Agilent 81637B Fast InGaAs Optical Power Sensor Module, 1250–1640 nm

Agilent 81637B Fast InGaAs Optical Power Sensor Module, 1250–1640 nm

The Agilent 81637B Fast Optical Power Sensor Module is a professional InGaAs optical measurement module designed for high-speed optical power measurements from 1250 nm to 1640 nm. It combines a broad +10 dBm to -80 dBm autorange power range with a minimum averaging time of 25 µs, making it suitable for laboratory, telecom, photonics, production, and automated optical test applications.

The 81637B supports standard single-mode and multimode optical fibers with core sizes up to 100 µm and numerical aperture up to 0.3. Its fast measurement capability, analog output, manual-range operation, and wide dynamic range provide practical flexibility for optical component characterization, source monitoring, insertion-loss testing, production screening, and other measurement workflows requiring rapid optical power acquisition.

The Agilent 81637B is a plug-in optical power sensor module and requires a compatible Agilent lightwave measurement mainframe for operation. Buyers should verify host compatibility, available module slots, installed firmware, connector-interface requirements, and any required optical adapters before purchase.

Features and Benefits of the Agilent 81637B Optical Power Sensor

The Agilent 81637B provides practical measurement capability for engineers, technicians, laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and service organizations that require fast and repeatable optical power measurements.

• Fast optical power measurement: Provides a minimum averaging time of 25 µs for rapid data acquisition and production-oriented measurement workflows.
• InGaAs sensor element: Supports optical power measurements across the 1250 nm to 1640 nm wavelength range.
• Wide autorange power range: Measures continuous-wave optical power from +10 dBm to -80 dBm.
• Single-mode and multimode compatibility: Supports standard compatible fibers with core sizes up to 100 µm and numerical aperture up to 0.3.
• Low optical noise: Provides peak-to-peak noise below 20 pW under the defined measurement conditions.
• High return loss: Offers return loss greater than 55 dB under the specified test conditions.
• Manual-range capability: Provides defined dynamic-range and linearity performance across selectable measurement ranges.
• Analog output: Includes an analog output for integration with compatible monitoring, control, and automated test systems.
• Modular measurement format: Installs in a compatible Agilent lightwave measurement platform for system-controlled optical power analysis.

Fast Optical Power Measurement

The Agilent 81637B is designed for applications where measurement speed is important. With a minimum averaging time of 25 µs, the sensor can support rapid acquisition in automated test stations, production screening, component characterization, optical alignment, and monitoring applications.

The fast response can help reduce measurement time when testing multiple devices or collecting large sets of optical power readings. Actual system speed depends on the host mainframe, selected averaging time, measurement range, communication interface, software configuration, and test sequence.

For stable low-level measurements, longer averaging periods may be selected through the compatible host system. This allows users to balance acquisition speed and noise performance according to the needs of the application.

Broad Optical Measurement Range

The 81637B provides an autorange power range from +10 dBm to -80 dBm across its supported wavelength range. This allows the module to measure both relatively strong optical signals and lower-level optical power without requiring the operator to manually select a range for every measurement.

Manual-range operation is also available for applications requiring controlled measurement behavior and defined dynamic-range performance. The module provides typical dynamic ranges greater than 55 dB on its +10 dBm and 0 dBm ranges, greater than 52 dB on its -10 dBm range, and greater than 45 dB on its -20 dBm range under the specified conditions.

This range flexibility is useful when measuring optical sources, passive components, transmitter outputs, insertion loss, switching behavior, and other devices that may produce substantial changes in optical power during a test sequence.

Typical Applications

The Agilent 81637B Fast Optical Power Sensor Module is suitable for professional applications such as:

• High-speed optical power measurement
• Telecom component characterization
• Optical source output monitoring
• Single-mode and multimode fiber testing
• Insertion-loss measurement workflows
• Fiber optic switch testing
• Optical component production screening
• Automated optical test systems
• Photonics research and development
• Laboratory optical power analysis
• Service, repair, and replacement equipment requirements

Product Overview

Brand	Agilent Technologies
Model	81637B
Product Category	Fast Optical Power Sensor Module
Sensor Material	InGaAs
Primary Application	Fast optical power measurement from 1250 nm to 1640 nm
Fiber Compatibility	Standard compatible single-mode and multimode fiber
Host Requirement	Compatible Agilent lightwave measurement mainframe
Suitable For	Fiber optic laboratories, telecom testing, photonics research, component characterization, production testing, and automated measurement systems

 

Optical Specifications

Specification	Agilent 81637B Details
Sensor Element	InGaAs
Wavelength Range	1250 nm to 1640 nm
Autorange Power Range	+10 dBm to -80 dBm
Applicable Fiber Types	Standard single-mode and multimode fiber
Maximum Fiber Core Size	100 µm
Maximum Numerical Aperture	0.3
Uncertainty at Reference Conditions	±3% from 1260 nm to 1630 nm
Total Uncertainty	±5% ±20 pW from 1260 nm to 1630 nm
Return Loss	Greater than 55 dB
Noise, Peak-to-Peak	Less than 20 pW
Minimum Averaging Time	25 µs
Analog Output	Included

 

Autorange Linearity Specifications

The following linearity values apply to continuous-wave optical power from +10 dBm to -60 dBm over the 1260 nm to 1630 nm wavelength range under the defined measurement conditions.

