EXFO FVA-3100 User manual

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
www.exfo.com · [e-mail]
© 2003 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.
P/N: 1036215
Variable Attenuator
FVA-3100
User Guide
CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
400 Godin Avenue Vanier (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO AMERICA 4275 Kellway Circle, Suite 122 Addison TX, 75001 USA
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO EUROPE Le Dynasteur
10/12, rue Andras Beck
92366 Meudon la Forêt Cedex FRANCE
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO ASIA-
PACIFIC
151 Chin Swee Road
#03-29, Manhattan House
SINGAPORE 169876
Tel.:[phone] · Fax:[phone]
TOLL-FREE (USA and Canada) 1 800 663-3936
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com


www.exfo.com · [e-mail]
© 2003 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.
P/N: 1036215
Variable Attenuator
FVA-3100
User Guide
CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
400 Godin Avenue Vanier (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO AMERICA 4275 Kellway Circle, Suite 122 Addison TX, 75001 USA
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO EUROPE Le Dynasteur
10/12, rue Andras Beck
92366 Meudon la Forêt Cedex FRANCE
Tel.: [phone] · Fax: [phone]
EXFO ASIA-
PACIFIC
151 Chin Swee Road
#03-29, Manhattan House
SINGAPORE 169876
Tel.:[phone] · Fax:[phone]
TOLL-FREE (USA and Canada) 1 800 663-3936
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com

Variable Attenuator
FVA-3100
User Guide
P/N: 1036215
October 2002
If the equipment described herein
bears the  symbol, the said
equipment complies with the
applicable European Union
Directive and Standards mentioned
in the Declaration of Conformity.
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, be it electronically,
mechanically, or by any other means such as photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of EXFO Electro-Optical
Engineering Inc. (EXFO).
Information provided by EXFO is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by EXFO for its use nor for any
infringements of patents or other rights of third parties that may result from
its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent
rights of EXFO.
EXFO’s Commerce And Government Entities (CAGE) code under the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is 0L8C3.
The information contained in this publication is subject to change without
notice.
© 2002 EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc.
Words that EXFO considers trademarks have been identified as such.
However, neither the presence nor absence of such identification affects
the legal status of any trademark.
Units of measurement in this document conform to SI standards and
practices.
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Contents
Variable Attenuator iii
Contents
Certification Information ........................................................................................................ v
1 Introducing the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator .......................................... 1
Main Features .........................................................................................................................1
Front Panel .............................................................................................................................2
Back Panel ..............................................................................................................................3
Available Models ....................................................................................................................4
Typical Applications ................................................................................................................4
Main Concept .........................................................................................................................5
2 Safety Information ....................................................................................... 7
Safety Conventions .................................................................................................................7
Laser Safety Information .........................................................................................................8
Electrical Safety Information ...................................................................................................8
3 Getting Started With Your Variable Attenuator ....................................... 11
Installing your FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator in a Rackmount .............................................11
Turning the Variable Attenuator On and Off .........................................................................13
Accessing Menus ..................................................................................................................14
4 Setting Up Your Variable Attenuator ........................................................ 15
Selecting the Display Intensity ..............................................................................................15
Locking Control Key Access ...................................................................................................17
Managing the Wavelength Shortlist .....................................................................................19
Selecting the Attenuation .....................................................................................................23
Selecting and Using an Attenuation Display Mode ...............................................................27
Saving and Recalling a Configuration ...................................................................................35
5 Operating Your Variable Attenuator ......................................................... 39
Connecting Optical Fibers .....................................................................................................39
Installing the EXFO Universal Interface (EUI) .........................................................................40
Performing an Attenuation Routine ......................................................................................41
Operating the Shutter ...........................................................................................................49
6 Controlling Your Variable Attenuator Remotely ...................................... 51
Setting Up the Variable Attenuator for Remote Control .......................................................51
Communication Parameters ..................................................................................................54
Standard Status Data Structure ............................................................................................55
Command Structure .............................................................................................................57
Error Messages .....................................................................................................................58
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Contents
iv FVA-3100
SCPI Management Errors (System Errors) ..............................................................................59
RS-232 Connector Pinout ......................................................................................................60
7 Maintenance ................................................................................................61
Cleaning the Front Panel .......................................................................................................61
Cleaning Connectors Equipped with EUI/EUA Adapters ........................................................62
Cleaning Fixed Connectors ....................................................................................................66
Cleaning Detector Ports ........................................................................................................68
Recalibrating the Unit ...........................................................................................................69
8 Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................71
Finding Information on the EXFO Web Site ..........................................................................71
Contacting the Technical Support Group ..............................................................................72
Transportation ......................................................................................................................73
9 Warranty ......................................................................................................75
General Information .............................................................................................................75
Liability .................................................................................................................................76
Exclusions .............................................................................................................................76
Certification ..........................................................................................................................76
Service and Repairs ...............................................................................................................77
EXFO Service Centers Worldwide ..........................................................................................78
A Technical Specifications ..............................................................................79
B Remote Control Commands .......................................................................81
IEEE 488.2 Required Commands ...........................................................................................81
Specific commands-Quick Reference Command Tree ............................................................89
Index ...............................................................................................................113
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Certification Information
Variable Attenuator v
Certification Information
F.C.C. Information
Electronic test equipment is exempt from Part 15 compliance (FCC) in
the United States. However, compliance verification tests are performed on
all EXFO equipment.
