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Specifications and Regulatory Information
Definition of Terms
Amplitude
Scale Fidelity refers to the potential errors in amplitude readout at amplitudes other than at the
calibration point. This specification is sometimes called linearity.
Flatness defines a floating band which describes the error in signal amplitude over the indicated
wavelength range. (This error may be removed at a given wavelength by performing the user
amplitude calibration.)
Polarization Dependence refers to the amplitude change that can be seen by varying the polar-
ization of the light entering the OSA. This is not to be confused with amplitude variations caused
by the varying distribution of energy between the different modes in fiber that is multimode at the
wavelength of interest.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is defined as the signal level that is equal to six times the RMS value of the noise. Dis-
played sensitivity values are nominal. Slightly lower values may have to be entered to achieve
specified sensitivity.
Dynamic range
Dynamic Range is a measure of the ability to see low-level signals that are located very close (in
wavelength) to a stronger signal. In electrical spectrum analyzers, this characteristic is generally
called shape factor.
Sweep time
Maximum Sweep Rate refers to the maximum rate that the instrument is able to acquire data
and display it. This rate may be limited by multiple internal processes when using default number
of trace points.
Sweep Cycle Time refers to the time required to make a complete sweep and prepare for the
next sweep. It can be measured as the time from the start of one sweep to the start of the next
sweep.
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