Agilent 8164A Users Guide

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Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter,

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, &

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System

User’s Guide

Notices

This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved.

No part of this document may reproduced in (including electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language) w ithout prior a greement and written co nsent from Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH as governed by United States and international copywright laws.

Subject Matter

The material in this document is subject to change without notice.

Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard

to this printe d material, inc luding, but no t limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Printing History

New editions are complete revisions of the guide reflecting alterations in the func tionality of th e instrume nt. Updates are occasionally made to the guide between editions. The date on the title page changes when an updated guide is published. To find out the current revision of the guide, or to purchase an updated guide, contact your Agilent Technologies representative.

Control Serial Number: Fi rst Edition applies directl y to all instruments.

Certification

Agilent Technologi es Inc. certifie s that this product met its published specifications at the time of shipment from the factory.

Agilent Technologies further certifies that its cali bration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Sta ndards and Technology, NIST (formerly the United State s National Bu reau of Standa rds, NBS) to the extent allowed by t he Institute s’s calibration fac ility, and to the calibration faci lities of other Interna tional Standard s Organization members.

ISO 9001 Certification

Produced to ISO 9001 international quality system standard as part of our objective of continually increasing customer satisfaction through improved process control.

Fourth Edition: 08164-91011 E0300

First Edition: E0599: May 1999

Second E dition: E1299: December 1999

Third Editio n: E0100: January 2000

Fourth Edit ion: E0300: March 2000

Warranty

This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date of shipment. D uring the warranty period, Agilent will, at its op tion, either repair or replace produc ts that prov e to be defective.

For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service faci lity designate d by Agile nt. Buyer sh all prepay shippin g charge s to Agile nt and Agi lent sha ll pay shi pping charges to return the prod uct to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent from another country.

Agilent warrants that its software and firmware designated by Agilent for use with an instrument will execute its programming instruction s when properl y installed on that ins trument. Agile nt does not warrant that the operation of the instrument, software, or firmware will be un interrupted o r error free.

Limitation of Warranty

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or maintenance.

No other warranty is expressed or implied. Agilent Technologies specifically disclaims th e implied war ranties of M erchantabilit y and Fitness for a Particular Purpose.

Exclusive Remedies

The remedies provided herein are Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory.

Assistance

Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are available for Agilent Technologies products. For any assistance contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office.

2 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Safety Considerations

The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of

operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to comply with these

precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety

standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Agilent

Technologies Inc. assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with

these requirements.

General This is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earth

terminal) and has been manufactured and tested according to international safety

standards.

Before operation, you should review the instrument and manual for safety

markings and instructions. You must follow these to ensure safe operation and to

maintain the instrument in safe condition.

Some Agilent 8164A circuits and some Agilent 8166A circuits are powered

whenever the instrument is connected to the AC power source. To disconnect

from the line power, disconnect the power cord either at the rear power inlet or at

the AC line power source (receptacle). One of these must always be accessible. If

the instrument is in a cabinet, it must be disconnected from the line power by the

system’s line power switch.

WARNING To avoid hazardous electrical shock, do not perform electrical tests when there

are signs of shipping damage to any portion of the outer enclosure (covers,

panels, and so on).

Line Power Requirements

The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter can operate from the single-phase AC

power source that supplies between 100 V and 240 V at a frequency in the range

50 to 60 Hz. The maximum power consumption is 120 VA with all options

installed.

The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System can operate from any

single-phase AC power source that supplies between 100 V and 240 V at a

frequency in the range from 50 to 60 Hz. The maximum power consumption is

270 VA with all options installed.

The Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multi-Channel System can operate from any

single-phase AC power source that supplies between 100 V and 240 V at a

frequency in the range from 50 to 60 Hz. The maximum power consumption is

450 VA with all options installed.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Line Power Cable

In accordance with international safety standards, the instrument has a three-wire

power cable. When connected to an appropriate AC power receptacle, this cable

earths the instrument cabinet. The type of power cable shipped with each

instrument depends on the country of destination. Please refer to the figure below

for the part numbers of available power cables.

WARNING To avoid the possibility of injury or death, you must observe the following

precautions before switching on the instrument.

If this instrument is to be energized via an autotransformer for voltage reduction,

ensure that the Common terminal connects to the earth pole of the power source.

• Insert the power cable plug only into a socket outlet provided with a protective

earth contact. Do not negate this protective action by the using an extension

cord without a protective conductor.

• Before switching on the instrument, the protective earth terminal of the

instrument must be connected to a protective conductor. You can do this by

using the power cord supplied with the instrument.

• Do not interrupt the protective earth connection intentionally.

The following work must be carried out by a qualified electrician. All local

electrical codes must be strictly observed. If the plug on the cable does not fit the

power outlet, or if the cable is to be attached to a terminal block, cut the cable at

the plug end and rewire it.

The color coding used in the cable depends on the cable supplied. If you are

connecting a new plug, it should meet the local safety requirements and include

the following features:

• Adequate load-carrying capacity (see table of specifications).

• Ground connection.

• Cable clamp.

4 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Operating Environment

WARNING The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave

Measurement System, and Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multichannel System are

not designed for outdoor use. To prevent potential fire or shock hazard, do not

expose the instrument to rain or other excessive moisture.

Input/Output Signals

CAUTION There are two input BNC connectors: the Remote Interlock Connector and the

Trigger Input, see page 202. These are TTL inputs. A maximum of 5 V can be

applied as an external voltage to either of these input connectors.

There is one output BNC connector: the Trigger Output, see page 202. This is a

TTL output. Do not apply an external voltage to this connector.

Additional Safety Requirements

Operation - Before applying power Comply with the installation section.

Additionally, the following shall be observed:

• Do not remove instrument covers when operating.

• Before the instrument is switched on, all protective earth terminals, extension

cords, auto-transformers and devices connected to it should be connected to a

protective earth via a ground socket. Any interruption of the protective earth

grounding will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in serious

personal injury.

• Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired, the instrument

must be made inoperative and be secured against any unintended operation.

• There is no user-replaceable fuse in this instrument. The use of repaired fuses

and the short-circuiting of fuseholders must be avoided.

• Adjustments described in the manual are performed with power supplied to the

instrument while protective covers are removed. Be aware that energy at many

points may, if contacted, result in personal injury.

• Any adjustments, maintenance, and repair of the opened instrument under

voltage should be avoided as much as possible, and when unavoidable, should

be carried out only by a skilled person who is aware of the hazard involved. Do

not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person, capable of

rendering first aid and resuscitation is present. Do not replace components with

power cable connected.

• Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.

Operation of any electrical instrument in such an environment constitutes a

definite safety hazard.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

• Do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the

instrument.

• Be aware that capacitors inside the instrument may still be charged even if the

instrument has been disconnected from its source of supply.

• You MUST return instruments with malfunctioning laser boxes to an Agilent

Technologies Sales/Service Center for repair and calibration.

Safety Symbols

The apparatus will be marked with this symbol when it is necessary for the user to

refer to the instruction manual in order to protect the apparatus against damage.

Caution, risk of electric shock.

Frame or chassis terminal.

Protective conductor terminal.

Hazardous laser radiation.

Magnetic fields may interfere with a pacemaker.

WARNING The WARNING sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice

or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury

or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated

conditions are fully understood and met.

CAUTION The CAUTION sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure,

practice or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result

in damage to or destruction of part or all of the equipment. Do not proceed

beyond a CAUTION sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and

met.

6 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Laser Safety Information

Initial Safety Information for Laser Source Modules

Table 1 Standard Laser Source Modules Laser Safety Information

Agilent 81650A Agilent 81651A Agilent 81652A Agilent 81654A

Laser type FP-Laser

InGaAsP

Wavelength (±15nm) 1310 nm 1550 nm 1550/1625 nm 1310/1550 nm

Max. CW output power* <1 mW <1 mW <1 mW <1 mW Beam waist diameter 9 µm9 µm9 µm9 µm

Numerical aperture 0.10.10.10.1

Laser Class according to IEC 60825-1 (1998)- International

Max. permissible CW output power - IEC** 8.9 mW 10 mW 10 mW 8.9 mW/10 mW

Laser Class according to FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 (1995) - USA

Max. permissible CW output power - FDA** 2 mW 8.1 mW 8.1 mW 2 mW/8.1 mW

* Max. CW output power is defined as the highest possible optical power that the laser source can produce at its output connector. ** Max. permissible CW output power is the highest optical power that is permitted within the appropriate laser class.

1111

IIII

FP-Laser InGaAsP

Table 2 High Power Laser Source Modules Laser Safety Information

Agilent 81655A Agilent 81656A Agilent 81657A

Laser Type FP-Laser

InGaAsP

Wavelength (±15nm) 1310 nm 1550 nm 1310/1550 nm

Max. CW output power* <28 mW <28 mW <28 mW Beam waist diameter 9 µm9 µm9 µm

Numerical aperture 0.1 0.1 0.1

Laser Class according to IEC 60825-1 (1998)- International

Max. permissible CW output power - IEC** 28.5 mW 50 mW 28.5 mW/50 mW

Laser Class according to FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 (1995) - USA

Max. permissible CW output power - FDA** 500 mW 500 mW 500 mW

3A 3A 3A

IIIb IIIb IIIb

FP-Laser InGaAsP

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Initial Safety Information for Tunable Laser Modules

Table 3 Tunable Laser Modules Laser Safety Information

Agilent 81680A Agilent 81682A Agilent 81640A Agilent 81689A

Laser Type FP-Laser

InGaAsP

Wavelength range 1400-1670 nm 1400-1670 nm 1400-1670 nm 1400-1670 nm

Max. CW output power* <15 mW <15 mW <15 mW <15 mW Beam waist diameter 9 µm9 µm9 µm9 µm

Numerical aperture 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Laser Class according to IEC 60825-1 (1998)- International

Max. permissible CW output power - IEC** 50 mW 50 mW 50 mW 50 mW

Laser Class according to FDA 21 CFR 1040.10 (1995) - USA

Max. permissible CW output power - FDA** 500 mW 500 mW 500 mW 500 mW

3A 3A 3A 3A

IIIb IIIb IIIb IIIb

FP-Laser InGaAsP

Laser Safety Labels - 28 mW Max. CW Output Power

Figure 1 USA Safety Labels (81655A, 81656A, 81657A)

8 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Figure 2 Non-USA Safety Labels (81655A, 81656A, 81657A)

A sheet of laser safety labels is included with the laser module. You MUST stick

the labels in the local language onto the outside of the instrument, in a position

where they are clearly visible to anyone using the instrument.

Laser Safety Labels - 15 mW Max. CW Output Power

These laser safety warning labels are fixed on the outside of the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System before shipment.

Figure 3 USA Safety Labels (81640A, 81680A, 81682A, 81689A)

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

These laser safety warning labels are fixed on the outside of the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System before shipment.

Figure 4 Non-USA Safety Labels (81640A, 81680A, 81682A, 81689A)

A sheet of laser safety labels is included with the laser module. You MUST stick

the labels in the local language onto the outside of the instrument, in a position

where they are clearly visible to anyone using the instrument.

Further Safety Information

WARNING Please pay attention to the following laser safety warnings:

• Under no circumstances look into the end of an optical cable attached to the

optical output when the device is operational. The laser radiation can seriously

damage your eyesight.

