Using the Optical Spectrum Analyzer

Front-Panel Keys

Pressing the Auto Meas button on the front panel of the OSA performs an automatic measurement of the largest signal found in a full span sweep and places a marker at the signal peak. Auto measure requires the connection of an external light source. This can be a broadband or narrowband source. If there is insufficient signal power, the automatic measurement will not be performed, and a warning message will be reported. This automatic measurement routine is normally the best way to adjust sensitivity while maintaining the fastest sweep rates.

The Auto Measure function uses trace A to perform the measurement. Since the Auto Measure function can alter the instrument state, we recommend that this operation be performed before a measurement sequence is started.

Using the Auto Measure Setup panel shown below, you can modify the automeasure span and the vertical scale, tune to the wavelength indicated by the marker and optimize the sensitivity. See “To change the automeasure defaults” on page 3-53for more information.

To perform an Auto Measure from the remote interface, see the descriptions of the following remote commands:

“DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:ALL[:SCALe][:AUTO]” on page 4-71 “DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:X[:SCALe]:AUTO:SPAN <numeric_value>[MNMUM]” on page 4-74 “DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:X[:SCALe]:AUTO:SPAN:AUTO ONOFF10” on page 4-74 “DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:Y[:SCALe]:AUTO:PDIVision <numeric_value>[DB]” on page 4-74 “DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:Y[12][:SCALe]:AUTO:PDIVision:AUTO OFFON01” on page 4-74

“DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:ALL[:SCALe][:AUTO]:MARKer OFFON01” on page 4-73 “DISPlay[:WINDow[1]]:TRACe:ALL[:SCALe][:AUTO]:OPTimize OFFON01” on page 4-73

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