PolaChex PDL-201 Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL) Multimeter

Benchtop multimeter that measures polarization dependent loss, insertion loss and optical power from 1260 to 1620 nm in 30 ms.

Wavelength Range: 1260 to 1620 nm
Resolution: 0.01 dB
PDL Accuracy: ± (0.01 + 5% of PDL) (dB)
PDL Repeatability: ± (0.005 + 2% of PDL) (dB)

Datasheet

Overview

The Luna PDL-201 (PolaChex) measures the polarization dependent loss (PDL), insertion loss (IL) and optical power of a device under test at the same time, taking 30 ms per measurement. It uses a patented maximum and minimum search method that complies with TIA/EIA-455-198.

PDL meters based on polarization scrambling have a large measurement uncertainty. The PDL-201 instead searches systematically for the maximum and minimum transmission, so it stays accurate for devices with low PDL and for devices with high PDL. Instruments based on the Mueller Matrix method need wavelength calibration. The PDL-201 covers 1260 to 1620 nm without it.

The instrument has USB, Ethernet, RS-232 and GPIB interfaces for PC control, an OLED display and an analog PDL output port. It is fast and can be controlled remotely, so it can run with tunable lasers in automatic or semi-automatic test stations. It can also measure wavelength-dependent PDL of passive devices, including DWDM and fiber sensor components, in manufacturing and in the laboratory.

Key Features

30 ms measurement speed
Wide wavelength range
High PDL accuracy
Analog PDL output
Bright OLED display
Power meter function
Large measurement dynamic range
Max-min search method compliant with TIA/EIA-455-198
USB, Ethernet, RS-232 and GPIB interfaces for PC control

Specifications

Measurement

Wavelength Range	1260 to 1620 nm
Resolution	0.01 dB Web page prints "0.01 db"
PDL Accuracy	± (0.01 + 5% of PDL) (dB) For 10 sample average; at 23 ± 5°C; accurate PDL measurement also depends on test setup
PDL Repeatability	± (0.005 + 2% of PDL) (dB) For 10 sample average
PDL Dynamic Range	0 to 45 dB For input power ≥0 dBm
IL Accuracy	± (0.01 + 5% of IL) (dB) For 10 sample average; in power meter measurement mode with user-defined reference
IL Repeatability	± (0.005 dB + 2% of IL) (dB) For 10 sample average
IL Dynamic Range	0 to 45 dB For input power ≥0 dBm
Measurement Speed	30 ms/measurement For input > -30 dBm

Optical Power

Optical Power Range	-40 to +6 dBm At DUT output port
Optical Power Accuracy	±0.25 dB
Wavelength Calibration for Power Measurement	1260 to 1360 nm and 1440 to 1620 nm

Interfaces

Communication Interfaces	USB, Ethernet, RS-232, and GPIB
Front Panel Display	OLED graphic display
Optical Connector Type	Light source and DUT input: APC; DUT output: Free space adapter Connector type options listed: FC, SC
Analog Output	0 to 4V PDL monitor voltage 0 to 3.5V linear with PDL, 4V indicates power low