• Do not enable the laser when there is no fiber attached to the optical output

connector.

• The laser is enabled by pressing the gray button close to the optical output

connector on the front panel of the module. The laser is on when the green

LED on the front panel of the instrument is lit.

• The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

• The laser module has a built-in safety circuitry which will disable the optical

output in the case of a fault condition.

WARNING Refer Servicing only to qualified and authorized personnel.

10 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

The Structure of this Manual

This manual is divided into 3 sections:

• Getting Started

This section gives an introduction to the instrument and aims to make the

instrument familiar to you:

– “Getting Started” on page 29 and

– “Additional Information” on page 53.

• How to Use Modules and Applications

This section gives information on how to control modules from the front panel:

– “Power Measurement” on page 69,

– “Laser Sources” on page 91,

– “Tunable Lasers” on page 101,

– “Return Loss Measurement” on page 131, and

– “Applications” on page 153.

• Additional Information

This section gives the following supporting information of a non-operational

nature:

– “Installation and Maintenance” on page 199,

– “Accessories” on page 223,

– “Specifications” on page 233,

– “Performance Tests” on page 245,

– “Cleaning Instructions” on page 265, and

– “Firmware Upgrades” on page 285.

Conventions used in this Manual

• Hardkeys are indicated by italics, for example, Config, or Channel.

• Softkeys are indicated by normal text enclosed in square brackets, for example,

[Zoom] or [Cancel].

• Parameters are indicated by italics enclosed by square brackets, for example,

[Range Mode], or [MinMax Mode].

• Menu items are indicated by italics enclosed in brackets, for example,

<MinMax>, or <Continuous>.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

12 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Safety Considerations 3

Line Power Requirements 3

Line Power Cable 4

Operating Environment 5

Input/Output Signals 5

Additional Safety Requirements 5

Safety Symbols 6

Laser Safety Information 7

Initial Safety Information for Laser Source Modules 7

Initial Safety Information for Tunable Laser Modules 8

Laser Safety Labels - 28 mW Max. CW Output Power 8

Laser Safety Labels - 15 mW Max. CW Output Power 9

Further Safety Information 10

The Structure of this Manual 11

Conventions used in this Manual 11

Contents

Contents 13

Figures 23

Tables 27

Getting Started 29

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter 31

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System 32 Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System 33

A Description of the User Interface 34

Password 35

If You Forget Your Password 35

User Interface Features 35

Introducing Softkeys 35

Introducing Hardkeys 36

Special Module States 36

Slot and Channel Numbers 36

How to Navigate/Modify the Display 37

Overview Screen 37

How to Use the Cursor Key 39

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Contents

How to Use the Numerical Keypad 39

How to Use the Modify Knob 39

How to Change Channel 40

How to Access the Details Screen 40

How to Access the Menu 42

How to Change the System Configuration 43

How to Get Help 44

How to Access Applications 45

How to Change the Value of a Parameter 46

How to Select a Parameter 46 How to Accept the New Value of a Parameter 46 How to Make a Big Change to a Continuous Parameter 47 How to Make a Small Change to a Continuous Parameter 47 How to Change a Discrete Parameter 48 How to Set All Parameters to Their Default Values 49 If You Make a Mistake 49 If the Parameter Changes to Different Value 49

A Sample Session 50

How to Measure the Power of a Modulated Signal 50

Additional Information 53

Using the System Utilities 55

How to Set the Backlight & Contrast 56

To Set the Contrast 56

To Set the Backlight 56

How to Set the Date & Time 57 How to Set the GPIB Address 58 How to Select the Printer Type 59 How to Lock/Unlock the High-Power Laser Sources 60 How to Change the Password 61 If You Forget Your Password 62 How to Set the Trigger Configuration 62 How to Configure your Foot Pedal 63 How to Get Information About Modules 63 How to Get Information About the Mainframe 65

How to Connect an External Monitor 66

How to Connect a Printer 67

Power Measurement 69

How to Measure Power 71

The Power Value 71

How to Set the Number of Digits 71

14 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

How to Set the Power Unit 71

What are the Power Units ? 72

How to Set the Calibration Offset 73 How to Set the Reference Level 74

How to Input a Reference Level 74

How to Set the Reference Value to the Current Power Value 74

How to Reference Another Power Measurement Channel 75

How to Set the Wavelength 76 How to Remove Electrical Offsets 76 How to Choose the Range Mode 79 How to Set the Range 80

Upper Power Limit and Resolution 83

How to Set the Averaging Time 84 How to Choose the MinMax Mode 84 How to Turn Off MinMax Mode 86 How to Hold the Screen 87 How to Use Triggers 88

How to Trigger Power Measurements 88

How to Use Output Triggering 89

Dual Power Meters - Master and Slave Channels 90

Contents

Laser Sources 91

How to Use Laser Source Modules 93

The Laser Wavelength Value 93

Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Modules 93

How to Enable/Disable Laser Output 94 How to Set Attenuation 95 How to Modulate the Optical Output 95

How to Change Modulation Source 95

How to Disable Modulation 96

How to Use the Internal Modulation 96

How to Set the Frequency of a Modulated Signal 96

How to Set the Modulation Mode 96

How to Increase Linewidth 96

How to Modulate Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Modules 97

How to Use Triggers 98

How to Use Output Triggering 98

Tunable Lasers 101

What is a Tunable Laser ? 103 How to Set the Power 103

How to Set the Output Power of a CW Signal 104

How to Set Output Power 104

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Contents

How to Set the Optical Output 104

How to Set the Optical Output 106

How to Enable the Optical Output 106

How to Set Power and Attenuation 106

What is Excessive Power ? 108 How to Set the Laser to the Dark Position 108 The Analog Output 109

How to Set the BNC Output Line Mode as an Analog Output 110

How to Set the Wavelength 110

Wavelength Range 110 How to Set the Wavelength Directly 111 How to Set a Relative Wavelength 111

How to Change the Output Wavelength 112

How to Set the Base Wavelength 112

How to Change the Frequency Offset 112

How to Perform a Wavelength Sweep 112

What is a Wavelength Sweep ? 112 How to Set the Wavelength Sweep 113

The Sweep Parameters 113

How to Set the Repeat Mode 113

How to Set the Maximum Power for the Sweep Range 114

How to Perform a Sweep 114

How to Execute a Stepped Sweep 114

How to Execute a Continuous Sweep 116

How to Perform a Manual Sweep 118

How to Modulate a Signal 119

How to Use the Internal Modulation 119

How to Set the Output Power of a Modulated Signal 120

How to Set the Frequency of a Modulated Signal 120

How to Set the Modulation Mode 120

How to Use External Modulation 120

External Digital Modulation 120

External Analog Modulation 121

Wavelength Locking 122

External Digital Modulation using Input Trigger Connector 123

How to Increase Linewidth 124

How to Set the Output Power of a Modulated Signal 124

How to Configure the Modulation Output 124

How to Set the BNC Output Line Mode as a Modulation Output 124

How to Set the Modulation Output Mode 125

How to Use Triggers 125

How to Use Input Triggering 125 How to Use Output Triggering 126

How to Use Auxiliary Functions 128

16 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Automatic Realignment 128 How to Perform a Wavelength Zero 128

Return Loss Measurement 131

Getting Started With Return Loss 133

What is Return Loss ? 133 What is Insertion Loss ? 134 How to Choose a Light Source 134 Taking Calibration Measurements 135

How to Make Return Loss Measurements with the HP 81534A Return Loss Module135

Calibrating a Reference Cable 135

Calibrating the Return Loss Module 137

Measuring the Reflection Reference 138

Measuring the Termination Parameter 139

Measuring the Return Loss of the Reference Cable 139

Calibrating the HP 81534A Return Loss Module using a Reference Cable140

Measuring the Reflection Reference using a Reference Cable 140

Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the Reference Cable 141

Measuring the Termination Parameter using a Reference Cable 141

Measuring the Front Panel Delta 142

Measuring the Return Loss 142

Measuring the Insertion Loss 143

Viewing the Calibration Values 143

Contents

A Background to Return Loss Measurement with the HP 81534A145

Measuring the Reflected Power from a Component with Known Reflection Factor145 Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the Reflection Reference146 Measuring the Power when there are No Reflections 146 Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the Measurement Cable146 Measuring the Reflections from the DUT 147 Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the DUT 147 Calculating the Return Loss of the DUT 148 Calculating the Front Panel Delta 149 Calculating the Insertion Loss of the DUT 151

Applications 153

Working with Application Graphs 155

How to Set Markers 156 How to Zoom In 156 How to Zoom Out 156 To Switch the Grid On/Off 157 How to Use Legends 157

How to Identify Curves 157

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Contents

How to Change the Legend Label 157

How to Select the Samples Display 158 How to Read Curve Values 160

How to Lock Markers to the Curve 161

How to Unlock Markers from the Curve 161

How to Lock/Unlock Markers to Samples 162

The Logging Application 164

How to Set Up a Logging Function 165

Selecting/Deselecting Power Meters 166

Setting Power Meter Parameters 166

Setting Logging Parameter 168

Running a Logging Application 168 Analysing a Logging Application 170

Setting Analysis Parameters 171

Viewing the Statistics for a Power Meter Channel 172

On-Screen Messages 173

The Stability Application 173

How to Set Up a Stability Function 174

Selecting/Deselecting Power Meters 175

Setting Power Meter Parameters 176

Setting Stability Parameter 177

Running a Stability Application 178 Analysing a Stability Application 179

Setting Analysis Parameters 180

Viewing the Statistics for a Power Meter Channel 181

On-Screen Messages 182

The PACT Application 182

What is the PACT ? 182 How to Set Up PACT 183

Selecting a Tunable Laser Module 183

Selecting/Deselecting Power Meters 184

Setting Sweep Parameters 184

How to Measure the Reference 185 How to Perform a Loss Measurement 188 Analysing a PACT Measurement 191 On-Screen Messages 192

The Pmax Curve 193

What is the Pmax Curve ? 193 How to View the Pmax Curve 193

Recording Measurement Results 194

Printing Application Measurement Results 194 Saving Application Measurement Results to Diskette 196

18 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Installation and Maintenance 199

Safety Considerations 201 Initial Inspection 201

AC Line Power Supply Requirements 202

Line Power Cable 202 Changing the Battery 205 Changing the Fuse 205

Operating and Storage Environment 205

Temperature 206 Humidity 206 Storage and Shipment 206 Instrument Cooling 206

Operating Position 207

Storage Position 208 Carrying the Instrument 209

Contents

Using Modules 210

How to Fit and Remove Modules 210

How to Remove a Front-Loadable Module 210

How to Fit a Front-Loadable Module 211

How to Remove a Back-Loadable Module 211

How to Fit a Back-Loadable Module 213

Adding a Connector Interface 215 Protecting Empty Module Slots 215

Fitting Blind Panels for Front-Loadable Module Slots 215

Fitting a Filler Module for Back-Loadable Module Slots 216

Input and Output Connectors 216

The Remote Interlock (RIL) connector 218

GPIB Interface 219

Cables and Adapters 219 Connector 219

GPIB Logic Levels 220 Claims and Repackaging 220

Return Shipments to Agilent Technologies 221 Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Offices 221

