Viavi OBS-500 User manual

OBS-500/550
Optical Broadband LED
Source
Operating Manual
BN 2279/98.14
2016.01
English
BN 2279/32
BN 2279/33

Please direct all enquiries to your local Viavi
sales company.
The addresses can be found at:
www.viavisolutions.com/en-us/contact-
sales-expert
The description of additional features of the
device can be found at:
www.viavisolutions.com/en-us/products/
network-test-and-certification
Copyrights
This product or parts of this product are based on the Rec-
ommendations and/or Standards issued by the Standard-
ization Sector of the International Telecommunications
Union - ITU-T and/or the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute - ETSI. These Recommendations and
Standards are copyright to these organizations. ITU-T Rec-
ommendations or ETSI Standards may not be copied and/
or made available to third parties in whole or in part without
the written agreement of ITU-T
and/or ETSI.
© Copyright 2016 Viavi Solutions Inc. All rights reserverd.
Viavi and the Viavi logo are registered trademarks of Viavi
Solutions Inc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the
properties of their respective owners.
Viavi Solutions Deutschland GmbH
Arbachtalstraße 5, 72800 Eningen u. A.
Note: Changes may be made to specifications,
descriptions and delivery information.
Printed in Germany
Order no.: BN 2279/98.14
Version: 2016.01
Previous version: 2008.05

Viavi OBS-500/550 i
CONTENT
1INTRODUCTION .......................1
OBS-500/550 Optical Broadband
LED Source..............................1
Operating manual update ...................1
Symbols used in this operating manual ........2
2SAFETY INFORMATION ..................4
Warning symbols on the unit.................4
Proper usage.............................4
Laser safety OBS-500/550 ..................5
Battery operation..........................6
Ventilation ...............................6
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger .................7
3GETTING STARTED ....................9
Unpacking the device ......................9
Power Supply ...........................12
Connecting optical cables ..................17
4OPERATION ........................18
Switching the device on/off .................18
Laser on / off ............................18
Select device mode.......................18
Select device application...................19
Updating the firmware .....................20
5MAINTENANCE ......................21
Cleaning the test port .....................21
Cleaning the instrument ...................22
6REMOTE CONTROL ...................23
Communication interface...................23
Key ...................................23
Parameters .............................24

CONTENT
Viavi OBS-500/550 ii
7SPECIFICATIONS .....................27
Technical data ...........................27
General specifications .....................28
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger.................29
8ORDERING INFORMATION...............30
Accessories .............................30

Viavi OBS-500/550 1
1INTRODUCTION
OBS-500/550 Optical Broadband
LED Source
The Test Set is specially designed for dispersion
measurements together with the Optical-Dispersion-
Modules, available for the T-BERT 8000, MTS-8000 and
MTS-6000.
Battery operation from four AA batteries and the robust,
shock-proof design provide long operating time in the
field even under tough conditions. AC line operation via
a separate AC adapter and the USB interface for remote
control also ensure ease of use in the laboratory or
production environment.
Operating manual update
Continuing enhancement and further development of the
SmartClass family may mean that this operating manual
does not cover all the latest functions of your device.
If the operating instructions about features provided by
your device are missing, please visit the Viavi web site to
check if additional information is available.
To download the latest operating instructions:
1. Visit the Viavi web site at www.viavisolutions.com/
en-us/products/network-test-and-certification.
2. Select your model from the product line.
3. Open the download area and download the operating
instructions if available.

2 OBS-500/550 Viavi
1INTRODUCTION
Symbols used in this operating
manual
The following symbols, warnings and character formats
are used in this operating manual:
CAUTION
Follow the instructions carefully to
avoid damage to the device.
WARNING
Follow the instructions carefully to
avoid damage to the device or injury to
the person.
DANGER
Follow the instructions carefully to
avoid damage to the device or severe
injury to the person.
High Voltage
Follow the instructions carefully to
avoid damage to the device or severe
injury to the person.
This safety instruction is given if the
danger is due to high voltage.
Laser
Follow the instructions carefully to
avoid damage to the device or severe
injury to the person.
This safety instruction is given if the
danger is due to laser radiation.
Information specifying the laser class is
also given.
!Very important instruction
Follow this instruction carefully; e.g.
!Make sure you protect yourself and
others from exposure to laser light.

Viavi OBS-500/550 3
1INTRODUCTION
3Requirement
This requirement must be met first; e.g.
3The system is switched on

1.
2.
Instruction
Follow the instructions given (the
numbers indicate the order in which the
instructions should be followed); e.g.
Select mode.
Italics Result
Indicates the result of following an
instruction; e.g.
The page opens.
Bold type
face
Pages, controls, and display
elements
Screen pages, controls, and display
elements are indicated in bold type.
Text in blue Cross references
Cross references are indicated in blue
type. When using the PDF version, just
click on the blue text to skip to the cross
reference.
[Store] Instrument keys
Instrument keys are indicated within
square brackets.

