Agilent 83437A
Broadband Light Source
Agilent 83438A
Erbium ASE Source
Product Overview
Incoherent light sources for
single-mode component and
sub-system characterization
H
2
The Technology
The Agilent Technologies 83437A
Broadband Light Source (BBLS) is
based on Agilent Technologies’
Edge-emitting LED (EELED)
technology. An EELED provides
significantly more power density
into a single-mode fiber than a
regular LED and more than one
hundred times that of a white
light source.
Built-to-order, the 83437A can
incorporate up to four EELEDs,
with five available wavelengths
in the 1200 to 1650 nm range.
Connectors on the back panel
allow you to modulate the light by
applying a TTL compatible signal,
or to selectively turn any of the
EELEDs on (open connection)
or off (shorted).
In configurations with multiple
EELEDs installed, optical couplers combine the light to a single
output. In order to minimize
coupler losses, Agilent uses wavelength-dependent and wavelengthindependent couplers depending
on the ordered configuration.
Furthermore, an optional isolator
and angled contact output
connector help to increase the
instrument’s return loss for applications sensitive to reflections
in the test setup.
The Agilent 83438A Erbium ASE
source emits amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from an
Erbium doped fiber. Such light is
one hundred times stronger than
an EELED, and ten thousand
times stronger than a white light
source. This makes it an ideal
source for characterizing
components with high losses
(such as crosstalk or isolation).
A pump laser activates the fluorescence of the Erbium doped
fiber. The modulation input allows
on/off control or modulation up
to 300 Hz for applications using
lock-in techniques.
An optical isolator (standard in
each instrument) protects the
active fiber from backreflections
from the device under test, which
significantly improves the stability
of this source. An angled contact
output and a built-in polarizer
are available as options.
EELEDDriver
EELED
Driver
EELED
Driver
EELED
Driver
Modulation
Input
Combined
Output
1550 nm
1310 nm
1430 nm
1650 nm
<1 dB
<1 dB
<4 dB
Pump Laser
Driver
Modulation
Input
Isolator
Erbium
Doped Fiber
Coupler
Output
Agilent 83438A block diagram
Agilent 83437A block diagram (shown with 83437A- 003, 004,
006, and 705). Only the 1310/1550 and the 1430/1650 couplers
are wavelength dependent to minimize the loss. All others are
standard “3 dB” couplers.
3
Your Benefits
Respond to market pressure...
Manufacturers of fiberoptic
components and subsystems are
experiencing a dynamic and
growing market. At the same
time, competition is appearing
from around the world. This
increases the pressure on profit
margins because production
costs must fall while the devices
become more complex. Per-unit
test cost, as well as the initial
investment in test instrumentation needs to be reduced.
...with just the right equipment...
The JET philosophy (Just Enough
Test) provides the right amount
of light necessary for key component and subsystem tests (see
next pages) without carrying
excessive features or a complicated user interface.
Increase your
productivity and
competitiveness
with more
accurate tests
and higher
throughput.
...to improve the quality and the
performance of your device...
Together with an optical spectrum
analyzer (OSA), the Agilent
Technologies 83437A or the
Agilent 83438A will ensure that
your device is accurately
characterized. Reliable and
repeatable measurements help to
tighten margins, allowing you to
sell a better product with greater
profit due to a higher yield.
...while increasing throughput.
The significantly higher power
density compared to white light
and regular LED sources allow
much faster OSA sweep times.
Whether you need only a simple
test versus wavelength or a complex characterization including
polarization and other effects,
test setups using these sources
significantly reduce your total
measurement time.
Agilent 83437A
Broadband Light Source
or
Agilent 83438A
Erbium ASE Source
Agilent 8614xB
Optical spectrum Analyzer
Reference
Device Under Test
Basic stimulus/
response setup
Agilent 83437A/83438A
Broadband Light Source
Agilent 8614xB
Optical spectrum Analyzer
Agilent 8606xC Series
Optical Switches
DUT
2 x 2
Agilent 11896A
Polarization controller
Agilent 8168xB
Tunable Laser Source
N x 1
Agilent 8612x
Multi-Wavelength Meter
Polarizer
Agilents’ fully customized systems help you to
focus on your product while getting the measurements and the accuracy you need to be successful.
