Agilent Technologies 86140B User Manual

Agilent 86140BSeries Optical Spectrum Analyzer User’s Guide

Agilent Part No. 86140- 90 06 8 Printed in USA January 2002

Agilent Technologies Lightwave Division 3910 Brickway Boulevard, Santa Rosa, CA 95403, USA

Notice.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Companies, names, and data used in examples herein are fictitious unless otherwise noted. Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not 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.

Restricte d Ri ghts Legend.

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to res tric tio ns as se t forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 for DOD agencies, and subparagraphs (c) ( 1) and (c) (2 ) of the Commercial Computer Software Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19 for other agencies.

Warranty.

This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one y ear f rom date

of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective. For warranty service or repair, this product mu st be re tur ned to a service facility designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.

Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted or errorfree.

Limitation of Warranty.

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyersupplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, ope ra tio n 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 the implied warranties of merchantability 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, speci a l, inci-

dental, or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory.

Safety Symbols.

CAUTION The caution sign denotes a

hazard. It calls attenti on to a procedure which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of the product. Do not proceed beyond a caution sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

WARNING The warning sign denotes a

hazard. It calls attenti on to a procedure 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.

The instruction manual symbol. The product is marked wit h this warning symbol when it is necessary for the user to refer to the instructions in the manual.

The laser radiation symbol. This warning symbol is marked on products which have a laser output.

The AC symbol is used to indicate the required nature of the line module input power.

| The ON symbols are

used to mark the positions of the instrument power line switch.



The OFF symbols are used to mark the positions of the instrument power line switch.

The CE mark is a registered trademark of the European Community.

The CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards Association.

The C-Tick mark is a registered trademark of the Australian Spectrum Management Agency.

This text denotes the

ISM1-A

instrument is an Industrial Scientific and Medical Group 1 Class A product.

Typographical Conventions.

The following conventions are used in this book:

Key type for keys or text located on the keyboard or instrument.

Softkey type for key names that are displayed on the instrument’s screen.

Display type for words or

characters displayed on the computer’s screen or instrument’s display.

User type for words or charac-

ters that you type or enter. Emphasis type for words or

characters that emphasize some point or that are used as place holders for text that you type.

General Safety Considera tions

General Safety Considerations

This product has been designed and tested in accordan c e w ith the standards listed on the Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity, and has been supplied in a safe condition. The documentation contains infor mation and warnings that must be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to maintain the product in a safe condition.

Install the ins trument according to the enclosure protection provided. This instrument does not protect ag a inst the ingress of wa te r. This instrument protects against finger access to hazardous parts within the enclosure.

WARNI NG If this product is not used as specified, the protection provided by the

equipment could be imp aired. This product must be used in a normal condition (in which all means for protection are intact) only.

WARNI NG No operator serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified

service personnel. To prevent electrical shock do not remove covers.

WARNI NG This is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protectiv e earthing

ground incorporated in the power cord). The mains plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a protective earth contact. Any interruption of the protective c o nductor inside or outside of the instrument is likely to make the instrument dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohi bited.

WARNI NG To prevent electrical shock, disconnect the instrument from mains

before cleaning. Use a dr y cloth or one slightly dampened with water to clean the external case parts. Do not attempt to clean internally.

CAUTION Fiber-optic connectors are easily damaged when connected to dirty or

damaged cables and accessories. The Agilent 86140B series’s fr ont-pa nel INPUT connector is no exception. Whe n y o u use im proper cleaning and handling techniques, you risk expensive instrument repairs, damaged cables, and compromised measurements. Before you connect any fiber-optic cable to the Agilent 86140B se ri es , re fe r to “Cleaning Connection s for Accurate

Measurements” on page 6-8.

iii

General Safety Considera tions

CAUTION This product i s designed for use in Installation Category II and Pollution

Degree 2 per IEC 61010- 1C and 664 respectively.

CAUTION Do not use too much liquid in cleaning the optical spectrum analyzer. Water can

enter the fron t-panel keyboard, damaging sensitive electronic compon ents.

CAUTION VENTILA TION RE QUIREMENTS: When installing t he product in a cabinet, the

convection into and out of the product must not be restricted. The ambient temperature (outside the cabinet) must be less than the maximum operating temperatur e of the product by 4

° C for every 100 watts dissipated in the

cabinet. If the total power dissipated in the cabinet is gr eater than 800 watts, then forced convection must be used.

CAUTION Install the instrument so that the detachable power cord is readily identifiable

and is easily reached by the operator. The detachable power cord is the instrument disconne cti ng d evice. It disconnects the mains circui t from the mains supply befo re other parts of the instrument. The front pane l switch is only a standby switch and is not a LINE switch. Alternatively, an externally installed switch or circuit breaker (which is readily identifiable and is easily reached by the operator) may be used as a disconnecting device.

CAUTION Always use the three-prong AC power cord supplied with this instrument.

Failure to ensure adeq uate earth grounding by not us ing this cord may cause instrument damage .

CAUTION Do not connect ac power until you have verified the line voltage is correct as

described in “Line Power Requirements” on page 1-11. Dam a ge to the equipment could result.

CAUTION This instrument has autoranging line voltage input. Be sure the supply voltage

is within the specified range.

CAUTION The Agilent 86140B, 86141B, 86144B, 86146B and 86142B Option 004/005/006

EELED sources contain an IEC Class 1 LED, according to IEC 60825.

CAUTION Use of controls or adjustment or performance of procedures othe r than those

specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

1 Getting Started

Product Overview 1-2 Setting Up the Analyzer 1-8 Making a Measurement 1-13 The Menu Bar 1-17 The Softkey Pane ls 1 - 1 8 Laser Safety Considerations 1-29 Product Options and Accessories 1-30

2 Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements 2-2 Calibrating Wavelength Measurements 2-14 Saving, Recalling, and Managing Fi le s 2- 19 Analyzing Measurement Data 2-27 Analyzer Operating Mo des 2-30

3 Function Reference

4 Remote Front Pan el Operation

Remote Front Panel 4-2

5 Status Listings

Overview 5-2 Error Reporting Behavior 5-4 SCPI-Defined Errors 5-5 OSA Notices 5-1 6 OSA Warnings 5-17 Application -Specific Warnings 5-29 OSA Status Errors 5-35 OSA Errors 5-36 Firmware Errors 5-38

6 Maintenance

Changing the Printer Paper 6-2 Printer Head Cleaning Procedure 6-4 Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements 6-8 Returning the Instrument for Service 6-21

Contents-1

Contents

7 Specifications and Regulatory Information

Definition of Terms 7-3 Specifications 7-5 Regulatory Information 7-21 Declaration of Conformity 7-22

Contents-2

Product Overview 1-2 Setting Up the Analyzer 1-8 Making a Measurement 1-13 The Menu Bar 1-17 The Softkey Pane ls 1-18 Laser Safety Considerations 1-29 Product Options and Accessories 1-30

Getting Started

Product Overview

The 86140B series of optical spectrum analy z er s provide fast, accurate, and comprehensive measurement capabilities for spectral analysis.

• Full-featured SCPI c omm a nd s f or pr ogramming instruments over LAN

• Display-off feature for making faster measurements

• Remote file saving and printing for outputting measure m ent results

• Filter mode for accurate and flexible measurements

• Built-in applications for accelerating test times

Filter Mode The Agilent 861 44B and 86146B filter mode allows single dense wavelength

division mul ti plexing (DWDM) to be isolated and routed to external test equipment. The filter mode capability is built-in to internal applications to allow for fast and easy implementation of channel dropping. For Agilent 86146B instruments, this mode also allows the ability to measure time resolve chirp (TRC).

Built-in Applications

Built-in applications allow fast, repeatable measurements for WDM systems, lasers, amplifiers, a nd pas sive components. These applications can be added through a firmware upgrade.

WDM Application

This application allows you to measure DWDM sub-system components, (such as transmission sub-systems, optical add/drop multiplexers, and multiplexers/ de-multiplexers) for param et er s suc h as opti cal sig nal - to-noise ratio (OSNR), channel wavelength, channel power, and span tilt.

Passive Component Test Application

This applicati on simplifies the testing of passive c o m p onents, such as fi lte rs, couplers, and isolators by defining a test plan that measures parameter s such as insertion and return loss, bandwi dth, and filter shape.

1-2

Getting Started

Product Overview

Source Test Application

This application offers automated optical source and laser characterization.

Amplifier Test Application

This applicatio n simplifies the process of characterizin g ga in and noise figure of optical amplifiers such as EDFA’s, SOA’s and Raman amplifiers.

1-3

Getting Started

Product Overview

Agilent 86140B Front and Rear Panels

1-4

Getting Started

Product Overview

1-5

Getting Started

Product Overview

Optical Spectrum Analyzer Display

Figure 1-1. Optical Spectrum An aly zer Display

1-6

Getting Started

Product Overview

Figure 1-2. Display Annotations

1-7

Getting Started

Setting Up the Ana lyzer

Setting Up the Analyzer

Step 1. Receive and Inspect the Shipment

Table 1-1.Items in a Standard Agilent 86140B Series Shipment

Description Product Number

BNC Cable (24 inches) 8120-1839 1 GPIB Cable 8120-3444 1 FC/PC Dust Cap 1401-0291 2 English User’s Guide Manual 86140-90068 1 Application Guide 86140-90071 1 Programming Guide 86140-90069 1 Quick Start Card 86140-90087 1

1-8

Item Quantity

Getting Started

Setting Up the Analyzer



Inspect the shipping container for damage.



Inspect the instrume nt.



Verify that you received the options and accessories you ordered. Keep the shipping container and cushioning material until you have inspected

the contents of the shipment for completeness and have checked the optical spectrum anal yz er mechanical ly and electrical ly.

If anything is missing or de fe ctive, contact your nearest Agile nt Tech nologies Sales Office. Refer to “Returning the Instrument for Service” on page 6-21. If the shipment was damaged, contact the carrier, then contact the nearest Agilent Technologies Sales Office. Keep the shipping materials for the carrier’s inspection. The Agilent Technologies Sales Offi c e wi ll a rra nge for repair or replacement at Ag ilent Technologies’ option without waiting for claim settl e- ment.

Step 2. Connect Accessories and Power Cord



Although you can operate all instrument functions using only the front-panel keys, and trackball on portabl e m odels, these accessories make your op tical spectrum analyzer easier to use. Connect any standard PC-compatible mouse (or other pointing device), keyboard, or external VGA-comp a t ible display.

1-9

Getting Started

Setting Up the Ana lyzer

CAUTION Do not stack other objects on the keyboard; this will cause self-test failures on

power-on.



You can connect a PCL-language printer (for example, an HP1 LaserJet) to the instrument’s rear panel Parallel connector. Use a parallel Centronics printer cable, such as an HP C2950A (2 m) or HP C2951A (3 m).



The line cord provided is matched by Agilent Technologi es to the country of origin on the order. Refer to “Accessories” on page 1-31.

1. HP and Hewlett-Packard are U.S. registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.

1-10

Getting Started

Setting Up the Analyzer

Table 1-2. Line Power Requirements

Power 115 VAC: 110 VA MAX. / 60 WATT S MAX. / 1.1 A MAX.

230 VAC: 150 VA MAX. / 70 WATTS MAX. / 0.6 A MAX.

Voltage nominal: 115 VAC / 230 VAC

range 115 VAC: 90–132 V range 230 VAC: 198–254 V

Frequency nominals: 50 Hz / 60 Hz

range: 47–63 Hz

Step 3. Apply Power to Instrument



Press the power switch at the lower left-hand corner of the front panel. After a short ini tiali zation p eriod , the dis play wil l look simi lar to the pict ure on

this page.



Allow the instrument to warm up for at least 1 hour.

