How to Use a Variable Optical Attenuator module Setting Attenuation and/or Power Levels
Agilent 8163A/B, 8164A/B, and 8166A/B User’s Guide, Fourth Edition 187
3 Press [OK].
4 Use the Cursor key to highlight the α parameter, then press [Edit].
5 Use the Cursor key to enter the required attenuation factor, in dB.
6 Press [OK].
Filter Transition Speed By default, the Attenuator’s filter transitions to a new α setting as
quickly as possible. If your test setup requires a slower filter transition
speed, press [Menu], then select the <Speed> option. Select a speed
between 0.1 and 12 dB/s, then press [OK].
While the Attenuator module is transitioning to a new setting, its
status is shown as ‘B’ (or ‘Busy’).
NOTE Using very slow speeds may block this attenuator channel for several
minutes.
How to Apply an Attenuation Offset
Attenuating an input signal to a DUT introduces additional connectors
and other components into your optical test setup. An attenuation
offset is typically applied to calibrate for the intrinsic insertion loss of
these components. First you measure this insertion loss using a
reference powermeter, then you compensate by entering the result
into the Attenuator module’s α
Offset
parameter.
81560A/61A/70A/71A/73A
modules
1 Set the reference powermeter’s λ parameter to the appropriate
wavelength, its <Power Unit> to dB, and to an appropriate
measurement <Averaging Time>.
2 Use a patchcord to connect the source output to the reference
powermeter.
3 Press the powermeter’s [Disp -> Ref] softkey. Power is now
measured relative to this reference value, so the powermeter
displays 0.000 dB
4 Set the Attenuator module’s λ parameter to the appropriate
wavelength. Set the Attenuator module’s α parameter, the
attenuation factor, to 0.000 dB.
5 Connect the source output to the Attenuator module input.
6 Use another patchcord to connect the Attenuator module output to
the reference powermeter input.
7 Note the insertion loss measurement displayed by the powermeter.
8 Select the details screen for the Attenuator.
9 Use the cursor key to select the α
Offset
parameter, then press [Edit].
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