Agilent 83437A
Broadband Light Source
Technical Specifications
January 2004
Incoherent light sources for single-mode-fiber
component and subsystem characterization.
The Technology
The Agilent Technologies 83437A
Broadband Light Source (BBLS) is
based on Agilent Technologies’ edgeemitting 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 wavelength-independent couplers
depending on the ordered
configuration.
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 loss. All
others are standard '3 dB' couplers.
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.
Page 2 of 8
Your Benefits
Respond to market pressure…
Manufacturers of fiberoptic
components and subsystems are
experiencing a dynamic and
competitive market. This increases the
pressure on profit margins so
production costs must decrease while
the devices become more complex.
Per-unit test cost, as well as the initial
investment in test instrumentation
needs to be reduced.
...to improve the quality and the
performance of your device...
Together with an optical spectrum
analyzer (OSA), the
Agilent Technologies 83437A 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 allows 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.
Basic stimulus/response setup
..with just the right
equipment...
The JET philosophy (Just Enough
Test) provides the right amount of
capability necessary for key
component and subsystem tests (see
next pages) without excessive
features or a complicated user
interface.
Page 3 of 8
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 83437A
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 testing over a
large dynamic range.
Filter characterization with an Agilent
83437A Broadband Light Source and an
Agilent Optical spectrum Analyzer (OSA).
Because an 83437A equipped with
EELEDs provides more than one
hundred times the power density of a
white-light source, devices can be
characterized over a wide power and
wavelength range. Therefore, this
source allows you to measure a
greater variety of components.
An Agilent 83437A with multiple EELEDs
allows you to characterize insertion loss,
crosstalk and polarization dependence of
single-mode components at standard as
well as less common wavelengths.
Furthermore, less averaging is
necessary, which drastically reduces
the sweep time.
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. Modulating the
Agilent 83437A and gating the OSA with
the ADC trigger mode provides
significant suppression of ambient light.
Measurement range of broadband sources
together with an Agilent 816xB OSA at 1 nm
resolution bandwidth (RBW). The measurement
range increase and decrease by 10 dB for 10 nm
and 0.1 nm RBW.
Measurement
Measurement
Range (dB)
Range (dB)
60
60
40
40
20
20
0
0
900 1000
900 1000
White Light Source
White Light Source
8614xB #002
8614xB #002
1100 1200 1300
1100 1200 1300
Page 4 of 8
Broadband Light Source
Broadband Light Source
Wavelength (nm)
Wavelength (nm)
83437A
83437A
1400 1500 1600 1700
1400 1500 1600 1700
Other Applications
Polarization Mode Dispersion
The dispersion of optical signals in
dependence on polarization can limit
the bandwidth of a fiber optic system.
For systems transmitting 2.5 Gb/s or
more, it is essential to know the
polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of
the fiber to be installed. One common
method is the wavelength-scanning,
also called fixed-analyzer, technique.
This technique uses a broadband
source, two polarizers and an optical
spectrum analyzer.
In order to accurately characterize
sample lengths of a 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 must be higher.
The 83437A covers up to 500 nm,
which is necessary for characterizing
devices with low but significant PMD.
To make measurements in the
presence of ASE (broadband
background light) from optical
amplifiers, the 83437A can be
modulated for “lock-in” style
measurements using the ADC AC
trigger of the 8614xB.
Test setup of a PMD measurement using the wavelength-scanning method.
PMD measurement of a 4 km low-PMD
fiber on a shipping spool.
Page 5 of 8
Agilent 83437A Specifications
Performance Specifications and Characteristics
Peak wavelength 1200 ±30 nm 1310 ±20 nm 1430 ±30 nm 1550 ±20 nm
3 dB width 2 45 nm 47 nm 50 nm 52 nm 55 nm
Total power
Peak density
Compatible filter
Output return loss 2 > 25 dB ( 50 dB 5 )
Power stability 4 (1310/1430/1550) < ±0.02 dB (15 min), < ±0.05 dB (6 hr)
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 mm H x 213mm W x 450 mm D (4.02 in H x 8.39 in W x 17.72 in D)
Power 90 to 132 V or 198 to 264 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz, 50 W
Operating Temperature 0°C to +45°C
Storage Temperature -40°C to +45°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 nm coupler
that have less than 1 dB loss (see spectra for typical configurations; 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, 3.5 in height, 1.75 in hole spacing).
7
Measured with an InGaAs power sensor.
3, 7
> -17 dBm
2, 3
> -37 dBm [1 nm]
20 µW
>200 nW/nm
> -13 dBm
50 µW
> -33 dBm [1 nm]
>500 nW/nm
(1200/1650) < ±0.03 dB (15 min), < ±0.05 dB (6 hr)
> -13 dBm
50 µW
> -33 dBm [1 nm]
>500 nW/nm
9/125 µm, single mode
> -13 dBm
50 µW
> -33 dBm [1 nm]
>500 nW/nm
1
1650 ±30 nm
> -17 dBm
20 µW
> -37 dBm [1 nm]
>500 nW/nm
Characteristic spectra in single EELED
configurations
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 705, 1550 nm EELED only).
Characteristic spectrum when four
EELEDs are installed (Agilent 83437A
with options 003. 004, 006, and 705)
Connector Options
83437A - 021 Straight (non-angled) Contact Interface-PC (default)
83437A - 022 Angled Contact Interface - APC
81000FI FC Connector (default)
81000KI SC Connector
81000NI FC/APC Connector
81000SI DIN Connector
81000VI ST Connector
Accessories
83437A - UK6 Commercial calibration certificate with test data
83437A - 1CM Rack mount kit
83437A - 1CN Front handles
83437A - 1CP Rack mount kit with handles
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Copyright © 1996 - 2004 Agilent Technologies
January 31, 2004
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