Step 4. Clean Connectors and Prepare for Measurements

CAUTION Fiber-optic connectors are easily damaged when connected to dirty or

damaged cables and accessories. The front-panel INP UT c o nnector of the Agilent 86140B series is no exception. When you use improper cleaning and handling techniques , y o u ri sk expensive instrument repairs, damaged cables, and compromised measureme nts . Before you connect any fiber-optic cable to the Agilent 86140B series o ptical spectrum ana lyzer, refer t o “Cleaning

Connections for Accurate Measurements” on page 6-8.

CAUTION A front-panel connector saver is provided with Agilent 86140B series

instruments. Attach the connector saver to the front-panel INPUT connector of the instrument. You can now make your connections to the connector save r instead of the instrument. This will help prevent damage to the front-panel INPUT connector of the instrument. Damage to the front-panel INPUT connector is expensive in terms of both repair costs and down-time. Use the front-panel connector saver to prevent damage to the front-panel INPUT connector.

Note

All product specifications apply to measurements made without using the front-panel connector saver.



After the instrument has warmed up for at least 1 hour, perform an auto align

1-11

Getting Started

Setting Up the Ana lyzer

by pressing the fron t panel Auto Align button. This will ensure o ptimal amplitude accuracy, and can correct for any mis-alignment caused by the instrument shipment.

T o learn more about this or any Agilent Technologies product, visit our web site at http://www.agilent.com/ c m / in dex.shtml. Or, to learn more about fiber optic test equipment, follow this path from the address listed:

1 Click Communications Produ cts. 2 Click Lightwave Measu rement Solutions. 3 Click Communications Solutions and then select Optical and Photonic

Solutions.

1-12

Getting Started

Making a Measureme nt

Making a Measurement

This procedure will introduce you to the A gile nt 86140B series optical spectrum analyzer front panel controls. By following this procedure you will do the following:

• Perform an auto alignment

• Perform a peak search

• Use a delta marker

• Print the display

Refer to “The Menu Bar” on page 1-17 and “The Softkey Panels” on page 1-18.

Instrument setup

A source signal must be present at the input of the optical spectrum analyzer. In this procedure a Fabry-P erot laser is used as the source . You ca n use another source or the optional 1310/1550 nm used, the displa y w ill differ from tho s e sh ow n.

To set the OSA to a known state

• Press the front-panel Preset key to set the instrument to a known state. For a complete description of preset conditions, see page 3-65.

EELED. If another source is be ing

1-13

Getting Started

Making a Measurement

To perform an Auto Align

For maximum amplitude accuracy, perform an automatic alignment whenever the optical spectrum analyzer has been moved, subjected to large temperature changes, or fol lowing warm-up. See “Auto Align” on page 3-10 for more information.

1 Connect a fiber from the source to the input connector of the optical spectrum

analyzer. Be sure to follow the good connector practices described in “Cleaning

Connections for Accurate Measurements” on page 6-8.

2 Enable the source. Pre ss Markers > Peak Search to find the pe a k signal power. 3 Press the front-panel Auto Align key to optimize the detection of the incoming

signal. This takes a few mo ments to complete.

To perform a peak search

4 Press the front-panel Auto Meas key to locate and zoom-in on the si gnal. Plea se

wait until the Auto Measure routine is complete. A marker is placed on the peak of the displayed signal.

Trace with normal marker.

1-14

Getting Started

Making a Measureme nt

To zoom in on the signal

Press the Span softkey and then use the knob, step keys, or numeric keypad to zoom in on the signal.

Using the delta marker

The optical spectrum analyzer has four types of markers; normal markers, bandwidth markers, delta markers and noise markers. The marker currently being displayed is a normal marker. In the next step we will use it as a delta marker.

5 Press the front- panel Markers key.

6 Press the More Marker Functions.... softke y.

7 Press the Delta Marker softkey to activate the delta marker and the act iv e

function area.

8 Use the knob, step keys or nu meric entry pad to move the delta marker. 9 The reference marker remains station a ry.

Trace with delta marker.

1-15

Getting Started

Making a Measurement

Printing the display

10 Press the Print key to print a copy of the display. The output will be sent to the

internal or external printer, depending on the printer selected.

1-16

The File Menu

Getting Started

The Menu Bar

The Menu bar includes the File, Measure, Application, and Options drop-down menus. Each menu selection includes a descriptive label.

(Action) Indicates the selection will perform an action such as

making a measurement or printing the display.

(Panel) Indicates th e selection will open a softkey panel.

The Measure Menu

The Applications Menu

The Options Menu

1-17

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Softkey Panels

You can acce ss the soft key pane l s using eithe r the front-panel keys or the menu bar. This section includes brief descriptions of the following menus. See

Chapter 3, “Function Reference” for additional information on each of the

OSA functions.

The Amplitude Menus 1-19 The Applications Menus 1-20 The Bandwidth/Sweep Menus 1-22 The Markers Menus 1-23 The Save/Recall Menus 1-24 The Systems Menus 1-25 The Traces Menus 1-27 The Wavelength Menus 1-28

1-18

Getting Started

The Softkey Panels

The Amplitude Menus

You can access the Amplitude softkeys using the front-panel Amplitude key or the Measure menu Ampli tude selection on the menu bar.

1-19

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Applications Menus

You can access the Applications (Appl’s) softkeys by using the front-panel Appl’s key or the Applications menu Launch an Installed Application section on the menu bar. For a complete description of the appli cations, refer to the Agilent 86140B Series Measurement Applications User’s Guide that came w it h your instrument .

1-20

Getting Started

The Softkey Panels

1-21

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Bandwidth/Sweep Menus

You can access the Bandwidth/Sweep softkeys by using the front-panel Bandwidth/Sweep key or the Measure menu Bandwidth/Sweep selection on the

menu bar.

1-22

Getting Started

The Softkey Panels

The Markers Menus

You can access the Markers softkeys by using the front-panel Markers key or the Measure menu Marker s se lection on the menu bar.

1-23

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Save/Recall Menus

You can acce ss the Save/ Recal l so ftke y s and s et up pane l s by using the drop down File menu Save/Recall selection or the front-panel Save/Recall key. Use these functions to save, recall and print the measurement results.

1-24

Getting Started

The Softkey Panels

The Systems Menus

Y ou can access the System softkeys by using the front-panel System key or the Options menu System selection on the menu bar.

1-25

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Systems Menus, continued....

1-26

Getting Started

The Softkey Panels

The Traces Menus

You can access the Traces softkeys by using the front-panel Traces key or the Measure menu Traces selection on the menu bar.

1-27

Getting Started

The Softkey Pan els

The Wavelength Menus

You can access the Wavelength softkeys by using the front-panel Wavelength key or the Measure me nu Wavelength sel ection on the menu bar.

1-28

Getting Started

Laser Safety Consideratio ns

Laser Safety Considerations

NOTE Refer to the Tunable Laser Modules User’s Guide for complete laser safety

information.

Laser Safety Las e r radiation in the ultraviolet and far infrared parts of the spectrum can

cause damage primarily to the cornea and lens of the eye. Laser radiation in the visible and near infrared regions of the spectrum can cause damage to the retina of the eye.

WARNI NG Do NOT, under any c ircumsta nces, look into th e optica l output o r any

fiber/device attache d to the output while the laser is in operation.

This system should be serviced only by authorized personnel. Do not enable the las er unless fiber or an equivalent device is attached to the

optical output connector.

CAUTION Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those

specified herein can result in hazardous radiation exposure.

Electrical Safety The electrical safety considerations are documented in the section “General

Safety Considerations” on page -iii. Familiarize yo u rs elf with the safety mark-

ings and instru c tions before operating this system.

1-29

Getting Started

Product Option s an d Accessories

Product Options and Accessories

Options Agilent 86140B, 86141B,

86142B, 86146B Benchtop

Agilent 86143B, 86144B,

86145B Portable

Instrument System Options

Current Source White Light Source Built-in 1310 & 1550 nm EELED Source Built-in 1550 nm EELED Source Wavelength Calibrator Time Resolved Chirp Application DWDM Spectral Analysis Application Passive Component Test Application Amplifier Test Application Source Tes t Application

Opt. 001 Opt. 002 Opt. 004 Opt. 005 Opt. 006 Opt. TRC Included Included Included Included

Alternative Connector Inter face

FC/PC HMS-10 DIN ST SC

Multimode Fiber Input

Standard Opt. 011 Opt. 013 Opt. 014 Opt. 017

Opt. 025 (Agilent 86140B) Opt. 025 (Agilent 86143B)

Certificate of Cal ibr ation Included Included

a. Option available for 86146B only. b. 50µm multimode input available on Agilent 86140B and 86143B OSA’s only.

----

---Opt. 006 Not Applicable Included Included Included Included

Standard Opt. 011 Opt. 013 Opt. 014 Opt. 017

1-30

Getting Started

Product Options and Accessories

Table 1-3.Accessories

Option Descriptio n Product Number

Connector Accessories

011 HP/HMS-10 Connector Adapter

HMS-10 Dust Cap

012 FC/PC Connector Adapter

FC/PC Dust Cap Angled to Flat, FC/PC Adapter

013 DIN Optical Connector Adapter

DIN Dust Cap

014 ST Optical Connector Adapter

ST Dust Cap

017 SC Optical Connector Adapter

SC Dust Cap

08154-61701 1401-0291

08154-61702 1401-0291 1250-3175

08154-61703 1401-0291

08154-61704 1401-0291

08154-61708 1401-0291

Power Selection

900 Power Cord (United Kingdom) 8120-8705 1 901 Power Cord (Australia, New Zealand, China) 8120-0696 1 902 Power Cord (Europe) 8120-1692 1 903 Power Cord (United States) 8120-1521 1 906 Power Cord (Switzerland) 8120-2296 1 912 Power Cord (Denmark) 8120-2957 1 917 Power Cord (South Af rica, India) 8120-4600 1 918 Power Cord (Japan) 8120-4754 1 919 Power Cord (Israel) 8120-5181 1 920 Power Cord (Argentina) 8120-6868 1 921 Power Cord Chilean)( 8120-6979 1 922 Power Cord (China) 8120-8377 1

Documentation and Manuals

ABC Traditional Chinese User’s Guide

Traditional Chinese Application Guide

86140-90067 86140-90066

Certification of Calibration and Service

1BM Standard Commercial Calibration Certificate N/A 1 UK6 Commercial Calibration Certificate with Test Data N/A 1 W30 Extended Warranty to 3 Years Return for Service N/A 1

Item Quantity

3 3

3 3 1

3 3

1-31

Getting Started

Product Option s an d Accessories

Table 1-4. Available Fiber Sizes

Model

Number

86143B Opt 025 86145B 86140B Opt 025 86142B

86141B 86144B/

86146B

a. Options 002, 004, and 005 are exclusive b. Only one option is avail ab l e on the 86141B

Optical

Input

Option 002

(White Light

Source)

µm

9 50

µm

9 µm 50

µm

µm 62,5 µm 9 µm 9 µm 9 µm

N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A 62,5 µm

62,5

µm

50 µm 62,5 µm 9 µm 9 µm 9 µm 62,5 µm 62,5 µm

µm 62,5 µm 9 µm 9 µm 9 µm 50 µm 9 µm

Table 1-5. Additional Parts and Accessories

Option 004 (1310/1550

EELED)

9 µm 9

µm

Option 005

(1550

EELED)

9 µm 9

µm

Option 006 (Calibrator)

9 µm 9

µm

9 µm 9 µm

µm

Photo-

diode

Input

N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A

Mono

Output 1

Agilent Benchtop OSA

86140B, 86141B, 86142B,

86146B

Printer Paper (5 rolls/box) 9270-1370 Additional Connector Interfaces See Agilent 81000 series

Agilent Portable OSA

86143B, 86144B, 86145B

9270-1370

See Agilent 81000 series External 10 dB Attenuator (FC/PC) Opt. 030 Opt. 030 Rack-Mount Flange Kit Opt. AX4 N/A Transit Case 9211-2657

9211-5604 Soft Carrying Case N/A Opt. 042 BenchLink Lightwave Software

a. Agilent N1031A BenchLink Lightwave allows transfer of measurement results over a GPIB Interface to a PC for the purposes of

archiving, printing, and further analysis.

