Agilent N7784B High Speed Polarization Controller Data Sheet Figure 1. N7784B-001 bench-top mainframe Introduction The Agilent N7784B polarization controller contains a high-speed polarization controller plus microcontrollerbased driving circuitry. This unit can operate in various modes. As a polarization stabilizer, it provides a stable output state of polarization (SOP) even with fluctuations and drifts of the input SOP as occurring for example through temperature drift and mechanical settling processes. The stabilized output signal is guided in a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF). Alternatively, an external electrical feedback signal can be provided for stabilizing the SOP. As a synchronous scrambler, the device switches the SOP of the output signal in a random (pseudo) way. Switching of the SOP occurs within a few microseconds. The SOP is stable for a predefined time until it again switches to a new SOP. An electrical trigger input can be used to synchronize the scrambler with external events. As an SOP switch, the N7784B allows switching the internal waveplates to user definable angles with very high speed and repeatability. As traditional scrambler the N7784B varies the output SOP smoothly in a random/pseudo random way. The unit does not contain any moving parts and therefore is robust and withstands even rough environmental conditions. All above-mentioned applications of the N7784B are supported by a PC software package. ● PC-based application software comes with this instrument. ● Other instrument drivers for various software interfaces are available. Application examples Key Benefits Interferogram Sensor ● Comprehensive polarization control and management capabilities ● Covers S-, C- and L-band plus 1.3 µm window (O-band) ● Compact size N7784B high-speed polarization controller Laser Figure 3. Interferometry/coherent detection Fiber optic based interferometers or coherent receiver schemes need polarization stabilization in order to avoid fading problems of the interference signal. These fading effects are caused by orthogonally polarized fractions of the light. The N7784B allows elimination of such effects by alignment of the signal polarization. ● Standalone operation ● Robust, no moving parts ● PC software package included N7784B High Speed Polarization Controller Interferometry: polarization stabilization to maximize contrast ratio ● Recirculating loop experiments: loop-synchronous polarization scrambling ● System test: polarization sensitivity analysis on link/transmission quality Fiber loop Pol contr Trigger ● Amplifier Applications Switch Rx unit Tx unit Agilent N7784B Instrument Setup and Application Examples The instrument setup is shown in Figure 1. If a scrambling or switching operation is desired, only ports I and II are used. If the SOP of the signal is stabilized and the signal is fed in a PMF, then port II and port III have to be connected by an SMF. In this situation, the output signal is available on port IV. If an external feedback signal is available for stabilization, only ports I and II are occupied. Optical input Port I PC input SMF Port II PC output Polarization controller SMF Port IV PBS output Port III PBS input Analog in PMF Computer Figure 4. Recirculating loop The results obtained in re-circulating loop experiments depend heavily on the PMD and PDL properties of the loop. Loop synchronous polarization scrambling schemes have proven to be necessary for generating results comparable to deployed systems. The N7784B is ideally suited to provide the synchronous scrambling capability in such experiments. Pol splitter In addition, the N7781B polarization analyzer provides the capability of monitoring the SOP evolution on each round trip. Trigger in Power In DSP based control electronics GPIB Trigger out USB Figure 2. N7784B instrument setup 2 Agilent N7784B High Speed Polarization Controller Data Sheet Table 1: Specifications1) N7784B Polarization Controller Wavelength Operating wavelength range 1260 nm ... 1640 nm 2) Wavelength range in stabilizer mode 1520 nm ... 1580 nm Polarization Control and Stabilization SOP switching time (open-loop) < 10 µs PER at PMF output > 23 dB 3) Stabilizer response time (typical) 2 ms Optical Power Insertion loss port I - port II4) Insertion loss port III - port IV5) < 3.5 dB (< 3.0 dB, typ.) < 1.8 dB (< 1.4 dB, typ.) PDL port I - port II (typical) < 0.2 dB Maximum safe input power Port I: Port III: 20 dBm 3 dBm Input power range in stabilizer mode Port III: -30 dBm ... 0 dBm 1) Ambient temperature change max. ± 0.5°C since normalization. Specification valid on day of calibration. 2) Outside the stabilizer wavelength range, the PER at PMF output may be degraded. 3) Input power > -20 dBm. 4) For SOP scrambling/switching, only ports I/II are used. 5) Valid for optimum input polarization at PBS input (Port III). Add insertion loss of port I/II and obtain total insertion loss for SOP stabilizing mode. Agilent N7784B High Speed Polarization Controller Data Sheet 3 Remove all doubt Our repair and calibration services will get your equipment back to you, performing like new, when promised. You will get full value out of your Agilent equipment throughout its lifetime. Your equipment will be serviced by Agilent-trained technicians using the latest factory calibration procedures, automated repair diagnostics and genuine parts. You will always have the utmost confidence in your measurements. 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