The HP/Agilent 81533A is a single-channel optical head interface module that enables direct integration of compatible optical heads into 8153A, 8163A, and 8164A Lightwave Multimeter mainframes. This interface module translates optical signals from 81521B and 81524A optical heads into analog electrical outputs, providing accurate optical power measurement acquisition across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. The 81533A acts as the critical signal conditioning bridge between optical sensing elements and mainframe processing circuits, supporting parallel-beam fiber inputs and delivering calibrated power data with sub-millidecibel resolution.
Technical Specifications
Optical Performance
• Wavelength range: 450 to 1020 nm
• Power measurement range: +10 dBm to -100 dBm
• Display resolution (power): 0.001 dBm
• Display resolution (watts): 0.1 pW
• Measurement linearity: +3 dBm to -80 dBm
• Noise floor: < 50 pW
• Uncertainty at reference conditions: ± 2.2%
Electrical Interface
• Analog output: BNC connector
Optical Input
• Fiber types: Parallel beam, 9/125 µm to 100/140 µm core/cladding
• Numerical aperture: NA < 0.3
Environmental
• Operating temperature: 0°C to +40°C
Physical
• Depth: Approximately 12.4 inches (module designed for standard mainframe slot installation)
– Key Features
• Single optical head channel supporting dual-head configurations through multimodule mainframes
• Sub-50 pW noise performance enabling measurement of extremely low optical power levels
• Millidecibel and picoWatt dual-resolution display modes for flexible data interpretation
• Wide 110 dB dynamic range (10 dBm to -100 dBm) covering applications from high-power systems to attenuated test signals
– Typical Applications
• Optical power verification in fiber optic communication systems
• Attenuation and loss measurements across visible-to-near-IR wavelengths
• Optical detector and source characterization
• Lightwave component testing and validation
– Compatibility & Integration
The 81533A interfaces with HP/Agilent 8153A, 8163A, and 8164A mainframes and is directly compatible with 81521B and 81524A optical heads. Installation within mainframe slots requires compliance with standard module dimensions and thermal operating boundaries of the host system.
