Advantest Q8380 Series Optical Spectrum Analyzers

Wavelength coverage and accuracy vary across the three models to suit different diagnostic tasks:

• Q8381A: Offers the widest coverage span from 350 nm to 1750 nm with a wavelength accuracy of  1 nm. It features a fast sweep time of 0.5 seconds or less for a 100 nm span.
• Q8383: Shares the wide 350 nm to 1750 nm range but improves absolute wavelength accuracy to 0.5 nm, with a wavelength reproducibility of 0.05 nm.
• Q8384: Designed specifically for fiber optic communications, narrowing its wavelength range to 600 nm to 1700 nm. It achieves a high wavelength accuracy of 20 pm and a minimum resolution of 10 pm within the 1.55 m band.

The models differ in their sensitivity, linearity, and onboard mathematical analysis capabilities. The high-end Q8384 is engineered for dense WDM networks and optical amplifiers, providing a dynamic range of 60 dB (at Peak  0.2 nm), level linearity of 0.05 dB, and a polarization dependence of 0.05 dB in the 1520 to 1620 nm band. It supports direct noise figure (NF) analysis of EDFAs alongside pass/fail limit testing.

For more general application, the Q8381A provides a power measurement range from -85 to +10 dBm with a dynamic range of 50 dB (at  2 nm), supporting single, continuous, and average measurement modes. The Q8383 balances wide-spectrum operations with a power level accuracy of 0.4 dB and a level linearity of 0.5 dB.

The physical construction and displays highlight the evolution within the series. The Q8381A weighs 25 kg, is housed in a 424 mm x 222 mm x 450 mm chassis, and relies on a 9-inch CRT display. The Q8383 reduces the chassis height and overall weight, measuring 424 mm x 177 mm x 450 mm and weighing 15 kg, while updating the display to a 6.5-inch color LCD. The Q8384 features a larger 10.4-inch color LCD screen and includes an integrated 3.5-inch floppy disk drive for saving measurement data.