The Keysight/Agilent/HP 8163A Lightwave Multimeter Mainframe System is a modular platform for optical component and module testing in R&D and manufacturing environments. It accepts two front-loadable measurement modules in any combination—laser sources, power meters, attenuators, and specialized optical test instruments—delivering configurable accuracy across diverse photonic applications.
Technical Specifications
Display & Resolution
• Monochrome graphical display: 190 × 300 pixels visible area
• Power meter resolution: 0.0001 dB/dBm; 0.01 pW to 10 pW per selected range
• Measurement display: up to 6.5 digits, user-definable
Data Acquisition & Memory
• 4000 measurement results per channel (12000 in remote mode, dependent on sensor module)
• Selectable averaging time and total data averaging time
• Acquisition window: 1 second to 23 hours 59 minutes
Triggering Performance
• Synchronous triggering on all channels
• Maximum trigger rate: 100 kHz
• External digital modulation: up to 1 MHz at 50% duty cycle
Module Configuration
• Two slim module slots, front-loadable
• Accepts compatible module combinations
– Key Features
Electrical
• Input: 100–240 V ±10%, 48–66 Hz or 50–60 Hz ±5%
• Power consumption: 100 VA, 120 VA, or 280 VA/450 VA (model-dependent)
Interfaces
• GPIB with SCPI protocol support; burst data rate 300 kB/sec maximum
• RS232 serial (up to 115200 bps)
• Centronics parallel port
• 10/100BASE-T Ethernet (8163B/8164B/8166B)
• VGA connector for external monitor (8163B/8164B/8166B)
Physical
• Dimensions: 88 × 213 × 380 mm (3.5″ × 8.4″ × 15″)
• Net weight: 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs); shipping weight 6.5 kg (14.5 lbs)
– Typical Applications
Optical power measurement, wavelength characterization, polarization analysis, and high-volume optical module validation across telecommunications and photonics manufacturing.
– Compatibility & Integration
The 8163A mainframe integrates with the full suite of Keysight lightwave measurement modules. SCPI-compliant remote control enables integration into automated test systems via GPIB or Ethernet.