 Information
Electronic test equipment is subject to the EMC Directive in the European
Union. The EN61326 standard prescribes both emission and immunity
requirements for laboratory, measurement, and control equipment.
This unit has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device. Please refer to the Declaration of Conformity.
CSA Information
This unit received CSA certification under the model name “GO”. The CSA
Certificate Number is 162451. The “C-US” indicator adjacent to the CSA
Mark signifies that the product has been evaluated to the applicable
ANSI/UL and CSA Standards, for use in the United States and Canada.
Independent Laboratory Testing
This unit has undergone extensive testing according to the European Union
Directive and Standards. All pre-qualification tests were performed
internally, at EXFO, while all final tests were performed externally, at an
independent, accredited laboratory. This guarantees the unerring
objectivity and authoritative compliance of all test results.
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Certification Information
vi FVA-3100
IMPORTANT
Use of shielded remote I/O cables, with properly grounded shields
and metal connectors, is recommended in order to reduce radio
frequency interference that may emanate from these cables.
IMPORTANT
The AC adapter provided with this product is equipped with a
shielded three-wire power cord and plug. Use this power cord in
conjunction with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid
electrical shock and to reduce radio frequency interference that
may emanate from the power cord.
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Certification Information
Variable Attenuator vii
Application of Council Directive(s): 73/23/EEC - The Low Voltage Directive
89/336/EEC - The EMC Directive
Manufacturer’s Name: EXFO ELECTRO-OPTICAL ENG.
Manufacturer’s Address: 465 Godin Avenue
Vanier, Quebec
Canada G1M 3G7
[phone]
Equipment Type/Environment: Industrial Scientific Equipment
Trade Name/Model No.: FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator
Year of Conformity Assessment: 2001
Standard(s) to which Conformity is Declared:
EN 55011:1993 Limits and Methods of Measurement ofRadio Disturbance Characteristics
of Information Technology Equipment.
EN 61010-1:1990 Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control,
and Laboratory Use, Part 1: General Requirements.
EN 61000-3-2:1995 Electromagnetic Compatibility Part 3: Limits-Section 2: Limits for
Harmonic Current Emissions.
EN 61000-3-3:1994 Electromagnetic Compatibility Part 3: Limits-Section 3: Limitation of
Voltage fluctuations and Flicker in Low-Voltage Supply Systems.
EN 50082-1:1992 Generic Immunity for Residential, Commercial, and Light Industrial
Environment
I, the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified above conforms to the above Directive and Standards.
Manufacturer
Signature:
Full Name: Stephen Bull, E. Eng
Position: Vice-President Research and
Development
Address: 465 Godin Avenue Vanier, Quebec,
Canada
Date: November 15, 2001
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
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Variable Attenuator 1
1 Introducing the FVA-3100
Variable Attenuator
Main Features
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is the instrument that allows you to
perform several attenuation related tasks.
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is configured for singlemode and
multimode fibers. It is built to offer a high spectral uniformity, an important
feature which allows you to maintain the attenuation value throughout the
entire WDM spectrum. Its low insertion loss allows you to minimize your
loss budget.
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator has a program function, which allows
you to create custom programs such as automatic attenuation scan.
The variable attenuator has the versatility of three display modes:
➤Absolute, which includes the insertion loss.
➤Reference, in reference to the 0.001 dB level.
➤Offset, relative display to any selected reference value.
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is controlled by easy-to-use software,
enabling multiple-user configuration storage.
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator can be remotely controlled through a
GPIB or RS-232 interface.
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Introducing the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator
2FVA-3100
Front Panel
Front Panel
Note: Your FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator may differ slightly from the illustration
depending on the specific model of your unit.
