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Agilent Technologies 86120C User Manual

Multi-wavelength meter
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Agilent 86120C
Multi-Wavelength Meter
User's Guide
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Summary of Contents for Agilent Technologies 86120C

  • Page 1 ® Advanced Test Equipment Rentals www.atecorp.com 800-404-ATEC (2832) Agilent 86120C Multi-Wavelength Meter User’s Guide...
  • Page 2 Buyer’s sole and exclusive reme- are displayed on the instrument’s understood and met. dies. Agilent Technologies shall Agilent Technologies shall not be screen. not be liable for any direct, indi- liable for errors contained herein The instruction manual...
  • Page 3 C A U T I O N angled physical contact interface. Characterize laser lines easily With the Agilent 86120C you can quickly and easily measure any of the following parameters: • Measure up to 200 laser lines simultaneously • Wavelengths and powers •...
  • Page 4 Agilent 86120C’s dis- play. The input circuitry of the Agilent 86120C can be damaged when total input C A U T I O N power levels exceed +18 dBm. To prevent input damage, this specified level must not be exceeded.
  • Page 5 Measurement accuracy—it’s up to you! Fiber-optic connectors are easily damaged when connected to dirty or damaged cables and accessories. The Agilent 86120C’s front-panel INPUT connector is no exception. When you use improper cleaning and handling techniques, you risk expensive instrument repairs, damaged cables, and compromised measurements.

  • Page 6: General Safety Considerations

    IEC 60825- 1. There is no output laser aperture The Agilent 86120C does not have an output laser aperture. However, light less than 1 nW escapes out of the front-panel OPTICAL INPUT connector. Operator maintenance or precautions are not necessary to maintain safety. No controls, adjustments, or performance of procedures result in hazardous radiation expo- sure.
  • Page 7 WA R N I N G personnel. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers. To prevent electrical shock, disconnect the Agilent 86120C from mains WA R N I N G before cleaning. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with water to clean the external case parts.
  • Page 8 General Safety Considerations This product complies with Overvoltage Category II and Pollution Degree 2. C A U T I O N VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS: When installing the product in a cabinet, the C A U T I O N convection into and out of the product must not be restricted. The ambient temperature (outside the cabinet) must be less than the maximum operating °...

  • Page 9: Table Of Contents

    Step 1. Inspect the Shipment 4 Step 2. Connect the Line-Power Cable 5 Step 3. Connect a Printer 6 Step 4. Turn on the Agilent 86120C 7 Step 5. Enter Your Elevation 8 Step 6. Select Medium for Wavelength Values 9 Step 7.
  • Page 10 Contents 4 Programming Commands Common Commands 3 Measurement Instructions 15 CALCulate1 Subsystem 25 CALCulate2 Subsystem 31 CALCulate3 Subsystem 44 CONFigure Measurement Instruction 74 DISPlay Subsystem 75 FETCh Measurement Instruction 79 HCOPy Subsystem 80 MEASure Measurement Instruction 81 READ Measurement Instruction 82 SENSe Subsystem 83 STATus Subsystem 90 SYSTem Subsystem 97...
  • Page 11 Contents Menu Maps 4 Error Messages 11 Front-Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters 17 Power Cords 18 Agilent Technologies Service Offices 18 Contents-3...
  • Page 13 Step 2. Connect the Line- Power Cable 1- 5 Step 3. Connect a Printer 1- 6 Step 4. Turn on the Agilent 86120C 1- 7 Step 5. Enter Your Elevation 1- 8 Step 6. Select Medium for Wavelength Values 1- 9 Step 7.

  • Page 14: Getting Started

    Getting Started Getting Started The instructions in this chapter show you how to install your Agilent 86120C. You should be able to finish these procedures in about ten to twenty minutes. After you’ve completed this chapter, continue with Chapter 2, “Making Measurements”.
  • Page 15 Measurement accuracy—it’s up to you! Fiber-optic connectors are easily damaged when connected to dirty or damaged cables and accessories. The Agilent 86120C’s front-panel INPUT connector is no exception. When you use improper cleaning and handling techniques, you risk expensive instrument repairs, damaged cables, and compromised measurements.

  • Page 16: Step 1. Inspect The Shipment

    If your shipment is damaged or incomplete, save the packing materials and notify both the shipping carrier and the nearest Agilent Technologies sales and service office. Agilent Technologies will arrange for repair or replacement of damaged or incomplete shipments without waiting for a settlement from the transportation company.

  • Page 17: Step 2. Connect The Line-Power Cable

    Getting Started Step 2. Connect the Line-Power Cable Step 2. Connect the Line- Power Cable This is a Safety Class I Product (provided with protective earth). The WA R N I N G mains plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a protective earth contact.

  • Page 18: Step 3. Connect A Printer

    Various power cables are available to connect the Agilent 86120C to ac power outlets unique to specific geographic areas. The cable appropri- ate for the area to which the Agilent 86120C is originally shipped is included with the unit. The cable shipped with the instrument also has a right- angle connector so that the Agilent 86120C can be used while sitting on its rear feet.

  • Page 19: Step 4. Turn On The Agilent 86120C

    The front- panel LINE switch disconnects the mains circuits from the mains supply after the EMC filters and before other parts of the instru- ment. 2 If the Agilent 86120C fails to turn on properly, consider the following possibilities: • Is the line fuse good? •...

  • Page 20: Step 5. Enter Your Elevation

    Getting Started Step 5. Enter Your Elevation Step 5. Enter Your Elevation In order for your Agilent 86120C to accurately measure wavelengths and meet its published specifications, you must enter the elevation where you will be performing your measurements. 1 Press the Setup key.

  • Page 21: Step 6. Select Medium For Wavelength Values

    Step 6. Select Medium for Wavelength Values Step 6. Select Medium for Wavelength Values Because wavelength varies with the material that the light passes through, the Agilent 86120C offers wavelength measurements in two mediums: vacuum and standard air. 1 Press the Setup key.

  • Page 22: Step 7. Turn Off Wavelength Limiting

    Step 7. Turn Off Wavelength Limiting Step 7. Turn Off Wavelength Limiting The instrument’s Preset key sets the entire Agilent 86120C wavelength range of 1270–1650 nm. If a user- defined wavelength range limit was set using WL LIM, the following procedure will ensure that responses across the full wavelength are measured by returning the instrument to its preset state.

  • Page 23: Returning The Instrument For Service

    Agilent Technologies maintenance plan, Agilent Technologies will notify you of the cost of the repair after examining the unit. When an instrument is returned to a Agilent Technologies service office for servicing, it must be adequately packaged and have a com- plete description of the failure symptoms attached.
  • Page 24 Getting Started Returning the Instrument for Service Preparing the instrument for shipping 1 Write a complete description of the failure and attach it to the instrument. Include any specific performance details related to the problem. The following information should be returned with the instrument.
  • Page 25 Returning the Instrument for Service 3 Pack the instrument in the original shipping containers. Original materials are available through any Agilent Technologies office. Or, use the following guidelines: • Wrap the instrument in antistatic plastic to reduce the possibility of damage caused by electrostatic discharge.
  • Page 26 Getting Started Returning the Instrument for Service 1-14...
  • Page 27 Getting Started Returning the Instrument for Service 1-15...
  • Page 29 Measuring Wavelength and Power 2- 3 Peak WL mode 2-4 List by WL or Power modes 2-6 Total power and average wavelength 2-7 Limiting the wavelength measurement range 2-8 Measuring broadband devices and chirped lasers 2-9 Graphical display of optical power spectrum 2-10 Instrument states 2-11 Power bar 2-11 Changing the Units and Measurement Rate 2- 12...
  • Page 30 • If you change the elevation where you will be using your Agilent 86120C, refer to “Calibrating Measurements” on page 2- • Press the green Preset key to return the Agilent 86120C to its default state. Do not exceed +18 dBm source power. The Agilent 86120C’s input circuitry can C A U T I O N be damaged when total input power exceeds 18 dBm.
  • Page 31 Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength and Power Measuring Wavelength and Power This section gives you step- by- step instructions for measuring peak wavelength, average wavelength, peak power, and total input power. There are three display modes: • Peak wavelength • List- by- wavelength or power •...

  • Page 32: Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength And Power

    In peak wavelength mode, the Agilent 86120C can measure up to 200 laser lines simultaneously. Figure 2-1. Display after “Peak WL” key pressed In addition to the digital readouts, there is a power bar.
  • Page 33 Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength and Power 3 To move the cursor to view other signals, press: • PREV WL to select next (previous) shorter wavelength. • NEXT WL to select next longer wavelength. • PEAK to signal with greatest power. •...
  • Page 34 Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength and Power List by WL or Power modes In the list- by- wavelength or list- by- power modes, the measurements of five laser lines can be displayed at any one time. Use the softkeys to move the cursor through the list of signals;...
  • Page 35 Measuring Wavelength and Power Total power and average wavelength In the third available display mode, the Agilent 86120C displays the average wavelength as shown in the following figure. The displayed power level is the total input power to the instrument. It is the sum of the powers of each laser line;...
  • Page 36 Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength and Power The following equation shows how individual powers of laser lines are summed together to obtain the total power value: ∑ total where, n is the number of laser lines included in the measurement. is the peak power of an individual laser line. Power units are in Watts (linear). To display average wavelength and total power •...
  • Page 37 Measuring broadband devices and chirped lasers When first turned on (or the green Preset key is pressed), the Agilent 86120C is configured to measure narrowband devices such as DFB lasers and modes of FP lasers. If you plan to measure broadband devices such as LEDs, optical filters, and chirped lasers, use the Setup menu first to reconfigure the instrument.
  • Page 38 –5 dBm. The Agilent 86120C graphical display. The Peak Threshold value is displayed as a dotted line. All peaks above this dotted line are displayed in the List by Wavelength and List by Power modes.
  • Page 39 Making Measurements Measuring Wavelength and Power Instrument states Four different instrument states can be saved and recalled at a later time. The actual instrument conditions that are saved are identical to those saved from the previous state after power is turned on. These conditions are shown in Table 5- 22 on page 7- 2.

  • Page 40: Changing The Units And Measurement Rate

    Making Measurements Changing the Units and Measurement Rate Changing the Units and Measurement Rate This section includes step- by- step instructions for changing the units and measurement rate. This section includes: Displayed units 2- 12 Measurement rate 2- 13 Continuous or single measurements 2- 14 Displayed units As described below, it’s easy to change the wavelength and amplitude units.

  • Page 41: Measurement Rate

    However, should a faster update be desired, for example when real- time feedback is required to tune a laser to its designated channel, the Agilent 86120C can be set to update approximately two times per second. This reduces both wavelength resolution and accu- racy but can be beneficial in some applications.
  • Page 42 4 Select either NORMAL or FAST. Continuous or single measurements The Agilent 86120C continuously measures the input spectrum at the front- panel OPTICAL INPUT connector. Whenever measurements are being acquired, an asterisk (*) is displayed in the display’s upper- right corner.