Accessories 223

Instrument and Options - Agilent 8163A 225

Modules 225

Instrument and Options - Agilent 8164A 226

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Contents

Modules 227 Agilent 81645A Filler Module 228 Options 228

Option 003 - Agilent 81682A 228

Option 021 - Agilent 81689A 228

Option 022 - Agilent 81689A 228

Option 071 - All Tunable Laser Source Modules 229

Option 072 - All Tunable Laser Source Modules 229

Instrument and Options - Agilent 8166A 229

Modules 229

HP 8153A Lightwave Multimeter Modules 231 GPIB Cables and Adapters 232

Specifications 233

Agilent 8163A Specifications 235

Ordering Information 235

Agilent 8164A Specifications. 236

Agilent 8166A Specifications 237

Ordering Information 237

Declaration of Conformity 238

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter 238

Supplementary Information 239

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System 240

Supplementary Information 241

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System 242

Supplementary Information 243

Performance Tests 245

Equipment Required 247 Test Record 247 Test Failure 248 Instruments Specifications 248

Performance Test Instructions 248

Display/Key Functional Test 249

Testing Hardkeys 249

Testing the Softkeys and the Cursor Key 250

Testing the Softkeys and the Enter Key 250

Testing the the Modify Knob 250

Testing the Number Keys 251

Module Interaction Test 251

Test of the Tunable Laser Module Channel (Slot 0) 252

GPIB Interface Test (Optional) 253

20 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Test Record 255

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter Performance Test 255

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System Performance Test257

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Performance Test261

Cleaning Instructions 265

Safety Precautions 267 Why is it important to clean optical devices ? 267

What do I need for proper cleaning? 268

Standard Cleaning Equipment 268

Dust and shutter caps 268

Isopropyl alcohol 268

Cotton swabs 269

Soft tissues 269

Pipe cleaner 269

Compressed air 270

Additional Cleaning Equipment 270

Microscope with a magnification range about 50X up to 300X 270

Ultrasonic bath 271

Warm water and liquid soap 271

Premoistened cleaning wipes 271

Polymer film 271

Infrared Sensor Card 272

Preserving Connectors 272

Contents

Cleaning Instrument Housings 273

Which Cleaning Procedure should I use ? 273 How to clean connectors 273

How to clean connector adapters 274 How to clean connector interfaces 275

How to clean bare fiber adapters 276 How to clean lenses 276

How to clean instruments with a fixed connector interface277 How to clean instruments with an optical glass plate 278

How to clean instruments with a physical contact interface278

How to clean instruments with a recessed lens interface279 How to clean optical devices which are sensitive to mechanical stress and pressure279

How to clean metal filters or attenuator gratings 280 Additional Cleaning Information 281

How to clean bare fiber ends 281 How to clean large area lenses and mirrors 281

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Contents

Other Cleaning Hints 282

Firmware Upgrades 285

Firmware Upgrade Process 287

How to Get a Firmware Upgrade 287

Receive a Support Disk with New Modules 287

Download Firmware Upgrade from Internet 287

How to Upgrade Firmware 288

How to Upgrade Firmware from the Internet 288

How to Upgrade Firmware from CD-ROM 288

Agilent 8163A Firmware Upgrade Procedure 289

Agilent 8164A Firmware Upgrade Procedure 289

Agilent 81640A/80A/82A Firmware Upgrade Procedure 290

Agilent 8166A Firmware Upgrade Procedure 291

Index 293

22 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Figures

Figure 1 USA Safety Labels (81655A, 81656A, 81657A) . . . . . . . 8

Figure 2 Non-USA Safety Labels (81655A, 81656A, 81657A) . . . . . . 9

Figure 3 USA Safety Labels (81640A, 81680A, 81682A, 81689A) . . . . . 9

Figure 4 Non-USA Safety Labels (81640A, 81680A, 81682A, 81689A) . . . . 10

Figure 5 The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter Mainframe. . . . . . 31

Figure 6 The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System Mainframe . . . 32 Figure 7 The Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Mainframe . . . 33 Figure 8 The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System User Interface . . 34

Figure 9 The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter User Interface . . . . . 35

Figure 10 The Agilent 8163A’s Overview Screen . . . . . . . . . 37

Figure 11 The Agilent 8164A’s Overview Screen . . . . . . . . . 38

Figure 12 The Agilent 8166A’s Overview Screen . . . . . . . . . 38

Figure 13 The Cursor Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 14 The Modify Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 15 The Agilent 8163A’s Details Screen for a Power Sensor Channel . . . 40 Figure 16 The Agilent 8164A’s Details Screen for a Tunable Laser Channel . . . 41 Figure 17 The Agilent 8166A’s Details Screen for a Power Sensor Channel . . . 41

Figure 18 The Agilent 8163A/6A Menu for a Power Sensor Channel . . . . . 42

Figure 19 The Agilent 8164A Menu for a Power Sensor Channel . . . . . 42

Figure 20 The Agilent 8163A System Configuration Menu . . . . . . . 43

Figure 21 The Agilent 8164A System Configuration Menu . . . . . . . 43

Figure 22 The Agilent 8164A Help Screen . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Figure 23 The Agilent 8164A Help Index . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Figure 24 The Applications Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 25 The First Digit Before the Decimal Point is Highlighted First . . . . 47

Figure 26 Averaging Time Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Figure 27 Connecting the Instrument for the Sample Session . . . . . . 51

Figure 28 The Agilent 8163A/6A System Configuration Menu . . . . . . 55

Figure 29 The Agilent 8164A System Configuration Menu . . . . . . . 55

Figure 30 Entering a Contrast Value . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Figure 31 Entering a Backlight Value . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 32 Editing the Date and the Time . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Figure 33 Entering a GPIB Address . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Figure 34 Selecting a Printer Type . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Figure 35 Unlocking the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Figure 36 Changing the Triggering Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Figure 37 Enabling/Disabling the Foot Pedal . . . . . . . . . . 63

Figure 38 Slots with Installed Modules . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 39 Viewing Information About a Module . . . . . . . . . 64

Figure 40 Viewing Information About the Mainframe . . . . . . . . 65

Figure 41 Rear Panel of the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System . . . 66

Figure 42 The Number of Digits Menu . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Figure 43 Selecting the Power Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Figure 44 Referencing Another Channel . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Figure 45 Module Channels that are Settling . . . . . . . . . . 77

Figure 46 Zeroing Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Figure 47 Zeroing Fails, if the Power Meter Receives Input Light. . . . . . 79

Figure 48 Auto-Range Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Figures

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Figures

Figure 49 Manual Range Mode - Within Range . . . . . . . . . 81

Figure 50 Out of Range - Power Greater Than Upper Power Limit . . . . . 81

Figure 51 Out of Range - Power Less Than Resolution . . . . . . . . 82

Figure 52 Range Value Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Figure 53 Measurements with Tavg £ 1 second . . . . . . . . . 84

Figure 54 The Window and Refresh Modes . . . . . . . . . . 85

Figure 55 MinMax Mode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Figure 56 Power Module Channel is Held - Overview Screen . . . . . . 87

Figure 57 Power Module Channel is Held - Details Screen . . . . . . . 87

Figure 58 Input Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Figure 59 Output Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Figure 60 Menu of Parameters for a Fixed Wavelength Laser Source . . . . 93

Figure 61 Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Outputs Both Wavelengths . . . . 94

Figure 62 The Power Sensor Details Screen . . . . . . . . . . 95

Figure 63 The Modulated Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Figure 64 Output Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Figure 65 Setting High Power parameters . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Figure 66 Setting Low SSE parameter . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Figure 67 Setting Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Figure 68 Excessive Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Figure 69 Output Power and the Analog Output in <Manual Att.> Mode . . . . 109

Figure 70 Specified and Permitted Wavelength Range . . . . . . . . 110

Figure 71 Setting a Relative Wavelength . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Figure 72 The Parameters for a Stepped Wavelength Sweep . . . . . . 113

Figure 73 Repeat Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Figure 74 Executing a Stepped Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Figure 75 Pausing a Stepped Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Figure 76 Performing a Manual Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Figure 77 The Modulated Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Figure 78 External Digital Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Figure 79 External Analog Modulation and Output Power . . . . . . . 122

Figure 80 Wavelength Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Figure 81 Input Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Figure 82 Output Trigger Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Figure 83 Realign Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Figure 84 l Zeroing Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Figure 85 Return Loss Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Figure 86 The Contents of the HP 81534A Return Loss Modules . . . . . 135

Figure 87 Return Loss Measurement Setup . . . . . . . . . . 136

Figure 88 Agilent 81634A Details Screen . . . . . . . . . . 137

Figure 89 Measuring the Reflection Reference. . . . . . . . . . 138

Figure 90 Measuring the Reflection Reference. . . . . . . . . . 138

Figure 91 Measuring the Reflection Reference. . . . . . . . . . 139

Figure 92 Measuring the Termination Parameter . . . . . . . . . 139

Figure 93 Measuring the Return Loss of the Reference Cable . . . . . . 140

Figure 94 Measuring the Power Transmitted through the Reference Cable . . . 141

Figure 95 Measuring the Termination Parameter . . . . . . . . . 141

Figure 96 Measuring the Power Transmitted through the Measurement Cable . . 142 Figure 97 Measuring the Return Loss of the DUT (in this example: a Connector Pair) . 142 Figure 98 Measuring the Power Transmitted through the DUT (a Connector Pair). . 143

Figure 99 The Calibration Parameters Screen . . . . . . . . . . 144

Figure 100 Measuring the Power from a Component with Known Reflection Factor . 145 Figure 101 Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the Reflection Reference . . 146

Figure 102 Measuring the Power with the Connector Terminated. . . . . . 146

Figure 103 Measuring the Power Transmitted Through the Measurement Cable . . 147

24 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Figures

Figure 104 Measuring the Reflections from the Device Under Test . . . . . 147

Figure 105 Measuring the Reflections from the Device Under Test . . . . . 147

Figure 106 Generalization of a Return Loss Measurement . . . . . . . 148

Figure 107 Generalization of Transmission Measurement. . . . . . . . 150

Figure 108 The Application Graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Figure 109 The Graph Legend Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Figure 110 Samples Display - <Line> . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Figure 111 Samples Display - <Samples> . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Figure 112 Samples Display - <Samples & Line> . . . . . . . . . 160

Figure 113 The Lock to Curve Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Figure 114 Lock to Samples On . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Figure 115 Lock to Samples Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Figure 116 Example Logging Application . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Figure 117 The Application Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Figure 118 The Agilent 8164A Logging Setup Screen . . . . . . . . 165

Figure 119 The Agilent 8163A Logging Modules Setup Screen . . . . . . 166

Figure 120 The Agilent 8163A Logging Parameter Setup Screen . . . . . . 167

Figure 121 The Logging Measurement Screen - Measurement Running . . . . 169

Figure 122 The Logging Measurement Screen - Measurement Completed . . . . 170

Figure 123 The Agilent 8164A Logging Analysis Screen . . . . . . . . 171

Figure 124 The Agilent 8163A Logging Analysis Screen - First Screen . . . . 171

Figure 125 The Agilent 8163A Logging Analysis Screen - Second Screen . . . . 172

Figure 126 Example Stability Application . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Figure 127 The Agilent 8164A Stability Setup Screen . . . . . . . . 175

