THORLABS PMD5000 User manual

2006
Operation Manual
Thorlabs Instrumentation
Polarization Mode Dispersion
Measurement System
PMD5000
FIN / HDR

Version:
Date: 2.0 04.10.2006
© <2006> Thorlabs
© <2006> Thorlabs

Table of Contents
Foreword 3
Part I General Information 5
................................................................................................................................... 51 Safety
................................................................................................................................... 62 Parts List - Accessories
................................................................................................................................... 73 License Key
Part II Getting Started 10
................................................................................................................................... 101 Quick Start-up
................................................................................................................................... 122 Export and Save Data
................................................................................................................................... 133 Setup
................................................................................................................................... 144 Theory of Operation
Part III Hardware Description 17
................................................................................................................................... 171 Operating Elements
......................................................................................................................................................... 17PMD5000FIN
......................................................................................................................................................... 17PMD5000HDR
................................................................................................................................... 182 Installing and Removing Cards
Part IV Operating Instruction 20
................................................................................................................................... 201 Preconditions
................................................................................................................................... 212 The Graphical User Interface (GUI)
......................................................................................................................................................... 21Start the GUI
......................................................................................................................................................... 21Configuration
.................................................................................................................................................. 22Laser Configuration
.................................................................................................................................................. 25VISA Remote Server
.................................................................................................................................................. 27SOP Controller Configuration
.................................................................................................................................................. 29Polarimeter Configuration
......................................................................................................................................................... 32Connection
......................................................................................................................................................... 33Measurement
.................................................................................................................................................. 34Measurement Configuration
.................................................................................................................................................. 37Start a Single Measurement Scan
.................................................................................................................................................. 37Repeated Measurement Scans
......................................................................................................................................................... 41Measurement Results
.................................................................................................................................................. 43Diagrams ........................................................................................................................................... 43PDL Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 44IL Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 45Power Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 46DGD Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 47DGD Histogram
........................................................................................................................................... 48Phase Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 492nd Order DGD Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 502nd Order DGD Histogram
........................................................................................................................................... 51PSP Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 52PCD Diagram
........................................................................................................................................... 53PSP Rotation Rate Diagram
.................................................................................................................................................. 53Data Analysis / Calculations Window
.................................................................................................................................................. 55Cursor Control
.................................................................................................................................................. 58Saving Data
© <2006> Thorlabs

......................................................................................................................................................... 62Program Navigation
.................................................................................................................................................. 63Menu Bar
.................................................................................................................................................. 65Tool-Bar .................................................................................................................................................. 66Display Functions
......................................................................................................................................................... 67Display Configuration
.................................................................................................................................................. 68Color Setup
.................................................................................................................................................. 68Display Options
Part V Service and Maintenance 71
................................................................................................................................... 711 Troubleshooting
................................................................................................................................... 722 Service
Part VI Appendix 74
................................................................................................................................... 741 Warranty
................................................................................................................................... 752 Technical Data
................................................................................................................................... 753 WEEE
......................................................................................................................................................... 76Waste Treatment on your own Responsibility
......................................................................................................................................................... 76Ecological Background
................................................................................................................................... 774 Listings
......................................................................................................................................................... 77List of Acronyms
......................................................................................................................................................... 77List of Figures
......................................................................................................................................................... 79Addresses
Part VII Application Notes 81
................................................................................................................................... 811 Definitions and Terms
................................................................................................................................... 832 Accuracy
................................................................................................................................... 903 Measurement of Fibers
................................................................................................................................... 964 Measurement of Narrow Bandwidth Components
Index 101
© <2006> Thorlabs

We aim to develop and produce the best solution for your application
in the field of optical measurement technique. To help us to come up
to your expectations and develop our products permanently we need
your ideas and suggestions. Therefore, please let us know about
possible criticism or ideas. We and our international partners are
looking forward to hearing from you.
Thorlabs
This part of the instruction manual contains every specific information on
how to handle and use the PMD5000FIN / HDR.
Attention
This manual contains "WARNINGS" and "ATTENTION" label in
this form, to indicate danger for persons or possible damage of
equipment.
Please read these advises carefully!
NOTE
This manual also contains "NOTES" and "HINTS" written in this form.
G G
© <2006> Thorlabs

