User`s guide
Typical Use Models Getting Started with the Agilent 81600B Tunable Laser Source Family
Agilent 81600B Tunable Laser Source Family, Fourth Edition 19
Typical Use Models
The Agilent 81600B Tunable Laser Source Family consists of six modules 
that fit into the bottom slot of the Agilent 8164B Lightwave Solution 
Mainframe. The family covers the full wavelength range from 1260 nm to 
1640 nm with the minimum number of lasers and no wavelength gaps.
81600B #200 The 81600B option 200 All-band Tunable Laser Source is the flagship 
module, featuring the widest tuning range of 200 nm with a single laser 
and a 70 dB/nm signal-to-source spontaneous emission ratio (signal-to- 
SSE ratio). The excellent low-SSE performance typically allows crosstalk 
measurements of better than 70 dB for an 8 channel CWDM multiplexer. 
81600B #160, 150, 140, 130 The 81600B option 160, 150, 140 and 130 Tunable Laser Sources offer other 
wavelength ranges and are equipped with two optical outputs, like the 
option 200. By selecting the port, high power or low-SSE can be obtained. 
81600B #142, 132 The 81600B option 142 and 132 Tunable Laser Sources have a single high 
power output port. The 81600B option 132 covers the wavelength range 
from 1260 nm to 1375 nm.
Testing CWDM and DWDM
components
The Agilent 81600B Tunable Laser Source Family provides test 
instrumentation with the flexibility, efficiency and performance required for 
WDM component tests.
The testing of optical filters is based on a generic principle, namely the 
stimulus-response test. The state-of-the- art approach is a wavelength 
resolved stimulus-response measurement utilizing a TLS capable of fast 
and precise sweeps across the entire wavelength range, and optical power 
meters.
For Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer (DWDM) components, high 
wavelength accuracy and dynamic range are critical. The modules are 
mode-hop free tunable with continuous output power, so qualify for the 
test of the most critical DWDM components.
For Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexer (CWDM) components, a wide 
wavelength range, dynamic range and tight costing are key targets. If the 
investment in the test solution can be shared among many different type of 
filters, the contribution to each individual filter is minimized. In this way, 
cost targets for CWDM components can be met without sacrificing 
accuracy. 
Swept Measurements As manufacturing yield expectations becomes more and more stringent, it 
is important that all instruments deliver optimum performance under all 
measurement conditions. The Agilent 81600B Tunable Laser Source Family 
can sweep as fast as 
80 nm/s with specified accuracy during the sweep. 