Standard Standard

1-32

Front Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters

Getting Started

Product Options and Accessories

Front Panel Fiber-Optic Adapter

Description Agilent Part Number

Diamond HMS-10 08154-61701

FC/PC

SC 08154-61708

DIN 08154-61703

ST 08154-61704

Biconic 08154-61705

a. The FC/PC is the default front-panel optical connector.

08154-61702

1-33

Getting Started

Product Option s an d Accessories

1-34

Setting Up Measurements 2-2 Calibrating Wavelength Measurements 2-14 Saving, Recalling, and Managing Fi le s 2-19 Analyzing Measurement Data 2-27 Analyzer Operating Mo des 2 -30

Using the Instrument

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

This section con t a ins the following information that wi ll help you set up a wavelength measurement:

• Adjusting Setup Conditions

• Operating the Internal White Light Sour c e

• Averaging Traces

• Setting Video Bandwidth

• Using Span to Zoom In

• Setting the Sensitivity

• Triggering a Measur em e nt

• Moving the Active Function Area

• Indicating an Update is Needed

2-2

Using the softkeys

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

Adjusting Setup Conditions

Setup panels allow you to adjust setup conditions which are not frequently changed. Refer to “Preset” on page 3-65.

Arrows allow you to navigate from field to field in the di a log box. The highlighted parameter can be changed. The front-panel number keys, step keys, and knob allows the use r to enter a numeric value in the highlighted fi el d.

Select selects the highlighted parameter. You can enter values for a selected parameter using the front panel knob or numeric entry pad.

Defaults resets the para m eters to their default condition.

Close Panel saves the current setup and returns you to the previous menu.

2-3

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

Operating the Internal White Light Source

For Option 002 only

Option 002 provides a built-in white light source which is a stable, broadband light source for swept-wavele ng th stimulus response testing from 900 nm to 1700 nm. The light source is ideal to perform stimulus-response measurements, and measure photod etector responsivity. Refer to “Light Source” on

page 3-33.

Note Although the light source’s lamp lasts an exceptionally long time, turn off the

light when not in use to extend the lamp’s lifetime. On the front pa n el, press System, Optimum, Li ght Source, Select off.

1 From the front panel, pres s Sy ste m > Opti ons > Light Source > Select Off.

Performing Stimulus-Response Measurements

Stimulus-response measurements characterize optical components for loss (or gain) versus wavelength. You can characterize devices such as couplers, switches, filt ers, fibers, and ampl ifiers.

To perform stimulus-response measurements, you must have an amplitudestable broadband light source. Although a white-light source provides the widest wavelength input for stimulus-re spo nse meas ure m e nts , y ou can also use an LED or the spontaneous emission from an optical amplifier.

The displayed response is a convolution of the analyzer’s resolution bandwid th and the amplitude response of the device under test. Because of thi s convolution, the analyzer’s resolution bandwidth af f e c t s both dynamic range and the ability to reso lv e la rge amplitude cha nges versus wavelength. Wide resolution bandwidths increase the ability to resolve large amplitude changes.

You can display two responses at the same time. The output response versus wavelength is displayed. The displa y ed trace shows the rati o of the output power to the input power expressed as a logarithm (dB).

output power

response (dB) = 10 log

Making ratioed measurements is sometimes referred to as normalization. Normalized measurements are used to negate wavelength dependencies in the source. The ratio is achieved through simple trace su bt ra c tion using logarithmic amplitude sca les. This is possible because of the following logarithmic equality:

2-4

æö

------------------------------------

èø

input power

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

æö

---

log

èø

log A log B–()=

1 Connect the Light Source Output to the Monochromator Input using the short

62.5/125

µm fiber. The standard connector interface is FC /P C .

2-5

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

Averaging Traces

Tr a c e a ve ra ging improves your measurement repeat a bility by smoothing out noise. For measurements involv ing slow polarization scrambling, using video filtering to imp rov e repeatability w ill require a very narrow video bandwidt h (less than 10 Hz). This would result in a long measurement time, where trace averaging would be faster. Refer to “Averaging” on page 3-14.

1 From the front panel, press Traces > Averaging. 2 Toggle to select the Averaging on or off. 3 Select from the 10, 20, 50 or 100 softkeys or use the knob, step keys, or numeric

entry pad to enter the desi re d average count.

Note For measurements with fas t po lariza tion s cramb ling, vid eo filt erin g (adju sting

video bandwidth) is generally faster than trace averaging for similar repeatability re quirement.

2-6

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

Setting Video Bandwidth

Video bandwidth filtering occurs after the detection of the light. In the auto coupled mode, the video bandwidth has an extremely wide rang e. This allows the instrument to avoid unnecessary filtering that would reduce the sweep speed more than required. Refer to “Video B W” on page 3-99.

The instrument has two de tection techniques: peak (auto mo de) and sample (manual mode). Peak det ect ion is ben efici al f or mai nta ining the f ast est s weep times and displaying narr ow aspect ratio signals. Sample detecti on is beneficial for obtaining best measurement accuracy and measuring low level signals.

Peak detection finds and displays th e m a ximum signal level present during each trace poin t interval. Peak detection is used if v ideo filtering is no t required to achieve the desired level of sensitiv ity. However, there is one exception: if an auto-coupled sweep time is limited by either maximum motor speed or a 50 ms auto- c oupling limit, then sample detection is used with as narrow a digital video bandwidth as poss ib le in order to achieve maximum sensitivity for the chosen sweep time. This exception only applies when both sweep time and video bandwidth are auto-coupled.

Sample detectio n displays a filtered version of th e sa mp led data at the end of each trace point interval. The filter function is varied with the video bandwidth function from 100 mHz to 3.0 kHz, or the bandwid th of the currently selected transimpedance amplifier, whichever is less. Increased filtering provides greater sensitivity .

The detection mode is automatically determined by the instrument. You can adjust the settings of video bandwidth, sensitivity, or sweep time to obtain the desired detection mode. Sample detection can be forced at any time by putting video bandwidth in manual. Pe ak detection can usually be obtaine d by placing sensitivity a nd video bandwidth in auto.

The following fun c ti o ns affect video bandwidth:

• changing the se nsitivity value

• changing the reference level

• turning auto ranging on or off

The range of video band w idths available in auto mode is much greater than can be set manually from the front panel. A lower video bandwidth valu e requires a longer sweep time. Because of the interdependence between the

2-7

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

video bandwidth and sensitivity, it is recommended that either the sensitivity or the video bandwidth be changed, whichever is the most important to th e measurement task being perf ormed.

To reduce noise, you can select a narrower video bandwidth to improve repeatability and sensitivity or select a wider video bandwidth to shorten overall measurement time. This selection allows the choice between repeatability and measurement time based on your measurement requirements. The narrower the video bandwidth, the longer the sweep time.

1 From the front panel, press Bandwi dth/Sweep > Video BW. 2 Toggle to sele c t the video bandwidt h au tomatically or manually. 3 Use the knob, step keys, or numeric entry pad to enter the desired value.

Note For measurements with slow polarization scrambling, use trace averaging to

improve measurement repeatabilit y. T ra c e av eraging is faster than video filtering for the sl ow polarization scram b ling application.

Using Span to Zoom In

To see a more detailed view of the device’s response, decrease the wavelength span to expand the trace. This will enable you to precisely focus in on the desired measurement area. Refer to “Span” on page 3-86.

Press Wavelength > Span and reduce the sp an by entering the value of 2 nm.

2-8

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

Setting the Sensitivity

Setting sensitivity requests the lowest amplitude signal that can be measured relative to the highe st amplitude signal d is p layed. It is defined as the signal that is six times the RMS noi se. The mi nimum set tin g is –100 dB. An error will be reported for values outside of this range and the sens itivity will round to the nearest valid sensitivity. Refer to “Sensitivity” on page 3-81.

Manual allows manual input of sensitivities and enables auto gain ranging. The “top of screen” and the sensitivity setting determines the requested dynamic range. The system will sweep once per gain stage and may require up to three sweeps to achieve the re q uested dynamic range.

Auto automatic ally c hoose s a sensit ivit y and a si ngle gain ran ge base d on “top of screen”. This will re sult in approximately 40 dB of dynamic rang e.

The sweep time that is displ ayed in the lower porti on of t he displa y is the t ime for the OSA to sweep over one gain stage. The OS A may tak e up to three sweeps in three different gain stages to make the measurement. This depends on the settings for sensitivity, reference level, auto range and also the particular device bein g mea sur ed. T he f inal d at a tra ce i s a b lend ed co mpos ite o f eac h trace taken in the different gain stage s.

An increase in sensitivity may also require a narrower video bandwidth, which will slow the sweep speed. Normally, the optical spectrum analyzer selects the greatest sensitivity possible that does not require amplification changes during the sweep. If you manually increase the sensitivity level, the sweep pauses to allow this change in gain.

The settings for sensitivity, video bandwidth and sweep time interact. If the sensitivity is set to manual, the video b a nd w idth and sweep time may be forced to Auto mo de. If the video bandw idth is set to manual, the sensitivity and sweep time may b e forced to Auto. If the sw eep speed is set to manua l and is set too fast, the over sweep indicator will come on in the display area. Since these sett in gs interact, it is recommended th a t onl y on e of the settings be changed, whic hever setting is most important to the m easurement task being performed.

Press Amplitude, Sensitivity, toggle to manual, and enter a value.

2-9

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

Triggering a Measurement

Tr igger ing a me asu rem ent sy nchr onize s the sta rt o f t he s weep to a n i nter na lly generated trigger signal. Internal triggering ensures continuously triggered sweeps with th e shortest delay between sweeps. Refer to “Trigger Mode,

Internal” on page 3-96.

In some measurements, the spectrum at a particular time within the modulation period is more important than the average spectrum. Gated triggering can be used to synchronize the data acquisition portion of the OSA to a gating trigger connected to the rear-panel EXT TRIG IN connector. Gated triggering requires a TTL-compatible signal wit h a mi n imum o f 0 Vdc and a maximum of +5 V.

Gated triggering ignores the spectrum when the trigger input is low. It usually is used in conjunc ti o n w i th the Max Hold function during several sweeps.

Gated triggering is used to select data samples containing valid information. When the gating s ignal is high, the data sample is accepted. When the gati ng signal is low, the data sample is replaced by a data point with a value of –200 dBm. Processing con tinues according to the functions selected, suc h a s, video bandwidth, max hold, and so forth.

If the low level exists for longer that the time needed for the grating to move from one trace po in t to the next, then the trace will have “gaps”. There are two ways to eliminate the gaps. You can increase the sweep time to at least:

(1.2–2 times the product trace lengt h)

2-10

× (the longest “low level” period)

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

The display will have at least one data sample marked as valid (high level) per trace point. Or else you can use the Max Hold function to complete a trace over several sweeps. Multiple sw eeps fill the gaps beca use the high and low levels of the gating signal occur independent of the grating position.

Gated triggering has no time limit for the high or low level. It can be used to characterize pulses as narrow as a few microseconds, or to obtain a spectrum whose timing exceeds the maximum 6.5 ms delay o f the

ADC trigger mode.

1 On the front panel press Bandwidth > Sweep > More BW Sweep > Functions >

Trigger Mode.

2 Select from int, gated, and ext.

2-11

Using the In s tr ument

Setting Up Measurements

Moving the Active Function Area

The active function area on the display can be moved to eight different locations. This allo w s y o u to place the active area in a location that will no t interfere with the trace information. Refer to “Active Function Area Assist” on

page 3-2.

