The Keysight (Agilent) 86038B Photonic Dispersion and Loss Analyzer characterizes optical fibers and components with precision measurement of chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, and insertion loss. Built for high-speed telecommunications and data communications systems operating at 10 Gb/s and 40 Gb/s, it employs the industry-standard Modulation Phase Shift (MPS) method with modular customization for specific test requirements.
Technical Specifications
• Measurement Wavelength Range: 1250 nm to 1650 nm with tunable wavelength steps of 0.1 pm
• Chromatic Dispersion Accuracy: ±0.1 ps/nm/km
• CD Resolution: 0.001 ps/nm
• Loss Accuracy: ±0.01 dB/km
• Input Power Range: -30 dBm to +10 dBm
• Input Polarization Sensitivity: 45 dB
• Dynamic Range: Up to 60 dB
• Modulation Frequency Range: 5 MHz to 2.5 GHz
– Key Features
• Measures chromatic dispersion (CD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and second-order PMD
• Insertion loss and gain characterization
• Polarization dependent loss (PDL) analysis
• Group delay (GD) and differential group delay (DGD) computation
• GD ripple and zero-dispersion wavelength determination
• CD slope characterization
• Direct fiber or device length measurement
• Single laser enables up to 200 nm sweep range
• Configurable modulation frequencies optimize dispersion measurement and wavelength resolution
– Typical Applications
• Fiber characterization in telecommunications R&D
• Manufacturing quality assurance for optical components
• High-speed optical system validation
• Cable and device loss profiling
– Compatibility & Integration
Modular architecture permits tailored configurations to match specific testing workflows and measurement priorities.
