OPTILAB TWL-L-R Series User manual

TWL-L-R Series Rackmount User’s Manual
Tunable Wavelength Laser, L-Band, Rackmount
Caution: The user must read this manual before operating the TWL-L-R unit.
Operations other than those described in this manual may result in
personal injury and/or damage to the unit.
Note that any attempt to open or fix the equipment without prior
approval by Optilab, LLC voids the warranty.
Ver. 2.1
November 21, 2015

Revision History
Version
Date
Summary
1.0
11/01/09
Manual introduced.
1.1
02/18/13
Housing and control revision.
1.2
11/10/13
Address revision.
2.0
12/22/14
Housing and control revision.
2.1
11/21/15
Software operation revision.
Copyright ©2015 by Optilab, LLC
All rights reserved.
This document is copyrighted property of Optilab, LLC. It may not be used in whole
or in part for manufacture, sale, or design of items without the written permission of
Optilab, LLC.
Information herein is preliminary and subject to change without any notices.

TWL-L-R User’s Manual
Page iii of iii
Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
Table of Contents
1. General Information ___________________________________________________1
1.1 Introduction ______________________________________________________________ 1
1.2 Product Overview__________________________________________________________ 1
1.3 Features__________________________________________________________________ 1
1.4 User Safety _______________________________________________________________ 2
2. Operation____________________________________________________________2
2.1 Introduction ______________________________________________________________ 2
2.2 Initial Inspection___________________________________________________________ 2
2.3 Controls__________________________________________________________________ 3
2.4 Operation Instructions______________________________________________________ 4
2.5 Software Interface and Control ______________________________________________ 4
2.5.1 Serial communication ___________________________________________________________4
2.5.2 Operating Guide for GUI_________________________________________________________5
2.5.3 Installation ____________________________________________________________________5
2.5.4 Operation _____________________________________________________________________6
2.6 LCD Front Panel Controls __________________________________________________ 7
3. Troubleshooting_______________________________________________________9
4. Technical Specifications ________________________________________________9
5. Mechanical Specifications _____________________________________________10
6. Service and Support___________________________________________________11
6.1 Warranty________________________________________________________________ 11
6.2 Service and Calibration____________________________________________________ 11
6.3 Care of Fiber-optic Connectors______________________________________________ 12

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
1. General Information
1.1 Introduction
This manual contains information on the installation and operation
of the TWL-L-R L-Band tunable wavelength laser source.
1.2 Product Overview
The Optilab TWL-L-R is a high spectral purity and very stabile
tunable wavelength laser source. The TWL-L-R features wide
wavelength tuning range, narrow laser line width, high Side Mode
Suppression Ratio (SMSR), excellent wavelength stability and
optical output level exceeding 20mW. With the standard
Polarization Maintaining (PM) fiber output, TWL-L-R offers a
linearly polarized output. These features make TWL-L-R well-suited
for many different applications, including DWDM device testing,
optical sensing and laboratory measurement applications
1.3 Features
• Wide wavelength tuning range from 1570.01nm to 1607.04nm
• High optical output power of 20 mW
• Narrow laser linewidth <100 kHz
• Linewidth broadening to 750 MHz
• Excellent Side Mode Suppression Ratio of 55 dB
• Polarization Maintaining (PM) Output
• Intuitive and easy to use USB interface

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
1.4 User Safety
1. The TWL-L-R unit uses high intensity invisible light from the optical
output receptacle. Avoid direct exposure to skin and eyes.
2. The equipment case is fully certified for EMS protection. The user
should never open the equipment case; any attempt will void the
warranty and may result in electric shock and EMS attack to equipment
in the vicinity.
3. The user should avoid using any solvent or vaporizing chemical to
clean the equipment panel or case. It may result in damage to the
surface and internal circuits.
2. Operation
2.1 Introduction
This chapter describes how to operate the TWL-L-R unit, and
discusses the location and function of the controls and connectors.
2.2 Initial Inspection
Your TWL-L-R unit was carefully inspected before it left the
manufacturer. It should be in proper working order upon receipt.
You should, however, inspect the unit for any damage that may
have occurred in transit. If the shipping container or the packing
material is damaged, keep it until the contents of the shipment
have been checked to be free of mechanical and electrical
damages. Notify Optilab, LLC promptly if any notable damage is
found.
Each TWL-L-R shipment should include the following:
•TWL-L-R rackmount unit
•User Manual
•Test Datasheet
•AC Power Cord
•USB Cable and Software DVD
•Keys

