Page 3 - N3970A OPTICAL POWER METER SOURCE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE; POWER
■ N3970A OPTICAL POWER METER SOURCE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ■ To remove interchangeable connector , move interface to mid position, and pull off adaptor. ■ To defeat auto power-off , hold POWER for 3 seconds at turn on until ON and perm are displayed. ■ To access hidden keypad , pull up display cover....
Page 4 - INTRODUCTION AND A P P L I C AT I O N S
1 O PTICAL P OWER M ETER N3970A Congratulations on your purchase of this instrument,which has been engineered to provide the best possiblereliability, convenience and performance. To get the bestuse from your equipment and ensure its safe operation,please spend a few minutes to read this manual. ■ I...
Page 5 - O N T E N T S
2 ■ C O N T E N T S BEFORE READING FURTHER, OPEN THE CONTROL PANEL PICTURE AT THE BACK OF THE MANUAL Service and Support 3 Introduction & applications 4-5 Safety Summary 6-7 Battery and external power 8 Optical connector 9-10 How to use: Getting started and turning on 11-12 Autotest operation 13...
Page 6 - S E RVICE AND SUPPORT
3 N3970A UM-1 ■ S E RVICE AND SUPPORT Any adjustment, maintenance, or repair of this product must bep e rf o rmed by qualified personnel. Contact your customerengineer through your local Agilent Technologies Serv i c eCenter. You can find a list of local service representatives on theWeb at: http://...
Page 7 - Autotest mode enables automatic
4 ■ I N T R O D U C T I O N A N D A P P L I C AT I O N S The N3970A Optical Power Meter is used for field or laboratorytesting of fiber optic systems at typically 850, 1300, 1310 and1550 nm. It features superb measurement confidence, ease ofuse and reduced cost of ownership, and is for use by instal...
Page 8 - Typical applications; Quality assurance and acceptance tests.; N T R O D U C T I O N A N D
5 N3970A UM-1 The tone detector is very sensitive, and is useful for fiberidentification, and calibrating the modulation frequency of testtone sources. The instrument has shock absorbent corners, and a toughpolycarbonate housing which has passed extensive drop testing. Typical applications ■ Singlem...
Page 9 - SAFETY SUMMARY; The; sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a; CAUTION; The; sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an; CAUTION
6 ■ SAFETY SUMMARY The following general safety precautions must be observedduring all phases of operation, service, and repair of thisinstrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or withspecific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safetystandards of design, manufacture, and intended ...
Page 11 - Rechargeable batteries must be charged by an external charger.
8 ■ B ATTERY AND E XTERNAL P OWER The instrument is powered by two 1.5V dry batteries (Alkaline C) foran operating period of typically 250 hours or two 1.2Vrechargeable batteries for an operating period of approximately125 hours. Do not use lithium batteries or other batteries with a nominalvoltage ...
Page 12 - OPTICAL CONNECTOR; Do not use damaged or incompatible connectors.
9 N3970A UM-1 ■ OPTICAL CONNECTOR The optical port is mounted on a swivel, which allows theconnector to be angled outwards for accessibility, and thenpushed back and covered with the snap cover to provide dirt anddrop protection. The other port can be used to store a spare interchangeableoptical con...
Page 13 - Cleaning; Bare fiber adaptors; the detector interface when using adaptors, since permanent
10 ■ OPTICAL CONNECTOR Cleaning The glass power meter interface does not make contact with theinserted connector: there is a slight air gap. Therefore it shouldnot wear out, and only needs occasional cleaning. To clean the glass power meter interface: remove theinterchangeable adaptor to access the ...
Page 14 - GETTING STA RTED AND TURNING ON; LO are displayed, the input is out of range.
11 N3970A UM-1 ■ GETTING STA RTED AND TURNING ON This and following sections show you how to use yourinstrument: Check that the correct accessories have been supplied, and anoptical connector adaptor has been fitted. If you have anyqueries, call your supplier to resolve the situation. Put in the bat...
Page 15 - To disable or enable the buzzer, hold down SHIFT for 3 seconds.
12 ■ GETTING STA RTED AND TURNING ON To disable or enable the buzzer, hold down SHIFT for 3 seconds. To add the car ry strap: slip the end of the strap through the sliton the curved section at the back of the instrument, and securethe buckle. This instrument requires no warm up, and no user adjustme...
