THORLABS MX50E-850 User Manual
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THORLABS MX50E-850 User Manual

THORLABS MX50E-850 User Manual

Reference transmitter with linear rf amplifier
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MX50E-850
Reference Transmitter with
Linear RF Amplifier
User Guide

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Summary of Contents for THORLABS MX50E-850

  • Page 1 MX50E-850 Reference Transmitter with Linear RF Amplifier User Guide...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    4.7.1 Display and Sound Settings Page ........................22 4.7.2 System Information Page ..........................23 4.7.3 Account LED Settings Page ..........................23 4.7.4 Thorlabs Help Page ............................24 Chapter 5 Specifications ......................25 Chapter 6 Control and PC Connections ..................27...
  • Page 4 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 7 Mechanical Drawings ....................30 Chapter 8 Maintenance, Repair, and Fuses ................. 31 Chapter 9 Troubleshooting ......................33 Chapter 10 Certifications and Compliance ..................34 Chapter 11 Warranty and RMA Information ................. 35 Chapter 12...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 Introduction

    Chapter 1 Introduction General Information The MX50E-850 linear reference transmitter is designed for high-speed fiber optic test and measurement applications. This transmitter provides a fully integrated and user-configurable solution based on proven lithium niobate (LiNbO ) modulator technology driven by a high-fidelity linear RF amplifier. The MX50E-850 is optimized for linear applications.
  • Page 6 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 1: Introduction Block Diagram The MX50E-850 linear reference transmitter is fully integrated and contains both an 852 nm fixed-wavelength laser source and a lithium niobate (LiNbO ) Mach-Zehnder intensity modulator (MZM); the only required external input is the signal source to the Amplifier RF In port.
  • Page 7 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 1: Introduction Front and Back Panel Overview Figure 2 Front Panel Callout Description Touchscreen Display Adjustment Knob Key Switch and Indicator Grounding Jack (Banana Connector) Earth Ground Laser Aperture (FC/PC Connector) with Screw-On Cap Amplifier RF Input (1.85 mm Connector) Standby Button Rev.
  • Page 8 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 1: Introduction Figure 3 Back Panel Callout Description I/O Port (DB15 Connector) Laser Interlock (2.5 mm Connector) Option Label RS232 Port (DB9 Connector) USB Port (USB Type B Connector) Power Connector Fuse Tray Power Switch Supply On;...

  • Page 9: Chapter 2 Safety

    If equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. Only with written consent from Thorlabs may changes to single components be carried out or components not supplied by Thorlabs be used.
  • Page 10 This product has been tested and found to comply with the limits according to IEC 61326-1 for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet). Thorlabs is not responsible for any radio 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.

  • Page 11: Chapter 3 Quick Start Guide

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 3: Quick Start Guide Chapter 3 Quick Start Guide Hardware Set Up For first use, plug the main power cable into the back panel connector, and then plug the other end into an AC wall receptacle. Flip the power switch on the back panel to the ON (I) position. The unit will now be in the “Standby”...
  • Page 12 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 3: Quick Start Guide Controls on the Home Page This allows the laser to be turned on, but the LASER ON indicator will not glow green until the laser is actually turned on by the touchscreen button. Turn on the unit by pressing the amber standby button on the front panel which will then turn green to indicate the unit is fully on.
  • Page 13 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 3: Quick Start Guide Controls on the Settings Pages The Settings pages all possess the same general design and functionality as shown in the example screen shot below. The upper section with white letters displays the parameters that can be changed. Simply tap on the parameter of interest.
  • Page 14 Chapter 4 for additional information. 1. Turn on power to the MX50E-850 transmitter via the power switch on the back panel (Figure 4). 2. Press and hold the button on the front panel until the indicator light changes from amber to green (Figure 5 and Figure 7).

  • Page 15: Chapter 4 Operating Instructions

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions Chapter 4 Operating Instructions The Modulator Transmission Function The Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) has a repetitive transmission function with applied voltage as can be seen in the diagram below. In order for the MZM to work correctly, a DC bias voltage must be applied and maintained at the desired set point.
  • Page 16 The Bias Settings page is accessed by tapping the center bias monitors pane on the Home page. When the MZM Bias control is first turned on, the MX50E-850 transmitter performs a calibration routine to determine the approximate bias voltages required for the various MZM operating points. This allows the instrument to quickly and effectively switch between bias modes.

  • Page 17: Quadrature Mode

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions The Bias Settings page contains the settings for controlling the modulator bias and operating modes. There are four modes for MZM bias control: 1) Quadrature, 2) Peak, 3) Null, and 4) Manual. The screen shot below is an example of the information presented and the controls available when the Mode field is selected while the controller is operating in Quadrature mode.
  • Page 18 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions One option: choose one of three preset Dither Frequencies. Another option: specify custom Dither Frequency between 1 and 10 kHz. Figure 18 Dither Frequency Selection while Quadrature Mode Enabled The bias control circuit uses an AC dither tone to stabilize the bias point of the modulator, as illustrated below. A small AC voltage is applied to the DC bias so that the optical output is also slightly modulated.

  • Page 19: Peak Mode

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions The dither tone amplitude can also be adjusted to any amplitude between 20 mV and 2 V with 1 mV resolution by tapping the Dither Amplitude field highlighted in Figure 20. Higher amplitudes will typically be more stable in the presence of MZM drift and broadband RF signals, but larger dither tones also decrease SNR.

  • Page 20: Null Mode

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions Peak Mode is active, tap this field to change. Tap here to reset the Bias calibration and return to Peak mode. Figure 22 Peak Mode Settings 4.3.3 Null Mode The Null Mode adjusts the DC bias voltage so the transmission is centered at a nearby transmission minimum. In the Null mode only dither frequency and amplitude settings are available.

