The AQ6150 series has two models: the High Accuracy AQ6151B model, which offers an accuracy of ±0.2 ppm to meet the most demanding precision requirements, and the Standard Accuracy AQ6150B, which offers a ±0.7 ppm accuracy for applications with less demanding requirements. The real time correction feature utilizes a highly stable reference signal from the built-in wavelength reference light source in order to provide long-term stability for each and every measurement taken.
Using a Michelson interferometer with a fast FFT algorithm allows measurement of a single wavelength laser signal, as well as those with several wavelengths. The AQ6150B series also adds an Auto Gain Control (AGC) function, adjusting the gain of the amplifier to the input signal power. This gives maximized wavelength accuracy and measurement speed, even with input signal powers as low as -40dBm.
The AQ6150B in action
One of the meter’s major applications is in development of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) transmission systems. To meet rapidly growing levels of traffic, designers are looking to minimize channel spacing, maximize channel count and transmission rate, and use sophisticated modulation techniques.
High wavelength accuracy is critical in WDM transmission tests, with internal boards as well as the output signal of the entire system needing accurate assessment.
Calibration of test systems is another major use of the AQ6150B. Its highly accurate wavelength measurement is ideal for calibrating optical spectrum analyzers, DFB lasers in optical amplifier test systems and tunable lasers for testing passive component system testing.
A wavelength accuracy of up to ±0.2ppm ensures a real-time correction function.
Another major application is developing lasers and transceivers. Special analysis functions ensure the meters measure modulated signals from optical transceivers and transponders, but also record and display all channels from 40G and 100G optical transceivers.
Sophisticated analysis
The AQ6150B series offers a wealth of automatic measurement and analysis functions, including drift analysis, which measures the variation in wavelength and power for each peak over time. This function can be used for long-term stability tests and to evaluate the temperature dependency of lasers.
The Averaging function measures the mean value of the wavelength and power for each peak over a certain period of time, while Fabry-Perot laser analysis obtains the evaluation parameters of the corresponding laser directly from the displayed spectrum.
Users told us what they wanted in an interface
Ease of use is a major priority for users of wavelength meters. The AQ6150B offers various display options to the user. In “single wavelength mode” the wavelength and the optical power of the highest peak can be displayed, while in the “multi-wavelength mode”, a list of the wavelengths and optical powers of several peaks is created -.
The “Delta Wavelength Mode” can be used to determine the difference in wavelength and optical power between a reference waveform and other peaks, while deviations between grid wavelengths and measured wavelengths can be displayed in “Grid mode”, offering good support for WDM applications.
Our interfaces
Standard interfaces are GP-IB, VGA, Ethernet and USB – the USB interfaces allow connection of a mouse or a keyboard, External storage media is also linked with this interface, allowing storage of screenshots or logged data for reports.
An Ethernet interface offers uncomplicated access to the internal memory and enables “remote control” of the measuring device. Example programs for using the command syntax are stored in the manual and are also available to the GP-IB interface.
Do you require an accuracy up to ±0.2 ppm in the development of WDM transmission systems? Check out the Yokogawa AQ6150 series wavelength meters here or contact us.
This material maybe not be reproduced without express permission from Yokogawa, please contact: PrecisionMaking.EU@yokogawa.com
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