  • Page 43: Defining Laser-Line Peaks

    Defining Laser-Line Peaks Defining Laser- Line Peaks The Agilent 86120C uses two rules to identify valid laser- line peaks. Understanding these rules is essential to getting the most from your measurements. For example, these rules allow you to “hide” AM mod- ulation sidebands or locate laser lines with small amplitudes.
  • Page 44 Making Measurements Defining Laser-Line Peaks Peak excursion The peak excursion defines the rise and fall in amplitude that must take place in order for a laser line to be recognized. The rise and fall can be out of the noise, or in the case of two closely spaced signals, out of the filter skirts of the adjacent signal.
  • Page 45 Pressing the green PRESET key changes the peak excursion and peak threshold values to their default settings. It also turns wavelength range limiting on. Turning the Agilent 86120C’s power off and then on does not change these settings. If too many lines are identified...

  • Page 46: Measuring Laser Separation

    This is especially true in wavelength- divi- sion- multiplexed (WDM) systems where channel spacing must be adhered to. The Agilent 86120C can display the wavelength and ampli- tude of any laser line relative to another. In fact, the following types of relative measurements can be made compared to the reference: •...
  • Page 47 Suppose that you want to measure separation on a system having the spectrum shown in the following figure. The Agilent 86120C displays separation on this spectrum as shown in the following figure. Notice that the 1541.747 nm laser line is selected as the reference.
  • Page 48 Making Measurements Measuring Laser Separation To measure channel separation 1 Press the front- panel Preset key. 2 Press List by WL. 3 Press the Delta On key. Use the Off key to turn off the measurement. 4 Select the type of separation to observe: •...
  • Page 49 Making Measurements Measuring Laser Separation Measuring flatness You can use relative power measurements to measure flatness (pre- emphasis) in a WDM system. Simply select one carrier as the reference and measure the remaining carriers relative to the reference level. The power differences represent the system flatness.

  • Page 50: Measuring Laser Drift

    Measuring Laser Drift Measuring Laser Drift In this section, you’ll learn how the Agilent 86120C can be used to monitor drift (changes to a laser’s wavelength and amplitude over time). Drift is measured simultaneously for every laser line that is identified at the input.
  • Page 51 You can restart the drift measurement at any time by pressing the RESET softkey. All minimum and maximum values are reset to the ref- erence values, and the Agilent 86120C begins to monitor drift from the current laser line values. Move the cursor up and down the listing to see the reference wavelength and power of each laser line.
  • Page 52 Making Measurements Measuring Laser Drift maximum wavelength and maximum power may not have occurred simultaneously. Display shows absolute minimum values since the drift measurement was started. This measurement gives the shortest wavelength and smallest power measured. The laser line of interest may have since drifted to a greater value.

  • Page 53: Measuring Signal-To-Noise Ratios

    Signal- to- noise measurements are especially important in WDM systems because there is a direct relation between signal- to- noise and bit error rate. The Agilent 86120C displays signal- to- noise measurements in the third column. For example, the selected signal in the following figure has a signal- to- noise ratio of 30.0 dB.
  • Page 54 When the signal- to- noise “auto” function is selected, the interpolation Agilent 86120C first determines the proximity of any adjacent signal. If the next closest signal is ≤200 GHz (approximately 1.6 nm at 1550 nm) away from the signal of interest, then the noise power is measured half way between the two channels and an equal distance to the other side of the signal of interest.
  • Page 55 When the signal- to- noise “user” function is selected, the wavelength Agilent 86120C uses only one wavelength to measure the noise power for all signals. This wavelength is set by the user and all signals are compared to the noise level at this wavelength to determine their cor- responding signal- to- noise ratios.
  • Page 56 Making Measurements Measuring Signal-to-Noise Ratios To measure signal- to- noise 1 Press the front- panel Preset key. 2 Press List by WL or List by Power. 3 Press Appl’s and then S/N. 4 To select the wavelength reference for measuring the noise, do the following steps: a Press WL REF, and •...

  • Page 57: Measuring Signal-To-Noise Ratios With Averaging

    Making Measurements Measuring Signal-to-Noise Ratios with Averaging Measuring Signal- to- Noise Ratios with Averaging When the lasers being measured are modulated, especially with repeti- tive data formats such as SONET or PRBS, the noise floor is raised. Averaging reduces the noise floor and allows an improvement of greater than 10 dB in a signal- to- noise measurement.
  • Page 58 Then, pressing the Cont key will start a completely new measurement. Noise bandwidth When measuring noise power, the Agilent 86120C must account for the affects noise bandwidth used during the measurement. Because noise band-...

  • Page 59: Measuring Fabry-Perot (Fp) Lasers

    Measuring Fabry-Perot (FP) Lasers Measuring Fabry- Perot (FP) Lasers The Agilent 86120C can perform several measurements on Fabry- Perot lasers including FWHM and mode spacing. The display shows the mea- surement results in the selected wavelength and amplitude units. In addition, the mode spacing measurement always shows results in fre- quency as well as the selected wavelength units.
  • Page 60 Making Measurements Measuring Fabry-Perot (FP) Lasers Measurement Description FWHM FWHM (full width at half maximum) describes the spectral width of the half-power points of the laser, assuming a continuous, Gaussian power distribution. The half-power points are those where the power spectral density is one-half that of the peak amplitude of the computed Gaussian curve.
  • Page 61 Making Measurements Measuring Fabry-Perot (FP) Lasers The summation of the power in each of the selected peaks, or modes, that satisfy the peak-excursion and peak-threshold criteria. Σ Total Power The peak excursion and peak threshold settings define the laser modes included in the measurement.

  • Page 62: Measuring Modulated Lasers

    Making Measurements Measuring Modulated Lasers Measuring Modulated Lasers A laser that is amplitude modulated at low frequencies (for example, modulated in the audio frequency range) can cause spurious wave- lengths to be displayed below and above the correct wavelength. The power of these spurious wavelengths is below that of the correct wavelength.
  • Page 63 Making Measurements Measuring Modulated Lasers The graphical display is useful for locating these spurious wavelengths. Their amplitude will be below that of the correct wavelength and they will be broad, rounded peaks compared to the sharp peak of the cor- rect wavelength.

  • Page 64: Measuring Total Power Greater Than 10 Dbm

    Additional amplification can also be accounted for. The maximum total input power that can be applied to the Agilent 86120C C A U T I O N before damage occurs is 18 dBm. The maximum total input power that can be measured is 10 dBm.

  • Page 65: Calibrating Measurements

    Because all measurements made inside the Agilent 86120C are per- formed in air, the density of air, due to elevation, affects the wave- length results. You must calibrate the Agilent 86120C by entering the elevation. Elevations from 0 to 5000 meters can be entered. The eleva- tion correction is immediately applied to the current measurement even if the instrument is in the single measurement acquisition mode.
  • Page 66 Entries jump in 500 meter steps from 0 m to 5000 m. In order for the Agilent 86120C to meet its published specifications, the elevation value selected with the softkeys must be within 250 meters of the actual elevation.

  • Page 67: Printing Measurement Results

    1288.034 -14.65 To create a hardcopy 1 Connect the printer to the Agilent 86120C’s rear- panel PARALLEL PRINTER PORT connector. 2 Press Print. You can use the ABORT and CONT softkey to stop and restart a print job that is in progress.

  • Page 68: Cleaning Connections For Accurate Measurements

    Mating one style of cable to another requires an adapter. Agilent Technologies offers adapters for most instruments to allow testing with many different cables. Figure 2- 3 on page 2- 41 shows the basic components of a typical connectors.
  • Page 69 Agilent Technologies instruments typically use a connector such as the Diamond HMS- 10, which has concentric toler- ances within a few tenths of a micron. Agilent Technologies then uses a special universal adapter, which allows other cable types to mate with this precision connector.
  • Page 70 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements Figure 2-4. Universal adapters to Diamond HMS-10. The HMS- 10 encases the fiber within a soft nickel silver (Cu/Ni/Zn) center which is surrounded by a tough tungsten carbide casing, as shown in Figure 2- Figure 2-5.
  • Page 71 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements The soft core, while allowing precise centering, is also the chief liabil- ity of the connector. The soft material is easily damaged. Care must be taken to minimize excessive scratching and wear. While minor wear is not a problem if the glass face is not affected, scratches or grit can cause the glass fiber to move out of alignment.
  • Page 72 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements Use the following guidelines to achieve the best possible performance when making measurements on a fiber- optic system: • Never use metal or sharp objects to clean a connector and never scrape the connector. •...
  • Page 73 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements Figure 2-8. Damage from improper cleaning. While these often work well on first insertion, they are great dirt mag- nets. The oil or gel grabs and holds grit that is then ground into the end of the fiber.
  • Page 74 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements tor pressure. Also, if a piece of grit does happen to get by the cleaning procedure, the tighter connection is more likely to damage the glass. Tighten the connectors just until the two fibers touch. •...
  • Page 75 Cleaning Connectors The procedures in this section provide the proper steps for cleaning fiber- optic cables and Agilent Technologies universal adapters. The ini- tial cleaning, using the alcohol as a solvent, gently removes any grit and oil. If a caked- on layer of material is still present, (this can hap-...
  • Page 76 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements Agilent Technologies strongly recommends that index matching compounds C A U T I O N not be applied to their instruments and accessories. Some compounds, such as gels, may be difficult to remove and can contain damaging particulates. If you think the use of such compounds is necessary, refer to the compound manufacturer for information on application and cleaning procedures.
  • Page 77 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements paper. 4 Clean the fiber end with the swab or lens paper. Do not scrub during this initial cleaning because grit can be caught in the swab and become a gouging element. 5 Immediately dry the fiber end with a clean, dry, lint- free cotton swab or lens paper.
  • Page 78 Making Measurements Cleaning Connections for Accurate Measurements Although foam swabs can leave filmy deposits, these deposits are very thin, and the risk of other contamination buildup on the inside of adapt- ers greatly outweighs the risk of contamination by foam swabs. 2 Clean the adapter with the foam swab.

  • Page 79: Programming

    Addressing and Initializing the Instrument 3- 3 To change the GPIB address 3-4 Making Measurements 3- 5 Commands are grouped in subsystems 3-7 Measurement instructions give quick results The format of returned data 3-15 Monitoring the Instrument 3- 16 Status registers 3-17 Queues 3-22 Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules 3- 23 Example Programs 3- 28...
  • Page 80 Programming Programming Programming This chapter explains how to program the Agilent 86120C. The pro- gramming syntax conforms to the IEEE 488.2 Standard Digital Inter- face for Programmable Instrumentation and to the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI). Where to begin…...

