Agilent 86120C Technical Specifications

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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Specifications

Wavelength

Range 700-1650 nm

Absolute Acc uracy

at 1550 nm

at 1310 nm

for laser lines separated by

Differential Accuracy

Minimum Resolvable
Separation
(equal power lines input)

Display Resolut ion
Fast update mode
Units nm (vacuum or standard air), cm-1, THz

Power

Calibration Accuracy ±0.5 dB (at ±30 nm from

Flatness

Linearity ±0.3 dB (1200 to 1600 nm) ±0.3 dB (1270 to 1600 nm) Lines above –30 dBm
Polarization Dependence ±0.5 dB (1200 to 1600 nm)

Display Resolut ion 0.01 dB
Units dBm, mW, µW

Sensitivity

Single Line Inp ut –20 dBm (700 to 800 nm)

Multiple Lines Input

Selectivity

Input Power

Maximum Displayed Level
Maximum Safe Input Level
Return Loss
With No n-Angled (PC)
Connectors
With Angled (PC)
Connectors
(Option 022)

Measurement Cycle Time
Maximum Number of Lines
Measurement Modes

Delta Modes

1

at 1550 nm
at 1310 nm
for laser lines separated by

1

±0.2 dB (1200 to 1600 nm)

2

1

1

±2 ppm ±1 ppm ±0.25 ppm (Opt. 001)

1,3

30 dB below total input power, b ut not less than single line input sensitivity

86120B 86120C 86122A Notes

For lines separated by
less than the specified
amount, wavelength
accuracy is reduced.

(182-428 THz)

±3 ppm

+0.005 nm

+0.004 nm

≥30 GHz

20 GHz

0.16 nm

0.11 nm

≥30 GHz

0.001 nm

0.01 nm

1270-1650 nm
(182-236 THz)

±2 ppm

+0.003 nm

+0.003 nm

≥15 GHz

10 GHz

0.08 nm

0.06 nm

≥15 GHz

1270-1650 nm

(182-236 THz)
±0.5 ppm (Opt.001)
+0.2 ppm (Opt.002)

+0.75 pm (Opt. 001),

±0.3 pm (Opt. 002)

+0.65 pm (Opt. 001),

±0.3 pm (Opt. 002)

≥10 GHz

±0.15 ppm (Opt. 002)

5 GHz

0.04 nm

0.03 nm

≥10 GHz

0.0001 nm

N/A

780, 1310, and 1550 nm)

±0.5 dB (700 to 1650 nm)

1

±1.0 dB

(700 to 1650 nm)

–25 dBm (800 to 1200 nm)
–40 dBm (1200 to 1600 nm)
–30 dBm (1600 to 1650 nm)

25 dB spacing ≥100 GHz

10 dB

spacing ≥30 GHz

–40 dBm (1270 to 1600 nm)
–30 dBm (1600 to 1650 nm)

25 dB spacing ≥50 GHz
10 dB

spacing ≥15 GHz

±0.5 dB (at ±30 nm

from 1310 and 1550 nm)

±0.2 dB (1270 to 1600 nm)
±0.5 dB (1270 to 1650 nm)

±0.5 dB (1270 to 1600 nm)

1

±1.0 dB

(1600 to 1650 nm)

–32 dBm (1600 to 1650 nm)
–22 dBm (1600 to 1650 nm)

25 dB spacing ≥90 GHz
10 dB spacing ≥10 GHz

30 nm from any
wavelength

Characteristic noise
floor –60 dBm

+10 dBm
+18 dBm

35 dB

50 dB

1.0 s 0.5 s

100 200 1000

List by wavelength table, list by power table, signal wavelength and power,

Delta wavelength, delta power, delta wavelengt h and power

average wavelength and total power

4

sum of all lines input

Data Logging and
sorting by any
parameter are
included in the
86122A.

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Specifications (cont’d)

Built in Automatic
Measurement Applications

Signal to Noise Ratio
Channel Spacing ≥200 GHz
Channel Spacing ≥100 GHz
Channel Spacing ≥50 GHz

Drift Maximum, minimum, total drift (max-min) of wavelengths and powers over time
Fabry-Perot Characterizat ion

Coherence Length

Additional Features

Inputs/Outputs

Optical Input 9/125 µm single-mode fiber
Rear Panel Connectors GPIB, parallel printer port, AC line LAN, PS/2 for Keyboard &

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions 140 mm high x 340 mm wide x 465 mm deep

Environmental

Operational
Temperature

Humidity

Shock 5 300 g 120 g Half sine, 2 msec

Vibration

EMC Conducted and radiated interference is in compliance with CISPR Pub 11, IEC 801-2,

Storage
Temperature

Humidity

Power Requirements

Voltage and frequency
Maximum Power

5

5

5

1,6

1

90% R.H. at +65°C for 24 hrs. 95% R.H. at +45°C, 5 day

1 Characteristic
2 Contact Agilent Technologies for availability of special instruments with higher sensitivity.
4 For 86122A number of laser lines may be limited by signal power requirements for accurate wavelength measurements.
5 Type tested means tested, but not warr anted, for continuous operation.
6 At 1550 nm

86120B 86120C 86122A Notes

>35 dB wit h 100 averages

>35 dB wit h 100 averages
>27 dB wit h 100 averages

>35 dB wit h 100 averages
>27 dB wit h 100 averages

0.1 nm noise
bandwidth.
Lines above –25 dBm.

