The Agilent/Keysight 86146B is a high-performance benchtop optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) featuring a patented double-pass monochromator design. It covers a broad wavelength range of 600 to 1700 nm and excels in characterizing DWDM components, narrowband sources (DFBs), wideband sources (FPs), and optical amplifiers (EDFA, Raman, and SOAs). A key highlight of the 86146B is its versatile filter mode, enabling single wavelength channel drop with fast-tuning speed, low insertion loss, and highly repeatable wavelength accuracy, which also supports time-resolved chirp (TRC) and dispersion penalty (DP) measurements.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (Dual ports), RS-232, Parallel (Centronics), VGA output |
| Display | 10.4-inch active matrix color LCD |
| Warm-up Time | 40 minutes for wavelength accuracy; 1 hour for full specifications |
| Display Update Rate | Up to 40 sweeps/s (span ≤ 10 nm) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 230 VA max |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 425 mm x 222 mm x 533 mm |
| Weight | 16.5 kg |
Wavelength Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength Range | 600 nm to 1700 nm |
| Wavelength Accuracy | +/- 10 pm (1480 to 1570 nm with Option 006 internal calibrator) |
| Wavelength Reproducibility | +/- 2 pm (short-term) |
| Resolution Bandwidth (FWHM) | 60 pm to 10 nm |
| Resolution Bandwidth Accuracy | +/- 3% (at 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 nm) |
| Monochromator Design | Patented double-pass design |
Amplitude & Power Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Range at +/- 0.5 nm | >= 55 dB (chop off), >= 60 dB (chop on) |
| Dynamic Range at +/- 1.0 nm | >= 60 dB (chop off), >= 70 dB (chop on) |
| Power Level Sensitivity (Noise Floor) | down to -90 dBm (1250 nm to 1610 nm) |
| Maximum Safe Input Power | +30 dBm (total safe input power) |
| Power Level Accuracy | +/- 0.5 dB (at 1310 nm and 1550 nm) |
| Flatness | +/- 0.2 dB (1480 nm to 1570 nm) |
| Polarization Dependence (PDL) | +/- 0.05 dB (1550 nm) |
| Amplitude Linearity | +/- 0.05 dB (for input power -50 dBm to +10 dBm) |
| Scale Settings | 0.1 to 20 dB/div, Linear |
| Sweep-Average Display Noise Level | down to -90 dBm |
Sweep & Measurement Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Sweep Time | < 180 ms (for 50 nm span) |
| Measurement Points (Trace Points) | 3 to 10001 (user-selectable) |
Optical Connections & Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical Input Connector Type | HMS-10/HP (interchangeable FC, SC, ST adapters) |
| Optical Return Loss | > 35 dB |
| Internal Monochromator Output/Input Port | Yes (allows tunable filter operation and channel drop) |
| Fiber Type | 9/125 um single-mode (standard), multimode (optional) |
| External Trigger Input | TTL level, BNC connector |
Analysis Functions & Software Features
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| WDM Analysis | OSNR, Channel Power, Channel Wavelength |
| DFB/FP Laser Characterization | Yes (built-in application) |
| EDFA Analysis | Gain, Noise Figure (built-in application) |
| Spectral Width Measurements | RMS, Envelope, NdB Down (built-in) |
| Passive Component Test Functions | Yes (built-in application) |
| Internal Trace Memory | Yes (plus built-in 3.5-inch floppy drive) |
| Built-in Programming Language | HP Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) |
| Time-Resolved Chirp (TRC) Application | Supported (built-in TRC and DP application) |
| Dispersion Penalty (DP) Application | Supported |
System Connectivity & I/O Ports
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface Ports | Dual ports (GPIB 1 and GPIB 2) |
| External Monitor Output | VGA (15-pin D-sub) |
| Parallel Port | Centronics (25-pin D-sub) |
| Internal Storage Device | 3.5-inch Floppy Drive (1.44 MB) |
Physical, Power & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +75 °C |
| Maximum Relative Humidity | 95% R.H. non-condensing (up to 40 °C) |
Factory Configuration & Accessories
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength Calibrator Option | Option 006 (Internal Wavelength Calibrator) |
| EELED Source Option | Option 002 |
| Connector Adapter Options | FC/PC, SC, ST |
Power
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 150 W (230 VA) |
Display & Traces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wavelength Display Resolution | 0.001 nm |
| Amplitude Display Resolution | 0.001 dB |
| Number of Traces | 6 (active plus 5 stored) |
Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Floppy Drive Capacity | 1.44 MB |
| Floppy Drive Media Size | 3.5-inch |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) |
| Storage Altitude | Up to 15,240 m (50,000 ft) |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Connector | PS/2 |
| Serial Interface | RS-232 (9-pin D-sub) |
Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Thermal Printer Option | Option 003 |
| Multimode Photodetector Input Option | Option 004 |
Monochromator & Photodetector
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Monochromator Output Port Fiber Type | 9/125 µm single-mode |
| External Photodetector Input Port Fiber Type | 9/125 µm single-mode |
Filter Mode
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Filter Mode Insertion Loss | < 7 dB (nominal at 1550 nm) |
| Filter Mode Polarization Dependence | < ±0.25 dB (at 1550 nm) |
| Filter Mode Tuning Time | < 150 ms (for 10 nm step) |
EELED Source (Option 002)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 002 EELED Spectral Power Density | > -40 dBm/0.1 nm (1530 nm to 1610 nm) |
| Option 002 EELED Output Power | > -10 dBm (total power) |
Current Source (Option 001)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 001 Current Source Range | 0 to ±100 mA |
| Option 001 Current Source Resolution | 10 µA |
Pulse Measurement
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Gated Pulse Width | 2 µs |
Technology
Grating-based double-pass monochromator
Applications
DWDM component test, laser source characterization, EDFA/Raman amplifier analysis, and Time-Resolved Chirp (TRC) measurement