  • Page 81: Addressing And Initializing The Instrument

    Addressing and Initializing the Instrument Addressing and Initializing the Instrument The Agilent 86120C’s GPIB address is configured at the factory to a value of 20. You must set the output and input functions of your pro- gramming language to send the commands to this address. You can change the GPIB address from the front panel as described in “To...
  • Page 82 Set single acquisition mode An advantage of using the *RST command is that it sets the Agilent 86120C into the single measurement acquisition mode. Because the READ and MEASure data queries expect this mode, their proper operation is ensured.

  • Page 83: Making Measurements

    Making measurements remotely involves changing the Agilent 86120C’s settings, performing a measurement, and then returning the data to the computer. The simplified block diagram of the Agilent 86120C shown here lists some of the available programming commands. Each command is placed next to the instrument section it configures or queries data from.
  • Page 84 Programming Making Measurements After collecting the uncorrected data, the Agilent 86120C searches the data for the first 200 peak responses. (For WLIMit:OFF, searching starts at 1650 nm and progresses towards 1270 nm. For WLIMit:ON, searching starts at WLIMit:START and progresses toward WLIMit:STOP.) These peak values are then placed into the corrected...
  • Page 85 Programming Making Measurements Commands are grouped in subsystems The Agilent 86120C commands are grouped in the following sub- systems. You’ll find a description of each command in Chapter 4, “Pro- gramming Commands”. Subsystem Purpose of Commands Measurement Instructions Perform frequency, wavelength, and wavenumber measurements.
  • Page 86 Programming Making Measurements Table 2-4. Commands for Capturing Data Desired Command to Configure Measurement Command to Query Data Measurement (partial listing) Wavelength (nm) CONFigure, FETCh, READ, and MEASure MEASure:ARRay:POWer:WAVelengt Frequency (THz) CONFigure, FETCh, READ, and MEASure MEASure:ARRay:POWer:FREQuency –1 CONFigure, FETCh, READ, and MEASure MEASure:ARRay:POWer:WNUMber? Wavenumber (m Power (W, dBm)
  • Page 87 This is equivalent to using the NORMAL and FAST softkeys. :MEASure command MEASure configures the Agilent 86120C, captures new data, and que- ries the data all in one step. For example, to measure the longest wavelength, send the following command: :MEASure:SCALar:POWer:WAVelength? MAX Table 2-5.
  • Page 88 Programming Making Measurements A common programming error is to send the :MEASure command when the instrument is in the continuous measurement acquisition mode. Because :MEASure contains an :INIT:IMM command, which expects the single measurement acquisition mode, an error is gener- ated, and the INIT command is ignored.
  • Page 89 Programming Making Measurements Also, because new data is not collected, FETCh is especially useful when characterizing transient data. FETCh does not reconfigure the display. For example, if the display is in the Peak WL mode, sending :FETCh:ARRay does not configure the display to the List by WL even though an array of data is returned to the computer.
  • Page 90 However, there are a few non- sequential commands where this is not true. Non- sequential commands do not finish executing before the next command is interpreted. The following is a list of the Agilent 86120C’s non- sequential com- mands: :CALCulate1:TRANsform:FREQuency:POINTs...
  • Page 91 Programming Making Measurements The benefit of non- sequential commands is that, in some situations, they can reduce the overall execution times of programs. For example, you can set the peak excursion, peak threshold, and elevation and use a *WAI command at the end to save time. However, non- sequential commands can also be a source of annoying errors.
  • Page 92 Programming Making Measurements Measure delta, drift, and signal- to- noise To select a measurement, use one of the following STATe commands: CALC3:DELT:POW:STAT (delta power) CALC3:DELT:WAV:STAT (delta wavelength) CALC3:DELT:WPOW:STAT (delta power and wavelength) CALC3:DRIF:STAT (drift) CALC3:SNR:STAT (signal-to-noise ratios) CALC3:ASNR:STAT (signal-to-noise ratio averaging) If you select a drift measurement, you can select one of the following additional states: CALC3:DRIF:DIFF:STAT...
  • Page 93 Making Measurements The format of returned data Measurements are returned as strings All measurement values are returned from the Agilent 86120C as ASCII strings. When an array is returned, the individual values are separated by the comma character. Determine the number of data points...

  • Page 94: Monitoring The Instrument

    Monitoring the Instrument Almost every program that you write will need to monitor the Agilent 86120C for its operating status. This includes querying execu- tion or command errors and determining whether or not measure- ments have been completed. Several status registers and queues are provided to accomplish these tasks.

  • Page 95: Status Registers

    Programming Monitoring the Instrument Status registers The Agilent 86120C provides four registers which you can query to monitor the instrument’s condition. These registers allow you to deter- mine the following items: • Status of an operation • Availability of the measured data •...
  • Page 96 Programming Monitoring the Instrument 3-18...
  • Page 97 Programming Monitoring the Instrument The Status Byte Register can be read using either the *STB? common command or the GPIB serial poll command. Both commands return the decimal- weighted sum of all set bits in the register. The difference between the two methods is that the serial poll command reads bit 6 as the Request Service (RQS) bit and clears the bit which clears the SRQ interrupt.
  • Page 98 Programming Monitoring the Instrument Table 3-7. Bits in Questionable Status Register Definition 0, 1, and 2 not used POWer - indicating that the instrument is measuring too high of a power. 3 through 8 not used Maximum signals - indicating that the instrument has found the maximum number of signals.
  • Page 99 Programming Monitoring the Instrument Enabling register bits with masks Several masks are available which you can use to enable or disable individual bits in each register. For example, you can disable the Hard- copy bit in the OPERation Status Register so that even though it goes high, it can never set the summary bit in the status byte high.
  • Page 100 Programming Monitoring the Instrument Queues There are two queues in the instrument: the output queue and the error queue. The values in the output queue and the error queue can be queried. Output queue The output queue stores the instrument responses that are generated by certain commands and queries that you send to the instrument.

  • Page 101: Reviewing Scpi Syntax Rules

    Programming Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules SCPI command are grouped in subsystems In accordance with IEEE 488.2, the instrument’s commands are grouped into “subsystems.” Commands in each subsystem perform sim- ilar tasks. The following subsystems are provided: Measurement Instructions Calculate1 Subsystem Calculate2 Subsystem...
  • Page 102 Programming Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules OUTPUT 720;”:MEAS:SCAL:POW? MAX” Programs written in long form are easily read and are almost self- doc- umenting. Using short form commands conserves the amount of con- troller memory needed for program storage and reduces the amount of I/O activity.
  • Page 103 Programming Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules Combine commands from different subsystems You can send commands and program queries from different sub- systems on the same line. Simply precede the new subsystem by a semicolon followed by a colon. In the following example, the colon and semicolon pair before DISP allows you to send a command from another subsystem.
  • Page 104 Programming Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules is taken care of automatically when you include the entire instruction in a string. Several representations of a number are possible. For example, the following numbers are all equal: 0.28E2 280E-1 28000m 0.028K 28E-3K If a measurement cannot be made, no response is given and an error is placed into the error queue.
  • Page 105 Programming Reviewing SCPI Syntax Rules Program message terminator The string of instructions sent to the instrument are executed after the instruction terminator is received. The terminator may be either a new- line (NL) character, the End- Or- Identify (EOI) line asserted, or a combination of the two.

  • Page 106: Example Programs

    Example 6. Increase a source’s wavelength accuracy 3- 41 These programs are provided to give you examples of using Agilent 86120C remote programming commands in typical applications. They are not meant to teach general programming techniques or pro- vide ready- to- use solutions. They should allow you to see how mea- surements are performed and how to return data to the computer.
  • Page 107 Tempo subroutine This subroutine, which is only found in Example 3, pauses the pro- gram for a few seconds while the Agilent 86120C measures the drift on a laser. The argument in the example sets the pause for 10 seconds.
  • Page 108 This program measures the power and wavelength of a DFB laser. It first sets the Agilent 86120C in the single- acquisition measurement mode. Then, it triggers the Agilent 86120C with the MEASure com- mand to capture measurement data of the input spectrum. Because the data is stored in the instrument’s memory, it can be queried as...
  • Page 109 Programming Example Programs Identity:DEF FNIdentity$; COM /Instrument/ @MwmV DIM Identity$[50] Identity$="" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*RST" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*OPC?" ENTER @Mwm;Opc_done OUTPUT @Mwm;"*IDN?" ENTER @Mwm;Identity$ RETURN Identity$ FNEND 3-31...
  • Page 110 First, the pro- gram sets the Agilent 86120C in the single- acquisition measurement mode. Then, it triggers the Agilent 86120C with the MEASure com- mand to capture measurement data of the input spectrum. Because the data is stored in the instrument’s memory, it can be queried as...
  • Page 111 Programming Example Programs PRINT Err_msg$ UNTIL NOT BIT(Cme,2) AND NOT BIT(Cme,4) AND NOT BIT(Cme,5) AND Err$,"+0") Subend:SUBEND Set_ese:SUB Set_ese COM /Instrument/ @Mwm OUTPUT @Mwm; "*ESE";IVAL("00110100",2) SUBEND Identity:DEF FNIdentity$; COM /Instrument/ @Mwm DIM Identity$[50] Identity$="" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*RST" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*OPC?" ENTER @Mwm;Opc_done OUTPUT @Mwm;"*IDN?"...
  • Page 112 CALCulate3 subsystem. Notice the use of the Tempo subroutine to pause the program for 10 seconds while the Agilent 86120C measures the drift on the system. The use of the Err_mngmt subroutine is optional. Refer to the intro- duction to this section for a description of each subroutine that is contained in this program.
  • Page 113 Programming Example Programs ! Query reference wavelengths and powers OUTPUT @Mwm;":CALC3:DATA? WAV" ENTER @Mwm USING "#,K";Current_ref_wl(*) OUTPUT @Mwm;":CALC3:DATA? POW" ENTER @Mwm USING "#,K";Current_ref_pwr(*) ! Turn off drift reference state Cmd_opc(":CALC3:DRIF:REF:STAT OFF") Err_mngmt(":CALC3:DRIF:REF:STAT OFF") ! Turn on drift max min calculation Cmd_opc(":CALC3:DRIF:DIFF:STAT ON") Err_mngmt(":CALC3:DRIF:DIFF:STAT ON") Tempo(10)
  • Page 114 Programming Example Programs Subend:SUBEND Set_ese:SUB Set_ese COM /Instrument/ @Mwm OUTPUT @Mwm;"*ESE ";IVAL("00110100",2) SUBEND Identity:DEF FNIdentity$; COM /Instrument/ @Mwm DIM Identity$[50] Identity$="" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*RST" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*OPC?" ENTER @Mwm;Opc_done OUTPUT @Mwm;"*IDN?" ENTER @Mwm;Identity$ RETURN Identity$ FNEND Cmd_opc:SUB Cmd_opc(Set_cmd$) COM /Instrument/ @Mwm OUTPUT @Mwm;Set_cmd$ OUTPUT @Mwm;"*OPC?"...
  • Page 115 Programming Example Programs Example 4. Measure WDM channel separation This program measures the line separations on a WDM system. It mea- sures separation (delta) between power and wavelength of each line using commands from the CALCulate3 subsystem. Refer to the introduction to this section for a description of each sub- routine that is contained in this program.
  • Page 116 Programming Example Programs ";(Delta_wl(I)+((NOT I=1)*Delta_wl(1)))/1.0E-9;" nm. Absolute line level is : ";Delta_pwr(I)+(NOT I=1)*Delta_pwr(1);" dBm" PRINT USING "17A,2D,6A,M4D.3D,23A,2D,6A,S2D.2D,3A";"Delta Wl to line ",I+1," is : ";(Delta_wl(I+1)-(NOT I=1)*Delta_wl(I))/1.E-9;" nm, Delta Pwr to line ",I+1," is : ";(I=1)*(Delta_pwr(I+1))+(NOT I=1)*(Delta_pwr(I+1)-Delta_pwr(I));" dB" NEXT I PRINT USING "6A,2D,17A,M4D.3D,31A,S2D.2D,4A";"Line : ";I;" wavelength is : ";(Delta_wl(1)+Delta_wl(Nb_pt))/1.0E-9;"...
  • Page 117 Programming Example Programs Example 5. Measure signal- to- noise ratio of each WDM channel This program measures signal- to- noise ratios on a WDM system. It measures the ratio for each line using commands from the CALCulate3 subsystem. Refer to the introduction to this section for a description of each sub- routine that is contained in this program.
  • Page 118 Programming Example Programs FOR I=1 TO Nb_pt PRINT USING "7A,2D,17A,M4D.3D,25A,S2D.2D,22A,2D.2D,3A";"Line : ";I;" wavelength is : ";Current_wl(I)/1.0E-9;" nm, absolute level is : ";Current_pwr(I);" dBm, with a SNR of : ";Snr_pwr(I);" dB" NEXT I STOP Error_msg: ! PRINT "The program is aborted due to : ";ERRM$ Err_mngmt:SUB Err_mngmt(OPTIONAL Cmd_msg$) COM /Instrument/ @Mwmt DIM Err_msg$[255]...
  • Page 119 Programming Example Programs Example 6. Increase a source’s wavelength accuracy This example program uses the Agilent 86120C to increase the abso- lute wavelength accuracy of Agilent 8167A, 8168B, and 8168C Tunable Laser Sources. Essentially, the Agilent 86120C’s accuracy is transferred to the tunable laser source.
  • Page 120 Programming Example Programs COM Current_wl,Diff_wl.Target_wl,Previous_diff,Diff_diff Current_wl=0 Diff_wl=0 Target_wl=0 Previous_diff=O Diff_diff=0 ASSIGN @Tls TO 724 ASSIGN @Mwm TO 720 ! Initialize instrument DIM Identity$[50] Identity$="" OUTPUT @Tls;"*CLS" OUTPUT @Tls;"*IDN?" ENTER @TLS;identity$ PRINT "TLS IS A ";identity$ OUTPUT @Mwm;"*RST" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*CLS" OUTPUT @Mwm;"*IDN?" ENTER @Mwm;Identity$ PRINT "MWM IS A ";identity$ ! Ask user for desired wavelength...