4
Stimulus/Response
Applications
The performance of most passive
optical components depends on
wavelength, either within several
nanometers or over a few hundred nanometers. If that is a
critical parameter in the application of your component, then the
Agilent Technologies 83437A or
the Agilent 83438A is the perfect
stimulus to probe the device under
test and to characterize its wavelength dependence quickly with
an optical spectrum analyzer.
Some parameters, such as isolation
or crosstalk, may require a large
measurement range of the test setup.
The optical power from an
83438A Erbium ASE Source in
conjunction with the sensitivity and
selectivity of an Agilent 8614xB
Optical Spectrum Analyzer
stretch the available measurement range up to about 70 dB.
Because an 83437A equipped with
four EELEDs provides more than
one hundred times the power
density of a white light source,
even lossy devices can be
comprehensively characterized
over a wide wavelength range.
Therefore, this source allows
you to measure a greater variety
of components.
Furthermore, less averaging
is necessary which drastically
reduces the sweep time.
Port 1
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4
Common
D-WDM
The Agilent 83438A has the
power density necessary to
characterize dense WDM
(DWDM) components quickly.
50 dB
Filter characterization with an
Agilent 83437A Broadband Light
Source and an Agilent Optical
Spectrum Analyzer (OSA)
Wavelength (nm)
900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700
0
20
40
60
80
Measurement
Range (dB)
Broadband Light Source
83437A
Erbium ASE Source
83438A
White Light Source
8614xB-002
Measurement range of incoherent sources in conjunction
with an Agilent 8614xB Optical Spectrum Analyzer at 1 nm
resolution bandwidth (RBW). The measurement ranges shown
increase and decrease by 10 dB for 10 nm and 0.1 nm RBW.
1550/1650 Coupler
An agilent 83437A with multiple
EELEDs built-in allows you to
characterize insertion loss,
crosstalk and polarization
dependence of single-mode
components at standard as well
as less common wavelengths.
Flatness of a 10 dB fixed
attenuator measured over
500 nm
Wavelength dependence
of materials (such as infrared
filter disks) measured on an
optical bench: when the Agilent
83437A or 83438A emit modulated
light, the ADC AC trigger mode of
the OSA is able to significantly
suppress ambient light.
5
Other Applications
Polarization Mode Dispersion
The dispersion of optical energy
in different states of polarization
can limit the bandwidth of a
fiberoptic cable or system. For
systems transmitting 2.5 Gb/s or
more, it is essential to know the
polarization mode dispersion
(PMD) of the cable to be installed.
One common method is the
wavelength-scanning technique.
This technique uses an optical
noise source, two polarizers and
an optical spectrum analyzer.
In order to accurately characterize
cable lengths ypically used during
deployment (few kilometers), it is
necessary to probe the device
under test (DUT) over a wide
wavelength range. For longer
cables, or for testing a previously
installed link, the wavelength
range may be smaller but the
source power has to be higher.
The 83437A covers up to
500 nm, which is necessary for
characterizing devices with low
but significant PDL insertion loss,
and the 83438A has the power
density to probe devices with medium or high insertion loss. If the
83437A is modulated, then a lock-in
mode (ADC AC trigger) in an
8614xB still can characterize PMD,
even if ASE noise from Erbiumdoped amplifiers along a link
supersedes the probe signal.
Agilent 83437A
Broadband Light Source
Agilent 8614xB
Optical spectrum Analyzer
Device Under Test
Polarizer
Polarizer
Test setup of a PMD measurement using the
wavelength-scanning method.