1 Press the front-panel System key. 2 Press the Move Active Area softkey. Each press of the softkey moves the

active function area to one of eight onscreen location s.

2-12

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

Indicating an Update is Needed

This feature alerts you to take a sweep after changing any sweep related parameters when the a nalyzer is not in sweep mode. For example, if you change the resolution ba ndwi d th, the new resolution band width is displayed on the bottom of the screen, but the trace data displa y ed on the screen used the previous resolution bandwidth value.

Changing the following sweep parameters will set the Update Needed Indicator to on:

• start wavelength

• stop wavelength

• sensitivity auto/manual

• auto range enable/disable

• sensitivity

• video bandwidth auto/manual

• resolution bandwidth

• video bandwidth

• gated sweep enable/disable

• sweep continuous/single

• sweep time auto/manual

• sweep time

• sweep trace length

• reference level

• dB per division

• reference level position

• Y scale linear/log mode

• amplitude correction enable/disable

• current active ampcorr correction set

• ampcor interpolation method

• vacuum or air

• wavelength offset

• number of averages for trace avera g ing

The Update Needed Indicator, “*’”, is displayed in the upper right hand corner of the graticule. After a sweep is taken, the Update Needed Ind ic a tor will be set to off.

2-13

Using the In s tr ument

Calibrating Wavelength Measurements

Environmental variations such as air pressure, temperature, and humidity can affect the index of refraction of air in the monochromator of the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). This section discusses calibration methods that you can use to improve the wavelength accuracy in the Agilent 8614X OSA’s. Refer to

“Calibration” on page 3-17 and to “Calibrator Multi-Pt Align” on page 3-18.

Note Many aspects of remotely programming the optical spectrum analyzers are discussed

in Product Note 86140-2R, Wavelength Calibration for the 86140X Series Optical

Spectrum Analyzers (Lit erature part number 5980-0043E).

Overview Wav elen gth cal ibra tio n ro uti nes i mpr ove w avele ng th ac cura cy b y det er minin g

errors and correcting them with offsets, using linear interpolation when necessary. For maximum wavelength accuracy, calibration points spaced a maximum of 10 nm apart are recommended.

You can perform a wavelength calibration by using one of the following methods:

• Manual Method using Internal Calibrator

• Remote Method using Internal Calibrator

• Manual Method using an Ex te rnal Single Wavelength Sou rce

• Remote Method using an External Single Wavelength Source

• External Multipoint Wavelength C a libration

These calibration routines should only be performed after the instrument’s temperature has been stabilized by a minimum of 1 hour of continuous operation.

2-14

Using the Instrument

Calibrating Wavelength Measure m ents

Internal Wavelength Calibration

The optional internal calibrator (1513 to 1540 nm) provides a convenient method for increasing wavelength accuracy when used wi th an in te rnal Enhanced Wavelength Calibration (EWC) process. The wavelength accuracy of the OSA will be ±0.2 nm over the full wavelength range of the instrument, with ±10 pm over 1480 to 1570 nm and ±25 pm accuracy over 1570 to 1620 nm.

The EWC range can b e se lected for either the “full” OSA range of 605 nm to 1670 nm, or the “telecom” range of 1270 to 1670 nm, a smaller span more relevant to telecommunications. EWC must be enabled for the wavelength accuracy specifications to apply in th e range selected. S etting the range to F U LL will require a longer calibration time for an internal calibration, but will provide enhanced wavelength accuracy over the full range.

Manual method using the internal calibrator

1 Access the EWC setup panel:

System > More System Functions > Service Menu > Adv Service Functions > More Adv Service Menu > Enhanced Wvl Cal Setup

2 Enable the functio n, if necessary, an d select the desired calibration ra n g e. 3 Clean all connec tors and connect the internal calibrator to the OSA input. 4 Access the Wavelength Calibration setup panel:

System >Calibration > Wavelength Cal Setup

5 Set the signal source to Calibrat or. 6 Press Perform Calibration.

Remote method using the internal calibrator

CALibration:WAVelength:EWC:FUNCtion ON !Enable enhanced wav e len gth

calibration.

CALibration:WAVelength:EWC:RANGe TELE !Select telecom (1270-1670) nm range

for enhanced wavelength calibration.

CALibration:WAVelength:INTernal:NORMal !Perform internal wavelength

calibration. !The internal calibrator must be connected before sending this command.

2-15

Using the In s tr ument

Calibrating Wavelength Measurements

External Single Wavelength Calibration

Using an external single-point calibration source allows the calibration to be done at a specific wavelength. This single wavelength user calibration can be repeated as often as necessary to correct for envir onme ntal variations and existing multipoint wavelength offsets will be adjust ed accor di ngly. After a single wavelength calibration, wavelength accuracy will be ±10 pm within 10 nm of the reference signal.

The Enhanced Wavelength Calibration (EWC) process can also be us ed to increase the accuracy of the single-point calibration.

Manual method using an external source

1 Connect the external source to the O SA input. 2 Auto align the OSA to the input signal. 3 Access the Wavelengt h Ca libration setup panel:

System > Calibration > Waveleng th Cal Se tup

4 Select Air or Vacuum re fe rence for the signal source . 5 Set the signal source to Ex ternal. 6 Select the desi red Calibration Wa velength. This wavelength must be with in

±2.5 nm of the source wavelength.

7 Select Perfor m Calibration.

Remote method using an external source

• For a source with a single peak:

CALibration:WAVelength:VALue <param> !Set calibration wavelength CALibration:WAVelength !Calibrate signal at wavelength

• For a source with multiple peaks:

CALibration:WAVelength:VALue <param> !Set calibration wavelength CALCulate:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:X:WAVelength

<param> CALibration:WAVelength:MARKer !Calibrate signal at marker

2-16

!Set marker wavelength

Using the Instrument

Calibrating Wavelength Measure m ents

External Multipoint Wavelength Calibration

An external multipoint wavelength calibration can be performed over any specified wavelength range, up to and including the full wave le ng th ran ge of the OSA (600 nm to 1700 nm). Narrow measur ement spans can be chosen to provide greater accuracy over a selected range. Calibrating the wavelength every 10 nm within the desired wave length range is usua lly sufficient to improve wavelength accuracy. After a multipoint wavelength calibration, wavelength accuracy will be ±10 pm within 10 nm of each calibration wavelength. Refer to “Calibrator Multi-Pt Align” on page 3-18.

Note For a full explanation of external multipoint wavelength calibration, along with a

sample program to perform the calibration, refer to Product Note 86140-2,

Wavelength Calibration for the 86140X Series Optical Spectrum Analyzers (Literature part number 5980-0043E).

The following steps outline one method for an external multipoint wavelength calibration routine. This assumes a program executed on a external PC co ntroller. The steps outlined are those written in the pro g ra m.

1 A signal is sent from a tunable laser source into a multi-wavelength meter and

the OSA simultaneously.

2 The wavelength of the input signal is measu re d on both in struments. 3 The two measured values are co m p a red. 4 Taking the multi-wavelength meter readings as actual, the software calculates

the error offs ets at each wavelength using the equation: WL Error = (OSA indicated WL) – (multi-wavelength meter actual WL)

5 The previous st e p s ar e repeated over the ent ir e w a velength range. 6 The data is aver aged over narrow wavelength spans to provide a suitable

correction for each span. The example below demonstrates this technique. Once the instrument is calibrated, the new wavelength accuracy can be main-

tained for many hours without recalibration, assuming a stable temperature environment.

Tip If the OSA is tur ne d off , the mul tip oin t da ta wi ll be ret ain ed at t he n ext p owe r-

on, but the internal thermal shift can introduce inaccuracies to the calibration data. To help compensate for this, a single point calibra tion using the Offs et feature in the Wavelength Calibration Setup panel can be used to adjust the multipoint data. Access this feature by selecting Syst em > Calibration >

2-17

Using the In s tr ument

Calibrating Wavelength Measurements

Wavelength Cal Setup and choosing the Offset option before running the single point calibra tion. T o ins ure this offset process has pr ovided suffi cient accurac y , the wavelength readings of the multi-wavelength meter and the OSA should be compared to verify the wavelength accuracy and determine if a full multipoint wavelength recalibration is necessary.

2-18

Using the Instrument

Saving, Recalling, and Managing Files

The functions and methods available for saving, recalling, and managing file s that contain measurement setups and results are as follows:

• Adding a Title to the Display

• Backing Up or Restoring the Int er nal Memory

• Saving Measurement Trace Data

• Recallin g M easurement Tra c e Data

• File Sharing and Printing over a Network

Adding a Title to the Display

Refer to “Title (Display Setup Panel)” on page 3-92 and to “Date/Time (Display Setup Panel)” on page 3-20.

1 Press the front- panel System key.

2 Press the Set Title.... softkey . The Title Setup panel appears.

The Title Setup panel

3 To view the titl e o n the display, press More System Functions >Display

Setup and ch ec k the Title On box.

2-19

Using the In s tr ument

Saving, Recall ing, and Managing Fil es

Backing Up or Restoring the Internal Memory

1 Press the front-panel Save/Recall key.

2 Press the Backup/Restore Menu.... softkey.

Note The auto span value will not be saved with the measurement. Refer to “Backup

Internal Me mory” on page 3-15.

Softkey Pan e l Selections

Backup Internal Memory

a The analyzer Backup Utility screen appears asking you to insert a formatted

floppy disk in the external drive. The disk will not be viewable on a PC and no trace or measurement files can be saved onto the disk until it is reformatted.

b The Backup Internal Memory function overwrites the floppy disk with a new

image. Any exist ing files or ca talogs on the flo ppy disk will be de stroyed. Any successive backup operations will overwrite the previous backup information, so only the latest backup information can be recovered through the Restore Internal Memory operation.

Restore Internal Memory

The analyzer Restore Utility sc reen appears. Th is operation wil l re move all files from internal memory and replace them with files from backup floppy disks.

Saving Measurement and Trace Data

You can save measurement and trace data using the following methods:

• Fast Measurement Save Mode

• Save Setup Panel Mode

Saving Data in Fast Meas Save Mode

1 Press the front-panel Save/Recall key. 2 Press the Fast Meas SAVE softkey. 3 The instrument saves the curren t measurement state to internal memory as

FASTSAVE.dat. O nly one FASTSAVE .dat file exi sts, so perfor ming a Fast Meas

2-20

Saving, Recalling, and Managing Files

Save will overwrite any currently existing Fast Save file.

Note The auto span value w ill not be saved with the measurement.

Saving Measurement and Trace Data

1 Press the front- panel Save/Recall key.

2 Press the Save Menu.... softkey.

3 The Save Setup panel opens. Refer to “Adjusting Setup Conditions” on page 2-3

for information on changing and se le cting items in the setup panel .

Using the Instrument

The Save Setup panel

Note The auto span value w ill not be saved with the measurement.

Save Setup Panel Selections

Save: Measurement

Saves the measurement dat a in a binary format (.dat file). This includes the traces and all measurement conditions. The dat file format can only be read by the analyzer. You will not be able to v ie w this file on your PC. When the file is recalled, the instrument state will be set to the same state as when the file was saved.

Save: Trace(s) Only

The Trace(s) Only files are saved in comma separated variable (.csv) format and are auto named starting with TR_00000.cs v. State files are auto named starting with ST_00000.csv.

When the T rac e(s) Only fil e is reca lled, the tr ace dat a will be displayed under the current instrument settings.To view the inst rum ent settings, press System > More System Functions > State Info.

2-21

Using the In s tr ument

Saving, Recall ing, and Managing Fil es

Save Tr aces

Selects the traces to be saved.

Save Graphics

Allows you to save gra p hic data in one of two formats. These selec t ions are valid only when sav ing to the floppy drive.

CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile format) is a vector graphics format that describes pictures and graphical elements in geometric terms. The file is saved with .cgm extension.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a cross-platform graphic standard. GIF formats are commonly used on many di ffe rent platforms and readable by many differen t kinds of sof tware. The fi le is saved with .gif extensio n. GIF supports up to 8-bit color (256 colors).

Save to

Allows you to choose between saving data to a floppy disk or to internal memory.

File Name

Selects manual or automatic mode for choosing a file name.

4 If you have chosen Auto to select the file name, press the Auto Save softkey.

The analyzer will generate a filename and save the file.

5 If you have chosen Manual to select the file name, press the Choose File to

Save softkey. The Filename Menu setup panel opens.

The Filename Menu setup panel

2-22

Saving, Recalling, and Managing Files

Entering a Filename Using the Arrow Keys

Using the Instrument

• Use the front-pa nel step keys (

Ý and ß) and the arrow softkeys (→ and ←)

to highlight eac h le tter of the filename.

• When the desired le tter or function is sel ected, press the Select softkey.

• Select the BackSpace function to delete individual letters.

• Select the Clear Line function to delete the entire filename.

• When you finish ent ering the filename, press the SAVE FILE softkey.

Entering a Filename using an External Keyboard

There must be a PS-2 keyboard conne c ted to the analyzer p rior to bootup.

• Press [TAB] on the keyboard to highlight the entry field.

• Enter the filename us ing the keyboard.

• When you finish ent ering the filename, press the SAVE FILE softkey.

2-23

Using the In s tr ument

Saving, Recall ing, and Managing Fil es

Recalling Measurement and Trace Data

You can recall measurement and trace data using the following methods:

• Fast Measurement Recall Mode

• Recall Setup Panel Mode

Refer to “Recall (Recall Setup Panel)” on page 3-67.

Recalling Data in Fast Meas Recall Mode

1 Press the front-panel Save/Recall key. 2 Press the Fast Meas RECALL softk ey. 3 The instrument reca lls the measurement state previously sa v ed as

FASTSAVE.dat by the Fast Meas Save functio n.

Note The auto span value will not be saved with the measurement.

Recalling Measurement and Trace Data

Note To insu re accurate measure m e nts, a waveleng th cal ibration should be

performed each time measurement data is recalled from memory.

1 Press the front-panel Save/Recall key.

2 Press the Recall Menu.... softkey.

3 The Recall Setup pane l op ens.

The Recall Menu setup panel

Note The auto span value will not be saved with the measurement.

Recall Setup Panel Selections

Recall

Selects whethe r a me a surement or trace w ill be recalled.

2-24

Using the Instrument

Saving, Recalling, and Managing Files

Recall From

Selects whether to recall from a floppy disk or from internal memory.

4 When you are satisfied with your selections, press the Choose File to Recall

softkey. The Catalog setup panel opens.

The Catalog setup panel

5 Use the arrow keys or Prev File, Next File softkeys to highlight the desired

file. Press RECALL FILE to load the selected file.

2-25

Using the In s tr ument

Saving, Recall ing, and Managing Fil es

File Sharing and Printing over a Network

This function uses the LAN to print to network printers and st ore, recall or delete data on remote hard drives. The da ta can then to be acces se d a nd shared among the users and printed on designated printers.

To access the file and printer share softkeys, you must first configure the network and enter the user share identity/user profile information for remote shares. The softkeys for file and printer share will then become available for selection.

Create a file or print share.

1 Configure the network. Refer to “Setting Up the OSA for Remote Operation” on

page 4-4 for instructions on how to configure the network.

2 From the front panel, pres s System > More System Functions > GPIB &

Network Setup > User Share Identity.

3 Enter the User Name, Password, and Wo rkgroup. Use the key board to enter t he

information or press Edit Field to access the User Workgroup Setup panel then close the panel.

4 From the Network Setup, press File Share and enter the Share Path and

optional IP address. The format of the share path is \\server\”share name.” Please note tha t yo u c a nn ot specify directories within the share. Up to four remote file shares are available.

5 Press Printer Shares and enter the share path and optional IP address. Use the

keyboard to enter the informat io n or press Edit Field to access the User Workgroup Setup panel. Up to four re m ote printer shares are available.

6 To activate the printer share, press System > Printer Setup and select the

configured share. To activate the file share, press Save/Recall then either Save, Recall or Delete and select th e c o nfigured share. Note if you have no t configured the share the Network File Share buttons will not be act iv e.

2-26

Using the Instrument

Analyzing Measurement Data

This section provides advice and information on the following analyzer functions that allow you to analyze the meas ure d am plitude wavelength data.

• Tips for Using Traces and Markers

• Measuring the Delta between Traces

• Using Trace Math to Measure Wavelength Drif t

Tips for Using Traces and Markers

The analyzer provides the ability to display up to six traces wi t h up to fo ur markers. Knowing a few tips makes trace and marker manipulation m uch e asier. Refer to “Traces” on page 3-95, “Marker BW” on page 3-37, “Marker Searc h

Menu” on page 3-38, “Marker Setup” on page 3-39, and “More Marker Functions” on page 3-45.

• Markers are a lw a ys placed on the currently selected active trace. Therefore, use the Acti ve Trace fun ction to acti vate the des ired trace, th en select an a ctive marker to be placed on that trace.

• When multiple markers are currently used on multiple traces, the Marker Status area (located at the top of the display) makes it easy to identify the state of each marker.

Information provided for each marker in cludes:

• Wavelength

• Amplitude

• The trace associated with the marker.

For example, if marker 1 is on Trace A then the annotation will show Mkr 1 (A).

In addition, if there are two markers on, then the delta of the wavelength and amplitude for the two different markers is also displayed. For example, Mkr

2-27

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzing Measurement Data

(2-1) 0.206 nm, -0.002 dB.

The color of the annotation de notes different characteri stics of the markers:

• White annotation denotes the status of the currently active mar ke r.

• Green annotation denotes the status of all currently used markers.

• Red annotation denotes that some type of an error occurred with the marker

measurement.

Moving the Active Marker from One Trace to Another

The following procedure shows you how to move the active marker (marker 1) from Trac e A to Trace B.

1 From the front pan el, pr ess Markers > Active Trace > TrB to make Trace B

the active trace.

2 Press Active Marker > Mkr 1.

Measuring the Difference between Traces

The following procedure shows you how to find the amplitude and wavelength difference between the maximum peaks of two different traces. Refer to “Nor-

mal/Delta Marker Interpol ati on (Marker Setup Panel)” on page 3-50.

1 From the front pa nel, press Markers > Active Trace and select the first trace

to place a marker.

2 Press Active Marker > Mkr 1 > Peak Search to place the marker on the

highest peak of the active trace.

3 Press Active Trace and select the second trace to place a marker. 4 Press Active Marker > Mkr 2 > Peak Search to pl a ce the marker on the

highest peak of the second trace.

5 View the results of th e m easur emen t fr om th e mar ker ann otat io n at t he to p of

the display. The wavelength and amplitude of each trace marker is shown, as well as the

amplitude and wavelength difference of the peak s of the two traces.

2-28

Using the Instrument

Analyzing Measurement Data

Using Trace Math to Measure Wavelength Drift

1 From the front panel, press Traces > Ac tive Trace > TrA. 2 Press Single Sweep, Bandwidth Swe e p , Single Sweep to update Trace A

then press Traces, Update A off.

3 Press Active Trace > TrB. 4 Press Sweep > Repeat Sweep On to continuously update the measured

response on Trace B.

5 Press Traces > Trace Math, Default Math Trace C > Log Math C = A – B.

You can now monitor the wavelength drift of your device over time. Also Refer to “Log Math C=A–B” on page 3-35, “Log Math C=A+B” on

page 3-35, and “Log Math F=C–D” on page 3-36.

2-29

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzer Operating Modes

This section discusses the following analyzer modes that you can use in specific measurement applications.

• Filter Mode (For Agilent 86144B/86146B only)

• Filter Mode (For Agilent 86141B only)

• Time Resolved Chirp

Filter Mode

For Agilent 86144B/86146B only

The Agilent 86144B and 86146B filter mode allows a single channel from a dense wavelength division multiplex (DWDM) signal to be isolated and routed to another measurement instrument. The filter mode capability is built-in to internal applic at ions to allow for fast and easy measurements. Th e filtering is accurate and f lexib le. It has l ow pol ariza tion d epend ent los s (PDL), adjust able filter bandwidth, and a wide tuning range.

1 Switch to filter mode by pressing Appl > Measurement Modes > Filter Mode. 2 Select a filter bandwidth in the BW/sweep > Res BW menu . 3 Select an active tuning marker and tune it to a wavelength position.

The filter marker becomes the current marker and has the active area focus. All other markers stay on. In the filter mode, the analyzer acts as a fixedtuned, variable wavelength, variable bandwidth, bandpass filter. It filters the input light at a specified wavelength. The filtered light is available at the frontpanel monochrom a tor output connector. One application of the filter mod e is the filtering (select in g) of on e particular mode of a laser source. Refer to “Fil-

ter Mode” on page 3-29, “Filter Mode Instruction Panels” on page 3-29, and “Filter Marker Tune” on page 3-28.

2-30

Using the Instrument

Analyzer Operating Modes

When the analyz er enters the filter mode, the sweep stops wi th the analyzer filter tuned to the center wavelength. (If a marker is on, the analyze r filte r i s tuned to the marker wavelength.) The last trace remain s displayed to show the input spectrum before the filtering. A marker shows the wavelength of the preselection. Y ou can change the filtered output (preselection) wavelength by adjusting th e m a rk e r ’s position, then c on necting the monochromator outp ut to another instrument. If the input spectrum changes, rec onne ct the monochromator output, then press the Take Sweep softkey to capture a new sweep.

The single mode filter can be used in conjunction with the Agilent 86130A bitalyzer error performance analyzer and/or the Agilent 86100A infinium digital communication analyzer. Time res olve chirp (TRC) mea surements use the Agilent 86146B Option TRC and the Agil e nt 86100A digital communication analyzer.

2-31

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzer Operating Modes

Table 2-6. Differences Between Agilent 86141B and 86144B/86146B

86141B Unique Operation (Internal 50 µm Fiber Switch)

Filter mode initializat ion:

• Previous settings are lost

• A single sweep is taken

Markers used:

• The marker is set to the reference level

Functions limited to:

• Taking a single sweep

• Changing resolution bandwidth

• Resolution bandwidth is Marker 1

Filter mode functions available:

• Exit recalls the last selected state parame te rs prior to entering filter mode

86144B/86146B Unique Operation (External 9

Filter mode initializat ion:

µm Fiber Connection)

• No default settings

Markers used:

• Filter marker is the normal no ise marker

• OSNR marker is the center marker

• Bandwidth marker is the center wavelength mar ker

Functions limited to:

• Fiber selection

• Applications

• Calibration

• ADC

Filter mode functions available:

• Transfer and restore state file in fi lt er mode

• Save in filter mode

2-32

Using the Instrument

Analyzer Operating Modes

Accessing the filter mode (for 86144B/86146B only)

Note Filter mode will no t function in zero span. The filter mod e se lection will be

shaded out. The cu rrent state before entering fil ter mode will not be saved. A sweep will not be taken . Th e reference level will not change.

1 Connect the light so urce to the optical spectrum analyz e r ’s front panel

monochromator input conne ctor.

2 Connect the monochromator output to the photodete ctor input. 3 Press Appl’s > Measurement Modes > Filter Mode. Follow the exter nal

path align setu p instruc tions an d select ei ther the Switch Pa th Auto Al ign Now or Switch Path No Auto Align.

• Select the Switch Path Auto Align Now to perform an automatic align-

ment of the external path.

