Table of Contents
Advertisement
Definition of Terms
Agilent 81570A, 71A, 76A, 77A & 78A Variable Optical Attenuators, Eigth Edition
Operating temperature
The range of ambient temperatures of the mainframe hosting the attenuator module for
which the specifications apply.
Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL)
The dependence of the total loss on the input polarization state, expressed as the full
difference (in dB) between the highest and the lowest total loss.
Conditions: Temperature range, input mode (multimode attenuators only) as specified.
Measurement: Using high quality connectors in perfect optical condition.
NOTE
PDL is a peak-to-peak value.
Polarization Extinction Ratio(PER)
The ratio of optical power in the slow axis of the polarization maintaining fiber to the optical
power in the fast axis.
Conditions: Input power level; temperature, humidity constant; other conditions as in the
Specifications; polarized light with TE mode injected in the slow axis of the polarization
maintaining fiber of the attenuator.
Measurement: with ASE source and crossed-polarizer method.
Power setting mode
Operating mode where the user sets the desired output power. The power control function
of the attenuator automatically adjusts the attenuation to get the set output power (see also
attenuation setting mode).
NOTE
This operating mode is applicable to attenuators with power control only.
Relative power meter uncertainty
When changing the output power of the attenuator, the relative power meter uncertainty is
the maximum error of the displayed output power ratio to the actual output power ratio.
This uncertainty is caused by the internal power meter's nonlinearity and noise and by
errors in the sensing hardware, expressed as ± half the span of all possible errors with an
offset due to the noise level of the power meter. Symbol RU.
Conditions: Reference power level 1mW, wavelength and polarization state constant;
power limitations as in the Specifications; zeroing prior to measurement.
Specifications
37
Advertisement
Table of Contents