  • Page 121: Lists Of Commands

    Programming Lists of Commands Lists of Commands Table 3-10. Programming Commands (1 of 5) Command Description Code Codes: S indicates a standard SCPI command. I indicates an instrument specific command. Common Commands *CLS Clears all event registers and the error queue. *ESE Sets the bits in the standard-event status enable register.
  • Page 122 Programming Lists of Commands Table 3-10. Programming Commands (2 of 5) Command Description Code Codes: S indicates a standard SCPI command. I indicates an instrument specific command. CALCulate1 (CALC1) Subsystem :CALCulate1:DATA? Queries the uncorrected frequency-spectrum data of the input signal. :CALCulate1:TRANsform:FREQuency:POINts? Sets and queries the number of points in the data set.
  • Page 123 Programming Lists of Commands Table 3-10. Programming Commands (3 of 5) Command Description Code Codes: S indicates a standard SCPI command. I indicates an instrument specific command. :CALCulate3:DELTa:REFerence[:WAVelength] Selects the signal to be used as the reference for the DELTa calculations. :CALCulate3:DELTa:REFerence:WNUMber Selects the signal to be used as the reference for the DELTa calculations.
  • Page 124 Programming Lists of Commands Table 3-10. Programming Commands (4 of 5) Command Description Code Codes: S indicates a standard SCPI command. I indicates an instrument specific command. :CALCulate3:FPERot:POWer:[WAVelength]? Queries the power wavelength of the selected modes. :CALCulate3:FPERot:POWer:FREQuency? Queries the power frequency of the selected modes. :CALCulate3:FPERot:POWer:WNUMber? Queries the power wavenumber of the selected modes.
  • Page 125 Presets the enable registers for all status nodes. SYSTem Subsystem :SYSTem:ERRor? Queries an error from the error queue. :SYSTem:HELP:HEADers? Queries an ASCII listing of all Agilent 86120C remote commands. :SYSTem:PRESet Performs the equivalent of a front-panel PRESET key press. :SYSTem:VERSion Queries the version of SCPI with which this instrument is compliant.
  • Page 126 Programming Lists of Commands Table 3-11. Keys Versus Commands (1 of 2) Equivalent Command ∆ :CALCulate3:DELTa:POWer[:STATe] ∆ :CALCulate3:DELTa:WAVelength[:STATe] ∆ :CALCulate3:DELTa:WPOWer[:STATe] WL/PWR Appl's See DRIFT, S/N, and FP TEST AUTO :CALCulate3:SNR:AUTO ON Avg WL :CALCulate2:PWAVerage[:STATe] BAR OFF :DISPlay[:WINDow]:GRAPhics:STATe BAR ON :DISPlay[:WINDow]:GRAPhics:STATe BROAD :SENSe:CORRection:DEVice BROad See ELEV, PWR OFS, STD AIR, and VACUUM...
  • Page 127 Programming Lists of Commands Table 3-11. Keys Versus Commands (2 of 2) Equivalent Command Peak WL See NEXT PK, NEXT WL, PEAK, PREV PK, and PREV WL PK EXC :CALCulate2:PEXCursion PK THLD :CALCulate2:PTHReshold POWER :UNIT:POWer Preset :SYSTem:PRESet PREV PK :DISPlay:MARKer:MAXimum:PREVious PREV WL :DISPlay:MARKer:MAXimum:LEFT Print...
  • Page 128 Programming Lists of Commands 3-50...

  • Page 129: Programming Commands

    Common Commands 4- 3 Measurement Instructions 4- 15 CALCulate1 Subsystem 4- 25 CALCulate2 Subsystem 4- 31 CALCulate3 Subsystem 4- 44 CONFigure Measurement Instruction 4- 74 DISPlay Subsystem 4- 75 FETCh Measurement Instruction 4- 79 HCOPy Subsystem 4- 80 MEASure Measurement Instruction 4- 81 READ Measurement Instruction 4- 82 SENSe Subsystem 4- 83 STATus Subsystem 4- 90...
  • Page 130 Programming Commands Programming Commands Programming Commands This chapter is the reference for all Agilent 86120C programming com- mands. Commands are organized by subsystem. Table 4-12. Notation Conventions and Definitions Convention Description < > Angle brackets indicate values entered by the programmer.

  • Page 131: Common Commands

    Programming Commands Common Commands Common Commands Common commands are defined by the IEEE 488.2 standard. They control generic device functions which could be common among many different types of instruments. Common commands can be received and processed by the instrument whether they are sent over the GPIB as separate program messages or within other program messages.
  • Page 132 Programming Commands Common Commands <integer> is a mask from 0 to 255. Description The event status enable register contains a mask value for the bits to be enabled in the event status register. A bit set to one (1) in the event status enable register enables the corresponding bit in the event status register to set the event summary bit in the status byte register.
  • Page 133 Programming Commands Common Commands *ESR? The *ESR (event status register) query returns the value of the event status register. Syntax *ESR? Description When you read the standard event status register, the value returned is the total of the bit weights of all of the bits that are set to one at the time you read the byte.
  • Page 134 The following identification string is returned. The third entry is the instrument’s serial number. The last entry in the string is the firmware version number; this value may vary between instruments. Agilent 86120C, USaaaabbbb, 1.000 Example DIM Id$[50] OUTPUT 720;”*IDN?”...
  • Page 135 This command is useful when the computer is sending commands to other instruments. The computer can poll the event status register to check when the Agilent 86120C has completed the operation. Use the *OPC? query to ensure all operations have completed before continuing the program.
  • Page 136 Programming Commands Common Commands *RST The *RST (reset) command returns the Agilent 86120C to a known condition. Syntax *RST Description For a listing of reset conditions, refer to the following table. This com- mand cannot be issued as a query. Since this command places the...
  • Page 137 Programming Commands Common Commands Table 4-15. Conditions Set by *RST Reset (2 of 2) Item Setting Number of uncorrected data points 15,047 Delta Measurements: ∆ power ∆ wavelength ∆ wavelength and power reference signal position 1270 nm Drift measurements Signal-to-Noise Measurements: measurement wavelength reference auto...
  • Page 138 Programming Commands Common Commands offset, signal- to- noise auto mode on/off, wavelength limit on/off, wave- length limit start, wavelength limit stop, and signal- to- noise average count. *SRE The *SRE (service request enable) command sets the bits in the service request enable register.
  • Page 139 Programming Commands Common Commands Query Response <integer> from 0 to 63 or from 128 to 191. Example OUTPUT 720;”*SRE 32” In this example, the command enables ESB (event summary) bit 5 in the status byte register to generate a service request. 4-11...
  • Page 140 Programming Commands Common Commands *STB? The *STB (status byte) query returns the current value of the instru- ment’s status byte. Syntax *STB? Description The master summary status (MSS) bit 6 indicates whether or not the device has at least one reason for requesting service. When you read the status byte register, the value returned is the total of the bit weights of all of the bits set to one at the time you read the byte.

  • Page 141: Common Commands

    Programming Commands Common Commands *TRG The *TRG (trigger) command is identical to the group execute trigger (GET) message or RUN command. Syntax *TRG Description This command acquires data according to the current settings. This command cannot be issued as a query. If a measurement is already in progress, a trigger is ignored, and an error is generated.
  • Page 142 Programming Commands Common Commands *WAI The *WAI command prevents the instrument from executing any fur- ther commands until the current command has finished executing. Syntax *WAI Description All pending operations are completed during the wait period. This command cannot be issued as a query. 4-14...