Figure 128 The Agilent 8163A Stability Module Setup Screen . . . . . . 175

Figure 129 The Agilent 8163A Stability Parameter Setup Screen . . . . . . 176

Figure 130 The Stability Measurement Screen - Measurement Running . . . . 178

Figure 131 The Stability Measurement Screen - Measurement Completed . . . . 179

Figure 132 The Agilent 8164A Stability Analysis Screen . . . . . . . . 180

Figure 133 The Agilent 8163A Stability Analysis Screen - First Screen . . . . 180

Figure 134 The Agilent 8163A Stability Analysis Screen - Second Screen . . . . 181

Figure 135 The PACT Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Figure 136 PACT Reference Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Figure 137 Connection Prompt Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Figure 138 PACT Reference Measurement Finished Box . . . . . . . . 188

Figure 139 PACT Measurement Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Figure 140 Low Dynamic Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Figure 141 High Dynamic Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Figure 142 The PACT Measurement Screen - Measurement Completed . . . . 191

Figure 143 The PACT Analysis Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Figure 144 The Pmax Curve Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Figure 145 The Printing in Progress Screen . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Figure 146 Printed Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Figure 147 The File Name Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Figure 148 Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System Power Key . . . . 202

Figure 149 Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Power Key . . . . 203

Figure 150 Line Power Cables – Plug Identification . . . . . . . . . 203

Figure 151 AC Power Requirement Markings - Agilent 8163A . . . . . . 204

Figure 152 AC Power Requirement Markings - Agilent 8164A . . . . . . 204

Figure 153 AC Power Requirement Markings - Agilent 8166A . . . . . . 205

Figure 154 Correct Operating Position of the 8163A . . . . . . . . . 207

Figure 155 Correct Operating Position of the Agilent 8164A . . . . . . . 207

Figure 156 Correct Operating Position of the Agilent 8166A . . . . . . . 208

Figure 157 Storing the Agilent 8164A on its Back Legs. . . . . . . . . 209

Figure 158 Carry the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System using this Strap . 209

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Figures

Figure 159 How to Remove a Front-Loadable Module . . . . . . . . 210

Figure 160 How to Insert a Front-Loadable Module . . . . . . . . . 211

Figure 161 Back Panel of Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System . . . 212

Figure 162 Side View of a Back-Loadable Module . . . . . . . . . 212

Figure 163 Removing a Back-Loadable Module from the Agilent 8164A . . . . 213

Figure 164 Fitting a Back-Loadable Module . . . . . . . . . . 214

Figure 165 Adding a Connector Interface . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Figure 166 Fitting a Blind Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

Figure 167 Rear Panel of the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter System . . . 217 Figure 168 Rear Panel of the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System . . . 217 Figure 169 Rear Panel of the Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System . . . 218

Figure 170 GPIB Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Figure 171 Mainframe Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

Figure 172 Firmware Upgrade Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . 288

26 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Tables

Table 1 Upper Power Limits and Resolution for Various Power Ranges. . . . 83

Table 2 Parameters that can only be set using the master channel . . . . . 90

Table 3 High Return-Loss Patchcords . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Table 4 Logging Application On-Screen Messages . . . . . . . . 173

Table 5 Stability Application On-Screen Messages . . . . . . . . 182

Table 6 PACT Application On-Screen Messages . . . . . . . . . 192

Table 7 Specified Temperature Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Table 8 Equipment Required for Performance Tests . . . . . . . . 247

Table 9 Reference Wavelength and Power Settings . . . . . . . . 252

Table 10 Cleaning Instructions for Modules . . . . . . . . . . 266

Tab le s

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Tab le s

28 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started

This chapter introduces the features of the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter,

the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, and the Agilent 8166A

Lightwave Multichannel System. Here you will find a quick description of the

instrument, how to use the user interface and how to perform a simple sample

session.

The central element of the instrument is the Agilent 8163A Lightwave

Multimeter, the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, and the

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System mainframes. You customize the

instrument using plug-in modules and changeable fiber-connector interfaces. You

can use this instrument as a tunable laser source and also to take associated

measurements.

30 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter Getting Started

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter

Figure 5 The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter Mainframe

The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter is a high-performance optical

multimeter for the characterization and evaluation of optical components.

It’s modular format makes it flexible enough to meet changing needs when

measuring optical power, power loss, or return loss for single or multi-mode

components.

The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter mainframe has two slim module slots.

The system can host up to two front-loadable modules, of any combination of the

following types:

• the Agilent 81689A Tunable Laser,

• Power Sensors, both dual and single,

• fixed wavelength Laser Sources, and

• Interface Modules for Optical Heads.

The front-loadable module slots support all modules designed for the HP 8153A

Lightwave Multimeter.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System

Figure 6 The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System Mainframe

The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System mainframe has one large

and four slim module slots.

The system can host:

1 one back-loadable Tunable Laser module

2 and up to four front-loadable modules, of any combination of the following

types:

• Agilent 81689A Tunable Laser,

• Power Sensors, both dual and single,

• fixed wavelength Laser Sources, and

• Interface Modules for Optical Heads.

The front-loadable module slots support all modules designed for the HP 8153A

Lightwave Multimeter.

32 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Getting Started

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System

Figure 7 The Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Mainframe

The Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System has 17 slim module slots.

The system can host up to seventeen front-loadable modules, of any combination

of the following types:

• Agilent 81689A Tunable Laser,

• Power Sensors, both dual and single,

• fixed wavelength Laser Sources, and

• Interface Modules for Optical Heads.

The front-loadable module slots do not support any modules designed for the

HP 8153A Lightwave Multimeter, that is, modules with part numbers less than

81600.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

A Description of the User Interface

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the user interface of the Agilent 8164A and the

Agilent 8163A/6A, respectively, and the names used in this manual to describe

the groups of keys.

Display Key Key

Cursor Key

Power Key Hardkeys Softkeys Keypad

Figure 8 The Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System User Interface

The Agilent 8163A and the Agilent 8166A do not provide the following two

features of the Agilent 8164A’s user interface:

Enter Channel

Modify

Knob

Numerical

• the Modify Knob, and

• the Numerical Keypad.

34 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

Display Cursor Key

Hardkeys

Figure 9 The Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter User Interface

Softkeys

Enter Channel Key Key

Power Key

Password

When you use this instrument with high-power Laser Source modules or Tunable

Laser modules, you must enter the password to unlock the instrument.

NOTE The default password is 1234.

If You Forget Your Password

If you forget your password, contact your nearest Agilent Technologies

Sales/Service Office. Find contact details by accessing http://www.agilent.com/

on the internet.

User Interface Features

Introducing Softkeys

A softkey is a key whose function changes depending on the keys that you have

pressed before. The function of the softkey is shown on the display to the left of

the softkey.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

Introducing Hardkeys

A hardkey is a key that always has the same function.

Special Module States

Besides parameter or measurement values, you may also see some texts instead.

<empty> The slot is empty.

<unknown> The installed module is not supported by the firmware revision.

Slot and Channel Numbers

Each module is identified by a slot number and a channel number.

You can use slot and channel numbers:

• to identify each channel in the overview screen with a number at the side of the

screen,

• to identify each channel in the Details screen with a tab at the top of the screen,

• to identify the channel when referencing the power measured by another

channel, see “How to Reference Another Power Measurement Channel” on

page 75,

• to identify the channel when using an application, see “Applications” on

page 153, and

• to identify a channel when using a GPIB command, see the Agilent 8163A

Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, &

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System Programming Guide for more

information on GPIB commands.

The slot number represents the module’s position in the mainframe. Front-

loadable modules are numbered:

• from one to two from left to right for the Agilent 8163A,

• from one to four from left to right for the Agilent 8164A, and

• from one to seventeen from left to right for the Agilent 8166A.

These numbers are displayed on the front panel beside each module slot. The

Agilent 8164A slot for back-loadable modules is numbered zero.

NOTE Modules with two channels, for example, the Agilent 81635A Dual Power

Sensor, use the channel number to distinguish between these channels.

The channel number of single channel modules is always one.

36 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

How to Navigate/Modify the Display

Overview Screen

Figure 10 shows the overview screen for the Agilent 8163A Lightwave

Multimeter, this screen is shown immediately after start-up. It shows the most

important parameters of all installed modules.

Figure 10 The Agilent 8163A’s Overview Screen

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

Figure 11 shows the overview screen for the Agilent 8164A Lightwave

Measurement System, this screen is shown immediately after start-up. It shows

the most important parameters of all installed modules

Figure 11 The Agilent 8164A’s Overview Screen

Figure 12 shows the overview screen for the Agilent 8166A Lightwave

Multichannel System, this screen is shown immediately after start-up. It shows

the module slots that are occupied.

Figure 12 The Agilent 8166A’s Overview Screen

38 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

How to Use the Cursor Key

Figure 13 The Cursor Key

You can move the highlighted marker between parameters using the [Cursor]

hardkey.

When editing a parameter, see “How to Change the Value of a Parameter” on

page 46, the up and down cursor keys can be used to increment and decrement the

value of a digit and the left and right cursor keys can be used to move the

highlighted digit left and right.

How to Use the Numerical Keypad

NOTE The Numerical Keypad is only available if you use the Agilent 8164A.

You can use the Numerical Keypad to change the value of a parameter. See “How

to Change the Value of a Parameter” on page 46.

How to Use the Modify Knob

NOTE The Modify Knob is only available if you use the Agilent 8164A.

Figure 14 The Modify Knob

You can use the Modify Knob to navigate around the display. When you turn the

Modify Knob through one click, one action is performed.

Turning the Modify Knob clockwise moves the highlighted marker right and then

down. Turning the Modify Knob anti-clockwise moves the highlighted marker

left and then up.

You can use the Modify Knob to change the value of a parameter. See “How to

Change the Value of a Parameter” on page 46.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

How to Change Channel

You can navigate between module channels by pressing the Channel hardkey.

You can use this key when either the overview screen or the details screen is

displayed.

How to Access the Details Screen

You can access the parameters of a module that are not shown on the overview

screen by pressing Channel to select the channel and pressing the [Details]

softkey. You should see the Details screen as shown in Figure 15, Figure 16, or

Figure 17.

Figure 15 The Agilent 8163A’s Details Screen for a Power Sensor Channel

40 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

Figure 16 The Agilent 8164A’s Details Screen for a Tunable Laser Channel

Figure 17 The Agilent 8166A’s Details Screen for a Power Sensor Channel

If more than 3 modules are inserted in the Agilent 8166A Lightwave

Multichannel System, the user interface cannot display each channel number in

the details screen. The arrow indicates that undisplayed channels can be accessed

by pressing the Channel hardkey.

To return to the overview screen press the [Overview] softkey.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

How to Access the Menu

Press the [Menu] softkey to access all the parameters and functions that apply to a

module. Figure 18 and Figure 19 show the type of menu you should see for a

Power Sensor channel.

Figure 18 The Agilent 8163A/6A Menu for a Power Sensor Channel

Figure 19 The Agilent 8164A Menu for a Power Sensor Channel

42 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

How to Change the System Configuration

Press the Config hardkey to access all the system configuration parameters that

can be changed. Figure 20 and Figure 21 show the menu you should see. See

“Additional Information” on page 53 for more details.