VARIABLE ATTENUATOR
FVA-3100
Offset
ENTER
Abs Up Shutter
Ref
λ Down Attenuation
Program
Setup
Output port
Offset mode access
Reference mode access
Confirmation
button (Enter)
Absolute mode access
Wavelength control
Arrow buttons for
menu navigation and
parameter setting
Program menu access
Monitor port
(BM and DM models only)
On/off button
Display
Shutter control
Attenuation controls
Step
In Monitor Out
Input port
Setup menu access
Shutter
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Introducing the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator
Variable Attenuator 3
Back Panel
Back Panel
Note: Your FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator may differ slightly from the illustration
depending on the specific model of your unit.
Electro-Optical Engineering
465 Godin Avenue
Vanier QC G1M 3G7 Canada
R
GPIB IEEE 488.2
SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0, E2
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Made in Canada
P/N
S/N
Ver.
Mfg.
date
QST-151F
Serial Port
MODEL: GO
LR107723
100-240 V
50/60 Hz
2 A
F2AL250 V
CUS
Serial port (RS-232 DTE) Fuse holder Power inlet
GPIB port
Ver.
Mfg.
date
S/N
FVA-3100-B
12345-AB
A-1.0
J ANUARY 2000
9/125 µ M 1200 TO 1650 NM
P/N
Ground
Version number
Spectral range
Manufacturing date
Part number
Fiber type
Serial number
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Introducing the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator
4FVA-3100
Available Models
Available Models
According to the models you own, additional options are available. The
FVA-3100-BM and FVA-3100-BMW offer spectral uniformity and maintain
constant attenuation values.
The FVA-3100-BM, FVA-3100-BMW, FVA-3100-DM all come with a monitor
output, which ensures accurate power-level monitoring.
Typical Applications
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is ideal for
➤manufacturing and laboratory applications such as system
characterization
➤EDFA
➤component and system loss simulation
➤instrument calibration
➤power meter linearity measurement
➤spectral tuning.
The FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is particularly suitable to demanding
laboratory and manufacturing qualification applications.
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Introducing the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator
Variable Attenuator 5
Main Concept
Main Concept
The significance of the attenuation value displayed by an optical attenuator
may differ from one manufacturer to another. At EXFO, for example, the
attenuation displayed by the FVA-3100 Variable Attenuator is the actual loss
or attenuation between the input and the output ports of the Variable
Attenuator, including the loss of its own internal connectors, after
performing a reference reading with a power meter.
IMPORTANT
The Variable Attenuator has been calibrated with a light source
connected to the input port and a power meter connected to the
output port. For optimum performance, do not interchange the
input and output connections.
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Variable Attenuator 7
2 Safety Information
Safety Conventions
You should understand the following conventions before using the product
described in this manual:
WARNING
Refers to a potential personal hazard. It requires a
procedure which, if not correctly followed, may result
in bodily harm or injury. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.
CAUTION
Refers to a potential product hazard. It requires a
procedure which, if not correctly followed, may result
in component damage. Do not proceed unless you
understand and meet the required conditions.
IMPORTANT
Refers to any information regarding the operation of
the product which you should not overlook.
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Safety Information
8FVA-3100
Laser Safety Information
Laser Safety Information
Electrical Safety Information
This unit uses an international safety standard three-wire power cable. This
cable serves as a ground when connected to an appropriate AC power
receptacle. The type of power cable supplied with each unit is determined
according to the country of destination.
Only qualified electricians should connect a new plug if needed. The color
coding used in the electric cable depends on the cable. New plugs should
meet the local safety requirements and include the following features:
➤adequate load-carrying capacity
➤ground connection
➤cable clamp
WARNING
Do not install or terminate fibers while a light source is active.
Never look directly into a live fiber and ensure that your eyes are
protected at all times.
WARNING
Use of controls, adjustments and procedures for operation and
maintenance other than those specified herein may result in
hazardous radiation exposure.
WARNING
Use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye
hazard.
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Safety Information
Variable Attenuator 9
Electrical Safety Information
WARNING
To avoid electrical shock, do not operate the unit if there are signs
of damage to any part of the outer surface (covers, panels, etc.).
To avoid serious injury, observe the following precautions before
powering on the unit.
➤If the unit is to be powered via an auto transformer for voltage
reduction, connect the common terminal to the grounded
power source pole.
➤Insert the power cable plug into a power outlet with a
protective ground contact. Do not use an extension cord
without a protective conductor.
➤Before powering on the unit, connect its protective ground
terminal to a protective conductor using the unit power cord.
➤Do not tamper with the protective ground terminal.
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