  • Page 143: Measurement Instructions

    Programming Commands Measurement Instructions Measurement Instructions Use the measurement instructions documented in this section to per- form measurements and return the desired results to the computer. Four basic measurement instructions are used: CONFigure, FETCh, READ, and MEASure. Because the command trees for each of these four basic measurement instructions are identical, only the MEASure tree is documented.
  • Page 144 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar- chy: {:MEASure | :READ[?] | :FETCh[?] | :CONFigure[?]} {:ARRay | [:SCALar] } :POWer[?] :FREQuency[?] :WAVelength[?] :WNUMber[?] 4-16...
  • Page 145 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions MEASure{:ARRay | [:SCALar]} :POWer? Returns amplitude values. Syntax :POWer? [<expected_value>[,<resolution>]] Used With <expected_value> <resolution> SCALar optional ignored ARRay ignored ignored Description When used with a :SCALar command, a single value is returned. The display is placed in the single- wavelength mode, and the marker is placed on the signal having a power level that is closest to the <expected_value>...
  • Page 146 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions Examples :CONF:ARR:POW :FETC:ARR:POW? :READ:ARR:POW? :MEAS:ARR:POW? :CONF:SCAL:POW -10 dBm :FETC:SCAL:POW? MAX :READ:SCAL:POW? MIN :MEAS:SCAL:POW? DEF Query Response The following line is an example of a returned string when :MEAS:SCAL:POW? MAX is sent: -5.88346500E+000 If six laser lines are located and :MEAS:ARR:POW? is sent, the follow- ing string could be returned.
  • Page 147 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions MEASure{:ARRay | [:SCALar]} :POWer:FREQuen- Returns frequency values. Syntax :POWer:FREQuency? [<expected_value>[,<resolution>]] Used With <expected_value> <resolution> SCALar optional optional ARRay optional ignored a. Although ignored, this argument must be present if the resolution argument is specified. Description When used with a :SCALar command, a single value is returned. The display is placed in the single- wavelength mode, and the marker is placed on the signal having a frequency that is closest to the <expected_value>...
  • Page 148 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions DEFault The current marker position MAXimum 0.01 resolution (fast update) <resolution> Constants MINimum 0.001 resolution (normal) DEFault Current resolution Examples :CONF:ARR:POW:FREQ DEF, MIN :FETC:ARR:POW:FREQ? DEF, MAX :READ:ARR:POW:FREQ? :MEAS:ARR:POW:FREQ? :CONF:SCAL:POW:FREQ 230.8THZ, MAX :FETC:SCAL:POW:FREQ? 230.8THZ, MIN :READ:SCAL:POW:FREQ? 230.8THZ :MEAS:SCAL:POW:FREQ? 230.8THZ Query Response The following line is an example of a returned string when...
  • Page 149 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions MEASure{:ARRay | [:SCALar]} :POWer:WAVe- length? Returns wavelength values. Syntax :POWer:WAVelength? [<expected_value>[,<resolution>]] Used With <expected_value> <resolution> SCALar optional optional ARRay optional ignored a. Although ignored, this argument must be present if the resolution argument is specified. Description When used with a :SCALar command, a single value is returned.
  • Page 150 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions <resolution> MAXimum 0.01 resolution (fast update) Constants MINimum 0.001 resolution (normal) DEFault Current resolution Examples :CONF:ARR:POW:WAV DEF, MAX :FETC:ARR:POW:WAV? DEF, MIN :READ:ARR:POW:WAV? :MEAS:ARR:POW:WAV? :CONF:SCAL:POW:WAV 1300NM, MAX :FETC:SCAL:POW:WAV? 1300NM, MIN :READ:SCAL:POW:WAV? 1300NM :MEAS:SCAL:POW:WAV? 1300NM Query Response The following line is an example of a returned string when :MEAS:SCAL:POW:WAV? MAX is sent: +1.5529258E-006 If six laser lines are located and :MEAS:ARR:POW:WAV? is sent, the...
  • Page 151 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions MEASure{:ARRay | [:SCALar]} :POWer:WNUMber? Returns a wave number value. Syntax :POWer:WNUMber? [<expected_value>[,<resolution>]] Used With <expected_value> <resolution> SCALar optional optional ARRay optional ignored a. Although ignored, this argument must be present if the resolution argument is specified. Description When used with a :SCALar command, a single value is returned.
  • Page 152 Programming Commands Measurement Instructions <resolution> MAXimum 0.01 resolution (fast update) Constants MINimum 0.001 resolution (normal) DEFault Current resolution Examples :CONF:ARR:POW:WNUM DEF, MAX :FETC:ARR:POW:WNUM? DEF, MIN :READ:ARR:POW:WNUM? :MEAS:ARR:POW:WNUM? :CONF:SCAL:POW:WNUM 6451, MAX :FETC:SCAL:POW:WNUM? 6451, MIN :READ:SCAL:POW:WNUM? 6451 :MEAS:SCAL:POW:WNUM? 6451 Query Response If the :MEAS:SCAL:POW:WNUM? 6451 command is sent, and a 1550 nm laser line is present, the following response would be returned to the computer: +6.45286262E+005...

  • Page 153: Calculate1 Subsystem

    Use the CALCulate1 commands to query uncorrected frequency- spec- trum data. In NORMAL measurement update mode, 15,047 values are returned. If the Agilent 86120C is set for FAST measurement update mode (low resolution), 7,525 values are returned. The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar-...
  • Page 154 Programming Commands CALCulate1 Subsystem DATA? Queries uncorrected frequency- spectrum data of the input laser line. Syntax :CALCulate1:DATA? Preset State: not affected Attribute Summary SCPI Compliance: standard Query Only Description The returned values are proportional to squared Watts (linear) units. No amplitude or frequency correction is applied to the values. To obtain the logarithmic (dB) result, normalize the returned values by the largest value, then take five times the logarithm of the normalized values.
  • Page 155 1557.195 nm (in vacuum). If your program is aborted or interrupted after sending this query, the Agilent 86120C continues to process the data but does not place it in the output buffer. Because of the amount of data processed, the instrument will not respond to any new commands in its input buffer for up to 20 seconds.
  • Page 156 Programming Commands CALCulate1 Subsystem This query will generate a “Settings conflict” error if the instrument is in the signal- to- noise average application. 4-28...
  • Page 157 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 158 Programming Commands CALCulate1 Subsystem Query Response For normal update: +15,047 For fast update: +7,525 4-30...

  • Page 159: Calculate2 Subsystem

    Programming Commands CALCulate2 Subsystem CALCulate2 Subsystem Use the CALCulate2 commands to query corrected values frequency- spectrum data. The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar- chy: :CALCulate2 :DATA? :PEXCursion :POINts? :PTHReshold :PWAVerage [:STATe] :WLIMit [:STATe] :STARt :FREQuency [:WAVelength] :WNUMber :STOP :FREQuency...
  • Page 160 Programming Commands CALCulate2 Subsystem DATA? Queries the corrected peak data of the input laser line. Syntax :CALCulate2:DATA? {FREQuency | POWer | WAVelength | WNUMber} Constant Description FREQuency Queries the array of laser-line frequencies after the peak search is completed. If :CALC2:PWAV:STAT is on, the power-weighted average frequency is returned.
  • Page 161 When there is no input signal, the POWer query returns –200 dBm; the WAVelength query returns 100 nm (1.0E–7). PEXCursion Sets the peak excursion limit used by the Agilent 86120C to determine valid laser line peaks. Syntax :CALCulate2:PEXCursion{?| {<integer> | MINimum | MAXimum | DEFault}} <integer>...
  • Page 162 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 163 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 164 Programming Commands CALCulate2 Subsystem Turning power- weighted average mode on while making delta, Fabry- Perot, or signal- to- noise measurements results in a “–221 Settings con- flict” error. 4-36...
  • Page 165 SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When this function is on, the Agilent 86120C has an input range from the WLIMit STARt to the WLIMit STOP. When this function is off, the instrument displays peaks over the full wavelength range. The graphics display always shows the range between WLIMit:STARt and WLIMit:STOP, regardless of the state of this command.
  • Page 166 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 167 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 168 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 169 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 170 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 171 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.

