The Keysight (Agilent) 8169A is a high-performance lightwave polarization controller designed for precise state of polarization (SOP) synthesis and control. Utilizing a fixed linear polarizer followed by independently motorized quarter-wave and half-wave plates, it enables accurate and repeatable polarization settings across the standard telecommunications bands. It is widely used for polarization-dependent loss (PDL) and polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) characterization in fiber-optic communications testing.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (HP-IB) |
| Display | Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) |
| Warm-up Time | 20 minutes |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 / 115 / 230 / 240 V AC (+10% / -15%), 48 to 66 Hz, 45 VA max |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 213 mm × 89 mm × 345 mm |
| Weight | 5.3 kg |
Optical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Wavelength Range | 1475 nm to 1575 nm |
| Optional Wavelength Range (Option 021) | 1275 nm to 1375 nm |
| Insertion Loss | < 1.2 dB (typically < 0.8 dB) including HMS-10 connectors |
| Insertion Loss Variation vs. Polarization State | < ±0.03 dB |
| Maximum Input Optical Power | +20 dBm (100 mW) |
| Return Loss | > 40 dB (typically > 48 dB with HMS-10/HP connectors) |
| Polarization Extinction Ratio | > 40 dB (after internal polarizer) |
| Fiber Type | 9/125 µm Single-mode |
Polarization Control & Synthesis
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Polarization Control Elements | Fixed linear polarizer, motorized quarter-wave plate, motorized half-wave plate |
| Quarter-Wave Plate Rotation Range | 0.0° to 360.0° |
| Half-Wave Plate Rotation Range | 0.0° to 360.0° |
| Programming Angular Resolution | 0.01° |
Optical & Electrical Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical Input Interface | Flexible HMS-10 connector adapter system (FC/PC, SC, ST etc. compatible with options) |
| Optical Output Interface | Flexible HMS-10 connector adapter system |
| Trigger Input Level | TTL compatible (BNC connector) |
| Trigger Output Level | TTL compatible (BNC connector) |
System Control & Software
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Remote Control Interface | GPIB (IEEE-488.1 and IEEE-488.2) |
| Command Set | SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) |
Environmental & Reliability
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
| Operating Humidity Limits | Up to 95% R.H. non-condensing (0 °C to 40 °C) |
Physical Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard HP System II 2U high cabinet (half width) |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Input Voltage | 100 V / 115 V / 230 V / 240 V AC (+10% / -15%) |
| AC Input Frequency | 48 Hz to 66 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 45 VA max |
Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 020 | Straight contact optical connector interface |
| Option 022 | Angled contact optical connector interface |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Angular Repeatability | < ±0.02° |
| Angular Accuracy | < ±0.1° |
| Sequence Capacity | Up to 500 steps |
| Wavelength Setting Resolution | 0.1 nm |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Connectors | BNC (female) |
Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Capabilities | SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0 |
Technology
Motorized Waveplates
Applications
Polarization Synthesis and Control
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