Lambda Scan Applications The Agilent 816x VXIplug&play Instrument Driver
Agilent 8163A/B, 8164A/B & 8166A/B Mainframes, Fifth Edition 235
Lambda Scan Applications
These functions combine multiple SCPI commands into a single, functional
operation. They are designed to allow q uick and easy access to common
instrument command sequences.
These application functions allow you to perform one of the following
applications:
• A Lambda Scan - a Lambda Logging operation where an A gilent
8164A/B Lightwave Measurement System with a back-loa dable
Tunable Laser module and up to four Power Meters ins talled, performs
a wavelength sweep where the Tunable Laser module and Power
Meters are coordinated with each othe r.
• A Multi Frame Lambda Scan - a Lambda Logging operation where an
Agilent 8164A/B Lightwave Measurement System with a back-loadable
Tunable Laser module performs a wavelength sweep and the Tunable
Laser modu le is coo rdinate d with Po wer Mete rs that a re insta lled in t he
mainframe and in other mainframes. Thes e mainframes must be
connected to the GPIB bus and have their Inp ut Trigger Connector
connected to the Output Trigger Connector of the Agilent 8164A/B
Lightwave Measurement System mainframe.
The following two functions apply to both Lambda Scan and Multi Frame
Lambda Scan applications:
• The Set Lambda Scan Wavelength
(hp816x_set_LambdaScan_wavelength) function allows you to use a
different wavelength than 1550 nm during a Lambda Scan operation. All
Power Meters taking part in the Lambda Scan oper ation will be set to
the chosen wavelength.
• The Enable High Sweep Speed (hp816x_enableHighSweepSp eed)
function enables/disables the highest available sweep speed (40
nanometer s per second ) for Lambda Sc an operatio ns. The Lamb da Scan
operation chooses the highest possible sweep speed for the chosen
step size.
• If you choose Enable, the highest sweep speed possible will be used.
This may lead to less accurate meas urements.
• If you choose Disable, the highest sweep sp eed will not be used.