  • Page 172: Calculate3 Subsystem

    Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem CALCulate3 Subsystem Use the CALCulate3 commands to perform delta, drift, signal- to- noise, and Fabry- Perot measurements. The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierarchy: :CALCulate3 :ASNR :CLEar :COUNt [:STATe] :DATA? :DELTa :POWer [:STATe] :PRESet :REFerence :FREQuency...
  • Page 173 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem :FPERot [:STATE] :FWHM [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :MEAN [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :MODE [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :PEAK [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :POWer? :POWer [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :SIGMa [:WAVelength]? :FREQuency? :WNUMber? :POINts? :PRESet :SNR :AUTO :REFerence :FREQuency [:WAVelength] :WNUMber [:STATe] 4-45...
  • Page 174 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem ASNR:CLEar Clears the number of measurements used in the average signal- to- noise calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:ASNR:CLEar Attribute Preset State: not affected Summary *RST State: not affected SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description This command clears the number of measurements used in the average signal- to- noise calculation.
  • Page 175 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem ASNR:COUNt Sets the number of measurements to be used for the average signal- to- noise calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:ASNR:COUNt {?|{<integer> | MINimum | MAXimum }} <integer> is a value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum MAXimum Attribute...
  • Page 176 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem ASNR[:STATe] Turns the average signal- to- noise ratio on or off. Syntax :CALCulate3:ASNR[:STATe] {?|{ ON | OFF | 1 | 0 }} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description This command turns the average signal- to- noise calculation on or off. Only one of the CALCulate3 calculations (ASNR, DELTa, DRIFt, or SNR) can be turned on at a time.
  • Page 177 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DATA? Queries the data resulting from delta, drift, and signal- to- noise mea- surements. Syntax :CALCulate3:DATA? {POWer | FREQuency | WAVelength | WNUMber} Argument Description POWer Queries the array of laser-line powers after the calculation is completed.
  • Page 178 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:POWer[:STATe] Turns the delta- power measurement mode on and off. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:POWer[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When this state is on, the power of the reference laser line is sub- tracted from the power values of all laser lines except the reference.
  • Page 179 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:REFerence:FREQuency Selects the reference laser line for DELTa calculations. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:REFerence:FREQuency{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a frequency value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum 181.6924 THz MAXimum 236.0571 THz Attribute Preset State: 236.0571 THz (1270 nm) Summary *RST State: 236.0571 THz (1270 nm)
  • Page 180 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:REFerence[:WAVelength] Selects the reference laser line for DELTa calculations. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:REFerence[:WAVelength]{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a wavelength value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum 1270 nm MAXimum 1650 nm Attribute Preset State: 1270 nm (236.0571 THz) Summary *RST State: 1270 nm (236.0571 THz) laser line...
  • Page 181 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:REFerence:WNUMber Selects the reference laser line for delta calculations. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:REFerence:WNUMber{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a wave number value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum 6,060 cm (1650 nm) MAXimum 7,824 cm (1270 nm) Attribute...
  • Page 182 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:WAVelength[:STATe] Turns the delta wavelength measurement mode on and off. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:WAVelength[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When on, the wavelength of the reference laser line is subtracted from the wavelength values of all laser lines except the reference.
  • Page 183 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DELTa:WPOWer[:STATe] Turns the delta wavelength and power measurement mode on and off. Syntax :CALCulate3:DELTa:WPOWer[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When on, the wavelength of the reference laser line is subtracted from the wavelength values of all laser lines except the reference.
  • Page 184 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt:DIFFerence[:STATe] Sets the drift calculation to subtract the minimum values measured from the maximum values measured. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt:DIFFerence[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Attribute Preset State: off Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description Use the CALC3:DRIF:PRES command to turn off all the drift states before turning on this state.
  • Page 185 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt:MAXimum[:STATe] Sets the drift calculation to return the maximum power and frequency values measured. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt:MAXimum[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Attribute Preset State: off Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description Use the CALC3:DRIF:PRES command to turn off all the drift states before turning on this state.
  • Page 186 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt:MINimum[:STATe] Sets the drift calculation to return the minimum power and frequency values measured. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt:MINimum[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Attribute Preset State: off Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description Use the CALC3:DRIF:PRES command to turn off all the drift states before turning on this state.
  • Page 187 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt:PRESet Turns off all the drift states for DIFFerence, MAXimum, MINimum, and REFerence. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt:PRESet Attribute Preset State: unaffected by Summary *RST State: unaffected by SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Command Only Description This command allows the CALC3:DATA? query to return the difference between the current measurement and the reference.
  • Page 188 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt:REFerence[:STATe] Turns on and off the drift reference state. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt:REFerence[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When this command is set to on, the CALC3:DATA? command returns the reference laser lines.
  • Page 189 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem DRIFt[:STATe] Turns on and off the drift measurement calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:DRIFt[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When the drift mode is first turned on, the current list of laser lines is placed into the reference.
  • Page 190 Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Description When the state is ON, the Agilent 86120C measures characteristics of the Fabry- Perot laser modes. The modes are defined by the peak excursion and peak threshold commands. FPERot:FWHM? Queries the full width half- maximum data of the selected modes.
  • Page 191 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem Attribute Preset State: not affected Summary *RST State: not affected SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Query only FPERot:MEAN? Queries the mean data of the selected modes. Syntax :CALCulate3:FPERot:MEAN{[:WAVelength] | :FREQuency | :WNUMber}? Argument Description WAVelength Returns the mean wavelength of the selected modes. FREQuency Returns the mean frequency of the selected modes.
  • Page 192 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem FPERot:MODE:SPACing? Queries the mode spacing data of the selected modes. Syntax :CALCulate3:FPERot:MODE:SPACing{[:WAVelength] | :FREQuency | :WNUMber}? Argument Description WAVelength Returns the mode spacing wavelength of the selected modes. FREQuency Returns the mode spacing frequency of the selected modes. WNUMber Returns the mode spacing wavenumber of the selected modes.
  • Page 193 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem FPERot:PEAK? Queries the peak data of the selected modes. Syntax :CALCulate3:FPERot:PEAK{[:WAVelength] | :FREQuency | :WNUMber | :POWer{[:DBM]|:WATTs}}? Argument Description WAVelength Returns the peak wavelength of the selected modes. FREQuency Returns the peak frequency of the selected modes. WNUMber Returns the peak wavenumber of the selected modes.
  • Page 194 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem FPERot:POWer? Queries the total power data of the selected modes. Syntax :CALCulate3:FPERot:POWer{[:DBM]|:WATTs}}? Argument Description Returns the total power in dBm. WATTs Returns the total power in watts. Example Query dBm ( –4.46895600E+000 Response watts ( WATTs +3.57358800E–004 Preset State: not affected Attribute...
  • Page 195 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem FPERot:SIGMa? Queries the sigma data of the selected modes. Syntax :CALCulate3:FPERot:SIGMa{[:WAVelength] | :FREQuency | :WNUMber}? Argument Description WAVelength Returns the sigma wavelength of the selected modes. FREQuency Returns the sigma frequency of the selected modes. WNUMber Returns the sigma wavenumber of the selected modes.
  • Page 196 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem POINts? Queries the number of points in the data set. Syntax :CALCulate3:POINts? Preset State: unaffected by Attribute Summary RST State: unaffected by SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Query Only Description The value returned is the number of points returned by the CALC3:DATA? query.
  • Page 197 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem SNR:AUTO Selects the reference frequency value for measuring noise in the sig- nal- to- noise calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:SNR:AUTO{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Constant Description Selects internally generated reference frequency. Selects user-entered reference frequency. Attribute Preset State: on Summary...
  • Page 198 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem SNR:REFerence:FREQuency Enters a frequency that can be used for the noise measurement refer- ence in signal- to- noise calculations. Syntax :CALCulate3:SNR:REFerence:FREQuency{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a frequency value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum...
  • Page 199 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem SNR:REFerence[:WAVelength] Sets the wavelength used for the noise measurement reference in the signal- to- noise calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:SNR:REFerence[:WAVelength]{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a wavelength value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum 1270 nm MAXimum...
  • Page 200 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem SNR:REFerence:WNUMber Sets the wave number used for the noise measurement reference in the signal- to- noise calculation. Syntax :CALCulate3:SNR:REFerence:WNUMber{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is a wave number value that is within the following limits: Constant Description MINimum...
  • Page 201 Programming Commands CALCulate3 Subsystem SNR[:STATe] Turns the signal- to- noise calculation on and off. Syntax :CALCulate3:SNR[:STATe]{?| {ON | OFF | 1 | 0}} Preset State: off Attribute Summary *RST State: off SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Note Only one STATe command can be turned on at any one time. Attempting to turn more than one state on at a time results in a “–221 Settings Conflict”...

  • Page 202: Configure Measurement Instruction

    Programming Commands CONFigure Measurement Instruction CONFigure Measurement Instruction For information on the CONFigure measurement instruction, refer to “Measurement Instructions” on page 4- 4-74...

  • Page 203: Display Subsystem

    Programming Commands DISPlay Subsystem DISPlay Subsystem The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar- chy: :DISPlay :MARKer: :MAXimum :LEFT :NEXT :PREVious :RIGHt [:WINDow] :GRAPhics :STATe 4-75...
  • Page 204 Programming Commands DISPlay Subsystem MARKer:MAXimum Sets the marker to the laser line that has the maximum power. Syntax :DISPlay:MARKer:MAXimum Preset State: marker set to maximum- power laser line Attribute Summary *RST State: marker set to maximum- power laser line SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Command Only MARKer:MAXimum:LEFT Moves the marker left to the next laser line.
  • Page 205 Programming Commands DISPlay Subsystem MARKer:MAXimum:NEXT Moves the marker to the laser line with the next lower power level. Syntax :DISPlay:MARKer:MAXimum:NEXT Preset State: marker set to maximum- power laser line Attribute Summary *RST State: marker set to maximum- power laser line SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Command Only If the display is in the List by WL mode, it will be changed to List by...
  • Page 206 Programming Commands DISPlay Subsystem MARKer:MAXimum:RIGHt Moves the marker right to the next laser line. Syntax :DISPlay:MARKer:MAXimum:RIGHt Preset State: marker set to maximum- power laser line Attribute Summary *RST State: marker set to maximum- power laser line SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Command Only Description Moves the marker from the current marker position to the next laser...

  • Page 207: Fetch Measurement Instruction

    Programming Commands FETCh Measurement Instruction FETCh Measurement Instruction For information on the FETCh measurement instruction, refer to “Mea- surement Instructions” on page 4- 4-79...

  • Page 208: Hcopy Subsystem

    Prints measurement results on a printer. Syntax :HCOPy:IMMediate Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Command Only Description Connect the printer to the Agilent 86120C’s rear- panel PARALLEL PRINTER PORT connector. The output to the printer is ASCII text. 4-80...

  • Page 209: Measure Measurement Instruction

    Programming Commands MEASure Measurement Instruction MEASure Measurement Instruction For information on the MEASure measurement instruction, refer to “Measurement Instructions” on page 4- 4-81...

  • Page 210: Read Measurement Instruction

    Programming Commands READ Measurement Instruction READ Measurement Instruction For information on the READ measurement instruction, refer to “Mea- surement Instructions” on page 4- 4-82...

  • Page 211: Sense Subsystem

    Programming Commands SENSe Subsystem SENSe Subsystem Use the SENSe commands to correct measurement results for elevation above sea level and to select between measurements in air or vacuum. You can also enter an amplitude offset. The commands in this sub- system have the following command hierarchy: [:SENSe] :CORRection...
  • Page 212 Programming Commands SENSe Subsystem CORRection:DEVice Selects the wavelength measurement algorithm. Syntax :SENSe:CORRection:[DEVice]{?| {NARRow | BROad}} Constant Description NARRow Selects wavelength measurements for narrowband devices such as DFB lasers and modes of FP lasers. BROad Selects wavelength measurements for broadband devices such as optical filters and LEDs.
  • Page 213 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 214 Programming Commands SENSe Subsystem CORRection:MEDium Sets the Agilent 86120C to return wavelength readings in a vacuum or standard air. Syntax :SENSe:CORRection:MEDium{?| {AIR | VACuum}} Argument Description Selects wavelength values in standard air. VACuum Selects wavelength values in a vacuum. Attribute...
  • Page 215 Programming Commands SENSe Subsystem CORRection:OFFSet[:MAGNitude] Enters an offset for amplitude values. Syntax :SENSe:CORRection:OFFSet:MAGNitude{?| {<real> | MINimum | MAXimum}} <real> is the logarithmic units in dB. Constant Description −40.0 dB MINimum MAXimum 40.0 dB Attribute Preset State: 0.0 Summary *RST State: 0.0 SCPI Compliance: standard Query Response The query form returns the current offset setting as shown in the fol-...
  • Page 216 If your program is aborted or interrupted after sending this query, the Agilent 86120C continues to process the data but does not place it in the output buffer. Because of the amount of data processed, the instrument will not respond to any new commands in its input buffer for 30 or 40 seconds.
  • Page 217 Programming Commands SENSe Subsystem Query Response The following string shows an example of the first few measurements returned by this query. +1.51367200E+000,+1.51855500E+000,+1.49902300E+000,+1.47949200E+000,+1.50488300E+00 0,+1.53320300E+000,+1.50097700E+000,+1.47265600E+000,+1.50293000E+000,+1.50781300E+0 00,+1.51171900E+000,+1.48242200E+000,+1.50097700E+000,+1.51855500E+000,+1.50683600E+ 000,+1.48632800E+000,+1.50488300E+000 Notice that only values are returned to the computer. There is no first value that indicates the number of values contained in the string as there is, for example, with the FETCh, READ, and MEASure com- mands.