General Information
PMD5000
Part I

5General Information
© <2006> Thorlabs
1General Information
1.1 Safety
G
Attention
G
All statements regarding safety of operation and technical data in this
instruction manual will only apply when the unit is operated correctly
as it
was designed for
.
Before applying power to your TXP system, make sure that the protective
conductor of the 3 conductor mains power cord is correctly connected to
the protective earth
(GROUND)
contact of the socket outlet!
Improper grounding can cause electric shock
which may result in severe
injury or even death
!
All modules must be fastened with
all
provided screws for this purpose.
Modules of the
TXP
5000 Series must only be operated in mainframes of the
TXP
5000
Series.
All modules must only be operated with proper shielded connection cables.
Only with written consent from
Thorlabs
may changes to single
components be carried out or components not supplied by
Thorlabs
be
used.
This precision device is only serviceable if properly packed into the
complete
original packaging including the plastic foam sleeves. If
necessary, ask for a replacement package.
G
Attention
G

6PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
The modules 'ECL5000'
and 'LS5000'
are Class 1M Laser Sources.
Emitted wavelengths and optical power: See label on the ECL5000
or
LS5000, respectively.
CAUTION – When using these products together with other optical
instruments or setups, sufficient measures to provide eye safety must be
undertaken!!
G
Attention
G
The laser modules supplied by Thorlabs are Class 1M Laser Systems.
However, if you collimate or focus the laser beam you will create a Class 3R
or Class 3B Laser System!
In this case, additional safety precautions should be observed!
For the individual wavelength and output power see the certificate of
calibration supplied with the module!
Never switch on the output without a fiber connected and switch off the
output before disconnecting the fiber!
Tunable laser sources from a third party can have different laser classes.
Refer to the specific manual for these laser systems.
1.2 Parts List - Accessories
A complete PMD measurement system based on the JME consists of a tunable
laser source, a SOP controller and a polarimeter. Thorlabs offers 4 different
models of the PMD5000 system.
Thorlabs offers an integrated tunable laser source, the ECL5000D, and drivers for
external laser sources. The DPC5500 is used to control the SOP. There are
two
different kinds of polarimeter
s
. The IPM5300 is a fast in-line polarimeter and is
especially suited to measure PMD on fibers where environmental conditions
influence the PMD and therefore measurement speed is required. The
PAX5720IR3 in contrast has a high dynamic power range. The main field of
application is the DGD measurement of components with band pass
characteristics.
A preconfigured notebook is also included in the delivery
.

7General Information
© <2006> Thorlabs
1.
PMD5000FIN-1 :
·
TXP5016 Mainframe
·
ECL5000D Tunable Laser Source
·
DPC5500 Deterministic Polarization Controller
·
IPM5300 Fast In-line Polarimeter
·
Preconfigured Laptop
·
CD-ROM with all Software included
·
Operating Manual for the PMD5000 System and all Modules
·
Patchcord FC/APC - FC/APC
·
Cross Link Cable (
CABCRO
)
2.
PMD5000FIN-2:
·
TXP5016 Mainframe
·
DPC5500 Deterministic Polarization Controller
·
IPM5300 Fast In-line Polarimeter
·
Preconfigured Laptop
·
CD-ROM with all Software included
·
Operating Manual for the PMD5000 System and all Modules
·
Cross Link Cable (
CABCRO
)
3.
PMD5000HDR-1:
·
TXP5016 Mainframe
·
ECL5000D Tunable Laser Source
·
DPC5500 Deterministic Polarization Controller
·
PAX5720IR3 Polarimeter
·
Preconfigured Laptop
·
CD-ROM with all Software included
·
Operating Manual for the PMD5000 System and all Modules
·
Patchcord FC/APC - FC/APC
·
Cross Link Cable (
CABCRO
)
4.
PMD5000HDR-2:
·
TXP5016 Mainframe
·
DPC5500 Deterministic Polarization Controller
·
PAX5720IR3 Polarimeter
·
Preconfigured Laptop
·
CD-ROM with all Software included
·
Operating Manual for the PMD5000 System and all Modules
·
Cross Link Cable (
CABCRO
)
1.3 License Key
To use all features of the PMD5000 software the license key has to be installed.
Without the license key you can run the PMD5000 software as evaluation
software. That means you can load measurement files (*.pmd) and analyze the
data. However, you cannot connect to a PMD5000 measurement system and
perform PMD measurement scans.
To install the license key insert the provided Thorlabs TXP PMD5000 License

8PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
Key CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. Follow the instructions of the installation
wizard. The license key is already installed on your preconfigured Laptop for the
PMD5000 system.