Figure 20 The Agilent 8163A System Configuration Menu

Figure 21 The Agilent 8164A System Configuration Menu

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Description of the User Interface

How to Get Help

Press the Help hardkey any time you need more information. The instrument

displays online documentation for the currently selected parameter.

Figure 22 The Agilent 8164A Help Screen

Press the [Index] softkey to access the Index of help topics.

Figure 23 The Agilent 8164A Help Index

Press the [Back] softkey to return to the last Help topic you accessed.

You can scroll through the text using the up and down cursor keys. The scroll bar

displays the current position in the text.

44 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

A Description of the User Interface Getting Started

Cross-references within the text allow you to access relevant topics. Cross-

references are underlined. If a cross-reference is highlighted, it is selected. Use

the left or right cursor keys to move to another cross-reference. If you press the

"Enter" hardkey or the [OK] softkey, you will jump to the chosen cross-reference.

Press the [Print] softkey to print the current help page. See “How to Connect a

Printer” on page 67 for more information on printing.

Press the [Close] softkey to leave the online documentation and resume your task.

How to Access Applications

You can access these applications for the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter

or Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System by pressing the Appl hardkey,

the Applications Menu appears, as shown in Figure 24. See “Applications” on

page 153 for further details.

Figure 24 The Applications Menu

NOTE These applications are not available for the Agilent 8166A Lightwave

Multichannel System.

NOTE After you exit from the application, any modules selected by these applications

will automatically be preset, all parameters will be set to their default values for

the selected modules.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started How to Change the Value of a Parameter

How to Change the Value of a Parameter

What follows is a description of the various ways of changing the value of

parameters. Examples in which particular parameter values are changed are given

with the parameter descriptions.

Parameters can be either:

• continuous, you may choose any value within a given range, or

• discrete, you may choose a value from a menu.

How to Select a Parameter

You can select the parameter from the following screens:

• from the Details screen, after pressing the [Details] softkey,

• from the Menu screen, after pressing the [Menu] softkey, or,

• for the Agilent 8163A and Agilent 8164A, from the Overview screen.

To start editing a parameter, you move to it and:

• press the Enter hardkey,

• press the [Edit] softkey,

• press the Modify Knob (if you are using the Agilent 8164A), or,

• for numerical parameters only, type a digit on the numerical keypad (if you are

using the Agilent 8164A).

How to Accept the New Value of a Parameter

When you have changed the value of a parameter, to accept this change:

• press the Enter hardkey,

• press the [OK] softkey,

• or, press the Modify Knob (if you are using the Agilent 8164A).

These keys all perform the same purpose. All references to pressing Enter

throughout this User’s Guide, refer to one of these three actions.

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How to Change the Value of a Parameter Getting Started

How to Make a Big Change to a Continuous Parameter

If you are changing the value of a parameter completely, type in the value on the

numerical keypad (if you are using the Agilent 8164A), and press Enter.

To change the output power from 100 µW to 755 µW:

1 Press the [Menu] softkey.

2 Move to Power, using the cursor key, and press Enter.

3 Type 755.000 on the numerical keypad and press Enter.

How to Make a Small Change to a Continuous Parameter

For small changes to a parameter use the up and down cursor keys, the numerical

keypad (if you are using the Agilent 8164A), or the modify knob (if you are using

the Agilent 8164A).

Move to the parameter and then:

1 Press [Edit]. The first digit before the decimal point will be highlighted first, as

shown in Figure 25.

Figure 25 The First Digit Before the Decimal Point is Highlighted First

2 If you want to select another digit to edit, use the left or right cursor key.

3 Enter the new value for the digit by using the numerical keypad, the up and

down cursors or turning the modify knob.

4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 to continue editing the value.

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Getting Started How to Change the Value of a Parameter

5 When you have finished editing the value, press Enter. The edited value

becomes the new value of the parameter.

To change the wavelength from 1540.000 nm to 1525.000 nm:

1 Move to the wavelength parameter for a Tunable Laser module and press

[Edit]. The most significant digit is highlighted.

2 Press the left cursor once to highlight the digit four.

3 Press the down cursor twice to change the value of the digit to two.

4 Press the right cursor once to move the cursor one digit right.

5 Press the up cursor five times to change the value of the digit to five. Press

Enter to end the editing.

How to Change a Discrete Parameter

For discrete parameters, you may choose a particular values within a given range.

For a Power Sensor module:

1 Move to the Power Sensor channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [AvgTime] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to 1 s, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

1 Move to the Power Sensor channel and press the [Menu] softkey.

2 Move to the <Averagi ng Tim e> parameter and press Enter. You see the screen

in Figure 26.

3 Move to <1 s>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

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How to Change the Value of a Parameter Getting Started

Figure 26 Averaging Time Menu

How to Set All Parameters to Their Default Values

Press Preset to set all parameters to their default values.

If You Make a Mistake

If you make a mistake while you are editing a parameter, you can cancel the

editing, and retain the previous value for the parameter by pressing the [Cancel]

softkey.

If the Parameter Changes to Different Valu e

If you press Enter or the [OK] softkey and the parameter changes to a different

value, then you tried to enter a value outside the calibrated range. The new value

is the nearest valid value to the value you entered.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Getting Started A Sample Session

A Sample Session

This sample session shows you how to measure the power of a modulated signal

at a single wavelength.

The sample session is written for the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter or

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, the Agilent 81689A Tunable

Laser module, and the Agilent 81632A Power Sensor. To perform the sample

session as described here, you also need a patchcord (if you are using the

81000AI Connector interface, then a Diamond HMS-10/Agilent/HRL to

Diamond HMS-10/Agilent patchcord, Agilent 81109AC).

How to Measure the Power of a Modulated Signal

We want to measure the power of a 1540 nm signal, modulated by a 100 kHz square wave, at 500 µW.

1 Make sure that all your connectors, and connector interfaces are clean.

2 Make sure that the Optical Output of the Laser Source is not active.

3 Connect the output of the Laser Source to the input of the Power Sensor

module, as shown in Figure 27. You must connect the correct fiber end

connector for your Tunable Laser module:

a For straight contact connectors, use a straight contact fiber end connector

with a black sleeve.

b For angled contact connectors with a green sign beside the Tunable Laser

module’s optical output connector, use an angled contact fiber end connector with a green sleeve.

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A Sample Session Getting Started

Power

Sensor

TLS

Figure 27 Connecting the Instrument for the Sample Session

4 Make sure the instrument is powered up.

5 How to set the wavelength for the Power Sensor module:

a Move to the wavelength parameter, [λ], for the Power Sensor module and

press Enter.

b Enter 1540.000 and press Enter.

6 How to set the averaging time for the Power Sensor module:

a Move to the measurement averaging time, [Ta vg], and press Enter.

bMove to <1s>, using the cursor key, and press Enter.

7 For the Power Sensor module, make sure that Watts are the selected Power

Unit and that the instrument is in automatic ranging mode. To change these

settings:

a Move to the power parameter, [P], and press the

[Power Unit] softkey.

bMove to <W>, using the cursor key, and press Enter.

c Move to the [Range Mode] parameter and press Enter.

dMove to <Auto>, using the cursor key, and press Enter.

8 How to set the wavelength for the Tunable Laser module:

a Move to the wavelength parameter, [λ], for the Tunable Laser module

and press Enter.

b Enter 1540.000 and press Enter.

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Getting Started A Sample Session

9 How to set the modulated power for the Tunable Laser module:

a If power is not displayed in Watts, move to the [P] parameter and press

the [Power Unit] softkey.

bMove to <W>, using the cursor key, and press Enter.

c Move to the [P] parameter and press Enter.

d Enter 500.000. e Change units to µW, if necessary, using the [Unit+] or [Unit−] softkey.

fPress Enter.

10 How to set the modulation frequency for the Tunable Laser module:

a Select the [Frequency] parameter and press Enter.

b Enter 100.000 and press Enter.

11 For the Tunable Laser module, press the button beside the Optical Output. The

green LED should switch on to indicate that the laser is now active.

You should notice that the power reading is approximately half the value set on

the Tunable Laser module. This is because the output is modulated by a square

wave with a 50% duty cycle.

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Additional Information

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information

This chapter describes the system functions of the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, and the Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System. Here you will find out how to set the configuration settings and how to connect an external monitor.

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

Using the System Utilities

Press the Config hardkey to access configuration information for your mainframe.

You see the screens in Figure 28 and Figure 29.

Figure 28 The Agilent 8163A/6A System Configuration Menu

Figure 29 The Agilent 8164A System Configuration Menu

You can move to any of the menu items by using the cursor key or the Modify

knob. Select an item by pressing Enter or the [OK] softkey.

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Additional Information Using the System Utilities

How to Set the Backlight & Contrast

The Backlight and Contrast menu options allow you to change the appearance of

the screen.

NOTE The Backlight and Contrast menu options are supported by the Agilent 8163A

and Agilent 8166A but not by the Agilent 8164A.

To Set the Contrast

To change the contrast level of the Agilent 8163A/6A’s screen:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <Contrast> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying the current setting.

Figure 30 Entering a Contrast Value

3 Enter an integer value between zero and one hundred in this box and press

Enter.

To Set the Backlight

To change the backlight level of the Agilent 8163A/6A’s screen:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

2 Move to the <Backlight> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying the current setting.

Figure 31 Entering a Backlight Value

3 Enter an integer value between zero and one hundred in this box and press

Enter.

How to Set the Date & Time

The instrument uses the date and time when:

• you print out data from an application,

• you save data to diskette from an application, and

• you send the

instrument’s Programming Guide for more details.

To set the date and time:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

:SYSTem:DATE?

:SYSTem:TIME?

GPIB commands, see your

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information Using the System Utilities

2 Move to the <Date & Time> menu option and press Enter. You see a box,

similar to Figure 32, displaying the current date and time settings.

Figure 32 Editing the Date and the Time

3 Use the cursor key to move to the Date field. Press the [Edit] softkey. The day

of the month is highlighted.

4 Use the left and right cursor keys to move to the day, month or year. Edit the

day, month or year using the cursor key. Press Enter.

5 Perform steps 3 to 4 again if the date is not fully correct.

6 Use the cursor key to move to the Time field. Press the [Edit] softkey. The

hour of the day is highlighted. The 24-hour clock is used.

7 Use the left and right cursor keys to move to the hour, minute, or second. Edit

the hour, minute, or second using the cursor key. Press [OK].

8 Perform steps 6 to 7 again if the date is not fully correct.

9 When the time and date are both correct, press [Close] to return to the

configuration menu.

How to Set the GPIB Address

NOTE The default GPIB address is 20.

To set the GPIB address:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

2 Move to the <GPIB Address> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying the current GPIB address.

Figure 33 Entering a GPIB Address

3 Enter an integer value between 0 and 30 into this box and press Enter. The

address is set to this value.

NOTE Avoid using 21as the GPIB address because this number is often the controller’s

default GPIB address.

How to Select the Printer Type

You can use a printer connected to the parallel port on the rear panel of your

mainframe, see “Input and Output Connectors” on page 216 for a diagram of

your mainframe’s rear panel.

You can print out any of the following information:

• a help screen, see “How to Get Help” on page 44,

• data from an application, see “Printing Application Measurement Results” on

page 194.