4 OBS-500/550 Viavi
2SAFETY
INFORMATION
Warning symbols on the unit
Proper usage
This instrument is intended for measurements on optical
fiber devices and systems.
Please make sure the device is not operated outside
the permitted ambient conditions.
Always make sure that the device is in proper working
order before switching it on.
Warning symbols indicating a
potential hazard
!In all cases where the unit is labeled with
a warning symbol, the operating manual
must be consulted to learn more about
the nature of the potential hazard and
any action that must be taken.

Viavi OBS-500/550 5
2SAFETY INFORMATION
Laser safety OBS-500/550
WARNING
Dangerous laser radiation
Laser radiation can cause irreparable
damage to the eye and skin.
This device is a Class 1M Laser product according to
IEC 60825-1:2001.
Viewing the laser output of a Class 1M Laser Product with
certain optical instruments (for example: loupes,
magnifiers, microscopes) may pose an eye hazard.
Observe the following instructions when working with this
device and laser systems in general:
!Connect all optical fibers before switching on the
radiation source.
!Switch off the radiation source before disconnecting
the optical fibers.
!Never look directly into the output of a laser source or
into an optical fiber connected to it.
!Do not expose to the beam within a distance of
100 mm.
!Do not view the output of a laser source using optical
instruments or look directly into the output of a laser
source or into an optical fiber connected to it.
!Always cover unused ports.
!Observe the normal precautions for working with laser
radiation and follow any local regulations.

6 OBS-500/550 Viavi
2SAFETY INFORMATION
Battery operation
Ventilation
WARNING
Explosion danger
Dry batteries must not be recharged. An
incorrect setting of the battery type
switch in the battery compartment will
charge dry batteries which may then
explode.
!Set the battery type switch according to the used
battery type, see „Replacing batteries”,page 13.
Short-circuiting the batteries can result in
overheating, explosion or ignition of the batteries
and their surroundings.
!Never short-circuit the battery contacts by touching
both contacts simultaneously with an electrical
conducting object.
!Only use AA size dry batteries or rechargeable
batteries.
!Make sure the batteries are inserted with the correct
polarity.
CAUTION
Insufficient ventilation
Insufficient ventilation can damage the
device or adversely affect its function
and safety.
!Ensure adequate ventilation when operating the
device.

Viavi OBS-500/550 7
2SAFETY INFORMATION
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger
Safety class
The SNT-121A AC Adapter/Charger Unit is protectively
isolated to conform with IEC 60950.
Environmental conditions
CAUTION
Ambient temperature too high/low
Temperatures outside the operating
range of 0 to +40 °C can damage the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger or
adversely affect its function and safety.
!Only operate the SNT-121A Adapter/Charger indoors.
!The SNT-121A Adapter/Charger must only be operated
at ambient temperatures between 0 and +40 °C.
CAUTION
Insufficient ventilation
Insufficient ventilation can damage the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger or
adversely affect its function and safety.
!Ensure adequate ventilation when operating the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger.
CAUTION
Condensation
Operation in the presence of
condensation can damage the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger or
adversely affect its function and safety.
!Do not operate the SNT-121A Adapter/Charger if
condensation has formed.
!If condensation cannot be avoided, such as when the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger is cold and is moved to a
warm room, wait until the SNT-121A Adapter/Charger
Unit is dry before plugging it into the AC power line.

8 OBS-500/550 Viavi
3GETTING STARTED
3GETTING STARTED
Unpacking the device
Packing material
We suggest that you keep the original packing material.
It is designed for reuse (unless it is damaged during
shipping). Using the original packing material ensures
that the device is properly protected during shipping.
Checking the package contents
Your level meter is shipped with the following accessories:
• 1 test adapter
• 4 dry batteries AA
• Carrying bag
• Operating manual
Checking for shipping damage
After you unpack the device, check to see if it has been
damaged during shipping. This is particularly likely if the
packaging is visibly damaged. If there is damage, do not
attempt to operate the device. Doing so can cause
further damage. In case of damage, please contact your
local Viavi Sales Company. Addresses can be found at
www.viavisolutions.com.
Recovery following storage/shipping
Condensation can occur if a device that is stored or
shipped at a low temperature is brought into a warm
room. To prevent damage, wait until no more
condensation is visible on the surface of the device
before powering it up. Do not operate the device until it
has reached its specified temperature range and wait
until it has cooled down if the device was stored at a high
temperature (see „Ambient temperature”, page 28).

Viavi OBS-500/550 9
Device overview
Fig. 1 Front and side view
1
2
3
7
4
5 / 6

10 OBS-500/550 Viavi
3GETTING STARTED
1Test head cover
2Connector panel (see page 12 for details)
3Device label
4External power supply connector, USB control
interface
5Battery compartment (on rear of the device)
6Battery type switch
(inside the battery compartment)
7Key pad
OUTPUT Switch laser on / off.
MODE Select device mode:
• HD: High Dynamic (only OBS-550)
• BB: Broadband
APPLICATION Select device application:
• PMD: Polarization Mode Dispersion
• AP: Attenuation Profile
• CD: Chromatic Dispersion
BATT Displays battery status:
• LOW (red)
• CHARGE (yellow or green)
Press to switch the device on / off.