Getting Started
PMD5000
Part II

10 PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
2Getting Started
This section is provided for those interested in getting the PMD5000 up and
running quickly. The more detailed description and advanced features are
described in the following sections.
2.1 Quick Start-up
The system comes with an already preconfigured computer. You can also install
the TXP5000 software and the PMD5000 software on your own computer using
the supplied installation CDs.
The following description shows the start-up with the supplied computer:
1.
Connect the computer with the cross-link cable (CABCRO) with the TXP5016
chassis.
2.
Use optical patchcords to connect the TLS output with the input of the SOP
Controller (DPC5500), the output of the SOP Controller with the input of the
DUT and the output of the DUT with the polarimeter (IPM5300 or
PAX5720IR3).
3.
Connect the TXP5016 to the mains supply and switch it on. Wait until the
READY LED lights up.
4.
Power up the computer.
5.
To start the PMD5000 measurement system
,
click on the desktop icon or
select
the
'
START
'
button in the Windows task bar
and choose 'All Programs /
TXP Series /TXP PMD5000'
.
6.
The following screen will appear.
Figure
1
PMD5000 Graphical User Interface

11Getting Started
© <2006> Thorlabs
7.
The PMD5000xxx-1 system is already preconfigured.
The IP addresses and
slot numbers are valid for the delivered system.
The PMD5000xxx-2 system
works with an external tunable laser source which has to be configured. See
Laser Configuration
section for more details. To connect to the system, click
the button with the green arrow or select from the menu 'System / Connect'.
Figure
2
Connect to the System
8.
T
he connection to the single modules will last several seconds. After a
successful connection the green 'Go' button will be enabled and a
measurement can be started.
9.
Enable the 'Measurement Panel' by clicking on the button 'View Measurement
Configuration Panel'
from the tool bar.
10.
Enter start and stop wavelength, the step
width
and the
Laser
power for your
measurement in the 'Standard JME Measurement' window
.
Figure
3
Standard JME Measurement Window
11.
Click the button 'Optimize Step Width' from
the
'Standard JME Measurement'
window to
find the optimi
z
ed step-size for the device under test.
12.
Press the
'
S
tart'
button
from
the
'Standard JME Measurement' window
to
perform the measurement.
You can also select 'Measurement / Start Scan' by
simply pressing the 'F5' key on your keyboard or click on the 'Run New

12 PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
Measurement' button
from the tool bar to run the measurement.
13.
During the measurement the result is continuously updated in the diagram. If
nothing is shown in the diagram during the scan the view area does not cover
the measurement data. Simply click on the button 'Zoom Out to Full View'
or press the 'Home' key on your keyboard.
14.
The progress of the measurement is shown in the lower part of the 'Standard
JME Measurement' panel.
Figure
4
Measurement Scan finished
To
disconnect from the instruments
, click
the 'Disconnect Measurement System'
button
in
the
tool
bar or choose 'System / Disconnect' from the menu
. All
settings will be stored and present after a new connection.
Now you can continue
to work with the captured measurement data and you can save or load
measurement data. You do not have to connect to the system to analyze the
data.
Y
ou can close the application with the 'File \ Exit' from the menu or with the cross
in the right upper corner of the screen.
2.2 Export and Save Data
The measurement data should be
saved as a *.pmd file. Once saved in this type
of file format (*.pmd) it can be reloaded into the application again.
It is possible to export all relevant measured and calculated data that can be
displayed with this software including DGD or PSP in a comma separated values
file (*.csv). This file format can be handled with third party software (Text editors,
Microsoft Excel
™
) but it cannot be reloaded into the application again.

13Getting Started
© <2006> Thorlabs
S
elect
'File / Save Measurement Data ...' to save a *.pmd file. To export a *.csv
file choose 'File / Export Measurement Data ...'
from the menu.
Figure
5
Saving / Export Data
2.3 Setup
The following schematic shows the principal measurement setup split in its
components.
Figure
6
Setup Schematic Diagram
Setup Description:
-
Tunable Laser Source
The Thorlabs ECL5000D tunable laser source is used to generate laser
light from 1520nm to 1630nm. The laser output power can be set from
0.5 to 10mW. The tuning step width is variable, which is important for

