Agilent Technologies N3970A Operating manual

Operating and
Maintenance Guide
N3970A OPTICAL POWER METER

■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.
Select POWER,Source, then:
■To set reference, push Abs/Rel and hold Set Ref for
3 seconds (3 buzzer sounds).
■To display reference, hold Abs/Rel, so Ref flashes.
■To stop / start display update, push Hold.
■If a test tone is detected, meter will display Hz.
AUTOTEST OPERATION
■No user action is required for meter to enter Autotest
mode.
■Autotest:
Push Autotest on source and wait a few
seconds.
■Can also push Autotest on meter for faster lock-on.
■To display one wavelength only, on the power meter
push the left side of -/+ and again for the other wavelength.
Push right side of -/+ (twice) to exit.
■Autotest remains for >8 seconds after signal loss, to allow
quick connection change.
■Toexit autotest,removetestleadorturnoff source for>8seconds.
MANUAL OPERATION
■To turn on and select wavelength, push: POWER, Power
Meter, -/+.
■To display linear mode, push dBm/W.
■To display max/min values, push MAX/MIN repeatedly.
Hold MAX/MIN to reset (3 buzzer sounds). .
MEMORY
■Enter Power Meter or Autotest modes first
■While in Autotest mode, it is only possible to STORE.
■To clear all memory, push both RECALL and CANCEL
together for 3 seconds. clr will display.
■To store in next location, push STORE.
■To change next store location, push SELECT -/+, SET.
■To recall, push RECALL -/+ to scroll through data.
■To exit memory display, push CANCEL.
ADDITIONAL AUTOTEST MEMORY OPERATION
■To read or cancel memory, first exit Autotest mode, and
enter Power Meter mode.
■Autotest memory: use -/+ to scroll wavelengths.

1
OPTICAL POWER METER
N3970A
Congratulations on your purchase of this instrument,
which has been engineered to provide the best possible
reliability, convenience and performance. To get the best
use from your equipment and ensure its safe operation,
please spend a few minutes to read this manual.
■INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS

2
■CONTENTS
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 13-14
Power meter operation 15
Storing & recalling readings 16-17
RS232 interface 18
Care of your instrument 19
Accuracy considerations 20-21
Calibration, maintenance & instrument returns 22-24
Specifications - Definition of terms 25
Specifications and ordering information 26-28
Performance test 29-38
Cleaning information 39-40
Cleaning procedures 41
Disclaimer & warranty 42
Notes 43-44

3
N3970A UM-1
■ SERVICE AND SUPPORT
Any adjustment, maintenance, or repair of this product must be
performed by qualified personnel. Contact your customer
engineer through your local Agilent Technologies Service
Center. You can find a list of local service representatives on the
Web at: http://www.agilent.com/find/assist
If you do not have access to the Internet, one of these centers
can direct you to your nearest representative:
United States 1 800 452 4844
Canada 1 877 894 4414
[phone] (Fax)
Europe (31 20) 547 2323
(31 20) 547 2390 (Fax)
Japan (81) 426 56 7832
(81) 426 56 7840 (Fax)
Latin America [phone]
[phone] (Fax)
Australia 1 800 629 485
(613) 9272 0749 (Fax)
New Zealand 0800 738 378
64 4 495 8950 (Fax)
Asia-Pacific (852) 3197 7777
(852) 2506 9284 (Fax)

4
■ INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS
The N3970A Optical Power Meter is used for field or laboratory
testing of fiber optic systems at typically 850, 1300, 1310 and
1550 nm. It features superb measurement confidence, ease of
use and reduced cost of ownership, and is for use by installers,
technicians and engineers.
Superior measurement confidence is achieved with a unique
Total Uncertainty specification over the full temperature,
measurement and connector range, and a NATA traceable
calibration certificate. The display hold and back light facilities
help acquire readings, and the flexible memory helps record
your results
Autotest mode enables automatic λ(wavelength) detection and
attenuation measurement (in combination with an Autotest
source). A single or dual λsource and meter in Autotest mode
automatically measure single or dual λattenuation in one
direction.
High operational reliability & availability is achieved with 250
hour battery life, 3 year recommended re-calibration cycle,
negligible warm up and no range-changing delays. Dark current
offset is not required. An external power input is also provided.
The combination of features enables reduced equipment
inventory, simpler training, shorter procedures, lower skill
levels and direct labour savings in many situations, combining
to give lower cost of ownership.
The innovative optical connector port provides drop protection
during use, and is dust protected by a snap on cover. The
interchangeable optical connector system is very versatile, and
easily disassembled for cleaning.
The simple user interface guides the operator through functional
sequences, and a hidden keypad is used to access advanced
features such as log/linear display, and memory functions.

5
N3970A UM-1
The tone detector is very sensitive, and is useful for fiber
identification, and calibrating the modulation frequency of test
tone sources.
The instrument has shock absorbent corners, and a tough
polycarbonate housing which has passed extensive drop testing.
Typical applications
■Singlemode testing, with versatile interchangeable
connectors.
■Telecom construction, maintenance, CATV, LAN and R&D
applications.
■Measurements where traceability and documentation are
required.
■Quality assurance and acceptance tests.
■Automated testing and reporting using optional Excel software.
■Test tone measurement & fiber identification.
■ INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS

6
■ SAFETY SUMMARY
The following general safety precautions must be observed
during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this
instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or with
specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety
standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the
instrument. Agilent Technologies Inc. assumes no liability for
the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
Before operation, review the instrument and manual, for safety
markings and instructions. You must follow these to ensure safe
operation and to maintain the instrument in safe condition.
WARNING
The WARNING sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure, practice or the like, which, if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result in injury or loss of life. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated conditions
are fully understood and met.
CAUTION
The CAUTION sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, or the like, which, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of part or all of the product. Do not proceed beyond
a CAUTION sign until the indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
CAUTION
m
The apparatus will be marked with this symbol when it is
necessary for the user to refer to the instruction manual in order
to protect the apparatus against damage.

7
N3970A UM-1
■ SAFETY SUMMARY
Initial Inspection
Inspect the shipping container for damage. If there is damage to
the container or Cushioning, keep them until you have checked
the contents of the shipment for completeness and verified the
instrument both mechanically and electrically.
The Performance Tests give procedures for checking the
operation of the instrument. If the contents are incomplete,
mechanical damage or defect is apparent, or if an instrument
does not pass the operator’s checks, notify the nearest Agilent
Technologies Sales/Service Office (see page 3).
WARNING
To avoid any hazard, do not perform electrical tests when there
are signs of shipping damage to any portion of the outer
enclosure (covers, panels, and so on).
WARNING
You MUST return instruments with malfunctions to an Agilent
Technologies Service Center for repair and calibration (see page 3).
Line Power Requirements
The Agilent N3970A Power Meter operates at line power when
applied to the optional external power supply N3979A 9V DC
Operating Environment
The Agilent N3970A Power Meter can be operated at
temperatures between - 10°C and + 55°C and at relative
humidity of <95%.
Storage and Shipment
The Agilent N3970A Power Meter can be stored or shipped at
temperatures between - 25°C and + 70°C and at relative
humidity of less than 95%. Protect the module from
temperature extremes that may cause condensation within it.
REQUIREMENT COMPLIANCE
N 10149