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Summary of Contents for THORLABS DV Series
- Page 1 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator User Guide...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ......................... 2 1.3.1 Series Overview ..............................2 1.3.2 Software Control Overview ..........................1 1.4.1 Model Specifications ............................2 1.4.2 Power, Environmental, and Physical Specifications .................... 3 1.4.3 Mechanical Drawings ............................4 Chapter 2 Safety ........................... - Page 3 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 6 Maintenance, & Repair ....................27 Chapter 7 Troubleshooting ......................28 Chapter 8 Disposal ........................28 Chapter 9 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ..................29 Rev. A, August 1, 2024 Page 3...
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Page 4: Series Overview
Chapter 1 Introduction Intended Use The DV Series of instruments are intended to provide a digital method of attenuating optical power in fiber-optic cables. They are intended for use in a controlled indoor environment with typical laboratory temperature and humidity values. -
Page 5: Software Control Overview
The above example shows the connection to a DV1550AA device. The same software application can be used to control all DV Series instruments. The user can also control the DV Series instrument using their own software via a full command set, see section Remote Control Features of this manual for more information. -
Page 6: Chapter 1 Introduction
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 1: Introduction Technical Data As a technical note, these attenuators are supplied with fiber-optic pigtails for ease of use and easy connector cleaning. The fiber coupling efficiency is highly dependent on connector quality, fiber type, and concentricity. All these parameters, plus the internal loss of the VOA, contribute to the base insertion loss of the device that will be different for every user application. -
Page 7: Power, Environmental, And Physical Specifications
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 1: Introduction DV1000AA Parameter Specification Note Wavelength Range 980 - 1250 nm >30 dB Attenuation <2.0 dB Max Optical Input Power 150 mW Optical Return Loss >30 dB ≤ 20 dB <0.3 dB... -
Page 8: Mechanical Drawings
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 1: Introduction 1.4.3 Mechanical Drawings Figure 2 DV1000AA Mechanical Drawing Figure 3 DV1550AA Mechanical Drawing Page 4 TTN357458-D02... - Page 9 Digital Ground Electrical and Optical Panel Functions The DV Series instruments are small benchtop instruments. The Electrical panel includes connection for both the Mini-USB and RS-232 and a status indicator LED. The Optical panel provides the optical pigtail connections for both input and output optical signals.
- Page 10 3 meters (9.8 feet). Thorlabs is not responsible for any radio or television interference caused by modifications of this equipment or the substitution or attachment of connecting cables and equipment other than those specified by Thorlabs. The correction of interference caused by such unauthorized modification, substitution or attachment will be the responsibility of the user.
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Page 11: Chapter 2 Safety
The instrument must not be operated in explosion endangered environments. Laser Radiation Although the DV Series instrument does not contain a laser source, it is typically used with a laser input. Observe all laser safety precautions to avoid exposure to the beam. -
Page 12: Chapter 3 Installation
Microsoft Windows® 10 or 11 operating systems. NOTE: Install the software prior to connecting the DV Series instrument so that the proper custom Windows® USB drivers will be installed to automatically detect the DV Series instrument when connecting using USB. - Page 13 3. Run the GUI application by clicking on the desktop shortcut. Select the COM port associated with the DV Series instrument and press OK. 5. The GUI window will open as shown below. You can resize it as you prefer.
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Page 14: Chapter 4 Operation
Chapter 4 Operation Follow the Quick Start Guide to get the DV series instrument connected to a PC and turned ON/ Enabled. The GUI should appear as shown in this image (in Calibrated Attenuation). The instrument can always be Enabled or Disabled using the Enable/Disable button located on the top of the GUI. -
Page 15: Calibrated Attenuation Mode
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation In all modes, the maximum attenuation is depicted at the GUI on the left side of the scale, while the minimum attenuation is depicted at the right side of the scale. Sliding the indicator label above the scale from left to right decreases the level of attenuation thus allowing more optical light at the output. - Page 16 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation When the Δ REF (Reference) is disabled, the attenuation values listed are relative with respect to the factory calibration. The minimum attenuation, depicted as 00.00 dB, is equivalent to the calibrated insertion loss of the device at the calibrated wavelength.
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Page 17: Manual Mode
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation Figure 9 Calibrated Attenuation Mode - REF Enabled Changing the “Calibrated Wavelengths (nm)” selection will force the Δ REF button to the disabled state. When disabled, the attenuation scale will adjust to the factory calibration at the selected calibrated wavelength. Note that the relative attenuation value remains the same. - Page 18 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation Figure 10 Manual Mode The voltage range is based on the internal VOA voltage limits and may go beyond the actual minimum and maximum attenuation range of the unit, see the graph below which depicts a typical optical attenuation. Due to the nature of the internal VOA, going beyond the minimum or maximum attenuation may cause a non-monotonic optical output response, the shaded areas in the graph below are considered the non-monotonic region.