  • Page 218: Status Subsystem

    Programming Commands STATus Subsystem STATus Subsystem Use the commands in this subsystem to control the Agilent 86120C’s status- reporting structures. These structures provide registers that you can use to determine if certain events have occurred. The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar-...
  • Page 219 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem {OPERation | QUEStionable}:CONDition? Queries the value of the questionable or operation condition register. Syntax :STATus:{OPERation | QUEStionable}:CONDition? Query Response 0 to 32767 Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Query Only Description Use this command to read the value of the OPERation Status or QUEStionable Status registers.
  • Page 220 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem {OPERation | QUEStionable}:ENABle Sets the enable mask for the questionable or operation event register. Syntax :STATus:{OPERation | QUEStionable}:ENABle{?| <value>} <integer> an integer from 0 to 65535. Preset State: none Attribute Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Description The enable mask selects which conditions in the event register cause the summary bit in the status byte to be set.
  • Page 221 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem {OPERation | QUEStionable}[:EVENt] Queries the contents of the questionable or operation event registers. Syntax :STATus:{OPERation | QUEStionable}:EVENt? Query Response 0 to 32767 Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Query Only Description The response will be a number from 0 to 32767 indicating which bits are set.
  • Page 222 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem {OPERation | QUEStionable}:NTRansition Selects bits in the event register which can be set by negative transi- tions of the corresponding bits in the condition register. Syntax :STATus:OPERation:NTRansition{?| <integer>} <integer> an integer from 0 to 65535. Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none...
  • Page 223 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem {OPERation | QUEStionable}:PTRansition Selects bits in the event register which can be set by positive transi- tions of the corresponding bits in the condition register. Syntax :STATus:OPERation:PTRansition{?| <integer>} <integer> an integer from 0 to 65535. Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none...
  • Page 224 Programming Commands STATus Subsystem PRESet Presets the enable registers and the PTRansition and NTRansition fil- ters. Syntax :STATus:PRESet Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Command Only Description The PRESet command is defined by SCPI to affect the enable register. If you want to clear all event registers and queues, use the *CLS com- mand.

  • Page 225: System Subsystem

    Programming Commands SYSTem Subsystem SYSTem Subsystem The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar- chy: :SYSTem :ERRor? :HELP :HEADers? :PRESet :VERSion? 4-97...
  • Page 226 SCPI Compliance: standard Query Only Description The Agilent 86120C has a 30 entry error queue. The queue is a first- in, first- out buffer. Repeatedly sending the query :SYSTEM:ERROR? returns the error numbers and descriptions in the order in which they occur until the queue is empty.
  • Page 227 Programming Commands SYSTem Subsystem HELP:HEADers? Queries a listing of all the remote programming commands available for the Agilent 86120C. Syntax :SYSTem:HELP:HEADers? Attribute Preset State: none Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: instrument specific Query Only Description The returned ASCII string of commands is in the IEEE 488.2 arbitrary- block data format.
  • Page 228 Programming Commands SYSTem Subsystem PRESet Performs the equivalent of pressing the front- panel PRESET key. Syntax :SYSTem:PRESet Preset State: none Attribute Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Command Only Description The instrument state is set according to the settings shown in the fol- lowing table.
  • Page 229 Programming Commands SYSTem Subsystem Table 4-19. Instrument Conditions (2 of 2) Settings after Preset Settings after Power Item Key Pressed Turned On Measurement speed normal last state Measurement bandwidth narrowband narrowband Drift measurements Fabry-Perot laser measurements Delta measurements: ∆ power ∆...
  • Page 230 Programming Commands SYSTem Subsystem VERSion Queries the version of SCPI that the Agilent 86120C complies with. Syntax :SYSTem:VERSion Preset State: none Attribute Summary *RST State: none SCPI Compliance: standard Query Only Description The SCPI version used in the Agilent 86120C is 1995.0.

  • Page 231: Trigger Subsystem

    Programming Commands TRIGger Subsystem TRIGger Subsystem The SCPI definition defines the TRIGger subsystem to include ABORt, ARM, INITiate, and TRIGger commands. The Agilent 86120C has no ARM or TRIGger commands. The commands in this subsystem have the following command hierar- chy:...
  • Page 232 ABORt Halts the current measurement sequence and places the instrument in the idle state. Syntax :ABORt Attribute Preset State: not affected Summary SCPI Compliance: standard Command Only Description If the instrument is configured for continuous measurements, a new measurement sequence will begin. Otherwise, the instrument stays in the idle state until a new measurement is initiated.
  • Page 233 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.
  • Page 234 Always use an *OPC? query or a *WAI command to ensure that this command has the time to complete before sending any more commands to the instrument. Refer to “Always force the Agilent 86120C to wait for non-sequential commands” on page 3-12 for more information.

  • Page 235: Unit Subsystem

    Programming Commands UNIT Subsystem UNIT Subsystem The only command provided in this subsystem is the POWer command as shown in the following command hierarchy: :UNIT [:POWer] [:POWer] Sets the power units to watts (linear) or dBm (logarithmic). Syntax :UNIT[:POWer]{?| {W | DBM}} Preset State: dBm Attribute Summary...
  • Page 236 Programming Commands UNIT Subsystem 4-108...

  • Page 237: Performance Tests

    Test 1. Absolute Wavelength Accuracy 5- 3 Test 2. Sensitivity 5- 4 Test 3. Polarization Dependence 5- 5 Test 4. Optical Input Return Loss 5- 6 Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy and Linearity 5- 9 Performance Tests...
  • Page 238 Test 3. Polarization Dependence 5- 5 Test 4. Optical Input Return Loss 5- 6 Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy and Linearity 5- 9 Allow the Agilent 86120C to warm up for 15 minutes before doing any of the performance tests. Calibration Cycle This instrument requires periodic verification of performance.

  • Page 239: Test 1. Absolute Wavelength Accuracy

    • Stable lasers • Gas lamps • HeNe gas lasers Do not exceed +18 dBm source power. The Agilent 86120C’s input circuitry can C A U T I O N be damaged when total input power exceeds 18 dBm. Procedure Use three or four light standards that cover the Agilent 86120C’s...

  • Page 240: Test 2. Sensitivity

    • Optical attenuator • 1310 nm and 1550 nm lasers (>0 dBm output power) Do not exceed +18 dBm source power. The Agilent 86120C’s input circuitry can C A U T I O N be damaged when total input power exceeds 18 dBm.

  • Page 241: Test 3. Polarization Dependence

    • 1310 nm and 1550 nm DFB lasers • Optical attenuator • Agilent 11896A polarization controller Do not exceed +18 dBm source power. The Agilent 86120C’s input circuitry can C A U T I O N be damaged when total input power exceeds 18 dBm.

  • Page 242: Test 4. Optical Input Return Loss

    Do this by wrapping the cable 6 times around a 5 mm diameter mandrel. 10 The return loss module measures the termination parameter. 11 Connect the HMS- 10/HRL to FC/PC patchcord to the Agilent 86120C’s front panel OPTICAL INPUT connector. 12 The lightwave multimeter measures the return loss. Compare this measurement with the specification listed in Chapter 6, “Specifications...
  • Page 243 Do this by wrapping the cable 6 times around a 5 mm diameter mandrel. 11 The return loss module measures the termination parameter. 12 Connect the HMS- 10/HRL to FC/APC patchcord to the Agilent 86120C’s front panel OPTICAL INPUT connector. 13 The lightwave multimeter measures the return loss. Compare this measurement with the specification listed in Chapter 6, “Specifications...
  • Page 244 Performance Tests Test 4. Optical Input Return Loss FC/APC patchcord loss The effect of having loss in the FC/APC patchcord 1 to 2 connector pair is to under measure the return loss by twice the FC/APC patchcord 1 to 2 loss. For example, if this connector pair loss is 0.5 dB, then the actual return loss caused by the 14.6 dB Fresnel reflection is 15.6 dB, but we enter 14.6 dB as an R value.

  • Page 245: Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy And Linearity

    Performance Tests Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy and Linearity Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy and Linearity Equipment Amplitude linearity is performed using the following devices: • 1550 nm DFB lasers • Optical attenuator • Agilent 11896A polarization controller • Optical power meter Procedure Polarization sensitivity To ensure measurement accuracy, minimize the movement of any fiber-optic...
  • Page 246 21. For each setting, record the power measured on the Agilent 86120C. After completing this step, the table’s column titled “Agilent 86120C Power Reading” should be completely filled in. 20 Calculate the “Linearity” value for each row in the table using the...
  • Page 247 Performance Tests Test 5. Amplitude Accuracy and Linearity Table 5-21. Linearity Data Values Desired Power Power Meter Agilent 86120C Attenuator Setting Linearity (dBm) Reading Power Reading –1 –2 –3 –4 –5 –6 –7 –8 –9 –10 –11 –12 –13 –14 –15...

  • Page 249: Specifications And Regulatory Information

    Definition of Terms 6- 3 Specifications—NORMAL Update Mode 6- 5 Specifications—FAST Update Mode 6- 8 Operating Specifications 6- 11 Laser Safety Information 6- 12 Compliance with Canadian EMC Requirements 6- 13 Declaration of Conformity 6- 14 Product Overview 6- 15 Specifications and Regulatory Information...
  • Page 250 Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications and Regulatory Information This chapter lists specification and characteristics of the instrument. The dis- tinction between these terms is described as follows: • Specifications describe warranted performance over the temperature range 0°C to +55°C and relative humidity <95% (unless otherwise noted). All specifications apply after the instrument’s temperature has been sta- bilized after 15 minutes of continuous operation.

  • Page 251: Definition Of Terms

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Definition of Terms Definition of Terms Range refers to the allowable wavelength range of the optical input signal. Wavelength Absolute accuracy indicates the maximum wavelength error over the allowed environmental conditions. The wavelength accuracy is based on fundamental physical constants, which are absolute standards not requiring traceability to artifacts kept at national standards laboratories.
  • Page 252 Specifications and Regulatory Information Definition of Terms of one laser line. Polarization Dependence indicates the maximum displayed power variation as the polarization of the input signal is varied. Display Resolution indicates the minimum incremental change in displayed power. Sensitivity is defined as the minimum power level of a single laser-line input to Sensitivity measure wavelength and power accurately.