• Select Switch Path No Auto Align if you do not have the monochromator

output connected to the photodiode input, or to preserve previous align data.

Switch Path Auto Align Now switches to the 9

µm filter mode path and

performs an Auto Align. This aligns the output of the monochromator with the photodetector input for improved amp li tude accuracy. The automatic alignment procedure sh ould be performed whenever the instrument has been:

• moved

• subjected to large temperature changes

• turned off, then on, and warmed up for an hour

The automatic alignment requires the connection of an external light source. This can be a broadband or narrowband source. If there is insufficient signal power, the automatic alignment will not be performe d and an error message will be reported.

The Auto Align function saves and restores the current instrument state. This allows the auto align to be used in the middle of a measurement routine.

If markers are turned on, auto align attempts to do the automatic alignment at the wavelength of the active marker.

Note Auto Align Now will overwrite any previous align data.

2-33

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzer Operating Modes

The data returned by the alignment is stored for both the external (9 µm) and the internal (50

µm) path. With the data stored for both paths, the al i gnm ent

for the internal path is improved due to the increased resolution bandwidth of the external path . O n c e t he align is complete or if you select No Auto Al ign, the instrument will be ready to detect data through the external path.

4 After the routine has finished, chec k that the display shows the wavelength

range of interest of the external path. Adjust if necessary.

5 Press Res BW. Use the knob, step keys, or numer ic keypad to e nter the desir ed

amount of reso lution bandwidth filtering. The 9

µm optical path for filter mode uses the 0.04 nm resolution bandwidth.

The resolution bandwidths include 0.04

µm, 0.5 µm, 1 µm, 2 µm, 5 µm, and 10 µm.

0.3

µm, 0.05 µm, 0.07 µm, 0.1µm, 0.2 µm,

6 Press Take Sweep to update the displ a y to sho w th e results of the new

resolution bandwidth filtering. The light is o utp ut f rom th e op tic al s pec tru m ana lyzer ’s front panel monochro-

mator output conn ec tor. This light is filtered (by the re solution bandwidth) and attenuated (by the monochrom a tor loss) light that is input to the front panel optical input connector.

7 Press Optical Filter Marker Tune. Turn the fron t panel knob or press the

step keys to tune th e preselector to any di splayed wavelengt h.

8 Connect the monochromator output to an instrume nt. 9 If the input light changes, or if you change the span of the optical sp ec trum

analyzer, reconnect the monochromator output to the photode te c tor input, and press Take Sweep to update the displayed trace with valid waveform data.

10 Press Exit Filter Mode to return to normal optical spectrum analyzer

operation. The filter mode Save/Recall function for the Agilent 86144B/86146B will work

only between the se t wo models.

2-34

Using the Instrument

Analyzer Operating Modes

Note If the file saved in filter mode is recalled into an instrument with firmware

revision B.04. 02, a critic al error oc curs, ind icating a gra ting posit ioning fa ilure. Restart the instrumen t to cle a r the error and then continue maki ng measurements.

Filter Mode

For Agilent 86141B only

In the filter or instrument mode, the analyzer acts as a fixed-tuned, variable wavelength, variable bandwidth, bandpass filter. It filters the input light at a specified wavelength. The filtered light is available at the front-panel monochromator outpu t co nnector. Adjust the analyzer’s resolutio n ba ndwidth to change the amou nt of fi lter ing. (An y of th e re solu tio n ba ndwid ths may be cho sen.) One application of the preselector mode is the filtering (that is, selecting) of one partic ular mode of a laser source.

When the presel e c to r mode is entered, the sweep stops with the a n alyzer fixtuned at the center wavelength. (If a marker is on, the analyzer is fix-tuned at the marker wavelength.) The last trace remain s di spl ay ed to show th e in put spectrum before the filtering. A marker shows the wavelength of the preselection. You can change the filtered output (pr eselection) wavelength by adjusting the marker’s position. If th e input spectrum chang es, a softkey, Take Sweep, is provided for capturing a new sweep.

Preselecting a light source (for 86141B)

1 Connect the light so urce to the optical spectrum analyz e r ’s front panel

monochromator input conne ctor.

2 Press Au to Meas. After the r outine has f inished, c heck that t he displa y shows

the wavelength range of interest. Adjust if nece ss ary .

3 Press Applications > Measurement Mo de s > Filter M ode > Res BW. Use

the knob, step keys, or numeric keypad to en te r the des ir ed amou nt of resolution bandwidth filtering.

4 Press Take Sweep (App licati ons > Measur ement M odes > Filter M ode > T ake

Sweep) to update the disp lay to show the results of the new resol uti on bandwidth filt ering.

2-35

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzer Operating Modes

The light is o utp ut f rom th e op tic al s pec tru m ana lyzer ’s front panel monochro- mator output connector. This light is a fi ltered (by the resolution bandwidth) and attenuated (by the monochrom ator loss) light input to the front pane l monochromator input conne ctor.

5 Press Marker Tune (Applications > Measurement Modes > Filter Mode >

Marker Tune). Turn the front panel knob to tune the preselector to any displayed wavelength.

6 If the input light changes, or if you change the span of the optical sp ec trum

analyzer, press Take Sweep to update the displayed trace with valid waveform data.

7 Press Previous Menu to return to normal optical spectrum analyzer

operation.

To use a single mode output cable

This procedure ensures the be st launching of the output light f rom the 50 monochromator output connector into a 9

µm fiber optic cab le.

1 Connect the light source to the optical spectrum analyzer’s front panel

monochromator input connector. Use a 9 µm fiber optic cable.

µm

2 Connect a 9

µm fiber optic cable between th e front panel monochromator

output and photodetector input connectors.

3 Press Auto Meas. After the routine has ended, check that the display shows the

wavelength range of interest. Adjus t if nece ss ary . Th e l ight re sponse to be preselected should be displayed on the screen.

4 Press Applications > Meas ur ement Modes >

2-36

Using the Instrument

Analyzer Operating Modes

Time Resolved Chirp

For Agilent 86146B option TRC only

The Agilent 861 46 B , with the filter mod e c a pability, will measure side mode suppression ratio (SMSR), wave l eng th, and power. With the addition of an Agilent 86100 Infinium Digita l Comm uni cations Analyzer (DCA), dedicated software (86146B Option TRL), and a personal computer, time resolved chirp (TRC) of a modulated laser can be ca lc u la t ed .

TRC provide s frequency (or wavelength) vs time information about a modulated lightwave signal. Also called dynamic chirp, the TRC graph provides useful information on the ability of a modulated signal to propagate over long distances in optical fiber. In dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems, excessive chirp also can cause inter-channel interference. The two significant factors of chirp are:

• dispersion which is a function of the transmission link’s length and fiber type

• cross talk caused by chirp due to closely spaced channels

A measurement could show the modulated signal (square wave) and the chirp. The chirp fluctuates with time and the frequency change, seen at the falling and rising ed ge of the time domain. The time resolved chirp solution measures:

• intensity versus tim e

• frequency versus time

• calculates the alpha factor

The alpha factor is also referred to as linewidth enhancement factor. One definition of

α is:

α 2P ∆f()∆p()⁄=

During initialization, the instrument does an auto peak, gathe rs inf o rma tion about the peaks, and tunes the fil te r m a rke r. The unmodulated data in shown in the square wave pattern and the chirp is the frequency which runs through the square wave pattern.

To smooth the chirp signal, increase the averages taken which will dec rease the noise found on the signal. Increasing the number of averages and using the longer pattern s will increase the measurement processing time. To shorten the measurement processing time, either increase the power or decrease the number of averag es. See the TRC Optio n U ser’s Guide for more details.

2-37

Using the In s tr ument

Analyzer Operating Modes

2-38

Function Reference

This chapter is a n a lphabetical refer ence of front panel key s, softkeys, and setup panel parameters. It is designed for quick information access. For example, during an operation you may find a key whose functio n is un fa miliar to you. Note the key name and look the key up in this chapter.

Active Function Area Assist

Sets the active function area to the first or top softkey function. When this function is on, the active area is automatically set. For example, when you press the fron t-panel Wavelength key, the active function area assist will set the active function to the Cen ter WL. Yo u can immediately enter th e de sired center wavelength without pressing the Center WL softkey. If this function is off, the active dialog box will not appear on the display. To a c c ess the individ ual dialog box, press the desired softkey function.

Key Path System > More System Functions > Display Setup

Related Functions Move Active Area

3-2

Function Reference

Active Marker

Accesses the menu that allows you to se lect an active mark er. Selectin g a marker always places that marker on the center wavelength of the active trace. Up to four markers can be simultaneously displayed. If multiple markers are displayed, the active marker appears as a white diamond and the othe r markers appear as green diamonds. The Mkr notation on top of th e graticule area indicates the trace where the marker is located. For example, Marker 2 on trace B would read Mkr 2(B).

See “Tips for Using Traces and Markers” on page 2-27, and “Measuring the Dif ference between Traces” on page 2-28.

Key Path Markers > Active Marker

Related Functions Active Trace, Peak Search, Pit Search, Marker to Center, Marker to Refer-

ence Level

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:STATe CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:AOFF

Active Trace

Accesses the menu that allows you to select an active trace for viewing, updating, or storing . The trace must be active before you can put a marker on it or make changes to it. There are six traces available.

See “Tips for Using Traces and Markers” on page 2-27, and “Measuring the Dif ference between Traces” on page 2-28.

Key Path Traces > Active Trace

Markers > Active Trace

Related Functions Trace Math, View (Trace), Update (Trace)

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:TRACe TRACe:FEED:INPute TRA,2 TRACe:FEED:CONTrol:TR A, ALWays DISPlay:WIND o w :TRACe TRA, ON

3-3

Function Reference

Adv Service Functions

Accesses the following functions:

• Grating Orde r

• More Adv Service Menu

• Wavelength Limit

• Zero Now

Key Path System > More System Functions > Service Menu > Adv Service Functions

Advanced Line Mkr Functions

Accesses the following functions:

• integrate limit

• search limit

• sweep limit

• trace integ

Key Path Markers > More Ma rker Functions > Line M arker Menu > Advance d Line

Mkr Functions

Agilent Logo (Display Setup Panel)

Accesses the pane l t ha t al lows you to turn the Agilent logo on or off. Wh en this function is on, the Agilent logo appears on the display’s upper, left corner of the graticule a nd on printouts.

Key Path System > More System Functions > Display Setup

All Math Off

Turns all the trace math functions off.

Key Path Traces > Trace Math Off > All Math Off

3-4

All Off

Turns all the active markers off.

Note If filter mode is on, this function is not available.

Key Path Markers > Active Marker > All Off

Function Reference

All Off

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:AOFF

Amplitude

Accesses the menu of keys that allow you to control the instrument’s sensitiv- ity and amplitude sc a les. The function keys include:

• amplitude setup

• display mode

• peak to ref level

• reference level

• scale/div

• sensitivity

• trace integ

Key Path Amplitude

3-5

Function Reference

Amplitude Setup

Accesses the Amplitude Setup panel that allows you to specify amplitude related fu nctions:

• amplitude correction mode

• amplitude correction sel

• amplitude units

• auto chop mode

• auto ranging

• auto zero

• power calibration

• reference level position

• user power cal date

The Amplitude Setup panel

3-6

Function Reference

Amplitude Setup

Setup Panel Selections

Reference Level Position

The value sele cted f or the Re fer ence Lev el Posit ion d etermin es th e posi tion o f the reference lev el on the graticule. Setting this value t o zer o d iv isions places the reference level on the very bottom of the grid. Setting the r eference level to 10 divisions plac es the reference leve l a t th e top of the grid. Pressing the front-panel Preset key rese ts the reference level to 9.0 divisions.

Note When using the knob or st ep keys, the value will automatically chan ge. When

using the numeric entry pad, enter a terminator that is selected from the softkey panel.