- Page 19 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation Figure 12 Manual Mode - Monotonic Limits Applied When operating with Monotonic Limit applied, the user is limited to a range that has been determined to provide a monotonic optical response across the given instrument’s wavelength range. The green line in the GUI above indicates the available monotonic range for the instrument across the full wavelength range of the instrument.
- Page 20 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation Additional Functions Additional Functions are available using the buttons across the top of the GUI as shown here: Disconnect: This button is used to disconnect any communication between the instrument and the PC. Communication can be established again by pressing the “Connect”...
- Page 21 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 4: Operation Figure 14 Light Theme for the GUI Update: The Update button provides a window for automatically checking the current version of the software. If it is current, then the Installed Version will be the same as the Latest Version and nothing else needs to be done. If the Latest Version is newer then the Installed Version, then the Download Update button will become active.
- Page 22 Chapter 4: Operation Help: The Help button provides system information as well as several useful links to the DV Series Instrument webpage, the User Manual, and any License Documentation. The DV Series webpage provides complete specifications as well as all other documentation.
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Page 23: Chapter 5 Remote Control Features
C connectors, you will need a suitable type C to Mini USB cable. In order to use the USB interface, be sure to install the Thorlabs DigitalVOA Application GUI package, as it will also install the custom Windows® driver required for communicating with the USB interface. -
Page 24: Connecting To The Rs-232 Port
FTDI*, which can provide further information about the connected device such as the manufacturer, product name, and serial number, to make it easier to identify. The DV Series instruments utilize an FTDI FT234XD-R USB bridge chip to provide a USB interface. The bridge chip is programmed with a custom USB Vendor ID (VID) specific to Thorlabs and a custom USB Product ID (PID). - Page 25 IEEE 488.2 Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) specification. However, please note that the DV Series Instruments do not follow the full SCPI specification or implement many of the standard commands described by the specification. As no device in the SCPI standard closely matches the capabilities of this instrument, we instead provide a custom set of commands.
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Page 26: Command Return Codes
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 5: Remote Control Features 5.3.1 Command Return Codes Return Value Return Explanation Response to a valid command Values without “Err:” Response to a valid query indicator string Issued a command with a parameter value that is outside of the range Err: Parameter out of range supported by this instrument. - Page 27 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 5: Remote Control Features Command Syntax Description Get the VOA Attenuation in dB. Will return a float xx.xx dB. Get VOA Range is based on Calibrated Attenuation Min and Max. These VOA:ATTenuation? Attenuation...
- Page 28 DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 5: Remote Control Features Command Syntax Description Get the current instrument status. Bitmapped value: Get the VOA VOA:STATus? 0 = Normal status 1 = Configured 2 = Error occurred. (Request SYS:ERR? to get more information)
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Page 29: System Level Commands
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 5: Remote Control Features 5.3.3 System Level Commands Command Syntax Description Get System SYStem:BOOTloader? Returns the bootloader version as a string. Bootloader Version Get System Firmware SYStem:FIRMware? Returns the application firmware version as a string. -
Page 30: Calibrated Attenuation
Chapter 5: Remote Control Features Operating Modes 5.4.1 Calibrated Attenuation The calibrated mode of operation utilizes the DV Series instrument internal calibration points at specific wavelengths. Typical operation in this mode would include the following steps: • User request: SYS:CAL:WAVE? o Unit will respond with a list of calibrated wavelengths. -
Page 31: Maintenance, & Repair
Care should be taken to NOT carry the instrument by the fiber pigtails and to not exceed the bend radius of the specified fiber. The DV Series instrument is powered by the USB interface. If the instrument does not appear to power-up, check the USB cable connection between the instrument and the power source, typically a PC. -
Page 32: Troubleshooting
Contact Thorlabs for more information. Waste treatment is your own responsibility. “End of life” units must be returned to Thorlabs or handed to a company specializing in waste recovery. Do not dispose of the unit in a litter bin or at a public waste disposal site. It is the user’s responsibility to delete all private data stored on the device prior to disposal. -
Page 33: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts
DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Chapter 9: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts Chapter 9 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts For technical support or sales inquiries, please visit us at for our most up-to-date www.thorlabs.com/contact contact information. Corporate Headquarters Product Manufacturer Thorlabs, Inc. Thorlabs Ultrafast Optoelectronics... - Page 34 www.thorlabs.com...
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