Page 16 - AUTOTEST OPERAT I O N; General Autotest features; detection) by data exchange between instruments,; Operation; The meter will automatically set to the correct
13 N3970A UM-1 ■ AUTOTEST OPERAT I O N General Autotest features For Autotest to function, all instruments involved in the testmust be Agilent Handheld instruments with an Autotest function. The Autotest feature performs automated measurement (andautomatic λ detection) by data exchange between instr...
Page 17 - Either a ‘local’ or ‘remote’ reference can be stored.
14 ■ AUTOTEST OPERAT I O N meter with a test lead. Set the source to Autotest mode, and thenpush SET REF on the meter for 3 seconds. This will store thereference at all relevant wavelengths. Either a ‘local’ or ‘remote’ reference can be stored. To exit Autotest mode, either disconnect the optical te...
Page 18 - To select a calibrated
15 N3970A UM-1 ■ P O W E R M E T E R O P E R AT I O N After instrument turn on, the meter will be calibrated at the lastused λ . To change parameters, push POWER METER, then: To select a calibrated λ , push +/-. λ is displayed on the top right side of the display. To display relative power, push ABS...
Page 19 - and can be recalled when the instrument is next turned; Storing & recalling readings using non-volatile memory; mem; Total memory
16 ■ S TORING & R ECALLING R EADINGS There are various ways of storing and recording data, giving theuser flexible ways of working. They are summarised here foryour convenience. Storage of reference values: A separate reference is stored foreach λ and can be recalled when the instrument is next ...
Page 20 - The memory location is shown at the top right of the display.; Memory operating sequence; Store data in next location: push STORE
17 N3970A UM-1 ■ S TORING & R ECALLING R EADINGS The memory location is shown at the top right of the display. When storing data, the memory automatically increments tofacilitate the collection of data on a job. You can also go back and over-write particular records. After the data has been reco...
Page 22 - Where possible, keep instrument away from strong sunlight.
19 N3970A UM-1 ■ C ARE OF Y OUR I NSTRUMENT ■ Follow the directions in this manual on cleaning opticalconnectors. ■ Limit the input optical power to no more than 5 dB over-range. ■ During storage and transport, keep the instrument in itscarry case to protect against crushing, vibration, dust andmois...
Page 23 - All measurements
20 ■ A CCURACY C ONSIDERATIONS All measurements Optical connectors should be kept clean and in good condition. Due to emitter center λ uncertainty (eg 1310 +/- 20 nm), fiber attenuation may vary with different sources. This λ uncertainty can also affect power meter calibration. This is significant w...
Page 24 - ACCURACY CONSIDERATIONS
Page 25 - Calibration; Before commencing calibration:
22 ■ C ALIBRATION & M AINTENANCE Enabling / disabling ‘shift’ keypad & re-booting themicroprocessor: See section on ‘getting started &turning on. Calibration Calibration can be readily performed without opening theinstrument. Calibration is performed by setting up a singlemodelaser sourc...
Page 26 - Maintenance; The optical sensor / connector assembly is not user serviceable.; Opening the instrument:; Use static protected procedures
23 N3970A UM-1 ■ C ALIBRATION & M AINTENANCE ■ Measure and record the source power using the referencemeter ■ Transfer the same power level to the meter to be calibrated,set MAX/MIN to display power, then +/- to adjust thereading to match the noted reference reading. Note: Theoptical power is me...
Page 27 - Hinged display cover removal can be done at this point.
24 ■ C ALIBRATION , M AINTENANCE & INSTRUMENT RETURNS ■ Hinged display cover removal can be done at this point. ■ The ribbon connector can be disengaged to completelyseparate the instrument halves. ■ Further dis-assembly from this stage should be easilyapparent to a technician. ■ Re-assembly is ...
Page 28 - SPECIFICATIONS - DEFINITION OF TERMS; Power Range; The range of input powers for which the instrument can be used.; Maximum Input Power; The power level below which the Autotest does not work.
25 N3970A UM-1 ■ SPECIFICATIONS - DEFINITION OF TERMS Power Range The range of input powers for which the instrument can be used. Maximum Input Power The input power is not to be exceeded to avoid destroying the instrument. Uncertainty at reference conditions The uncertainty for the specified set of...
Page 29 - InGaAs
26 ■ S PECIFICATIONS & O RDERING I NFORMATION Sensor Element InGaAs Wavelength Range 850-1650 nm Calibration Wavelengths 850 1 , 1300, 1310, 1550 nm Power Range +5 to –60 dBm (850 nm)+5 to –70 dBm (other wavelengths) Maximum Input Power +15 dBm Uncertainty at reference conditions 2 ±0.13 dB (±3%...
Page 30 - All specifications at 850 nm are typical.
