What is the difference in resolution bandwidth between the 86140A and 86146B OSAs?

The 86140A has resolution bandwidth settings ranging from 0.07 nm to 10 nm. The high-performance 86146B features a double-pass monochromator with a narrower minimum resolution bandwidth of 60 pm (0.06 nm) up to 10 nm.

Can the modular 8163A lightwave multimeter mainframe be rack-mounted?

Yes, the 8163A is designed in a half-rack width, 2U high form factor, making it suitable for compact rack-mount or benchtop configurations.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) Fiber Optics Comm Test Equipment

17 models with full specifications in Fiber Optics Comm.

This guide outlines the range of fiber optic communication test instruments developed by Keysight Technologies (including legacy Agilent and Hewlett-Packard models). These instruments are designed for optical fiber characterization, component testing, and system analysis in telecommunications research, development, and manufacturing environments. The portfolio covers optical spectrum analyzers, variable optical attenuators, lightwave switches, and polarization controllers, providing engineers and technical buyers with highly accurate tools to evaluate both active and passive optical devices.

Wavelength Range: 600 nm to 1700 nm
Attenuation Range: 60 dB
Maximum Switch Paths: 100 output channels
Modular Mainframe Slots: 2 slots (8163A)

All models

Model	Type	Interfaces	Dimensions (W×H×D)	Operating Temperature
8156A	Fiberoptic Attenuators	GPIB	212.3 × 89 × 345 mm	0 to +55 °C
8163A	Intensity, Power Meters	—	—	—
86142B	Spectrum Analyzers	GPIB (IEEE‑488.2)	—	—
86142A	Spectrum Analyzers	—	—	—
86060C	Fiberoptic Switches	—	—	—
8158B	Fiberoptic Attenuators	HP-IB (GPIB)	212.3 mm × 88.1 mm × 345.4 mm	0 to 55 °C
8169A	Polarization Controllers	GPIB (HP-IB)	213 mm × 89 mm × 345 mm	0 to 55 °C
86062C	Fiberoptic Switches	GPIB, RS-232	425 mm × 89 mm × 520 mm	0 to 55 °C
86140A	Spectrum Analyzers	GPIB (HP-IB), RS-232, Parallel Printer Port, VGA Output, Analog Output, Trigger Input/Output, PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Ports	425 mm × 222 mm × 509 mm	0 to +55 °C
86140B	Spectrum Analyzers	Dual GPIB (System and Controller), RS-232, Centronics Parallel, PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse, VGA Output	425 x 222 x 450	0 to 55
86146B	Spectrum Analyzers	GPIB (Dual ports), RS-232, Parallel (Centronics), VGA output	425 mm x 222 mm x 533 mm	0 °C to 55 °C
N7751A/52A	Fiberoptic Attenuators	LAN, USB, GPIB	213 mm x 44 mm x 348 mm	5 to 40
11896A	Polarization Controllers	GPIB (HP-IB)	425 mm × 89 mm × 520 mm	0°C to +55°C
8509B	Polarization Analyzers	Analog output (±10 V)	—	—
E6000C	OTDR	RS-232C (serial up to 115.2 kbps), Centronics (parallel printer port), Mini-DIN (external keyboard), PCMCIA Type II slot	290 × 194 × 75 mm	0 to +50 °C
86145A	Spectrum Analyzers	Dual GPIB (HP-IB) ports, Parallel (Centronics) printer port, VGA video output, two PCMCIA Type II slots, External Trigger input, Analog output	325 mm × 222 mm × 427 mm	0 °C to +55 °C
86145B	Spectrum Analyzers	GPIB, RS-232, Parallel (Centronics), VGA out	325 mm × 222 mm × 427 mm	0 to 55 °C

Optical Spectrum Analyzers

Keysight benchtop optical spectrum analyzers (OSAs) operate across the 600 nm to 1700 nm range for comprehensive spectral analysis of optical components and laser sources. The standard-performance 86140A and 86140B models provide general-purpose testing with a wavelength accuracy of ±0.5 nm and minimum resolution bandwidths of 0.07 nm and 0.06 nm, respectively. For advanced applications requiring tighter wavelength precision and dedicated analysis modes, the 86142A and 86142B offer built-in testing routines for DFB, FP, and LED sources, alongside automated multi-channel WDM analysis.

For high-performance component characterization, the 86146B features a patented double-pass monochromator design. It achieves a wavelength accuracy of ±10 pm within the 1480 to 1570 nm band when using the Option 006 internal calibrator. The resolution bandwidth of the 86146B spans 60 pm to 10 nm, enabling high-dynamic-range measurements of narrowband DWDM components.

Attenuation and Signal Conditioning

Precision optical attenuators are available in modular, benchtop, and high-density form factors. The 8156A is a high-performance programmable attenuator providing a continuous 60 dB attenuation range without ranging gaps, achieving a fine 0.001 dB resolution and a transition time of less than 20 ms. For basic or legacy attenuation requirements, the 8158B offers a 60 dB range with 0.01 dB resolution and is controllable via HP-IB.

For modern, space-constrained setups, the N7751A/52A combines a power-monitored optical attenuator with two additional power meter channels in a compact 1U half-width rack-mount housing. This instrument offers a 20 ms settling time for attenuation settings and integrates InGaAs sensor technology.

Routing and Polarization Control

For automated testing of multi-channel systems, Keysight provides dedicated routing switches. The half-rack 86060C manages smaller-scale routing with up to 2 inputs and 8 outputs. Large-scale production and evaluation setups utilize the 86062C, a full-width 2U switch that routes single-mode or multimode signals to between 20 and 100 output channels using a precision stepper motor design with a lifetime of at least 10,000,000 cycles.

To control the state of polarization, the 8169A lightwave polarization controller uses a fixed linear polarizer and motorized wave plates (quarter-wave and half-wave) to synthesize and repeat precise polarization states over a standard wavelength range of 1475 nm to 1575 nm.