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
2.3 Controls
Feature
Function
Optical Output
Port
This receptacle accepts the indicated fiber-optic connector
for the tuned optical output, which is polarization-
maintaining type (PM).
USB Communication
Port
This port is used to send the software commands for
proper interface and control.
LED Indicators
These LED indicators provide the status of the TWL-L-R.
The ‘Power” indicator will illuminate green when the device
has received proper AC power connections and the rear
panel AC switch is enabled. The individual LED indicators
beneath each optical output port will illuminate when an
active output is detected.
④Laser Enable Switch
This key switch toggles the internal TWL-L-R laser source
On and Off
○
5LCD display
This LCD display shows the power level and wavelength of
the internal L-Band tunable laser.
○
6Front Panel Control
Buttons
These Buttons are used to control and edit the parameters
displayed on the LCD.
○
7AC Power Socket
This receptacle accepts the electrical input for the
110/220VAC source
○
8AC Power Switch
Enables / disables the AC electrical power to the
rackmount unit.
TWL-L-R Front and Rear Panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
2.4 Operation Instructions
Start-up Procedure
1. Insert the AC power cord into an appropriate AC power supply source
and the rear panel AC Power Socket on the TWL-L-R unit.
2. Make the proper PC communication port connection using a USB cable
between each respective port.
3. Once all proper communication and optical connections are made,
enable the rear panel AC Power Switch to the On position; the front
panel Power LED should enable green.
4. Toggle the front panel Laser Enable Switch to the On position; the front
panel optical output LED should enable.
5. The TWL-L-R unit is now fully operational; please refer to the Software
Interface and Control section for more adjustment and operation
details.
Patch Cord Swapping Procedure
1. Toggle the front panel Laser Enable Switch to the Off position to
disable the TWL-L-R module output.
2. Swap patchcords as desired. Only connect the indicated connector
patchcords to the optical input/output receptacles, cleaning them as
necessary.
3. Toggle the front panel Laser Enable Switch to the On position; normal
operation will resume after a few seconds.
2.5 Software Interface and Control
For wavelength and power control, as well as additional monitoring
features, all of this is done via the software or front panel interface, which
is detailed in the section below.
2.5.1 Serial communication
The TWL-L-R utilizes a built-in USB-Serial conversion IC for a convenient
communication platform
Connect the TWL-L-R to the computer via a USB cable, and a driver needs to
be setup to active the USB-Serial conversion IC. Using the installation
package from Optilab to setup the drive, and TWL-L-R is ready for operating.

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
2.5.2 Operating Guide for GUI
For each TWL-L-R unit, Optilab offers an authorized PC client GUI to
operating and setting via the USB port. The GUI suite is available from the
DVD which is supplied by Optilab together with the TWL-L-R package.
2.5.3 Installation
Explore the software DVD included, and utilize the RS232 to USB drivers for
your system to recognize the attached TWL-L-R device. And, use the “TWL
Software Package”to “TWL-L-SETUP” file to setup the LabView GUI for
operation. If LabVIEW is not already installed on your PC, you will need to
use the “LabVIEW 2012 RTE 32bit” for proper operation of the GUI.
Figure 1: Sample application directory upon read of the software DVD (TWL-C-R displayed)