  • Page 21: Manual Mode

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions 4.3.4 Manual Mode The Manual mode allows the user to bias the modulator at any desired point of the transmission function. Manual mode offers two operation options: 1) Constant Bias, or 2) Constant Ratio. In both of these options, the dither function is not active, and the controller uses different techniques to hold the bias steady.
  • Page 22 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions In the Constant Ratio mode there is an option to select between the two available operating regions by selecting the Slope field. Positive slope is the non-inverting operating point where increasing voltage on the MZM results in increasing optical output power.

  • Page 23: Amplifier Information

    Chapter 4: Operating Instructions Amplifier Information The MX50E-850 contains a fixed-gain linear amplifier with approximately 11dB of gain, which corresponds to a typical voltage gain of 3.55 V/V. Linear Transmission: To achieve linear transmission, the output swing of the amplifier must be significantly less than the V of the modulator.
  • Page 24 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 4: Operating Instructions Variable Optical Attenuator Settings Page Tap in the VOA monitors pane on the Home page to access the Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) Settings page shown below. The VOA provides the means for adjusting and stabilizing the output power after the MZM. The VOA can operate in either of two modes: 1) Constant Attenuation, and 2) Constant Output Power.
  • Page 25 Access the Load page by tapping the blue Load button on the Home page. The Load page has a factory-defined, standard operating mode stored as a preset. Applying the preset configures the MX50E-850 transmitter with the stored instrument settings and is a fast way to put the instrument in a known state.

  • Page 26: Display And Sound Settings Page

    Tap here to find system info. Tap here to control the accent LEDs producing the light emanating from the bottom of the instrument. Tap here to find help from Thorlabs Technical Support. Figure 33 Controls on the Menu Page 4.7.1 Display and Sound Settings Page To open the screen shown below, tap the DISPLAY AND SOUNDS button on the Menu page.

  • Page 27: System Information Page

    The System Information page displays the installed hardware and software versions. This is useful information to reference when speaking with Thorlabs’ tech support or when verifying firmware revisions. The image shown in Figure 35 illustrates the format of the System Information page, but this example is given for informational purposes only and does not show valid configuration information.

  • Page 28: Thorlabs Help Page

    4.7.4 Thorlabs Help Page To open the screen shown below, tap the THORLABS HELP button on the Menu pane. The Thorlabs Help page displays the Thorlabs Tech Support phone number, Thorlabs web site URL, and the installed hardware and software versions. This information will be useful when speaking with Tech Support. The image shown in Figure 36 illustrates the format of the Thorlabs Help page, but this example is given for informational purposes only and does not show valid configuration information.

  • Page 29: Chapter 5 Specifications

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 5: Specifications Chapter 5 Specifications All Specifications are at 850 nm and 25 °C ambient temperature, unless otherwise noted. General System Specifications Parameter Typical Values Additional Information Laser Output Power 10 dBm From Internal Laser...
  • Page 30 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 5: Specifications Internal Control Specifications Parameter Typical Notes Power Monitor Accuracy ±0.5 dBm Each Monitor, At Calibrated Wavelength Power Monitor Resolution 0.01 dBm Each Monitor Power Monitor Insertion Loss 0.1 dB Typical Per Monitor VOA Attenuation Range...

  • Page 31: Chapter 6 Control And Pc Connections

    The most recent firmware and remote control software tools are available from Thorlabs’ website at https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/viewsoftwarepage.cfm?code=MX. The instrument’s firmware can be updated by uploading the new version from a PC via the USB port. Thorlabs’ technical support can provide up- to-date information on available firmware revisions and control functions.
  • Page 32 MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 6: Control and PC Connections Figure 39 I/O Connector Pin Configuration I/O Connector (HD DB15) Pin # Description Power Monitor 1 (Mon-1) Power Monitor 2 (Mon-2) Power Monitor 3 (Mon-3) Reserved for Future Use Analog Ground...
  • Page 33 GUI. All units shipped from Thorlabs are configured with a shorting device installed in the Interlock connector. If you are not going to use this feature, then leave the shorting device installed. The unit will operate normally as described in the procedures above.

  • Page 34: Chapter 7 Mechanical Drawings

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 7: Mechanical Drawings Chapter 7 Mechanical Drawings MX50E-850 Figure 41 Mechanical Drawing Page 30 TTN290175-D02...

  • Page 35: Chapter 8 Maintenance, Repair, And Fuses

    Fiber End-Face Cleaner for Patch Cords The optical connectors on the front panel may be cleaned using a 2.5 mm bulkhead cleaner such as the Thorlabs FBC250. This allows the user to clean the fiber end-face without removing it from the internal bulkhead adapter.
  • Page 36 5. Investigate the fuse. This can be done with a simple continuity check. If in doubt, replace the fuse. A spare fuse is stored in the fuse holder. Additional replacement fuses can be purchased from Thorlabs. Always use fuses of the same type as the original.

  • Page 37: Chapter 9 Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Below is some information about status indicators and a few checks to help in troubleshooting general problems. If you have any questions, please contact your local Thorlabs Technical Support office. • If the unit does not appear to turn on correctly, please check the following items: •...

  • Page 38: Chapter 10 Certifications And Compliance

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 10: Certifications and Compliance Chapter 10 Certifications and Compliance Page 34 TTN290175-D02...

  • Page 39: Chapter 11 Warranty And Rma 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 40: Chapter 12 Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts

    MX50E-850 Linear Reference Transmitter Chapter 12: Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts Chapter 12 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. USA, Canada, and South America UK and Ireland Thorlabs, Inc.
  • Page 42 www.thorlabs.com...

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