To select a printer type:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <Printer Type> menu option and press Enter. You see a box, as

shown in Figure 34, displaying the following printer types:

– <HP PCL>, you can use any printer that uses the Hewlett-Packard Printer

Control Language Level 3 or higher, and

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information Using the System Utilities

– <EPSON 8 pin>, you can use any printer that is compliant with Epson 8 pin

printers.

Figure 34 Selecting a Printer Type

3 Move to your printer type and press Enter. You return to the configuration

menu.

How to Lock/Unlock the High-Power Laser Sources

To unlock high-power laser sources (including Tunable Laser modules):

1 Press the Config hardkey.

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

2 Move to the <Unlock> menu option and press Enter. You see a box requesting

you to enter the password.

Figure 35 Unlocking the Instrument

3 Enter the password, using the softkeys or the numerical keypad. Press Enter

and the instrument unlocks.

NOTE The default password is 1234.

To lock the instrument, perform the steps above, but in step 2 move to the <Lock>

menu option in place of the <Unlock> menu option.

How to Change the Password

The password is used for unlocking the instrument. To change the password:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <Change Password> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

requesting you to enter the password.

3 Enter the password, using the softkeys or the numerical keypad and press

Enter. You are asked to enter the new password.

4 Enter your new password. It should be 4 digits long. Press Enter. You are

asked to enter the new password again.

5 Enter your new password again and press Enter.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information Using the System Utilities

If You Forget Your Password

If you forget your password, contact your nearest Agilent Technologies

Sales/Service Office. Find contact details by accessing http://www.agilent.com/

on the internet.

How to Set the Trigger Configuration

The trigger level at the external trigger connectors is by default active high, this

means when a trigger rises above the high TTL level, a trigger is accepted.

You can select three modes of triggering from the trigger configuration menu:

• <None>, which you should choose if you do not want to use triggering.

• <Default>, which you should choose if you want to enable the trigger

connectors.

• <Pass Through>, which you should choose if you want an input trigger to

automatically generate an output trigger. This allows you to trigger another

instrument almost simultaneously.

• <Loopback>, which you should choose if you want an output trigger to

automatically generate an input trigger. For example, using this mode, you

could trigger each step of a wavelength sweep with just one externally

generated input trigger.

To change the triggering mode:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <Trigger> menu option and press Enter. You see a box displaying

the available triggering modes.

Figure 36 Changing the Triggering Mode

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

3 Move to your chosen triggering mode and press Enter.

How to Configure your Foot Pedal

You can use a Agilent 81610FP Foot Pedal (Part Number 81610-68709) to

generate triggers. This accessory is similar to a mouse, you press the Foot Pedal

and a trigger is generated. You can attach the Foot Pedal to the Input Trigger

BNC Connector, see “Input and Output Connectors” on page 216.

To configure your Foot Pedal:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <Foot pedal support> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying <On> and <Off>.

Figure 37 Enabling/Disabling the Foot Pedal

3 Move to <On> to enable the Agilent 81610FP Foot Pedal or move to <Off> to

disable the Agilent 81610FP Foot Pedal.

4 Press Enter.

How to Get Information About Modules

To get information about modules:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

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Additional Information Using the System Utilities

2 Move to the <About Modules> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying the slots which have installed modules, see Figure 38.

Figure 38 Slots with Installed Modules

3 Move to the module using the cursor key for which you require information.

Press Enter.

4 The part number, serial number, and firmware revision of the chosen module

are displayed, as shown in Figure 39.

Figure 39 Viewing Information About a Module

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Using the System Utilities Additional Information

5 Press [Close] to return to the menu in Figure 38.

6 Perform steps 3 to 5 to view information about other module slots or press

[Close] to return to the configuration menu.

NOTE • The Agilent 81640A/80A/82A/89A Tunable Laser modules will always return

HEWLETT-PACKARD as the manufacturer.

• All other Agilent 8163A Series modules return Agilent Technologies

as the manufacturer.

• The HP 8153A Series modules will always return HEWLETT-PACKARD as the

manufacturer.

See “How to Get Information About the Mainframe” on page 65 for information

on mainframe identity strings.

How to Get Information About the Mainframe

To get information about the mainframe:

1 Press the Config hardkey.

2 Move to the <About Mainframe> menu option and press Enter. You see a box

displaying information about your mainframe, see Figure 40. The

manufacturer, part number, serial number, and firmware revision of the

mainframe are listed.

Figure 40 Viewing Information About the Mainframe

3 Press [Close] to return to the configuration menu.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information How to Connect an External Monitor

NOTE The Agilent 8163A, Agilent 8164A, and Agilent 8166A will always return

HEWLETT-PACKARD as the manufacturer. This will not be affected by the

transition of these instruments to Agilent Technologies. This will allow programs

that use this string to continue functioning.

See “How to Get Information About Modules” on page 63 for information on

module identity strings.

How to Connect an External Monitor

You can connect a standard VGA monitor to the Agilent 8164A Lightwave

Measurement System. This is a useful feature for making presentations or for

training courses.

NOTE You cannot connect a monitor to the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter or

Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System.

Video Outlet

Figure 41 Rear Panel of the Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System

• Place your monitor on a flat sturdy surface.

• Before you make any connections make sure the Lightwave Measurement

System and monitor are turned off.

• Connect the power cable to the video input on the back of your monitor.

Tighten the thumbscrews on the plug.

• Connect the video cable (it has a 15-pin plug) to the video outlet on the back of

the Lightwave Measurement System. Tighten the thumbscrews on the plug.

• Connect the power cord to the display.

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How to Connect a Printer Additional Information

• Plug the power cord into the power outlet.

NOTE Refer to the user’s guide that came with your monitor, if necessary, to locate your

monitor’s output and input ports.

How to Connect a Printer

You can use a printer connected to the parallel port on the rear panel of your

mainframe, see “Input and Output Connectors” on page 216 for a diagram of

your mainframe’s rear panel.

You can use either of the following printer types:

• <HP PCL>, a printer that uses the Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language,

• <EPSON 8 pin>, a printer that is compliant with Epson 8 pin printers.

To set up the printer, perform the following steps:

1 Set up your printer as described in your printer’s User’s Guide.

2 Connect a parallel cable between your printer’s parallel connector to the

parallel port on the rear panel of your mainframe, see “Input and Output

Connectors” on page 216 for a diagram of your mainframe’s rear panel.

3 To select a printer type, see “How to Select the Printer Type” on page 59.

You can then print out any of the following information:

• a help screen, see “How to Get Help” on page 44,

• data from an application, see “Printing Application Measurement Results” on

page 194.

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Additional Information How to Connect a Printer

68 Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement

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Power Measurement

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Power Measurement

This chapter describes how to use the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, the

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, and the Agilent 8166A

Lightwave Multichannel System to measure optical power using a Power Meter,

that is:

• a Power Sensor module or

• an Optical Head in conjunction with an Optical Head Interface module.

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How to Measure Power Power Measurement

How to Measure Power

The Power Value

The <P> parameter displays the power measurement value. In MinMax mode,

this parameter changes to <

power, see “How to Choose the MinMax Mode” on page 84.

How to Set the Number of Digits

You can set the maximum number of digits that are used in power measurement.

This is the maximum number of digits after the decimal point.

To change the number of digits to two:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Menu] softkey.

2 Move to <Number of Digits> option and press Enter. You will see the screen in

Figure 42.

∆P>, the difference between minimum and maximum

Figure 42 The Number of Digits Menu

3 Move to 2 and press Enter.

4 Press the [Close] softkey to exit the menu.

How to Set the Power Unit

Pressing the Power Unit softkey allows you to select either W, dB, or dBm as the

units in which power is displayed. The Power Unit softkey is visible when you

Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, & Agilent 8166A Lightwave Multichannel System, Fourth Edition

Power Measurement How to Measure Power

move to the [P] or [Ref ] parameters. alternatively the Power Unit can be changed

by using the Power Meter menu.

What are the Power Units ?

Watts (W) are the SI unit for power measurement.

You can also measure power in dB or dBm. Values displayed in these units are

derived from measurement in Watts.

By selecting dBm, the following calculation is made:

Where,

dBm

----------- ------------- ------log= 1103–W()×

input

W()

dBm

input

is the power value displayed in dBm, and

is the input signal level in Watts.

Power, in units of dBm, is measured relative to 1 mW, it is an absolute power

measurement.

By selecting dB, the following calculation is made:

W()

----------- --------------log=

input

ref

W()

Where,

input

ref

is the power value displayed in dB,

is the input signal level in Watts, and

is the chosen reference power value in Watts.

Power, in units of dB, is measured relative to a particular reference power value.

For information on selecting this reference value, see “How to Input a Reference

Level” on page 74.

To set the power unit to dBm:

1 Move to the [P] parameter and press the [Power Unit] softkey. You will see the

menu in Figure 43.

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How to Measure Power Power Measurement

Figure 43 Selecting the Power Unit

2 Move to <dBm>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

How to Set the Calibration Offset

This is a calibration offset that you can enter to compensate for external optical

circuitry, for example, the Agilent 81022FF Integrating Sphere or a 3 dB coupler.

The calibration offset, [Cal], is automatically subtracted from the input signal.

measured

Where,

To set the calibration offset to 40.000 dB:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [Cal] parameter and press Enter.

3 Enter 40.000 and press Enter.

(dBm) = P

measured

input

CAL is the calibration offset in decibels (dB).

is the adjusted value of the signal read in dBm,

is the input signal level in dBm, and

(dBm) − CAL(dB)

input

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Power Measurement How to Measure Power

How to Set the Reference Level

How to Input a Reference Level

dB results are shown relative to a reference level. The [Ref] parameter sets the

reference level. Setting, or changing, the reference only affects results that are

displayed in dB.

The reference level is displayed in units of dBm or Watts. Depending on which is

selected the following equations are used to calculate the power level in dB:

(dB) = P

display

Where,

display

measured

REF is the reference level.

You can choose the units for the reference using the Power Unit softkey. If you

choose dB, the power value changes to dB and the displayed reference level

changes to dBm.

To set the reference level to 10 mW:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [Ref] parameter and press the [Power Unit] softkey.

3 Move to <W> and press Enter twice.

4 Change the units to mW using the [Unit+] and [Unit−] softkeys.

measured

is the displayed relative power,

is the absolute power level (see “How to Set the Calibration

Offset” on page 73), and

(dBm) − REF(dBm)

display

dB() 10

measured

----------- ------------- ----------log=

REF W()

W()

5 Enter 10.000 and press Enter.

How to Set the Reference Value to the Current Power Val ue

In addition to entering a new reference value, you can change the reference value

to the currently displayed power value by pressing the [Dsp->Ref] softkey.

Pressing the [Dsp->Ref] softkey takes the input power level and stores it as the

reference. Setting the reference only affects results displayed in dB.

When you press the [Dsp->Ref] softkey, the absolute power level, the power

value in dBm or Watts, is stored as the reference, that is:

REF = P

measured

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How to Measure Power Power Measurement

Where,

REF is the reference, and

measured

is the absolute power level (see “How to Set the Calibration Offset”

on page 73).

The [Dsp->Ref] softkey is displayed if you move to a power measurement

channel.

