SmartClass OLA-55M Motorized Single-mode Optical Level Attenuator
Motorized single-mode variable attenuator with integrated power meter and level controller mode for direct setting of a stable output power level.
- Linearity
- ± 0.2
- Repeatability of attenuation setting
- ± 0.1 dB
- Setting type
- Continuous over the entire range
- Displayed value
- Absolute or relative attenuation value
Overview
The VIAVI SmartClass OLA-54, OLA-55 and OLA-55M are handheld variable optical level attenuators for fiber system testing and for the installation, maintenance and production of fiber links. The OLA-54 is designed for 50/125 µm multimode fiber systems, while the OLA-55 and OLA-55M are designed for single-mode fibers. All three share the SmartClass handheld platform with a shock-proof and splash-proof housing, an illuminated 128 × 64 dot graphical display that shows up to three results simultaneously, a USB port for remote operation, and quick-start operation without warm-up time.
The attenuators set attenuation continuously over the entire range, displayed as an absolute or relative value. An optical design with low minimum insertion loss and low differential group delay makes the instruments suitable for systems up to 40 Gbps. Measurements are traceable to NIST/PTB standards, and an extended number of calibration wavelengths is available (600 adjustable wavelengths on the OLA-54, 400 on the OLA-55 and OLA-55M). Interchangeable optical adapters from the BN 2155/00.xx range allow measurements on flat or angled physical contact connectors.
Level controller mode (OLA-55M)
The OLA-55M adds a motorized drive and an integrated power meter. In its level controller mode the instrument sets a defined optical output power directly instead of an attenuation value, and automatically counterbalances fluctuations of the input power to keep the output level stable. The OLA-54 and OLA-55 can also be supplied as part of SmartClass optical test kits that combine a power meter, a light source and an attenuator with accessories.
Key Features
- Robust, shock-proof, and splash-proof design for field operation
- USB port for remote operation
- Absolute and relative attenuation setting
- Continuous attenuation setting over the entire range
- 40 Gbps ready due to low Differential Group Delay
- Traceable measurements to NIST/PTB standards
- Quick start operation requiring no warm-up time
- Low minimum insertion loss due to a special optical design
- FTTx ready
- Illuminated 128 × 64 dot graphical display showing up to three results simultaneously
- Interchangeable optical connector adapters from the BN 2155/00.xx range for PC and APC systems
- Automatic power-off after about 20 min (can be disabled)
- Four ways of powering: dry batteries, NiMH cells, AC adapter or external 12 V DC
- 400 adjustable wavelengths
- Level controller function for direct setting of the attenuator output level
- Automatic stabilization of the output power even if the launched input fluctuates (level controller mode)
- Integrated power meter function avoids adjusting the power level with a separate power meter
- Up and down arrow keys for precise and fast manual setting
- Remote controllable via USB
- Available with PC or APC optical interface
Specifications
| Linearity | ± 0.2 |
|---|---|
| Repeatability of attenuation setting |
± 0.1 dB
Excluding remating
|
| Setting type | Continuous over the entire range |
| Displayed value |
Absolute or relative attenuation value
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA
|
| Adjustable wavelength range | 1260 to 1650 nm in 1 nm increments |
| Fiber type | 9/125 μm |
| Calibrated wavelengths | 1310, 1550, 1625 nm |
| Display range |
2.0 to 60 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA. Datasheet feature list states an attenuation range of 2.5 to 60 dB
|
| Minimum insertion loss |
<2.5 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA
|
| Total attenuation accuracy |
± 0.8 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA
|
| Function | Bi-directional in attenuation mode, uni-directional in level control mode |
| Max. permitted level | +23 dBm |
| Display | Illuminated graphical display, resolution of 128 × 64 dots |
|---|---|
| Results displayed in | dB |
| Backlight | Backlight function switchable via a separate key |
| Connector | Optical connector interchangeable adapter from BN 2155/00.xx range is suitable for measurements on flat or angled physical contact systems |
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Corresponds to IEC 61326 (CE conformance) |
| Suggested calibration interval | 3 years |
| Batteries | Four dry batteries Mignon/AA, 1.5 V or NiMH rechargeable cells Mignon/AA, 1.2 V |
|---|---|
| Operating time from dry batteries |
>300 h
Web page states a battery operation time of >1000 h for the OLA-54/-55; the datasheet value is given here
|
| Power saving | The instrument switches off automatically after ~20 min (function can be disabled) |
| AC line operation | Via separate AC adapter |
| Battery charging | Integrated fast battery charging function (2 hours) |
| External DC operation | External 12 V DC operating via an AC adapter |
| Ambient temperature, nominal range of use | −10°C to +55°C |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature, storage and transport | −40°C to +70°C |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) |
95 × 60 × 195 mm (3.74 × 2.36 × 7.68 in)
Approximately
|
|---|---|
| Weight |
500 g (1.1 lb)
Approximately
|
| Control range |
-50 to +20 dBm
Input power level needs to be at least 3 dB higher than selected output power level
|
|---|---|
| Accuracy |
± 0.25 dB
At 23 °C ± 3 °C, calibrated wavelengths; at 1625 nm ± 0.3 dB
|
| Display resolution | 0.01 dB |
| Setting time | <2 s |
| Output power level stabilization, stability |
±0.15 dB
Input power variations in frequency range <0.5 Hz
|
Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.
Applications
- Emulating fiber loss for testing system dynamics
- Fiber system testing, installation and maintenance
- Broadband, PON and Gigabit Ethernet network testing
- Simulating line loss for BER testing and amplifier testing
- System installation and maintenance of singlemode fiber
- Production of singlemode fibers
- Power level control for calibration test setups
Included
- 2 interchangeable adapters from BN 2155/00.xx range (must be selected)
- 4 dry batteries Mignon/AA, 1.5 V
- Operating manual
- MT-1S belt bag
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| BN 2155/00.32 | Optical adapter ST type |
| BN 2155/00.06 | Optical adapter SC/PC type |
| BN 2155/00.05 | Optical adapter FC type |
| BN 2155/00.26 | Optical adapter SC/APC type |
| BN 2155/00.07 | Optical adapter LC type |
| BN 2252/01 | OVF-1 Visual Fault Locator |
| BN 2229/90.21 | OCK-10 Optical Connector Cleaning Kit |
| BN 2229/90.07 | Optical cleaning tape |
| BN 2229/90.08 | Spare tape for optical cleaning tape |
| BN 2237/90.02 | NiMH cells, Mignon/AA, 1.2 V — 4 required per instrument |
| BN 2277/90.01 | SNT-121A Worldwide compatible AC adapter |
| K804 | USB connection cable |
| BN 2277/90.02 | MT-1S belt bag for one instrument |
| BN 2126/03 | MT-2S soft bag for two instruments |
| BN 2126/04 | MT-3S soft bag for three instruments |
| BN 2093/31 | MK-3S hard case for three instruments |
| BN 2280/90.01 | Calibration Report |
| BN 2280/02 | SmartClass OLA-55M Single-mode, variable attenuator incl. level control mode, PC |
| BN 2280/22 | SmartClass OLA-55M Single-mode, variable attenuator incl. level control mode, APC |