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
2.5.4 Operation
To start the GUI, execute either the TWL-L-R.vi or the TWL-L-R.exe
application file. The window in Figure 2 will appear. Please refer to the table
below for the description of each GUI features.
Figure 2: Main window of the GUI
Feature
Function
Comport Setting
This box is used to set the com port of the TWL-L-R Device.
The COM selection must be made before running the
software.
○
2Monitor Window
This box / window displays all the current set points and
readings on the TWL-L-R during operation.
○
3Optical Settings
Adjustment
Use the box on the left side of the settings section of the
screen to select the optical adjustment. Note that only the
selected box on the left will be adjusted at any given time!
Set PWR - Optical power of the system, from 6-16 dBm
Set Wavelength - Center wavelength, in 0.001nm accuracy,
please refer to test data sheet for set range.
Set Switch - Turns the output laser on or off accordingly.
SBSS Enable - Enable SBS suppression feature/linewidth
broadening.
Set Linewidth - Adjust the various internal linewidth features
of the output lasers.
○
4Update and Stop
buttons
After the LabVIEW software is enabled and running, use
these buttons to active the communication, Update any
changed features, and Stop to shut down the program.
Once this screen is reached, please follow these instructions for operation:
1
2
3
4

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
1. After the LabVIEW GUI is opened, and the COM port setting are chosen
on the Settings of the software, run the LabVIEW software to start the GUI.
2. Using the settings box, select the desired internal tunable LD first and
then select the desired features of the optical output (Power, Wavelength,
Linewidth, etc.), and then pressing the Update button afterwards to
confirm each change. Note that only one feature can be changed at one
time, with a press of the Update button required after each feature change.
3. Once the Power, Wavelength, and Linewidth settings are selected,
choose the Laser Enable setting, and then turn the laser to the On
position, with an Update button press to enable the laser.
4. The laser should now be enabled, make adjustments to each feature as
desired, ensuring the desired feature is selected on the left side, and the
Update button is pressed each time to ensure the setting is properly
communicated.
5. To close the software, select the stop button, this should automatically
disable the LabVIEW program from operation.
2.6 LCD Front Panel Controls
The Optilab TWL-L-R device allows user to adjust the lasers by using 5
buttons on the front panel directly, as shown below next to the display:
Once the TWL-L-R device has been powered on and the key switch has been
turned to the ON position, the device is ready for operating, even without PC
communication.
1. Press the “Up”or “Down”button to select the desired internal tunable LD,
L-Band, and press the middle button to activate the setting function for the
selected tunable LD.
2. While the setting function is active, press “Left”or “Right”button to select
power or wavelength parameter, and then press middle button to get in
the setting program of each parameter. Most importantly, the “Up”or
“Down”button is only used to enable or disable the tunable LD before the
“Middle”button has been pressed.
3. After the setting program of parameter is activated, use “Up”, “Down”,
“Left”, or “Right”button to set the desired value, and press the middle
button again to set and save the value, and the parameter selection
program will be activated. Then, use the “Up”or “Down”button to

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
enable/disable the tunable LD, or use the “Left”, “Right”or “Middle”button
to edit the power or wavelength will be both functional.

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
3. Troubleshooting
4. Technical Specifications
Symptom
Possible Cause and Solution
Optical output power not
high enough.
C: Optical input / output connector is dirty.
S: Disable optical output to seed laser and clean optical
connectors.
C: Use of incorrect optical adapter or connector.
S: Use only the indicated optical adapter and connector. If
measurement instruments accept different connector type, then
use a hybrid patch cord.
C: Optical input / output connector damaged.
S: Measure optical output power with power meter and compare
with original test data. Return to Optilab for repair if the difference
is high (>4 dB) and cannot be corrected by cleaning or replacing
the optical connectors. Always apply dust cover plugs to unused
optical receptacles to prevent the damage of internal optical
connectors.
Optical output power
unstable.
C: Insufficient optical output isolation.
S: Connect isolator of corresponding wavelength to optical output
connector.
Unit does not power up.
C: Blown fuse.
S: Contact Optilab, LLC to replace fuse.
C: Insufficient electrical voltage.
S: Check that the electrical supply is 110 / 220 VAC.
C: Power cord is loose.
S: Plug power cord is firmly into the unit.
Unit resets or blinks on
and off
C: Insufficient electrical voltage.
S: Check that the electrical supply is at least 100 VAC.

