| Specifications and Regulatory Information |
| Definition of Terms |
Amplitude | Sensitivity is defined as the signal level that is equal to six times the RMS |
| value of the noise. Displayed sensitivity values are nominal. Slightly lower val- |
| ues may have to be entered to achieve specified sensitivity. |
| Scale Fidelity refers to the potential errors in amplitude readout at ampli- |
| tudes other than at the calibration point. This specification is sometimes |
| called linearity. |
| Flatness refers to the total amplitude flatness errors over the indicated wave- |
| length range. (This error may be removed at a given wavelength by perform- |
| ing the user amplitude cal.) |
| Polarization Dependence refers to the amplitude change that can be seen by |
| varying the polarization of the light entering the OSA. This is not to be con- |
| fused with amplitude variations caused by the varying distribution of energy |
| between the different modes in fiber that is multimode at the wavelength of |
| interest. |
Dynamic range | Dynamic Range is a measure of the ability to see |
| located very close (in wavelength) to a stronger signal. In electrical spectrum |
| analyzers, this characteristic is generally called shape factor. |
Sweep time | Maximum Sweep Rate refers to the maximum rate that the instrument is |
| able to acquire data and display it. This rate may be limited by multiple inter- |
| nal processes. |
| Sweep Cycle Time refers to the time required to make a complete sweep and |
| prepare for the next sweep. It can be measured as the time from the start of |
| one sweep to the start of the next sweep. |