Linearity Condition	Specified Performance
At 23 °C ±5 °C	Less than ±0.02 dB ±20 pW
Across the Operating Temperature Range	Less than ±0.06 dB ±20 pW

 

Manual-Range Dynamic Range

Manual Range	Typical Dynamic Range
+10 dBm Range	Greater than 55 dB
0 dBm Range	Greater than 55 dB
-10 dBm Range	Greater than 52 dB
-20 dBm Range	Greater than 45 dB

 

Manual-Range Linearity

The manual-range linearity values apply to continuous-wave optical power from +10 dBm to -60 dBm over the 1260 nm to 1630 nm wavelength range under the specified measurement conditions.

Manual Range	Specified Linearity
+10 dBm Range	Less than ±0.02 dB ±50 nW
0 dBm Range	Less than ±0.02 dB ±5 nW
-10 dBm Range	Less than ±0.02 dB ±1 nW
-20 dBm Range	Less than ±0.02 dB ±500 pW

 

Reference and Operating Conditions

The stated uncertainty values are based on defined reference conditions, including a continuous-wave optical power level of 10 µW or -20 dBm, 50 µm graded-index fiber with a numerical aperture of 0.2, an ambient temperature of 23 °C ±5 °C, and a source spectral width below 10 nm full width at half maximum.

The wavelength setting in the connected optical power meter must correspond to the source wavelength within the specified tolerance. Measurement uncertainty can change with calibration age, fiber type, numerical aperture, connector style, optical power, temperature, source stability, and wavelength.

For operating conditions involving fiber with a numerical aperture above 0.2, additional uncertainty may apply. An additional uncertainty contribution also applies when using a Biconic connector. For input powers above 2 mW, the specified additional linearity contribution should be considered.

System Integration

The Agilent 81637B is designed for installation in a compatible Agilent lightwave measurement system. The host platform supplies power, display functions, zeroing, wavelength selection, autorange control, averaging controls, data processing, and remote communications.

The included analog output can support compatible monitoring and automated-control applications. Digital measurement collection, triggering, remote commands, and test automation depend on the capabilities of the host mainframe and installed software.

Before purchasing, buyers should verify the intended mainframe model, available sensor-module slot, firmware compatibility, communication requirements, connector adapter, and optical test configuration. The module is not designed to function as a standalone optical power meter.

Environmental and Mechanical Specifications

Specification	Details
Dimensions	75 mm high x 32 mm wide x 335 mm deep
Weight	0.5 kg
Operating Temperature	+10 °C to +40 °C
Humidity	Non-condensing
Warm-Up Time	20 minutes
Recommended Recalibration Period	2 years

 

Measurement Preparation and Connector Care

Optical connector cleanliness is important when using the Agilent 81637B. Contaminated fiber end faces, worn adapters, and damaged connectors can introduce loss, instability, and measurement errors. Fiber connectors and adapters should be inspected and cleaned before connection using appropriate fiber optic inspection and cleaning equipment.

The module should complete its recommended 20-minute warm-up period before precision measurements. The sensor should be properly zeroed according to the host system’s operating instructions, particularly before low-level measurements or after a significant change in temperature or measurement setup.

The installed connector adapter should be identified before use. Buyers should not assume that a particular optical connector adapter is included unless it is specifically shown or stated in the AssetRelay listing. Adapter type, connector polish, fiber size, and numerical aperture should be matched to the intended test setup.

Buyer Considerations

The Agilent 81637B is a configuration-specific fast optical power sensor module. Buyers should confirm that the 1250 nm to 1640 nm wavelength range, +10 dBm to -80 dBm autorange power range, InGaAs detector, supported fiber dimensions, minimum averaging time, and analog output meet the intended application requirements.

Buyers should review the product condition, connector-interface condition, installed adapter, calibration status, service history, analog output operation, and compatibility with the intended Agilent lightwave measurement system. Optical adapters, patch cables, mainframes, cleaning equipment, and calibration accessories should not be assumed to be included unless specifically identified.

The Agilent 81637B should not be confused with the Agilent 81636B. Both are fast InGaAs optical power sensor modules with similar wavelength and power ranges, but the supported fiber dimensions and return-loss specifications differ. The 81637B supports fibers up to 100 µm core size with a numerical aperture up to 0.3 and provides return loss greater than 55 dB under the specified conditions.

Why Buy from AssetRelay?

AssetRelay supplies professional equipment and product solutions for fiber optic, telecom, laboratory, production, inspection, cleaning, RF/microwave, electronic test, and photonics applications. The Agilent 81637B Fast Optical Power Sensor Module is listed to help engineers, laboratory personnel, production facilities, procurement teams, and service organizations source practical optical measurement equipment.

Buyers should review the available product photographs, condition details, connector and adapter condition, included accessories, calibration information, and host compatibility before purchase. Confirming these details helps ensure that the sensor module matches the intended wavelength, optical power range, fiber type, acquisition speed, and measurement platform.

When available, buyers should also review supplied test results, service records, calibration information, and accessory lists before completing the purchase. AssetRelay recommends evaluating the complete measurement-system requirements rather than assuming that the host mainframe, connector adapter, optical cables, or calibration accessories are included with the sensor module.