Amplitude Units

Selecting Auto for amplitude units allows power to be sh own i n dB m when using the logarithmic scale, and in watts when using the linear scale. Selecting W forces the immediately displayed information to be in watts, regardless of the amplitude scaling.

Auto Ranging

The Auto Range function allows the OSA to automatically change the gain of the transimpedance amplifier during a sweep. This allows measurements to be made at the largest dy na m ic range and at the fastest sweep speed.

Pressing the front-panel Preset key turns Auto Ranging

ON.

Note It is recommended that Auto Ranging always be turned on.

Auto Zero

Turns Auto Zero be zeroed between sweeps. Selecting

ON and OFF. Auto Zero ON ena bles the internal amplifiers to

OFF disables this feature. Pressing the

front-panel Preset key resets th i s function to

ON.

3-7

Function Reference

Amplitude Setup

Note Tu rning Au to Zer o off allow s the instru ment to sweep f aste r, but results in less

accuracy on low level signals. The optical spectrum analyzer performs a more complete zeroing w hen the instru ment is first turn ed on. Y ou can run this mor e complete routin e a nytime by pressing the Zero Now softkey.

Auto Chop Mode (Not available on 86144B/86146B models)

Enables the optical spectrum analyzer chop mode. Chop mode increases dynamic range f or long sweep times by subtracting amb ien t light. Subtracting the ambient light can improve sensitivity but slows down the sweep speed.

Pressing the front-panel Preset key turns this function

OFF.

Note Sweep times of 50 msec × the # of trace poin ts, or longer, use a special “chop”

mode. Chop mode increases dynamic range, stabilizes measurements against drift, and reduces effects of stray light. This special chop mode is enabled by setting the Auto Chop mo de to on.

Power Calibration

Power Calibration allows you to use amplitude correction factors either from the factory calibration or from the last successful user calibration. Pressing the front-panel Preset key resets this function to User. If a user calibration has not been performed, the factory calibration data is used.

User Power Cal Date

The User Power Ca l Date displays the date of the last succ essful user-performed amplitude c a li bration.

Amplitude Correction Sel

Allows you to selec t a cor recti on se t to be appl ied to th e mea suremen t resu lts. Only one set can be selected at a time. Refer to “Amplitude Correction Remote

Commands” on page 5-16 for an overv i ew o f the amplitude correc tion remote

commands.

Amplitude Correction Mode

Allows you to turn the AMPCOR ON or OFF.

3-8

When AMPCOR is turned on, the correction points are applied across the active measurement range and added to all measurement results. Between points, the correction values are interpolated linearly or logarithmically. When measuring at wav elengths outside the first a nd last correction points, the first or last value (as approp riate) is used as the correction value.

Whenever AMPCOR is active, the currently selected correction set is displayed in the lower left corner of the screen. For example, if correction set number one is selected, “A1” is displayed. Re fe r to “Amplitude Correction

Remote Commands” on page 5-16 for an overview of the amplitude correction

remote commands.

Key Path Amplitude > Amplitude Setup...

Related Functions Reference Level, Sensitivity

Function Reference

Amplitude Units (Amplitude Setup Panel)

Remote Commands

(Amplitude Display Mode):DI SP la y:WINDow:TRA C e:Y:SCALe LINear

DISPlay:WINDow:TRACe:Y:SCALe LOGarithmic (Amplitude Units):UNIT:POWer (Auto Zero):CALibration:ZERO (Reference Level Positio n ) :DISPlay:WINDow:TRACe:Y:SCALe:RPOSition

Amplitude Units (Amplitude Setup Panel)

Selects the amplitude scale’s units. Selecting Auto for amplitude units allows power to be shown in dB when using the logarithmic scale and in watt s when using the linear sc ale. Sele cting W forc es the reado ut to be in watts, regardles s of the amplitude scaling.

Key Path Amplitude > Amplitude Setup > Amplitude Units

Related Functions Display Mode, Trace Marker, Scale/Div

Remote Commands

UNIT:POWer

3-9

Function Reference

Auto Align

Pressing the auto align button on the front panel of the instrument performs an automatic alig nm ent of the instrument using the larges t si gnal found in a full span sweep. This aligns the output of the monochromator with the photodetector for impro v e d amplitude accuracy. To ensure maximum amplitude accuracy and stability, connect an input signal to the instrument, mark the peak of the signal, and then press Auto Align. This starts an automatic alignment procedure that should be performed whenever the instrument has been:

• moved

• subjected to a 2

• restarted and warmed up at the start of each day

The automatic alignment requires the connection of an external, broadband or narrowband, ligh t source. If there is ins ufficient signal power, the automatic alignment will not b e performed and an error message will be repo rted.

The auto align function saves and restore s the current instrument state. This allows the auto align function to be used in the middle of a measurement routine.

If markers ar e tur ne d on , the au t o ali gn fu n cti on a tte mpt s to do th e au tom at ic alignment at the wavelength of the active marker. If the instrument is in zero span, the alignment is performed at the center wavelength.

° temperature change

Key Path Auto Align

Related Functions Auto Meas

Auto Align & Add to Trajectory Calibrator Multi-Pt Align User Source Multi-Pt Align

Remote Commands

CALibration:ALIGn CALibration:ALIGn:MARKer[1|2|3|4]

3-10

Function Reference

Auto Align & Add to Trajectory

Allows alignment at several wavelengths, ensuring amplitude accuracy of your measurements. B efore initiating the alignment, connect a b roa dband light source to the front-panel input connector. (You may add and/or update th e existing points in the trajectory table.) Press Auto Align Preset to clear the table.

Tu r n on a n a c tive marker and manually place the marker at the desired wave length. If an active m a rker is not turned on, the instrument will automatically turn on an active marker and auto align at the largest input signal. The minimum recommended spacing between points is 5 nm for the external, single mode fiber (Agilent 86144B/86146B onl y) and 50 nm for the internal, multimode fiber. The span must be >3 nm for the single mode fiber and >25 nm for the multi-mode fiber.

Note Error 5001, Auto align cannot find input signal, will occur if a broadband light

source is not connected to th e fr ont-panel input connector. Error 5070, T ra jectory Add Fail ed, will occur if the trajector y table is full o r the computed traj ectory table is invalid.

Key Path Systems > More System Functions > Service Menu > Adv Service Functions

>More Adv Service Menu > Multi-Point Align > Auto Align & Add to Trajectory

Related Functions Auto Align P reset

Calibrator Multi-Pt Align User Source Mutli-Pt Align

Remote Commands

CALibration:ALIGn:TADD

Auto Meas

Pressing the Auto Meas button on the front panel of the in strument performs an automatic measurement of the largest signal found in a full span sweep and places a marker at th e signal peak. The signal must have at least 10 dB of excursion. (Refer to “Peak Excursion (Marker Setup Panel)” on page 3-57 for additional inf ormat ion .) Auto meas ure r equir es t he con nec tion o f a n ext ernal ,

3-11

Function Reference

Auto Meas

broadband or n arrowba nd light s ource. If there is in suffic ient sign al power, the automatic measurement will not be performed, and a warning message will be reported. This automatic measurement routine is nor ma l ly the best way to adjust sensiti vity while maintaining the fastest sweep rates.

The auto measure f unction uses trace A to perform the measurem ent. Since the auto measure function can alter the instrument state, we recommend that this operation be performed before a measurement sequence is started.

Auto Measure Setup panel allows you to m od ify the auto measure span a n d the vertical scale, tune to the wavelength indicated by th e m a rke r, and optimize the sensitivity.

Span selects the wavelength span for viewing the signal located by the auto measure function. If auto is specified, the span is set wide enough to display most of the signal. If a particular span is desired, deselect auto and put the desired span in the nm dialog box. The default selection for span is auto.

Note If the span is set too narrow, the auto measure operation m ay not complete

successfully. If this happens a warning message is displayed. Scale/Div selection sets the verti c al scale to be used after performing the

auto measure function. If auto is specified, the measurement function sets the vertical scale to a value based on the dynamic range of the signal. If a particular vertical scale is desired, deselect auto and put the desired dB/div in the dB dialog box. The default selection for dB/div is auto.

AutoMeas at Marker turns the auto measure marker on or off. Selecting the on state for auto measure at marker causes the auto measure function to perform its operation at the wavelength of the active marker. This allows you to measure a signal ot her than the largest on e fo und in a full span sweep. Th e default selection for auto measure at marker is off.

Optimize Sensitivity, when turned on, causes the auto measure function to set the sensitiv it y so the resulting measurement has a minima l amount of noise. It does this by finding the minimum in th e measurement trace and comparing this valu e to the known sensitivity of the instrument at that wavelength. Sensitiv ity is then reduced unti l the signal is close to this minimum sensitivity or the swee p ti me beco mes to o long. Th e Opti mize Sensi tiv ity f unction is useful when viewing high dynamic range signals. The drawback to turning this function better sensitivity. The default selection for Optimize Sensitivity is

ON is that it generally requires a longer sweep time to get

OFF.

3-12

Function Reference

Auto Ranging (Amplitude Setup Panel)

Note None of the Automeasure Setup parameters are affected by the front-panel

Preset key. They are not sa ved as part of the measurement setup.

Key Path Auto Meas

Related Functions Auto Align

Remote Commands

DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:ALL[:SCALe][:AUTO] DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:X{:SCALe]:AUTO:SPAN DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:Y{:SCALe]:AUTO:PDIVision DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRAC e:ALL[:SCALe] [:AUTO]:MARK e r OF F |ON|0|1

Auto Ranging (Amplitude Setup Panel)

When on, the au to r anging allows the O SA to achieve the d esired sens itivity by taking several sweeps and switching between gain stages. The final trace data is a blended composite of each trace taken in the different gain stages.

Note The sweep time (ST) that is displayed in the lower portion of the display is the

time that it takes for the OSA to sweep over one gain stage. The OSA may take up to three sweeps in three different gain stages to make the measurement. This depends on the settings for sensitivity, reference level, auto range and also the particular device being measured. The final data trace is a blended composite of each trace taken in the different gain stages. For more information, refer to “Sweep Time ” on page 3-89.

Setting Auto Range to off will force the OSA to use a single gain stage and achieve the desired sensitivity by applying a digital filter.

Key Path Amplitude > Amplitude Setup > Auto Range

Remote Commands

SENSe:POWer:DC:RANGe:AUTO

3-13

Function Reference

Auto Zero (Amplitude Setup Panel)

Turns Auto Zero on and off. Auto Zero on enables the internal amplifiers to be zeroed between sweeps. In this mode, the instrument compensates for temperature-related current drift between each sweep. Although this “zeroing” increases amplitude accuracy, it also increases the time between sweeps. If amplitude acc uracy is not critical to your measurement, turning off auto zero will improve throughput. Pressing the front-panel Preset key resets this function to on.

Tip: The instrument performs a more com plete zeroing when the instrument is first turn e d on. You can run th i s mor e comp le te ro ut ine a nyt ime by pr essi n g the Zero Now (System > More Syst em Fu nc t io ns > Service Menu > Adv Service Functions > Zero Now) softkey.

Key Path Amplitude > Amplitude Setup > Auto Zero

Related Functions Zero Now

Remote Commands

CALibration:ZERO

Averaging

When averaging is on, you can select the number of measurement sweeps to be averaged, using the 10, 20, 50, 10 0 so ftkeys. You can also enter averaging values other than those displayed by using the numeric keypad or the knob.