  • Page 253: Specifications-Normal Update Mode

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—NORMAL Update Mode Specifications—NORMAL Update Mode Each laser line is assumed to have a linewidth (including modulation side- bands) of less than 5 GHz. All specifications apply when the instrument is in the following modes: • NORMAL update mode unless noted. Refer to “Measurement rate”...
  • Page 254 Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—NORMAL Update Mode Amplitude ± ± Calibration accuracy at calibration wavelengths 0.5 dB (at 1310 and 1550 nm 30 nm) ± Flatness, 30 nm from any wavelength ± 1270-1600 nm (characteristic) 0.2 dB ± 1270-1650 nm (characteristic) 0.5 dB ±...
  • Page 255 Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—NORMAL Update Mode Input Return Loss With straight contactconnectors 35 dB With angled contact connectors (Option 022) 50 dB Measurement Cycle Time Normal update mode (characteristic) 1.0 s (1 measurement-per-second) Measurement Applications Signal-to-Noise Ratio (characteristic) ≥ >35 dB channel spacing 100 GHz...

  • Page 256: Specifications-Fast Update Mode

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—FAST Update Mode Specifications—FAST Update Mode Each laser line is assumed to have a linewidth (including modulation side- bands) of less than 10 GHz. All specifications apply when the instrument is in the following modes: • FAST update mode unless noted. Refer to “Measurement rate”...
  • Page 257 Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—FAST Update Mode Amplitude ± ± Calibration accuracy at calibration wavelengths 0.5 dB (at 1310 and 1550 nm 30 nm) ± Flatness, 30 nm from any wavelength ± 1270-1600 nm (characteristic) 0.2 dB ± 1270-1650 nm (characteristic) 0.5 dB ±...
  • Page 258 Specifications and Regulatory Information Specifications—FAST Update Mode Input Return Loss With flat contacting connectors 35 dB With angled contacting connectors (Option 022) 50 dB Measurement Cycle Time Fast update mode (characteristic) 0.5 s (2 measurements-per-second) Measurement Applications Signal-to-Noise Ratio (characteristic) ≥...

  • Page 259: Operating Specifications

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Operating Specifications Operating Specifications Operating Specifications indoor Power: 70 W max Voltage 100 / 115 / 230 / 240 V ~ Frequency 50 / 60 Hz Altitude Up to 2000 m (~ 6600 ft) ° ° Operating temperature C to +55 °...

  • Page 260: Laser Safety Information

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Laser Safety Information Laser Safety Information The light sources specified by this user guide are classified according to IEC 60825-1 (2001). The light sources comply with 21 CFR 1040.10 except for deviations pursuant to Laser Notice No. 50, dated 2001-July-26. Laser Safety Laser type Wavelength...

  • Page 261: Compliance With Canadian Emc Requirements

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Compliance with Canadian EMC Requirements Compliance with Canadian EMC Requirements This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001. Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada. Notice for Germany: Noise Declaration Acoustic Noise Emission Geräuschemission LpA <...

  • Page 262: Declaration Of Conformity

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Declaration of Conformity Declaration of Conformity 6-14...

  • Page 263: Product Overview

    Specifications and Regulatory Information Product Overview Product Overview Front view of instrument Rear view of instrument 6-15...
  • Page 264 Specifications and Regulatory Information Product Overview 6-16...
  • Page 265 Instrument Preset Conditions 7-2 Menu Maps 7-4 Error Messages 7-11 Front-Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters 7-17 Power Cords 7-18 Agilent Technologies Service Offices 7-18 Reference...

  • Page 266: Reference

    Reference Reference Reference Instrument Preset Conditions Table 5-22. Instrument Preset Conditions (1 of 2) Settings after Preset Settings after Power Item Key Pressed Turned On Display mode single wavelength last state Wavelength range limiting last state Start wavelength 1270 nm last state Stop wavelength 1650 nm...
  • Page 267 Reference Instrument Preset Conditions Table 5-22. Instrument Preset Conditions (2 of 2) Settings after Preset Settings after Power Item Key Pressed Turned On Device bandwidth narrowband last state Drift measurements Fabry-Perot laser measurements Delta measurements: ∆ power ∆ wavelength ∆ wavelength and power reference signal position 1270 nm...

  • Page 268: Menu Maps

    Menu Maps Menu Maps This section provides menu maps for the Agilent 86120C softkeys. The maps show which softkeys are displayed after pressing a front-panel key; they show the relation- ship between softkeys. The softkeys in these maps are aligned vertically instead of horizontally as on the actual display.
  • Page 269 Reference Menu Maps Appl’s Menu...
  • Page 270 Reference Menu Maps Display Avg WL Menu There is no menu associated with this key. Measurement Cont Menu There is no menu associated with this key. Display List by Power Menu...
  • Page 271 Reference Menu Maps Display List by WL Menu Delta On Menu...
  • Page 272 Reference Menu Maps Delta Off Menu Display Peak WL and System Preset Menus Measurement Single Menu There is no menu associated with this key.
  • Page 273 Reference Menu Maps System Print Menu...

  • Page 274: System Setup Menu

    Reference Menu Maps System Setup Menu 7-10...

  • Page 275: Error Messages

    Reference Error Messages Error Messages In this section, you’ll find all the error messages that the Agilent 86120C can display on its screen. Table 5-23 on page 7-11 lists all instrument-specific errors. Table 5-24 on page 7-14 lists general SCPI errors.
  • Page 276 Reference Error Messages Table 5-23. Instrument Specific Error Messages (2 of 3) Error Number Error Message ROM BYTE UNERASED ROM WRITE OPERATION FAILED ROM DEFECTIVE ROM DATA INVALID ROM VERSION INCOMPATIBLE ROM POLLING LIMITED OUT INPUT OUT OF RANGE BAD CAL ROM DATA BAD CAL ROM DATA BAD CAL ROM DATA BAD CAL ROM DATA...
  • Page 277 Reference Error Messages Table 5-23. Instrument Specific Error Messages (3 of 3) Error Number Error Message PRINTOUT WAS ABORTED NOT ALLOWED IN FABRY PEROT NOT ALLOWED IN S/N UNKNOWN KEYPRESS NUM LINES < NUM REFS NUM LINES > NUM REFS NO REFERENCE SIGNAL GAIN RANGING ERROR INCOMPATIBLE HARDWARE...
  • Page 278 Reference Error Messages Table 5-24. General SCPI Error Messages (1 of 3) Error Number Description “No errors” –100 “Command error (unknown command)“ –101 “Invalid character“ –102 “Syntax error“ –103 “Invalid separator“ –104 “Data type error“ –105 “GET not allowed“ –108 “Parameter not allowed“...
  • Page 279 Reference Error Messages Table 5-24. General SCPI Error Messages (2 of 3) Error Number Description –158 “String data not allowed“ –161 “Invalid block data“ –168 “Block data not allowed“ –170 “Expression error“ –171 “Invalid expression“ –178 “Expression data not allowed“ –200 “Execution error“...
  • Page 280 Reference Error Messages Table 5-24. General SCPI Error Messages (3 of 3) Error Number Description –310 “System error“ –321 “Out of memory” –350 “Too many errors“ –400 “Query error“ –410 “Query INTERRUPTED“ –420 “Query UNTERMINATED“ –430 “Query DEADLOCKED“ –440 “Query UNTERMINATED after indef resp“ Query was unterminated after an indefinite response.

  • Page 281: Front-Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters

    Reference Front-Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters Front-Panel Fiber-Optic Adapters Front Panel Description Agilent Part Number Fiber-Optic Adapter Diamond HMS-10 81000AI FC/PC 81000FI 81000GI 81000KI 81000SI 81000VI Biconic 81000WI a. The FC/PC is the default front-panel optical connector. Dust Covers Agilent Part Number FC connector 1005-0594 Diamond HMS-10 connector...

  • Page 282: Power Cords

    China 8120-8871 Brazil, Thailand * Part number shown for plug is the industry identifier for the plug only. Number shown for cable is the Agilent Technologies part number for the complete cable including the plug. Agilent Technologies Service Offices 7-18...
  • Page 283 Reference Agilent Technologies Service Offices Before returning an instrument for service, call the Agilent Technologies Instrument Support Center at , visit the Test and Measurement Web Sites by +1 (877) 447 7278 Country page at http://www.agilent.com/comms/techsupport, select your country and enter the “Technical Support” link, or call one of the numbers listed below.
  • Page 285 17 BROAD annotation, 9 adding parameters, 25 BROAD softkey, 9 address. GPIB address broadband devices, measuring, 9 Agilent Technologies offices, 18 programming command, 84 air, measurements in, 37 broadband mode, 9, 5, 8 modulation, 15, 34 BY PWR annotation, 6...
  • Page 286 Index *CLS, 21, 3 DEVICES softkey, 9 CM –1 softkey, 13 lasers, 9 Cmd_opc subroutine, 29 dispersion. calibration, measurements colon, 25 display commands annotation. annotation combining, 24 cursor, 6 common, 23 modes, 3 measurement instructions, 23 resolution, 4, 6, 9 sequential, 12, 29, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, scrolling through, 6...
  • Page 287 Index increase source accuracy, 41 BASIC, 2, 28 measure DFB laser, 30 measure SNR, 39 measure WDM channel drift, 34 *IDN?, 29, 6 measure WDM channel separation, 37 IEC Publication 1010, vi measure WDM channels, 32 IEEE 488.2 standard, 2 external attenuation, 36 IMMediate programming...
  • Page 288 Index specifications, 11 relative power, 18 linewidth, 2 relative wavelength, 18 List by Power repetitive data formats, 27 menu map, 6 signal-to-noise, 25, 28 mode, 9 single acquisition, 14 softkey, 6, 23 SONET format present, 27, 35 List by WL speed, 13, 9, 29, 88 key, 6 total...
  • Page 289 Index PRBS, 27, 35 Preset conditions set by, 100, 2 key, 20 key, 2, 9, 4 menu map, 8 menu map, 8 PRESet programming command, 50, 59, 96, 100 key, 20 PREV PK softkey, 5 menu map, 7 PREV WL softkey, 5 *OPC, 29, 3, 7 PREVious programming...
  • Page 290 Index return loss, 4, 7, 10 Single key, 14, 16, 31 returning softkey data, 27 menus, 4 service, 11 SONET, 27, 35 modulation, 35 specifications, 2, 5 RIGHT programming command, 78 and wideband mode, 9 *RST, 3, 29, 8 definition of terms, 2 operating, 11 spurious signals...
  • Page 291 Index units of measure, 12 UNITS softkey, 12 up-arrow softkey, 6 UPDATE softkey, 14 uppercase letters, 24 USER softkey, 28 USER WL softkey, 28 softkey, 13 annotation, 37 VACuum programming command, 86 VACUUM softkey, 9, 38 vacuum, measurements in, 37 VERSion programming command, 102 *WAI, 14...
  • Page 294  Agilent Technologies GmbH 2004 Printed in Germany August 2004 Second edition, August 2004 86120-90C03 Agilent Technologies...

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