How to Reference Another Power Measurement Channel

You can use the reference mode, [Ref Mode], to reference another Power Meter’s

current power level. If you choose this mode, the reference of the channel

continuously updates to the current power value measured by the other channel.

The following equations describe how the power in dB is calculated if you

reference another channel:

display

(dB) = P

measuredA

(dBm) − P

measuredB

(dBm) − REF(dB)

display

dB() 10

measuredA

----------- ------------- -------------log REF dB()–= P

measuredB

W() W()

Where:

is the displayed relative power,

display

measuredA

is the absolute power level (see “How to Set the Calibration

Offset” on page 73) measured by the current Power Meter, and

measuredB

is the absolute power level (see “How to Set the Calibration

Offset” on page 73) measured by the Power Meter you choose to

reference, and

REF is the reference level in decibels (dB).

NOTE You can only set the reference level, REF, in decibels (dB) when you reference

Power Meter’s current power level. This reference level is stored in separate

memory than the absolute reference level.

To reference another channel:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [Ref Mode] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to the channel number you want to reference, using the cursor key, and

press Enter. For example, in Figure 44, you could choose 3.1 (for channel 3.1).

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Refer to “Slot and Channel Numbers” on page 36 for information on channel

numbers.

Figure 44 Referencing Another Channel

To return to setting a constant reference level:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [Ref Mode] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to the <Va lu e > menu option and press Enter.

How to Set the Wavelength

This is the wavelength value. The responsivity of the Power Meter varies with

wavelength. For accurate power measurement, you need to input the wavelength

of the optical input. To set the wavelength to 1545.000 nm:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [λ] parameter and press Enter.

3 Enter 1545.000 and press Enter.

How to Remove Electrical Offsets

Optical Power Meters measure optical power by converting optical power to

electrical power, and then measuring electrical power. An electrical offset is

electrical power that is always present, even if there no optical power is input. If

electrical offsets are not removed, they affect the accuracy of power

measurement.

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Performing a zero sets the zero power level to the average electrical offset level

for the current environmental conditions.

NOTE The environmental conditions and the temperature of the instrument affect

electrical offset. For the best results you must:

• Allow the instrument time to acclimatize (around 24 hours).

• Allow the instrument time to warm up (around 20 minutes).

• Make sure that the optical input is not receiving any light. If you are using

multi-mode fiber-optic cable, you must disconnect the cable and cover the

input to the Power Meter to perform a zero.

It is good practice to perform a zero before making any important measurements.

To remove electrical offsets:

1 Make sure the optical input is not receiving any light. If the instrument has just

been switched on, wait until SETTLING is not displayed for the module

channel.

2 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Menu] softkey.

Figure 45 Module Channels that are Settling

3 Move to the <Zero> option to zero the current power measurement channel or

the <Zero All> option to zero all power measurement channels. You will see

the screen shown in Figure 46, this appears for around 30 seconds while

zeroing is performed.

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Figure 46 Zeroing Screen

NOTE If you see the screen shown in Figure 47, the zeroing operation has failed because

the Power Meter received light. The most common reason for zeroing to fail is if:

• a source is connected to the Power Meter’s input connector,

• the fiber connected to the Power Meter’s input connector is collecting light, or

• the Power Meter receives ambient light because the input connector is

uncovered.

Press Enter and start again at step 1.

4 When the zeroing operation finishes, press the [Close] softkey to close the

menu.

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Figure 47 Zeroing Fails, if the Power Meter Receives Input Light.

How to Choose the Range Mode

NOTE For a Dual Power Sensor, you cannot set the range mode of the slave channel,

channel 2, directly. By default, the range mode of the slave channel, channel 2, is

the same as that for the master channel, channel 1. See Table 2 on page 90 for

more details.

You can choose either of two ranging modes from the Range mode menu:

• <Auto>, the auto-ranging mode, ensures that the result has a displayed value

between 9% and 100% of full scale. The default state is for automatic ranging

to be enabled.

• <Manual>, which allows you to set a user-defined range.

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How to Set the Range

If you choose <Auto> from the Range mode menu, this parameter can not be set.

The Range parameter, [Range], is displayed in light grey text, see Figure 48, in

automatic ranging mode and displays the automatically-determined range.

Figure 48 Auto-Range Mode

If you choose <Manual> from the Range mode menu, you must choose a range

setting from the Range menu.

To choose a range setting, follow the following steps:

1 Setup the instrument.

2 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

3 Move to the [P] parameter and press the [Power Unit] softkey. You will see the

menu in Figure 43.

4 Move to <dBm>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

5 Move to the [Range Mode] parameter and press Enter.

6 Move to <Auto>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

7 Perform a set of measurements.

8 Note the highest [Range] that the instrument automatically set during this set

of measurements.

9 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

10 Move to the [Range Mode] parameter and press Enter.

11 Move to <Manual>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

12 Move to the [Range] parameter and press Enter.

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13 Enter the range value determined in Step 8, by using the cursor key, and press

Enter.

Figure 49 Manual Range Mode - Within Range

If the measured power is more than 3dBm greater than the range setting, it is

impossible for power to be displayed. The power value, +1.--- dBm, as shown

in Figure 50, is shown. This means that the measured power is greater than the

Upper Power Limit. You must decrease the [Range] value.

See Table 1 on page 83 for more details.

Figure 50 Out of Range - Power Greater Than Upper Power Limit

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If the measured power is more than 40 dBm less than the range setting, it is

impossible for power to be displayed. The power value, -1.--- dBm, as shown

in Figure 51, is shown. This means that the measured power is greater than the

resolution at this [Range] value. You must increase the [Range] value.

See Table 1 on page 83 for more details.

Figure 51 Out of Range - Power Less Than Resolution

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Figure 52 shows the possible range values you can choose. These values range from 10 dBm (upper power limit of 13 dBm) to −70 dBm (upper power limit of

−67 dBm) in 10 dBm increments.

Figure 52 Range Value Menu

Upper Power Limit and Resolution

Table 1 shows the upper power limit and measurent resolution at various power

ranges. As can be seen the resolution decreases as the chosen [Range] decreases.

The resolution is always 40 dBm less than the chosen [Range] value. The Upper

Power Limit is always 3 dBm greater than the chosen [Range] value.

Table 1 Upper Power Limits and Resolution for Various Power Ranges

[RANGE] Upper Power Limit Resolution

10 dBm 19.999 mW 13.000 dBm 0.001 mW −30.000 dBm 0 dBm 1.9999 mW 3.000 dBm 0.1 µW −40.000 dBm

−10 dBm 199.99 µW −7.000 dBm 0.01 µW −50.000 dBm

−20 dBm 19.999 µW −17.000 dBm 0.001 µW −60.000 dBm

−30 dBm 1.9999 µW −27.000 dBm 0.1 nw −70.000 dBm

−40 dBm 199.99 nW −37.000 dBm 0.01 nw −80.000 dBm

−50 dBm 19.999 nW −47.000 dBm 0.001 nw −90.000 dBm

−60 dBm 1.9999 nW −57.000 dBm 0.1 pW −100.000 dBm

−70 dBm 199.99 pW −67.000 dBm 0.01 pW −110.000 dBm

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How to Set the Averaging Time

NOTE For a Dual Power Sensor, you cannot set the averaging time of the slave channel,

channel 2, directly. By default, the averaging time of the slave channel, channel 2,

is the same value as that for the master channel, channel 1. See Table 2 on

page 90 for more details.

This is the length of time over which a signal is averaged. Longer averaging times

increase the accuracy and improve the noise rejection. Longer averaging times

also decrease sensitivity.

For averaging times of 1 second or less, a new measurement is shown at the end

of each averaging time. This is drawn in Figure 53. A new measurement is shown

on the display at each x.

avg

xxxxxxxx

Figure 53 Measurements with Tavg ≤ 1 second

With modules designed for the HP 8153A Lightwave Multimeter, for averaging

times of more than 1 second, the displayed power is given by the formula:

newPold

sample



------------ ------–



avg

Sample

sample



------------- -----



avg

Where,

new

old

is the new displayed result,

is the previously displayed result,

Sample is the value read by the hardware,

avg

sample

is the averaging time, as set by the user, and

is the time the hardware takes to make a reading.

If the measurement condition change (for example, a range change in automatic

ranging), P

is reset and the averaging starts again. This is why the display

old

update seems faster in automatic ranging.

To set the averaging time to 1 second:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [AvgTime] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to <1s>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

How to Choose the MinMax Mode

NOTE For a Dual Power Sensor, you cannot set the MinMax Mode of the slave channel,

channel 2, directly. By default, the MinMax Mode of the slave channel,

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channel 2, is the same as that for the master channel, channel 1. See Table 2 on

page 90 for more details.

MinMax mode measures the incoming power and displays the minimum value

measured, [Pmin], and the maximum value measured, [Pmax]. The difference

between these values,

∆P, is displayed in place of P, the power value. This mode is

intended principally for polarization dependent measurements, but can be used

for other types of measurement.

You can choose three modes of operation from the MinMax mode menu:

• <Continuous> mode, which compares each new measured value with the

maximum and minimum values so far, and replaces them as necessary.

This mode is useful for measuring the Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL) of a

component. Run the application while sweeping the polarization of the source

applied to the component.

• <Window> mode, which compares each new measured value with the

maximum and minimum values of each of the previous N samples. When a

new measurement is taken it is added to a buffer containing the previous N

samples and the oldest measurement is deleted.

Window Mode

Refresh Mode

• <Refresh> mode, which adds each new measurement to a buffer. The

minimum and maximum values, in this buffer, are displayed. After N samples

are added to the buffer, the buffer resets and a new buffer is created.

You can use Window and Refresh modes, for example, when you are

searching for or setting the position of minimum PDL.

N Samples

Time for display to update

The length of the lines

N Samples

Time for display to update

displayed represents the size of the buffer at the

time of update

Figure 54 The Window and Refresh Modes

To choose the <Refresh> MinMax mode:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

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Power Measurement How to Measure Power

2 Move to the [MinMax Mode] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to <Refresh>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The screen in

Figure 55 appears.

Figure 55 MinMax Mode Screen

4 Press Menu, move to <Data Points> and press Enter.

5 Enter 100 and press Enter.

How to Turn Off MinMax Mode

To turn off MinMax mode, and return to continuous power measurement:

1 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the [MinMax Mode] parameter and press Enter.

3 Move to <Off>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

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How to Hold the Screen

Pressing the [Hold/Cnt] softkey allows you to hold the screen so that no new

measurements are displayed. Hold is displayed as shown in Figure 56, for the

overview screen, and Figure 57, for the details screen.

Figure 56 Power Module Channel is Held - Overview Screen

Figure 57 Power Module Channel is Held - Details Screen

By pressing the [Hold/Cnt] softkey a second time the screen will display new

measurements continuously.

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How to Use Triggers

Agilent 8163A Series Power Meter modules allow you trigger the instrument to

perform tasks and to output trigger signals to external measurement instruments.

NOTE For a Dual Power Sensor, you cannot set the any trigger parameters of the slave

channel, channel 2, directly. By default, all the trigger parameters for the slave

channel, channel 2, are the same as for the master channel, channel 1. See Table 2

on page 90 for more details.