When the number of sweeps taken is less than the count, the following formula is used to calculat e th e da t a :

AVG

If the number of sweeps is greater than or equal to the count, th e fol l o wi ng formula is used to calculate the data:

æö ç÷

New average

èø

3-14

sum of current sweeps

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------=

number of averages selected

count 1–

----------------------- -

count

×=

last average

new measuremen t

-----------------------------------------------------+

count

Key Path Traces > Averaging

Function Reference

Backup Internal Memory

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:AVERage:COUNt CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:AVERage:STATe

Backup Internal Memory

Allows you to make a complete backup of user memory onto a floppy disk. All user files (measurement, trace, and specification sets) are saved. You can recall the backup contents into the instrument with the Restore Internal Memory function. Refer to “Backing U p or R estoring the Inter na l Memory” on

page 2-20

A screen appears asking you to insert a forma tted floppy disk into the floppy drive. The disk will not be viewable on a PC and no trace or measurement files can be saved onto the disk until it is reformatted. The backup internal memory function overwrites the floppy disk with a new image, so only the latest backup information can be recovere d thr ough the Restore Internal Memory operation. Any existing files or catalogs on the fl o pp y disk will be dest ro yed.

Key Path Save/Recall > Backup/Restore Menu > Backup Internal Memory

Backup/Restore Menu

Accesses the instrument utilities used to backup or restore internal memory.

Key Path Save/Recall > Backup/Restore Menu

3-15

Function Reference

Bandwidth Marker Interpolation (Marker Setup Panel)

Turns the bandwidth marker interpolation on or of f. When on, the bandwi dth markers will be placed at the exact number of dB (NDB) from the normal marker, if within the trace ra nge. The position of the marker will be linearly interpolated bet w een the two nearest trace data points. The def a ult state is on. If interpol a t e is off, for negative number of dB (NDB) value s, the bandwidth markers will be at value s closest to and more negative th en the NDB value. For positive NDB values, the bandwidth markers will be at values closest to and more positive than the NDB values. This will typically result in a wider bandwidth measurement.

Key Path Markers > Marker Setup > Bandwidth Marker Interpolation

Related Functions Active M a rker, Delta Mark er, Bandwidth Mark er

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:FUNCtion:BANDwidth :INTerpolation

Bandwidth/Sweep

Accesses the menu th at allow s you to change ban dwidth , sweep se ttings , fiber selection, tr igger mode, and ADC sync. You can also access these functi ons from the Measure menu Bandwidth/Sweep selection. The function keys include:

• more BW/sweep functions

• repeat sweep

• res BW

• select fiber

• single sweep

• sweep time

• video BW

3-16

BW Marker Units (Marker Setup Panel)

Sets the bandwidth marker X-axis readout for fre q uency or wavelength when the instrument i s in a non-ze ro span. The availab le selectio ns are nm, GHz, and THz. The default unit is nm (nanometers). This setting controls all four bandwidth markers. The normal and de lta offset markers have their own settings.

Key Path Markers > Marker Setup > BW Marker Units

Related Functions Marker BW

Function Reference

µm, Ang,

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:FUNCtion:BANDwidth:READout

Calibration

Accesses the Power Cal Setup and Wavelength Calibration Setup softkeys. The Power Calib ra ti o n Setup panel will show th e date of the last factory performed power cali bration and the date of the last successful user-performed power calibration. It also allows you to set the calibration power and wavelength used for the next calibration. Refer to “Calibrating Wavelength Mea-

surements” on page 2-14

Set Calibration Power is the exact ampl itude of the calibration source tha t will be used for the next power calibration. The power entered must be within +10 dBm and –3 dBm of the amplitude mea su re d using t he factor y cal ib ratio n.

Set Calibration Wavelength is the approximate wavelength of the calibration source that will be used for the next user po wer calibration. The wavelength entered must be within 2.5 nm of the wa v el ength measured usi ng the factory calibration.

Pressing the Perform Calibration softkey will display on-screen instructio ns for performin g the calibration.

Key Path Systems > Calibration

Remote Commands

CALibration:POWer:POWer CALibration:POWer:Wavelength

3-17

Function Reference

Calibrator Multi-Pt Align

Adjusts the mechanical position of the instrument’s internal optical components ensuring amplitude accuracy of your measurements. Before initi a ti ng the alignment, connect the internal calibrator to the front-panel input connector. Refer to “External Multipoint Wavelength Calibration” on page 2-17

The instrument automatically sets the start wavelength at 1490 nm, stop wavelength at 1590 nm, span, and reference level, and then perf orms a fully automatic, internal auto align. The input signal is aligned at equally spaced alignments (mi nimum 50 nm spacing b etween points) for th e i n te rnal, multimode fiber or (minimum 5 nm spacing between points) for the external, single-mode fiber (Agilent 86144B/86146B only).

Note Error 5056, Trajectory align cannot find input signal, will occur if a broadband

light source is not connected to the front-panel input connector. Error 5060, Trajectory align failed, will occur if the align procedure fail ed .

Key Path System > More System Functions > Service Menus > Adv Service Functions

> More Adv Service Menu > Multi-Point Align > Calibrator Mul ti -Pt Align

Related Functions Auto Align & Add To Trajectory

Auto Align Preset User Source Multi-Pt Align

Remote Commands

CALibration:ALIGn:INTernal

Center Wavelength (WL)

Sets the center wavelength using the knob, step keys, or numeric keys. The span remains constant. The center wavelength and the start and stop wavelength settings are related as follows:

stop wavelength start wavelength

Center Wavelength

Key Path Wavelength > Center WL

3-18

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -=

Related Functions Start WL, Stop WL, Span

Function Reference

Center Wavelength Step Size (Wavelength Setup Panel)

Remote Commands

SENSe:WAVelength:CENTer

Center Wavelength Step Size (Wavelength Setup Panel)

Specifies the center wavelength step size. This is used for incrementing center wavelength using the

Key Path Wavelength > Wavelength Setup > Cen ter Wavelength Step Size

Remote Commands

SENSe:WAVelength:CENTer:STEP:INCRement

↑ and ↓ keys.

Configure Network

Starts a utility that allows you to enable and configure networking. Enter this menu only if you have all the necessary networking parameters. Refer to “File

Sharing and Printing over a Network” on page 2-26

Key Path System > More System Functions > GPIB & Network Setup > Configure Net-

work

Current GPIB Address (Remote Setup Panel)

Displays the GPIB a ddress currently be ing used. To change the address, use the numeric keys, ste p keys, or knob to enter th e new GPIB address information in the Remote Setup panel.

Key Path System > More System Functi ons > GPIB & Network Setup > GPIB Address

3-19

Function Reference

Current Source Setup

Accesses the Current Source Setup panel that allows you to turn on or off the current source, set the current limit, enable pulse width, duty ratio, and synchronize the ADC sync output. Refer to “Ope rating the Interna l White Light

Source” on page 2-4

Key Path System > Options > Current Source Setup

Related Functions ADC sync, current limit, pulse width, duty ratio

Remote

SOURce:CURRent:PULSe:STATe ON|OFF

Commands

Date/Time (Display Setup Panel)

Turns the date and time on the display on or off. When on, the date and time will appear on the display’s lower, right corner of the displa y an d on pri n tou ts.

Key Path System > More System Functions > Display Setup

Related Functions SYSTem:TIMe

Default Math Trace C

Defines the math ex pr ession to be used and turns the math operation on:

-B, C=A

C=A

LOG

The math operation is performed in linear units.

See “Using Trace Math to M easure Wavelength Drift” on page 2-29.

Key Path Traces > Trace Math Off > Default Math Trace C

+B, C=A

LOG

-B, or C=A

LIN

+B. The result is placed in Trace C.

LIN

Remote Commands

CALCulate3:MATH: STATE OFF|ON|0|1

3-20

Default Math Trace F

Defines the math ex pr ession to be used and turns the math operation on:

-D. The result is p la c ed in T ra c e F. The math operation is performed in

F=C

LOG

linear units.

See “Using Trace Math to Mea sure Wavelength Drift” on page 2-29.

Key Path Traces > Trace Math Off > Default Math Trace F

Function Reference

Default Math Trace F

Remote Commands

CALCulate6:MATH: STATE OFF|ON|0|1

Delete From (Delete Setup Panel)

Selects whether to delete a fil e fro m a floppy disk, internal memory, or a networked file share.

Key Path Save/Recall > Delete Menu > Delete File From

Remote Commands

MMEMory:DELete

Delete Menu

Accesses the Delete Setup panel that allows you to delete files from a floppy disk, internal memory, or a networked file share.

Key Path Save/Recall > Delete Menu

Remote Commands

MMEMory:DELete

3-21

Function Reference

Delta Marker On/Off

This toggle func tion fixes the posit ion of the referenc e m a rk e r an d activates the delta marker. This measures the di fference b etween t he active (r eference) marker and the delta marker. The front knob, step keys, or keypad can be used to move the delta marker to the desired location. Refer to “Measuring the

Difference between Traces” on page 2-28

If the delta function is turned on and no marker is active, Marker #1 will be turned on and placed at the center wavelength as a reference for the delta marker.

Note For Agilent 86144B/86146B only, if filter mode is enabled, the noise marker,

delta marker, and OSNR marker are disabled.

Key Path Markers > More M a rker Functions > De lta Marker

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:FUNCtion:DELTa:STATe

Delta Marker Units (Marker Setup Panel)

Sets the delta marker X-axis readout for frequency or wavelength when the instrument is in a non-zero span. The available selections are nm, GHz, and THz. The default units are nm (nanometers). This setting controls all four delt a ma rk ers. The normal and bandwidth markers have their own settings.

Key Path Markers > Marke r Setup > Delta Mark e r U n its

Related Functions Delta Marker

Remote Commands

CALCulate[1|2|3|4|5|6]:MARKer[1|2|3|4]:FUNCtion:DELTa:X:READout

µm, Ang,

3-22

Agilent Technologies 86140B User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Getting Started

Product Overview

Optical Spectrum Analyzer Display

Setting Up the Ana lyzer

Making a Measureme nt

The Menu Bar

The Softkey Pan els

The Amplitude Menus

The Applications Menus

The Bandwidth/Sweep Menus

The Markers Menus

The Save/Recall Menus

The Systems Menus

The Systems Menus, continued....

The Traces Menus

The Wavelength Menus

Laser Safety Consideratio ns

Product Option s an d Accessories

Front Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters

Using the Instrument

Setting Up Measurements

Adjusting Setup Conditions

Operating the Internal White Light Source

Averaging Traces

Setting Video Bandwidth

Using Span to Zoom In

Setting the Sensitivity

Triggering a Measurement

Moving the Active Function Area

Indicating an Update is Needed

Calibrating Wavelength Measurements

Internal Wavelength Calibration

External Single Wavelength Calibration

External Multipoint Wavelength Calibration

Saving, Recalling, and Managing Files

Adding a Title to the Display

Backing Up or Restoring the Internal Memory

Saving Measurement and Trace Data

Note The auto span value w ill not be saved with the measurement.

Note The auto span value w ill not be saved with the measurement.

Recalling Measurement and Trace Data

Note The auto span value will not be saved with the measurement.

Note The auto span value will not be saved with the measurement.

File Sharing and Printing over a Network

Analyzing Measurement Data

Tips for Using Traces and Markers

Moving the Active Marker from One Trace to Another

Measuring the Difference between Traces

Using Trace Math to Measure Wavelength Drift

Analyzer Operating Modes

Filter Mode

• Previous settings are lost

• A single sweep is taken

• The marker is set to the reference level

• Taking a single sweep

• Changing resolution bandwidth

• Resolution bandwidth is Marker 1

• Exit recalls the last selected state parame te rs prior to entering filter mode

• No default settings

• Filter marker is the normal no ise marker

• OSNR marker is the center marker

• Bandwidth marker is the center wavelength mar ker

• Fiber selection

• Applications

• Calibration

• ADC

• Transfer and restore state file in fi lt er mode

• Save in filter mode

Note Auto Align Now will overwrite any previous align data.

Filter Mode

Time Resolved Chirp

Function Reference

Note If filter mode is on, this function is not available.

Note It is recommended that Auto Ranging always be turned on.