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
Optical Specifications
Operating Wavelength
1570.01nm ~1607.04nm
Wavelength Accuracy
± 1.5 GHz
Wavelength Stability
± 1pm over 24 hours
Output Power
40mW (+16 dBm) max. per channel
Output Stability
0.02 dB over 8 hours
Linewidth (FWHM)
< 100 kHz w/o SBS
< 750 MHz w/ SBS
Carrier to Noise Ratio (CNR)
50 dB typ. @ -5 dBm
Side Mode Suppression Ratio
55 dB typ.
Relative Intensity Noise (RIN)
-145dB/Hz
Polarization Extinction Ratio
20 dB min.
Optical Isolation
30 dB min.
Fiber Type
Panda 1550 PM Fiber
5. Mechanical Specifications
Power Supply Requirements
100-240 VAC
Optical Connectors
PM Narrow Key FC/APC
Standard, additional types available
Operating Temperature
0°C to +40°C
Storage Temperature
-40°C to +70°C
Control
Output Power Level, Wavelength
Communication Interface
RS232, via USB 2.0
Local Alarm
Over Temperature, Over Current
Dimensions
1U Rackmount: 19” x 16” x 1.75”

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
6. Service and Support
6.1 Warranty
Optilab, LLC guarantees its TWL-L-R unit to be free of defects for 1
year from the date of shipment. The guarantee does not cover any
damages resulting from the misuse or improper handling of the
equipment, or any incidental or consequential loss. Note that the
warranty will be void upon any attempt to open or to fix the
equipment by the user without prior approval of Optilab, LLC
6.2 Service and Calibration
Your TWL-L-R unit has been designed to provide years of trouble-
free operation. No internal maintenance is required provided that
the equipment is properly handled, operated and kept away from
contamination. For any questions regarding the operation and
performance of the unit, please contact Optilab, LLC at:
Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

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Optilab, LLC
600 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [e-mail]
6.3 Care of Fiber-optic Connectors
Damage to optical connectors account for more than 70 percent of
equipment performance degradation. To avoid such damage, the user
should use only industrial grade 99% pure isopropyl alcohol and follow
the procedures below to keep the connectors, adaptors and receptacles
clean.
Cleaning Optical Connector End-face with Wipe and Alcohol
To properly clean optical connectors utilizing lens tissue grade wipes and alcohol
follow the procedure below. The moist wipe removes dust particles, oil and
contaminants that may damage or blot the end-face of the connector during
connection. The dry wipe removes residual alcohol that may be ignited by optical
emission.
1. Disable the optical output and turn off unit to prevent accidental exposure or
damage to the optical connector by optical emission.
2. Moisten a wipe with alcohol by placing on top of the alcohol dispenser and
push down to saturate the wipe.
3. Place the moist wipe on a work surface, and place a second dry wipe next to
it.
4. Wipe the optical connector, end-face down on the moist wipe 3 times and
then repeat on the dry wipe.
5. Visually inspect the end-face of the optical connector with an optical
microscope to verify cleanliness. Repeat steps 2 to 5 as needed.
Cleaning Optical Connector Sides, Receptacles, Adaptors with Swab and
Alcohol
Dust or particles can adhere to the insides of receptacles and adaptors or the sides
of the optical connector ferrule. Their presence can affect the alignment of the optical
fiber connectors and increase connection loss. To properly clean optical connectors,
receptacles, and adaptors utilizing a swab and alcohol follow the procedure below:
1. Disable the optical output and turn off unit to prevent accidental exposure or
damage to the optical connector by optical emission.
2. Moisten the swab by placing it on top of the alcohol dispenser and push down
to saturate the swab.
3. For receptacles, adapters, or other connection points, insert the moistened
swab and rotate the tip 1/2 turn clockwise and counter-clockwise 6 times
while applying light but firm pressure.
4. For fiber connectors, rotate the tip of the moistened swab 5 revolutions
around the connector while applying light but firm pressure.
5. Visually inspect the end face of the connector with an optical microscope to
verify cleanliness. Clean end-face as needed.