Fusion splicer, OSA, OTDR & wavelength meter calibration — NIST-traceable, $450 flat rate

"Calibration" gets used loosely. Our version: we run your instrument against calibrated reference standards, document the measured values before and after any adjustments, and issue a certificate with the actual data. Not just a sticker with a date. The measured numbers, the reference standards used, and the traceability chain.

We work on RF/microwave and optical instruments, with particular depth in OSAs, fusion splicers, tunable laser sources, optical attenuators, and the instruments OEMs have stopped supporting. If you have been quoted $2,000+ to calibrate an Ando AQ6317 that is worth $3,500 used, call us first.

Calibration pricing

Flat-rate pricing per instrument. No inspection fees, no surprise add-ons. Volume rates available for 3 or more instruments in one shipment.

Not sure which tier you need? Quality system audits and government procurement requirements typically require the With Measurement Data certificate — the actual numbers, not just a pass/fail stamp. If you need to show measured values and the traceability chain, that is the $650 tier. The Standard certificate covers internal tracking and equipment maintenance programs that do not require measured uncertainty data.

What we calibrate

Optical spectrum analyzers

OSAs are the instruments we work on most. Grating motor drift, wavelength offset, noise floor degradation after years of use — we have seen all of it. The calibration process for these is more involved than a spot check, and we do not cut it short.

Supported models

What's included

• Multi-point wavelength alignment using 1310 nm and 1550 nm reference sources
• Sensitivity and noise floor verification at rated RBW
• Dynamic range validation
• Resolution bandwidth check against a known narrowband source
• Sweep speed and grating motor condition assessment
• Optical bench cleaning and alignment
• Power offset correction
• Firmware and LCD diagnostics where applicable
• NIST-traceable certificate with measured data

Fusion splicers — SM and PM calibration

We calibrate both singlemode (SM) and polarization-maintaining (PM) fusion splicers from all major manufacturers. SM splicer calibration is a complete arc and motor recalibration. PM splicer calibration adds PM axis rotational alignment, which most general service centers cannot perform.

SM splicer calibration includes

• Arc calibration and arc power tuning to factory spec
• Electrode conditioning and replacement assessment
• Z/X/Y motor cleaning and recalibration
• Loss-estimation recalibration using measured splice data
• Heater calibration and heat cycle verification
• Optical bench cleaning and camera focus verification
• NIST-traceable calibration certificate

PM splicer calibration adds

• PM fiber axis rotational alignment (slow axis relative to reference)
• Rotational accuracy verification — critical for low-loss PM splicing
• PM mode field diameter alignment check

Tunable laser source calibration

Wavelength accuracy is the critical specification on a tunable laser source. A 1 pm drift on a DWDM channel plan — where channel spacing is 100 GHz (0.8 nm) or 50 GHz (0.4 nm) — produces systematic measurement errors across every component test that uses the source as a reference. We calibrate wavelength accuracy at multiple points across the tuning range against a NIST-traceable wavelength reference.

Supported models

What we measure

• Absolute wavelength accuracy at 5+ points across the full tuning range
• Wavelength repeatability — same set point, multiple measurements
• Output power at rated wavelength, confirmed against a calibrated power reference
• Mode-hop-free tuning range verification
• SSE (source spontaneous emission) sidemode suppression check
• Warm-up time and thermal stability verification
• NIST-traceable wavelength certificate with measured data

Optical attenuator calibration

Variable optical attenuators (VOAs) are a reference element in optical test setups. An uncalibrated VOA introduces systematic error in every measurement that relies on it for level control — power meter calibration checks, receiver sensitivity tests, and link budget verification. We calibrate both bench-top VOAs and fixed optical attenuator assemblies.

Supported models

What we measure

• Attenuation accuracy at 5+ set values across the full range (0 to rated maximum dB)
• Attenuation linearity — deviation from ideal across the range
• Wavelength-dependent attenuation at 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1550 nm
• Insertion loss at 0 dB (minimum attenuation) position
• Return loss where applicable
• Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) on request

Optical power meter calibration

Optical power meters are the reference instrument for every fiber loss, return loss, and splice loss measurement in a lab. A power meter out of calibration by 0.5 dB introduces systematic error into every test that uses it. Calibration covers absolute responsivity at each specified wavelength and linearity across the full dynamic range.

