresholds and output voltage levels using trimpots, which are small adjustable resistors. The device supports two wavelength ranges, specifically 850 nm and 1310 nm to 1550 nm, and uses a T577 GaN (gallium nitride) output driver to manage power efficiency at high voltages.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The Model J736 was introduced to the market.
The Tech Race
The J736 marks an incremental expansion of Highland Technology’s existing high-voltage converter portfolio. It remains backward compatible with the J720 and J724 units, positioning the new model as an upgraded component within the firm's established instrumentation ecosystem.
Engineers working on high-voltage test benches can now integrate the J736 to replace older signal conversion workflows that struggle with high-impedance loads. It supports both multi-mode and single-mode fiber configurations, though specific availability timelines for end-users remain unannounced.
The takeaway
The J736 demonstrates a shift toward integrating GaN-based drivers into fiber-to-electrical conversion chains for better edge control. Professionals in high-speed instrumentation should monitor the manufacturer's product catalog for technical white papers detailing the J736 performance across various cable lengths.
Further reading
For broader context on current hardware developments, see the latest updates in Semiconductors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Microwave Journal.