Viavi OBS-500/550 11
3GETTING STARTED
Connector panel
Fig. 2 OBS-550 connector panel
Power Supply
The following power sources can be used to operate the
OBS-500/550:
• four 1.5 V dry batteries (Mignon AA size, alkaline type
recommended)
• four 1.2 V NiMH rechargeable batteries
(Mignon AA size)
• the SNT-121A Adapter/Charger
1Optical connector (JAE adapter)
1

12 OBS-500/550 Viavi
3GETTING STARTED
Battery operation
Replacing batteries
The red battery status LED indicates that battery
replacement or battery charging is required.
The battery compartment is on the back of the
instrument.
1. Pull down the lid to open the battery compartment.
2. Set the battery type switch to the position according to
the used battery type.
CAUTION
Dangers when handling batteries
Dry batteries must not be recharged.
Therefore the battery type switch must be
set according to the type of the inserted
batteries, see below.
!Only use AA size dry or rechargeable batteries.
!Do not recharge dry batteries. Set the battery type
switch according to the battery type of the inserted
batteries, see below.
!Always use four batteries of the same type; i.e. do not
mix rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries.
!Make sure the batteries are inserted with the correct
polarity.
!Do not replace individual batteries. Always change all
four batteries at the same time.
!Never short-circuit the battery contacts
simultaneously with an electrical conducting object.
Position A labeled with Non-rech for dry batteries
Position B labeled with Recharg for rechargeable
batteries

Viavi OBS-500/550 13
3GETTING STARTED
3. Fit new batteries or remove the used batteries and
replace them with fresh ones.
NOTICE: Take care to insert the batteries correctly. The
correct polarity is indicated by + and – inside
the battery compartment.
4. Close the battery compartment.
5. Press [*]to switch on.
Recharging the batteries
Rechargeable batteries can be recharged with the
SNT-121A Adapter/Charger when the device is switched
off. The Charge-LED lights up yellow and turns to green
as soon as the batteries are fully charged. Complete
recharging takes about 3 hours.
General tips on using batteries
• Always handle batteries with care.
• Do not drop or damage the batteries or expose them to
excessively high temperatures.
• Do not store the batteries for more than one or two days
at very high temperatures (e.g. in a vehicle), either
separately or fitted in the instrument.
• Do not leave discharged batteries in the instrument for
a long time if it is not being used.
• Do not store rechargeable batteries for more than 6
months without recharging them at intervals.
A
B

14 OBS-500/550 Viavi
3GETTING STARTED
• Avoid deep discharging the batteries as this can cause
the cell polarity to reverse and make the battery
useless.
Protect the environment
Please dispose of any unwanted dry batteries and
rechargeable batteries carefully. They should also be
removed from the instrument if it is to be scrapped. If
facilities in your country exist for collecting such waste or
for recycling, please make use of these rather than
throwing the batteries in the normal trash. You will often
be able to return used batteries to the place where you
purchase new ones.
Operation from AC power
NOTICE: Only the SNT-121A Adapter/Charger must be
used to operate the OBS-500/550 from AC
power.
To fit the AC line plug adapter:
1. Select the appropriate AC line plug adapter.
2. Slide the AC line plug adapter into the slot.
The SNT-121A Adapter/Charger is ready for use.
Fig. 3 SNT-121A Adapter/Charger.

Viavi OBS-500/550 15
3GETTING STARTED
To change the AC line plug adapter:
1. Place the SNT-121A against the edge of a table or
bench as shown (see Fig. 4).
2. Push the SNT-121A downwards.
3. Slide a different AC line plug adapter into the slot
(see Fig. 3).
Fig. 4 SNT-121A: Changing the AC line plug adapter.
To operate the OBS-500/550 from AC power:
NOTICE: Make sure that the switch in the battery
compartment is in the proper position
depending on the battery type as described in
„Replacing batteries”.
1. Connect the SNT-121A DC power cord to the
OBS-500/550 DC power socket.
(The socket is under the cover on the right side.)
2. Plug the SNT-121A into the AC line socket.
The OBS-500/550 switches on automatically when
powered from the SNT-121A.
Note: The SNT-121A provides power even if dry or
rechargeable batteries are fitted in the instrument.

16 OBS-500/550 Viavi
3GETTING STARTED
Connecting optical cables
Mounting test adapters
Viavi provides a number of test adapters for connecting
the OBS-500/550 to the interface to be tested.
You can connect all standard optical connector types to
the instrument using these adapters. The test adapters
are suitable for connectors with planar (PC) and angled
end surfaces (APC).
Contact your local Viavi Sales Company for available
adapter types.
To mount the JAE test adapter:
1. Open the head cover and remove the protecting cap
(if still mounted).
2. Place the test adapter vertically on the optical
connector with the locking lever open.
3. Close the locking lever when the test adapter is firmly
seated. You will hear the locking mechanism lock.
4. Repeat the procedure if the device is fitted with two
ports.
5. Fit the fiber optic cable to the test adapter or close the
head cover.
Fig. 5 Mounting the JAE test adapter
2
3