Supported models

What we measure

• Absolute detector responsivity at 850, 1310, 1490, 1550, and 1625 nm
• Power linearity from minimum detectable power to the rated upper limit
• Reference power level — zero offset and noise floor
• Wavelength-dependent correction factor verification
• Connector adapter inspection and optical port cleaning
• NIST-traceable certificate with responsivity data at all measured wavelengths

OTDR calibration

Optical time-domain reflectometers require calibration of distance accuracy, event loss measurement, dead zone, and backscatter coefficient. An uncalibrated OTDR will report splice losses and connector reflections that do not match physical reality — which causes failed acceptance tests to pass and real faults to go undetected. We calibrate OTDRs to manufacturer specifications and issue a certificate with the measured values.

Supported models

What we measure

• Distance accuracy — verified against a calibrated fiber length reference
• Event loss measurement accuracy at splice and connector events
• Dead zone — event dead zone and attenuation dead zone at rated pulse width
• Dynamic range verification at 1310 nm and 1550 nm (and 1625 nm where applicable)
• Backscatter coefficient calibration for the fiber type under test
• Return loss / ORL measurement accuracy
• NIST-traceable certificate with measured data at each test point

Wavelength meter calibration

Wavelength meters (wavemeters) are the absolute frequency reference in optical labs — used to verify tunable laser sources, characterize DFB lasers, and align DWDM channels. A wavemeter out of calibration by even 1 pm introduces systematic errors into every measurement that uses it as a reference. We calibrate both Fizeau interferometer types (Agilent 86120/86122 series) and scanning Fabry-Perot types (Burleigh WA series).

Supported models

What we measure

• Absolute wavelength accuracy at multiple reference points across the full measurement range
• Frequency accuracy in GHz — critical for DWDM channel verification
• Multi-wavelength channel spacing accuracy (for 86122A/C multi-wavelength instruments)
• Resolution and minimum input power verification
• Reference etalon condition assessment (Fizeau types) and HeNe reference laser output (Burleigh types)
• NIST-traceable certificate with wavelength accuracy data at all measured points

What actually happens during calibration

Walk-through for OSAs since those are our bread and butter. RF instruments follow similar logic.

1. Physical inspection first

   We check the unit's condition, clean optical ports, and power on to clear any error codes before anything else. If there's a hardware problem, we tell you before we proceed.

2. Wavelength alignment

   Multi-point alignment using calibrated reference laser sources at 1310 nm and 1550 nm. We verify against the internal reference where the instrument supports it.

3. Amplitude and sensitivity

   Level linearity sweep across the instrument's full range. Noise floor and dynamic range verified at the rated RBW setting.

4. Resolution bandwidth verification

   RBW checked at minimum and maximum settings against a known narrowband source.

5. Certificate issued

   Pass/fail summary, measured values at each test point, calibration date, and due date. Traceable to our reference standards, with the traceability chain documented. Printed certificate or PDF, your choice.

For RF instruments: full RF path calibration, amplitude accuracy, attenuator verification, and alignment of all internal references.

RF and microwave instruments

We calibrate spectrum analyzers, signal generators, VNAs, RF power meters, frequency counters, and phase noise analyzers across a wide range of brands. Common ones we see: Keysight/Agilent (856x series, E440x, E8257D, E4438C, PNA/ENA series), Rohde & Schwarz (FSV, FSU, ZVL, ZNB, SMU200A), Anritsu, Tektronix, Advantest, HP legacy models.

Not on this list? Send us the model number. If we have not worked on it before we will say so upfront rather than guess.

What the certificate includes

• Measured data at each test point — not just pass/fail
• Calibration date and due date (12-month default, adjustable)
• Physical calibration sticker on the instrument
• Reference standards used, with their traceability chain
• PDF certificate for audit records and quality system files

Turnaround and shipping

Most instruments are calibrated and shipped back within 1 to 3 business days of arrival. Rush is available — mention it when you request a quote and we will confirm if we can hit your deadline.

We ship via FedEx, UPS, or DHL. International service supported. If you are sending a fragile optical instrument, ask for packing instructions before you box it — double-boxing with foam-in-place for anything with a monochromator.

Payment: credit/debit, ACH, wire transfer, PayPal. Net-30 terms available for approved accounts.

Have several instruments to turn around? Ask about volume rates.

Calibration reference table

What we cover per instrument type and what the calibration actually measures.

Frequently asked questions