How to Trigger Power Measurements

You can configure Agilent 8163A Series Power Meter modules to perform

certain tasks when you apply a trigger to the Input Trigger Connector.

You must prearm a measurement function before an action can be triggered:

1 See “How to Set the Trigger Configuration” on page 62 for how to configure

the trigger connectors.

2 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Menu] softkey.

3 Move to <Input Trigger Mode>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter. You

will see the screen in Figure 58.

Figure 58 Input Trigger Mode

4 Move to one of the following, by using the cursor key:

– <Single meas>, an input trigger will trigger one sample of a measurement

function to be performed and to store the result in a data array.

– <Compl. meas>, an input trigger will trigger a complete measurement

function to be performed.

– <Ignore>, input triggers are ignored.

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5 Press Enter.

You can generate input triggers in any of the following ways:

• trigger the Input Trigger Connector on the rear panel of your instrument,

• set <Trigger Configuration> to <Loopback> so that an output trigger

automatically generates an input trigger, or

• use the

:TRIGger

GPIB command, see your mainframe’s Programming Guide.

How to Use Output Triggering

You can configure Agilent 8163A Series Power Meter modules to output a trigger

when the instrument performs certain tasks.

To set your module’s Output Trigger Configuration:

1 See “How to Set the Trigger Configuration” on page 62 for how to configure

the trigger connectors.

2 Move to the Power Meter channel and press the [Menu] softkey.

3 Move to <Output Trigger Mode>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

You will see the screen in Figure 59.

Figure 59 Output Trigger Mode

4 Move to one of the following, by using the cursor key:

– <Averaging Time Over>, a trigger is output when the averaging time period

of a measurement finishes.

– <Meas Started>, a trigger is output when the averaging time period of a

measurement begins.

– <Disabled>, the output trigger mode is disabled.

5 Press Enter.

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Dual Power Meters - Master and Slave Channels

For the Agilent 81635A Dual Power Sensor and the Agilent 81619A Dual Optical

Head Interface module, channel 1 is the master channel and channel 2 is the slave

channel. The master and slave channels share the same software and hardware

triggering system. For some commands, setting parameters for the master channel

sets the parameters for the slave channel. In these cases, you may only set

parameters for the slave channel by setting master channel parameters.

The parameters listed in Table 2 can only be set or viewed using the master

channel.

Table 2 Parameters that can only be set using the master channel

Parameter

<Zero>

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Laser Sources

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Laser Sources

This chapter describes how to use the Agilent 8163A Lightwave Multimeter, the

Agilent 8164A Lightwave Measurement System, and the Agilent 8166A

Lightwave Multichannel System to control fixed-wavelength laser source

modules.

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How to Use Laser Source Modules

Figure 60 Menu of Parameters for a Fixed Wavelength Laser Source

The Laser Wavelength Value

The laser wavelength value [λ] for a fixed-wavelength laser source module is the

calibrated optical wavelength value for the laser source. This is a fixed value, you

can display the value but you cannot edit it.

Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Modules

Dual-wavelength laser source modules have optical outputs at two wavelengths.

You can choose to output an optical signal at either a single wavelength or at both

wavelengths simultaneously.

To choose both output wavelengths for a dual-wavelength laser source module:

1 Move to [λ] parameter and press Enter.

2 Select <1309.6+1551.6>, using the cursor key, and press Enter. You will see

the screen in Figure 61.

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Figure 61 Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Outputs Both Wavelengths

NOTE For further information on modulating the optical output of a dual-wavelength

laser source module, see “How to Modulate Dual-Wavelength Laser Source

Modules” on page 97.

How to Enable/Disable Laser Output

To enable laser output using the user interface:

1 Move to [State] parameter and press Enter.

2 Move to [On], by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The green LED on the

module front panel switches on.

To disable laser output using the user interface:

1 Move to [State] parameter and press Enter.

2 Move to [Off], by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The green LED on the

module front panel switches off.

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How to Set Attenuation

The amount of power that is output from a source can be controlled. You can use

the attenuation parameter to reduce the optical power of the laser output.

= P

output

Where,

output

source

ATT is the attenuation parameter.

To set the attenuation value to 2 dB:

1 Move to the laser source channel and press the [Details] softkey. You see the

screen in Figure 62.

− ATT (dB)

source

is the power level at the output of the module,

is the power level at the output of the source, and

Figure 62 The Power Sensor Details Screen

2 Move to the [Attenuation] parameter and press Enter.

3 Enter 2.00 and press Enter.

How to Modulate the Optical Output

How to Change Modulation Source

The Modulation Source parameter, [Mod Src], allows you to modulate the output

signal.

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How to Disable Modulation

If <Off> is displayed as the Modulation Source parameter, [Mod Src], the laser

source outputs an unmodulated continuous-wave signal.

To disable modulation:

1 Move to the Laser Source channel and press [Details] softkey.

2 Move to the modulation source parameter, [Mod Src], and press Enter.

3 Move to <Off>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

How to Use the Internal Modulation

The internal modulation is a square wave with a 50% duty cycle. You can set both

the amplitude and the frequency of this signal. The amplitude is set by the power

parameter. This is the maximum output power of the output signal; at the

minimum output power, no power is output.

Output

Power

Figure 63 The Modulated Signal

How to Set the Frequency of a Modulated Signal

To set the frequency of the modulation to 6.500 kHz:

1 Move to the frequency parameter, [Mod Frq], press Enter.

2 Enter 6.500 press Enter.

How to Set the Modulation Mode

3 Move to the modulation source parameter, [Mod Src], and press Enter.

4 Move to <Internal>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The text Int

appears in the Laser Source channel.

How to Increase Linewidth

You can use coherence control to increase the linewidth of the optical signal

output from your Agilent 8163A Series Laser Source module.

Enabling the coherence control increases the linewidth of the optical output signal

to between 50 and 500 MHz (typically). Coherence control greatly reduces

interference effects and therefore improves the power stability in sensitive test

setups.

To enable coherence control:

1 Move to the Laser Source channel and press [Details].

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2 Move to [Mod Src] and press Enter.

3 Move to <Coherence Ctrl.>, Coherence Control, to increase linewidth to

approximately 500 MHz, or move to <Low Freq. CC>, to increase linewidth to

approximately 50 MHz.

4 Press Enter. The text CC or LFCC appears in the Laser Source channel

depending on whether you selected <Coherence Ctrl.> or <Low Freq. CC> as

the modulation source.

How to Modulate Dual-Wavelength Laser Source Modules

NOTE You cannot modulate both wavelengths of the HP 81554SM Dual-Wavelength

Laser Source module independently. If you select both wavelength outputs using the [λ] parameter, you can choose to modulate both outputs at the same frequency

or to output both outputs as CW signals.

NOTE If you choose to output both wavelengths of the HP 81554SM Dual-Wavelength

Laser Source and to modulate the optical output signal, the two signals may be 180° out of phase with each other.

For Agilent 8165x Series Dual-Wavelength Laser Source modules, you can

choose independent modulation sources and independent modulation frequencies

for both wavelengths.

NOTE If you choose independent modulation sources for a Dual-Wavelength Laser

Source module, the text Mod will be displayed in the Laser Source channel.

If you choose the same modulation sources for both wavelengths of a Dual-

Wavelength Laser Source module, the relevant text will be displayed in the Laser

Source channel, for example, Int if both wavelengths use internal modulation.

To modulate the lower wavelength source at 100 kHz using internal modulation

and the upper wavelength source using coherence control for a Dual-Wavelength

Laser Source module:

1 Move to the laser source channel and press the [Details] softkey.

2 Move to [λ] parameter and press Enter.

3 Select the lower wavelength source, for example, <1309.6>, using the cursor

key, and press Enter.

4 Move to the [Mod Frq] parameter for the lower wavelength source and press

Enter.

5 Enter 100.000 and press Enter.

6 Move to the [Mod Src] parameter for the lower wavelength source and press

Enter.

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7 Move to <Internal>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The text Mod

appears in the Laser Source channel.

8 Move to the [Mod Src] parameter for the upper wavelength source and press

Enter.

9 Move to <Coherence Ctrl.>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter. The text

Mod is still displayed in the Laser Source channel.

10 Enable the laser output, by pressing the Active hardkey on the module’s front

panel.

How to Use Triggers

Some Laser Source modules allow you to output trigger signals to external

measurement instruments.

How to Use Output Triggering

You can configure the output trigger connector to output a TTL signal at the

frequency of the internal modulation of a Agilent 8163A Series Laser Source

module.

To set your module’s Output Trigger Configuration:

1 See “How to Set the Trigger Configuration” on page 62 for how to configure

the trigger connectors.

2 Move to the Laser Source channel and press [Menu].

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3 Move to <Output Trigger Mode>, by using the cursor key, and press Enter.

You will see the screen in Figure 64.

Figure 64 Output Trigger Mode

4 Move to one of the following, by using the cursor key:

– <Disabled>, the output trigger mode is disabled.

– <Modulation>, the output trigger connector outputs a TTL signal at the

frequency of the internal modulation. This signal is output whether the laser

is switched on or off.

5 Press Enter.

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Agilent 8164A Users Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Safety Considerations

Line Power Requirements

Line Power Cable

Operating Environment

Input/Output Signals

Additional Safety Requirements

Safety Symbols

Laser Safety Information

Initial Safety Information for Laser Source Modules

Initial Safety Information for Tunable Laser Modules

Laser Safety Labels - 28 mW Max. CW Output Power

Laser Safety Labels - 15 mW Max. CW Output Power

Further Safety Information

The Structure of this Manual

Conventions used in this Manual

Contents

Figures

Tables

Getting Started

A Description of the User Interface

Password

If You Forget Your Password

User Interface Features

Introducing Softkeys

Introducing Hardkeys

Special Module States

Slot and Channel Numbers

How to Navigate/Modify the Display

Overview Screen

How to Use the Cursor Key

How to Use the Numerical Keypad

How to Use the Modify Knob

How to Change Channel

How to Access the Details Screen

How to Access the Menu

How to Change the System Configuration

How to Get Help

How to Access Applications

How to Change the Value of a Parameter

How to Select a Parameter

How to Accept the New Value of a Parameter

How to Make a Big Change to a Continuous Parameter

How to Make a Small Change to a Continuous Parameter

How to Change a Discrete Parameter

How to Set All Parameters to Their Default Values

If You Make a Mistake

If the Parameter Changes to Different Valu e

A Sample Session

How to Measure the Power of a Modulated Signal

Additional Information

Using the System Utilities

How to Set the Backlight & Contrast

To Set the Contrast

To Set the Backlight

How to Set the Date & Time

How to Set the GPIB Address

How to Select the Printer Type

How to Lock/Unlock the High-Power Laser Sources

How to Change the Password

If You Forget Your Password

How to Set the Trigger Configuration

How to Configure your Foot Pedal

How to Get Information About Modules

How to Get Information About the Mainframe

How to Connect an External Monitor

How to Connect a Printer

Power Measurement

How to Measure Power

The Power Value

How to Set the Number of Digits

How to Set the Power Unit

What are the Power Units ?

How to Set the Calibration Offset

How to Set the Reference Level

How to Input a Reference Level

How to Set the Reference Value to the Current Power Val ue