Spectrum analyser with high wavelength range

The AQ6370C from Yokogawa combines accuracy and resolution with ultra-high dynamic range, comprehensive interfacing and ease of use.

It has operability for applications including RandD and production testing of optical systems, including active devices such as lasers, amplifiers and transceivers; passive devices such as filters and fibres; and optical transmission equipment for DWDM and CWDM transmission.

Covering the wavelength range from 600 to 1700nm and applicable to both single-mode and multimode fibres, the AQ6370C provides high wavelength accuracy of +/-0.01nm, high wavelength resolution of 0.02nm, ultra-high dynamic range of 78dB (typical), wide level range of -90dBm and fast sweep speed of 0.2sec/100nm.

Enhanced functionality is provided by a large, bright LCD screen; easy operation via panel keys and a mouse; four USB ports including memory, mouse and keyboard interfaces; and high-speed GPIB and Ethernet remote interfaces.

The instrument also has a built-in wavelength reference source and a range of integral analysis functions.

The ultra-high dynamic range (typically 80dB) results from an enhanced stray-light suppression ratio in the monochromator and results in reduced measurement times.

The higher-performance model can also achieve a higher dynamic range within 0.2nm of the peak wavelength.

With the sharper spectral characteristics of the monochromator, spectral signals in close proximity can be separated clearly and measured accurately.

The wide level range from +20dBm to -90dBm means that the AQ6370C can measure high-power sources such as optical amplifiers and pump lasers for Raman amplifiers, as well as very weak optical signals.

Measurement sensitivity can be selected from seven categories according to the application and measurement speed requirement.

In addition to improved level sensitivity of -85dBm (from 1000 to 1300nm), the AQ6370C incorporates a smoothing function to reduce noise on the measured spectrum and a high dynamic mode, which obtains a better dynamic range by reducing the influence of stray light caused when the input is a strong optical signal.

The free space input allows multimode and single-mode fibre measurements to be carried out on the same instrument.

In addition, the low insertion loss for multimode fibre available with the AQ6370C helps to maintain measurement efficiency.

The low insertion loss variation at the input connector increases the measurement repeatability and the lack of physical contact means no damage is incurred in connecting the fibres.

An APC-level correction function is included to correct the level offset resulting from the insertion loss of an angled physical contact (PC) connector.

With an advanced monochromator, faster electrical circuits and noise reduction techniques, the AQ6370C achieves high measurement speed even when measuring a steep spectrum from DFB-LD or DWDM signals, or when measuring a low-power signal from a broadband light source.

Efficiency is further enhanced by the high-speed Ethernet and GP-IB remote interfaces.

A combination of wide-span sweep with high-resolution results from the availability of 50,001 data sampling points, which makes measurements easier and more efficient.

The ability to carry out trace zooming and the combination of mouse and keyboard operation makes it easier to use.

USB interfaces support large-capacity removable memory and hard disk drives in addition to the 512Mb of internal memory, which is sufficient for over 20,000 traces.

Data-handling is further eased by the 'all-at-once' trace-filing, which allows all seven traces to be saved simultaneously in one file.

Analysis functions include calculations between traces, maximum/minimum hold and 13 spectral analysis functions for popular applications such as spectral-width analysis, WDM analysis, filter analysis and LED analysis.

A macro-programming function allows multiple analyses to be combined and executed automatically, as well as forming the basis for building automated test systems.

The AQ6370C can compensate for ambient condition changes, vibration and shock through a combination of a built-in wavelength-reference source, a wavelength-calibration function and an optical-alignment function.

Two versions of the AQ6370C are available, differing only in wavelength accuracy and dynamic range: these are the standard AQ6370C-10 and the higher-performance AQ6370-20.

Back to top