27 N3970A UM-1 ■ S PECIFICATIONS & O RDERING I NFORMATION 1: All specifications at 850 nm are typical. 2: 23 ± 3 o K, -10 to –30 dBm, calibration wavelengths ± 2nm, fiber type standard SMF, connector type ceramic FC / PC, at day of calibration. 3: includes uncertainty contributions due to: uncer...
Page 31 - Standard accessories:; ST; Optional accessories:; Power Supply 9V DC
28 ■ S PECIFICATIONS & O RDERING I NFORMATION ORDERING INFORMATIONInstrument N3970A Optical Power Meter Standard accessories: Included with instrument: FC, ST, SC optical connector, manual,batteries, NATA traceable calibration certificate, carry strap,pouch, protective holster & RS 232 cable...
Page 32 - PERFORMANCE TEST; Equipment Required; substituted for the recommended models.
29 N3970A UM-1 ■ PERFORMANCE TEST The procedures in this section test the performance of theinstrument. The complete specifications to which the AgilentN3970A Optical Power Meter is tested are given on pages 26-28.All tests can be performed without access to the interior of theinstrument. The test e...
Page 34 - Test Record
31 N3970A UM-1 ■ PERFORMANCE TEST Test Record Results of the performance test may be tabulated on the TestR e c o rd provided at the end of the test pro c e d u re. It isrecommended that you fill out the Test Record and refer to itwhile doing the test. Since the test limits and setup informationare ...
Page 35 - Performance Test
32 ■ PERFORMANCE TEST Performance Test The performance test given in this section includes the Total Uncertainty/Accuracy Test. Perform each step in the order given, using the cor responding test equipment. Note Make sure that all optical connections are dry and clean. DO NOT USE INDEX MAT CHING OIL...
Page 36 - Note
33 N3970A UM-1 ■ PERFORMANCE TEST 4. Switch on the instruments. a. Switch on the lightwave multimeter.b. Configure the laser source. ■ Set the laser source attenuation to 0 dB ■ Set the wavelength to 1310 nm ■ Note the actual (displayed) wavelength of the laser source in the test re p o rt c. Switch...
Page 39 - Description
36 ■ PERFORMANCE TEST Description Model No. 1. Lightwave Multimeter 8163A 2. Light Source 1310/1550 nm 81654A 3. Optical Head 81624A #C01 4. Optical Head Interface Module 81618A 5. Optical Attenuator 8156A #101 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Accessories #Product Singlemode Fiber 1 81101AC1 81101PC Connector Interf...
Page 40 - Total Uncertainty/Accuracy Test
37 N3970A UM-1 Model N3970A Optical Power Meter Total Uncertainty/Accuracy Test Test Wavelengths = 1300 nm and 1310 nm Source Wavelength = nm Report No. Date ■ PERFORMANCE TEST Setting Number 1 2 3 4 -3.00 dBm -20.00 dBm -30.00 dBm -50.00 dBm -3.30 dBm -20.30 dBm -30.30 dBm -50.30 dBm -2.70 dBm -19....
Page 42 - CLEANING INFORMAT I O N; Safety Precautions; Please follow the following safety rules.
39 N3970A UM-1 ■ CLEANING INFORMAT I O N The following Cleaning Instructions contain some generalsafety precautions, which must be observed during all phases ofcleaning. Consult your specific optical device manuals orguides for full information on safety matters. Please try, whenever possible, to us...
Page 43 - * Refer servicing only to qualified and authorised personnel.; Why is it important to clean optical devices ?; In transmission links optical fiber cores are about 9
40 ■ CLEANING INFORMAT I O N dampened with water, to clean the external case parts. Do notattempt to clean internally. Do not install parts or perform any unauthorised modification tooptical devices. * Refer servicing only to qualified and authorised personnel. Why is it important to clean optical d...
Page 44 - CLEANING PROCEDURES; Preferred Procedure
41 N3970A UM-1 ■ CLEANING PROCEDURES Keep your dust and shutter caps on when your instrument is notin use. This should prevent it from getting too dirty. If you mustclean such instruments, please refer the instrument to theskilled personnel of Agilent's service team. Preferred Procedure Use the foll...
Page 45 - DISCLAIMER & WA R R A N T Y
42 ■ DISCLAIMER & WA R R A N T Y Information in this manual is given in good faith for the benefitof the user. It cannot be used as the basis for claims againstAgilent Technologies or its re p resentatives, if accidentaldamage or inconvenience results from use or attempted repairof the equipment...
Page 46 - N O T E S