PMD measurement of
a 4 km low-PMD fiber
on a shipping spool
6
Agilent 83437A
Specifications
Performance Specifications and Characteristics
Peak wavelength 1200 ±30 nm 1310 ±20 nm 1430 ±30 nm 1550 ±20 nm
1
1650 ±30 nm
3 dB width
2
45 nm 47 nm 50 nm 52 nm 55 nm
Total power
3,7
> –17 dBm > –13 dBm > –13 dBm > –13 dBm > –17 dBm
20 µW 50 µW 50 µW 50 µW 20 µW
Peak density
2,3
> –37 dBm [1 nm] > –33 dBm [1 nm] > –33 dBm [1 nm] > –33 dBm [1 nm] > –37 dBm [1 nm]
>200 nW/nm >500 nW/nm >500 nW/nm >500 nW/nm >200 nW/nm
Compatible fiber 9/125 µm, single-mode
Output return loss
2
>25 dB (50 dB5)
Power stability
4
(1310/1430/1550) <±0.02 dB (15 min), <±0.05 dB (6 h)
(1200/1650) <±0.03 dB (15 min), <±0.05 dB (6 h)
Modulation
2
Digital (TTL compatible input), 100% on-off, DC to 100 kHz
LED safety IEC 825-1 Class 1
Weight 5.5 kg (12 lbs)
Dimensions
6
102 H x 213 W x 450 D mm (4.02 H x 8.39 W x 17.72 D in)
Power 90 to 132 V or 198 to 264 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz, 50 W
Operating temperature 0 to +45°C
Storage temperature –40 to +70°C
1
Default configuration
2
Characteristic value (not warranted).
3
Configurations with multiple EELEDs have less power. Typical losses are 3.5 dB per coupler except the 1310/1550 nm and the 1430/1650 coupler which have less than
1 dB loss (see spectra for typical configurations, and see page 2 for a block diagram).
4
Ambient temperature change <±1°C, measured with power meter having >30 dB return loss and after 1 hour warm-up time.
5
Measured at 1550 nm with isolator (83437A-001) and FC/APC connector (83437A-022).
6
System II chassis (half module, 3 1/2” height, 1.75” hole spacing).
7 Measured with an InGaAs power sensor.
Characteristic spectra in
single EELED configurations
Characteristic spectrum
when four EELEDs are
installed (Agilent 83437A with
options 003, 004, 006 and 705)
Wavelength (nm)
1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700
–50
–45
–40
–35
–30
Power Density
dBm [1 nm]
13101200 1430
1550 1650
Power Density
dBm [1 nm]
–30
–40
–50
–60
–70
White Light Source
1310
1550
Power Density
dBm [1 nm]
–30
–40
–50
–60
–70
White Light Source
1310 1430 1550 1650
Characteristic spectrum in
the 1310/1550 nm dual EELED
configuration (Agilent 83437A
with options 003 and 705)
Ordering Information
83437A Broadband (EELED) Light Source
Source Options
83437A-002 1200 nm EELED
83437A-003 1310 nm EELED
83437A-004 1430 nm EELED
83437A-705 1550 nm EELED (default configuration)
83437A-006 1650 nm EELED
No more than four EELEDs can be installed at a time (see block
diagram on page 2). Option 001 requires the default configuration
(Option 705, 1550 nm EELED only).
83437A-001 1550 nm Isolator
Connector Options
83437A-020 Straight (non-angled) Contact Interface-PC (default)
83437A-022 Angled Contact Interface-APC
81000AI Diamond HMS-10 Connector
81000FI FC Connector (default)
81000KI SC Connector
81000SI DIN Connector
81000VI ST Connector
Accessories and Documentation
83437A-AB0 Taiwan-Chinese localization
83437A-UK6 Commercial calibration certificate with test data
83437A-1CM Rack mount kit
83437A-1CN Front handles
83437A-1CP Rack mount kit with handles
7
Agilent 83438A
Specifications
Performance Specifications and Characteristics
Compatible fiber 9/125 µm, single-mode
Total output power
3,7
Min. +5.5 dBm, max. +8.1 dBm
Spectral density
2,7
at 1530 nm at 1550 nm at 1560 nm
> –13 dBm [1 nm] > –13 dBm [1 nm] > –13 dBm [1 nm]
>50 µW/nm >50 µW/nm >50 µW/nm
Output return loss
2
>30 dB (50 dB5)
Power stability
4
<±0.02 dB (15 min), <±0.05 dB (6 h)
Degree of polarization
2
<5% (standard), >95% (option 009)
Modulation
2
Digital (TTL input), DC to 300 Hz
Laser safety 21 CFR 1040.10 Class I, IEC 825-1 Class 1
Weight 5.5 kg (12 lbs)
Dimensions
6
102 H x 213 W x 450 D mm (4.02 H x 8.39 W x 17.72 D in)
Power 90 to 132 V or 198 to 264 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz, 50 W
Operating temperature 0 to +45°C
Storage temperature –40 to +70°C
2
Characteristic value (not warranted).
