Agilent 86120B, 86120C, 86122A
Multi-Wavelength Meters
Technical Specifications
March 2006
Agilent multi-wavelength meters are Michelson interferometer-based instruments that measure wavelength and
optical power of laser light over a specified wavelength range. Simultaneous measurements of multiple laser
lines are performed allowing measurements of DWDM signals and multiple lines of Fabry-Perot lasers. Each
laser line is assumed to have a linewidth (including modulation sidebands) of less than:
• 10 GHz for the 86120B,
• 5 GHz for the 86120C and
• 2.5 GHz for the 86122A.
This technical specifications sheet describes the measurement accuracy and operating conditions of the Agilent
86120B, 86120C and 86122A Multi-Wavelength Meters. The specifications apply to all functions over the
temperature range of 0 to 55 °C and relative humidity <95% (unless otherwise noted). All specifications apply
after the instrument’s temperature has been stabilized after 15 minutes continuous operation, and when the
instrument is in NORMAL UPDATE mode (86120B and 86120C).
Definitions of Terms
Characteristics and Specifications
The distinction between specifications and characteristics is described as follows:
• Specifications describe warranted performance.
• Characteristics provide useful, but non-warranted information about the functions and performance of
the instrument.
Wavelength
• Range refers to the allowable wavelength range of the optical input signal.
• Absolute accuracy indicates the maximum wavelength error over the allowed environmental conditions.
• Differential accuracy indicates the maximum wavelength error in measuring the wavelength difference
between two signals that are simultaneously present.
• Minimum resolvable separation indicates the minimum wavelength separation of two laser lines input
required to measure each wavelength simultaneously. Two laser lines closer in wavelength than the
minimum resolvable separation are not resolved and one average wavelength is displayed.
• Display resolution indicates the minimum incremental change in displayed wavelength.
Power
• Calibration accuracy indicates the maximum power calibration error at the specified wavelengths over
the allowed environmental conditions.
• Flatness refers to the maximum amplitude error in a measurement between two lines that are separated
in wavelength by no more than the specified amount.
• Linearity indicates the maximum power error in measuring the change in power of one laser line.
• Polarization dependence indicates the maximum displayed power variation as the polarization of the
input signal is varied.
• Display resolution indicates the minimum incremental change in displayed power.
Sensitivity
• Sensitivity is defined as the minimum power level of a single laser line input to measure wavelength and
power accurately. A laser line with less than the minimum power may be measured but with reduced
wavelength and power accuracy. For multiple laser lines input, sensitivity may be limited by total input
power.
Selectivity
• Selectivity indicates the ability to measure the wavelength and power of a weak laser line in the
proximity of a specified stronger laser line and separated by the specified amount.
Input Power
• Maximum displayed level indicates the maximum total input power (total of all laser lines present) to
accurately measure wavelength and power.
• Maximum safe input power indicates the maximum total input power (total of all laser lines present) to
avoid permanent optical damage to the instrument.
Maximum Number of Lines Input
• Maximum number of lines input is the maximum number of displayed lines. If more than the specified
number of lines are input, only the longest wavelength lines are displayed.
Input Return Loss
• Input return loss indicates the optical power reflected back to the user ’s fiber cable relative to the input
power. It is limited by the return loss of the front panel connector, and assumes the user ’s connector is
good.
Measurement Cycle Time
• Measurement cycle time refers to the cycle time when measuring wavelength and power of laser lines.
Specific advanced applications may require longer cycle times.
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