Fabry-Perot lasers,

1 to 200 mm coherence

length, accuracy to within

±5%, 0.75 cycle time

Power offset, power bars (on or off), user ad justable peak excursion

and peak threshold, user adjust able start and stop wavelength limits,

graphical display, save and recall instrument states.

Mean wavelength, peak wavelength, mode spacing

full-width half maximum, peak amplitude total power, sigma

Mouse, SVGA for external

monitor, GPIB, parallel

printer port, AC Line,

(5.5 in x 13.4 in x 18.3 in)

9 kg (19 lb)

optional optical input

138 h x 425 w x 520 mm d

(5.2 in x 16.7 in x 20.5 in)

14.5 kg (32 lb)

0°C to +55°C

<95% R.H. at +40°C, 5 day soak

5 g rms

0.75 g (0 to peak)

IEC 801-3, IEC 801-4 and IEC 555-2

2 g rms

0.5 g (0 to peak)

Random, 5 to 500 Hz,

15°C to 35°C,

<75% R.H. at 35°C

for 86122A Opt.002

pulse

10 min./axis

Sine, 5 to 500 Hz,

1 octave/min.

–40°C to +70°C

Non-condensing

100 / 115 / 230 / 240 V~, 50 / 60 Hz

70 watts max (125 VA max)

cycle

100 / 115 / 230 / 240 V~,

50 / 60 Hz

310 VA max

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Ordering Information

For the most up-to-date ordering information, please contact your Agilent sales representative or visit our website at:

www.agilent.com/comms/lightwave

86120B/C Multi-Wavelength Meter

Optical Connectors

86120x-012 FC Connector (default)
86120x-013 DIN Connector
86120x-014 ST Connector
86120x-017 SC Connector
86120x-020 Straight (non-angled) Contact Interface-PC
86120x-022 Angled Contact Interface-APC

Fixed External 10 dB Attenuators

86120x-412 Attenuator with FC/PC Connector

(must be ordered with 86120x-020 option)

86120x-417 Attenuator with FC/APC Connector

(must be ordered with 86120x-022 option)

Accessories

86120x-AXE Rack Flange Kit with Handles
86120x-IA4 Rack Flange Kit without Handles
86120x-UK5 Nylon Carrying Case with Shoulder Strap
86120x-UK6 Commercial Calibration Certificate with

Test Data

86120x-UK7 Hard Carrying Case

Documentation

86120x-ABA English Operation Manual (default)
86120x-OBO Do not include an Operation Manual

86122A Multi-Wavelength Meter

Performance Options

86122A-001 Standard Performance (default)
86122A-002 High Accuracy Performance

Optical Connectors

86122A-020 Straight (non-angled) Contact Interface-PC

(default)
86122A-022 Angled Contact Interface-APC
86122A-400 Front Panel Fiber lnput (default)
86122A-401 Rear Panel Fiber lnput
81000FI FC Connector (default)
81000KI SC Connector
81000SI DIN Connector

Fixed External 10 dB Attenuators

86122A-412 Attenuator with FC/PC Connector

(must be ordered with 86122A 020 option)
86122A-417 Attenuator with FC/APC Connector

(must be ordered with 86122A-022 option)

Accessories

86122A-1CM Rack Mount Kit without Handles
86122A-1CN Handle Kit
86122A-1CP Rack Mount Kit plus Handles
86122A-UK6 Commercial Calibration Certificate with

Test Data

Documentation

86122A-ABA English Operation Manual (default)
86122A-OBO Do not include an Operation Manual

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Online assistance:

www.agilent.com/comms/lightwave

Phone or Fax

United States:

(tel) 1 800 45 2 4444
(fax) 1 800 829 4433

Canada:

(tel) 1 877 89 4 4414
(fax) 1 800 746 4866

Europe:

(tel) (3 1) 20 547 21 11
(fax) (31) 20 547 2190

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(fax) 120 421 678

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(tel) [phone]
(fax) [phone]

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(tel) 800 62 9 485
(fax) 800 142 134

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(tel) [phone]
(fax) [phone]

Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2006 Agilent Technologies
March 20 06

Online assistance:

http://www.agilent.com/comms/octspectral

5988-5422EN