3
Measured with an InGaAs power sensor.
4
Ambient temperature change <±1°C, measured with power meter having >30 dB return loss and after
1 hour warm-up time.
5
Measured at 1550 nm with FC/APC connector (83438A-022).
6
System II chassis (half module, 3 1/2” height, 1.75” hole spacing)
7
3 dB less with option 009 Polarized Light Output
Characteristic output
spectrum in the range
1500 to 1600 nm
Characteristic output
spectrum in the range
1550 to 1560 nm
Characteristic output
waveform when modulated
with 270 Hz square-wave
Ordering Information
83438A Erbium ASE Source (single-mode)
Connector Options
83438A-020 Straight (non-angled) Contact Interface-PC (default)
83438A-022 Angled Contact Interface-APC
81000AI Diamond HMS-10 Connector
81000FI FC Connector (default)
81000KI SC Connector
81000SI DIN Connector
81000VI ST Connector
Accessories
83438A-009 Polarized light output
83438A-709 Without Polarizer (default configuration)
83438A-UK6 Commercial calibration certificate with test data
83438A-1CM Rack mount kit
83438A-1CN Front handles
83438A-1CP Rack mount kit with handles
Relative Amplitude
(linear)
90%
70%
50%
30%
10%
10 ms/DIV 100% = Unmodulated Power Level
Power Density
dBm [1 nm]
–8
–10
–12
–14
–16
Power Density
dBm [1 nm]
–10
–20
–30
–40
–50
Agilent Technologies’
Test and Measurement Support, Services, and Assistance
Agilent Technologies aims to maximize the value you receive, while minimizing your risk and
problems. We strive to ensure that you get the test and measurement capabilities you paid for and
obtain the support you need. Our extensive support resources and services can help you choose the
right Agilent products for your applications and apply them successfully. Every instrument and
system we sell has a global warranty. Support is available for at least five years beyond the
production life of the product. Two concepts underlie Agilent’s overall support policy: “Our
Promise” and “Your Advantage.”
Our Promise
Our Promise means your Agilent test and measurement equipment will meet its advertised
performance and functionality. When you are choosing new equipment, we will help you with
product information, including realistic performance specifications and practical recommendations
from experienced test engineers. When you use Agilent equipment, we can verify that it works
properly, help with product operation, and provide basic measurement assistance for the use of
specified capabilities, at no extra cost upon request. Many self-help tools are available.
Your Advantage
Your Advantage means that Agilent offers a wide range of additional expert test and measurement
services, which you can purchase according to your unique technical and business needs. Solve
problems efficiently and gain a competitive edge by contracting with us for calibration, extra-cost
upgrades, out-of-warranty repairs, and on-site education and training, as well as design, system
integration, project management, and other professional engineering services. Experienced Agilent
engineers and technicians worldwide can help you maximize your productivity, optimize the return
on investment of your Agilent instruments and systems, and obtain dependable measurement
accuracy for the life of those products.
By internet, phone, or fax, get assistance with all your test & measurement needs.
Online assistance:
www.agilent.com/comms/lightwave
www.agilent.com/find/emailupdates
Get the latest information on the
products and applications you select.
Phone or Fax
United States:
(tel) 1 800 452 4844
Canada:
(tel) 1 877 894 4414
(fax) (905) 282 6495
China:
(tel) 800-810-0189
(fax) 1-0800-650-0121
Europe:
(tel) (31 20) 547 2323
(fax) (31 20) 547 2390
Japan:
(tel) (81) 426 56 7832
(fax) (81) 426 56 7840
Korea:
(tel) (82-2) 2004-5004
(fax)(82-2) 2004-5115
Latin America:
(tel) (305) 269 7500
(fax) (305) 269 7599
Taiwan:
(tel) 080-004-7866
(fax) (886-2) 2545-6723
Other Asia Pacific Countries:
(tel) (65) 375-8100
(fax) (65) 836-0252
Email: tm_asia@agilent.com
Product specifications and descriptions in this document
subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1996, 2002 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Printed in USA June 12, 2002
5965-3252E
Loading...