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8157xA Optical Attenuators

Data Sheets

Introduction

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. 8157xA Variable Optical Attenuators are instruments that attenuate and control the optical power level of light in optical fibers.

As plug-in modules for Keysight’s Lightwave Solution platform (8163A/B, 8164A/B, 8166A/B) they allow you to set the attenuation factor and/or power level manually, or remotely via a common computer interface.

Their high accuracy combined with their flexibility makes them ideal as test and measurement equipment for the modern telecommunication industry.

Modular Design for Lightwave Solution Platform

The Keysight 8157xA variable optical attenuators are a family of plug-in modules for Keysight’s Lightwave Solution Platform 8163A/B, 8164A/B and 8166A/B. The attenuator modules 81570A, 81571A and 81578A occupy one slot, while modules 81576A and 81577A occupy two slots. With 17 slots, the Keysight 8166A/B Lightwave Multichannel System can host up to 17 single slot modules or up to 8 dual slot modules.

Variable Optical Attenuators

The Keysight 81570A, 81571A and 81578A are small, costeffective attenuator modules with high resolution. They feature excellent wavelength flatness and can handle high input power levels. Combined with their low insertion loss, they are ideal for optical amplifier test, such as characterization of EDFAs and of Raman amplifiers, as well as for other multi-wavelength applications, such as DWDM transmission system test. Various calibration features allow the user to set a reference power. Both the attenuation and the power level, relative to the reference power, can then be set and displayed in the user interface. An integrated shutter, which can be used for protection purposes, or to simulate channel drops, is included. The multimode 81578A brings this performance to multimode test and can be ordered for 50 μm or 62.5 μm fiber.

Attenuators with Power Control

The Keysight 81576A and 81577A attenuators feature power control functionality that allows you to set the output power level of the attenuator. The attenuator module uses the feedback signal from a photodiode after a monitor tap, both integrated in the module, to set the desired power level at the output of the module. When the power control mode is enabled, the module automatically corrects power changes at the input to maintain the output level set by the user. After an initial calibration for the uncertainties at connector interfaces, absolute power levels can be set with high accuracy. The absolute accuracy of these power levels depends on the accuracy of the reference power meter used for calibration.

These modules also feature high power handling capability and excellent wavelength flatness for DWDM applications. To set a total power level of a multi-wavelength signal, it is necessary to determine the convolution of the signal’s spectrum with the sensitivity of the photodiode over wavelength. An enhanced calibration feature supports this process and enables setting the integral power of a DWDM signal with a known spectrum.

Calibration Processes

Comprehensive offset functionality in the firmware enhances the calibration of the optical path in various test set-ups. There is an offset for the attenuation factor, and an independent offset for the output power level, to calibrate for losses due to the patch cords and connectors. Additionally, wavelength and offset value pairs can be stored in a table to compensate for wavelength dependent effects in the optical path of the set-up. This allows you to set the optical power level at your Device Under Test.

Calibration is even easier and more convenient if the reference power meter and the attenuator are hosted by the same mainframe: All power related offsets can be determined by a firmware function that reads a value from the reference power meter. The difference between the power value read by the reference power meter and the actual value of the attenuator is automatically stored as the offset.

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