14 PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
accurate DGD measurements.
An alternative is to use a third party tunable laser source. Ask our Tech
Support Team for available lasers.
-
SOP Generator
The DPC5500 generates the SOPs necessary to perform Jones Matrix
analysis
.
-
Device Under Test (DUT)
The DUT can be a long fiber of an optical network or a narrow
bandwidth device.
-
Polarization Analyzer
The setup uses the IPM5300 inline polarimeter to analyze the incoming
beam. The polarimeter is based upon patented FBG technology that
features fully fiber based polarization measurements.
The IPM5300 is
appropriate for measurements of long fiber systems.
Another alternative is the PAX5720IR3. It is based on the rotating
waveplate technique. This polarimeter offers a wide dynamic power
range and should be used for PMD measurements of narrow bandwidth
devices.
2.4 Theory of Operation
All measurements are based on the Jones Matrix method. The SOP generator
applies 3 linear polarizations with 45° difference to the device under test. The
polarimeter measures the related azimuth and ellipticity values.
From these the PDL can be calculated for every wavelength step.
To calculate the DGD a further wavelength step is necessary. The different
azimuth and ellipticity angles and the optical angular frequency are set into the
equations for the Jones Matrix Eigenanalyzis (JME) – the result is a DGD value.
The mean of all DGD values for each wavelength step is the PMD of the device
under test.
To calculate the second order DGD two DGD values at different wavelengths and
the corresponding principal states of polarization PSP are necessary.
Figure
7
Jones Matrix Eigenanalyzis
Procedure:
·
Set first wavelength @
l
1 with TLS
·
Set 3 different input polarization states @ A
·
Measure the 3 corresponding output polarization states @ B
·
Calculate Jones Matrix JC(
l
1)
·
Determine PDL1 from [JC(
l
1)]*T JC(
l
1)

15Getting Started
© <2006> Thorlabs
·
Repeat for next wavelength
l
2
·
Determine DGD1 from JC(
l
1) and JC(
l
2)
·
Average DGDs over
l
for PMD
Definition:
PDL
:
Maximal difference in attenuation among all input polarization states
PDL axis:
Input polarization state with minimum attenuation
DGD
:
D
elay between the fastest and the slowest polarization state at a
certain wavelength and a certain time; it is an instantaneous value
which can be random or deterministic variable
.
PMD:
M
ean delay (=
DGD
mean value
) averaged over a certain
wavelength range at a certain time or equivalently certain time
window at a specific wavelength; or averaged over both it is almost /
truly independent of time (result of measurement / in a mathematical
sense)
.
SOPMD:
The second order PMD is the meanvalue of the second order DGD
distribution averaged over the wavelength range. For a more
detailed description see
Definitions and Terms
section
.

Hardware Description
PMD5000
Part III

17Hardware Description
© <2006> Thorlabs
3Hardware Description
The Thorlabs PMD5000FIN and PMD5000HDR Polarization Mode Dispersion
Measurement System is a flexible and powerful analyzing tool for fiber links as
well as narrow bandwidth devices. It is based on the Jones Matrix Eigenanalyzis.
This method features not only the PMD value with one wavelength scan but also
the DGD versus wavelength and the PDL, the PSPs, the second order DGD and
the insertion loss (IL). Passive components like
couplers
and
isolators
can be
measured
as well as
active components (EDFAs and PDFAs).
The PMD5000 system is modular. Each module can be used by its own. The
measurement system can also be upgraded to measure already installed fibers or
to monitor the DGD of one channel of an in-use DWDM system.
3.1 Operating Elements
3.1.1 PMD5000FIN
The PMD5000FIN is available in two versions. The PMD5000FIN-1 consists of
the tunable laser source (ECL5000D), the deterministic polarization controller
(DPC5500) and the in-line polarimeter (IPM5300).
The PMD5000FIN-2 features the deterministic polarization controller (DPC5500)
and the in-line polarimeter (IPM5300). As tunable laser source an external laser
has to be used.
The mainframe is a TXP5016 which is controlled via Ethernet.
Figure
8
PMD5000FIN
3.1.2 PMD5000HDR
The PMD5000HDR is available in two versions. The PMD5000HDR-1 consists of
the tunable laser source (ECL5000D), the deterministic polarization controller
(DPC5500) and the polarimeter (PAX5720IR3).
The PMD5000HDR-2 features the deterministic polarization controller (DPC5500)
and the polarimeter (PAX5720IR3). As tunable laser source an external laser has

18 PMD5000
© <2006> Thorlabs
to be used.
The mainframe is a TXP5016 which is controlled via Ethernet.
Figure
9
PMD5000HDR
3.2 Installing and Removing Cards
The Thorlabs TXP series mainframe and cards are 'Hot-Swappable', which
means you do not have to switch off the mainframe while exchanging cards:
·
Loosen the two to four mounting screws on top and below the ejector handle
·
Push the red button of the ejector handle and flip down the black ejector
handle. This pulls out the card from its internal plug.
You can now remove the card. If you do not insert another card, please close the
empty slot with a blind module to maintain a proper cooling air flow inside the unit.
Tighten the two to four screws.
NOTE
All Slots of the TXP must be occupied, either by a card or by a blind module to
maintain proper air flow for internal cooling!
NOTE
The PMD5000 application has to be stopped before you remove a card. After a
card is exchanged the application has to be restarted.
For more information refer to the TXP5016 manual.