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Making Measurements
Measuring Total Power Greater than 10 dBm
Measuring Total Power Greater than 10 dBm
The maximum total power that can be measured by the Agilent 86120C
is 10 dBm. However, with the addition of an external attenuator, more
power can be applied. This may be necessary at the transmit end of a
wavelength-division- multiplexed system where large signal levels are
present. By entering an amplitude offset equal to the amount of atten-
uation at the instrument’s input, accurate amplitude measurements are
shown on the display. Additional amplification can also be accounted
for.
CAUTION The maximum total input power that can be applied to the Agilent 86120C
before damage occurs is 18 dBm. The maximum total input power that can be
measured is 10 dBm.
To measure total power exceeding 10 dBm
1 Connect an optical attenuator between the front-panel OPTICAL INPUT
connector and the fiber-optic cable.
The attenuator must reduce the total input power to the Agilent 86120C
so that it is below +10 dBm.
2 Press Setup, MORE, CAL, and then PWR OFS.
Notice that the PWR OFS annotation appears on the screen to indicate
an offset is applied.
3 Use the softkey to select the digit that requires editing.
4 Use the and softkeys to change the value.
Power offset values are added to the display power readings. For
example, if you placed a 10 dB attenuator on the front-panel connec-
tor, enter a power offset value of +10 dB. Negative values can also be
entered if you connect an amplifier instead of an attenuator.