Agilent Keysight 8156A-101 Low Power Optical Attenuator
Agilent / Keysight Optical Attenuators. Resolution: 0.001 dB, Wavelength: dependent attenuation measurements across telecom.
- Model
- Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101
- Calibration
- Available on request
- Price
- $2,789
- Status
- In stock
- RFQ ref
- 8156A-101
This unit
The Agilent Keysight 8156A-101 is a low-power optical attenuator module engineered for precise attenuation control across fiber optic systems in research and production environments. It delivers 60 dB attenuation range with 0.001 dB resolution and 45 dB return loss. Settling time ranges from 20 ms to 400 ms depending on attenuation setting, while polarization-dependent loss remains <0.02 dB peak-to-peak.
Technical Specifications
- Attenuation Range: 60 dB (excluding insertion loss)
- Attenuation Resolution: 0.001 dB
- Attenuation Accuracy (linearity): 45 dB
- Insertion Loss: 2.5 dB typical
- Maximum Input Level: +23 dBm (200 mW)
- Settling Time: 20 ms to 400 ms
- Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL): <0.02 dB peak-to-peak typical
- Power Requirements: 100/120/220/240 Vrms ±10%, 90 VA maximum
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 55 °C
- Storage Temperature: -40 °C to 80 °C
- Humidity: 60 dB isolation
- Back reflection capability via optional Agilent #1000BR backreflector
- GPIB (HPIB) control interface with SCPI command set and Agilent #15AA compatibility mode
Typical Applications
- Optical power level testing and validation in single-mode fiber systems
- Wavelength-dependent attenuation measurements across telecom C and L bands
- Automated production testing via GPIB integration
- Return loss characterization with backreflector option
Compatibility & Integration Control via HPIB (GPIB) with full SCPI support enables straightforward integration into automated test systems. Interface function codes: SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT0, C0. Dimensions 89 mm H × 212.3 mm W × 345 mm D; net weight 5.3 kg.
Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 — Repair & Calibration Service
Aumictech offers NIST-traceable calibration and repair for the Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101. Calibration covers attenuation accuracy at 5 or more set values across the full range (0 to rated maximum dB), attenuation linearity, wavelength-dependent attenuation at 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1550 nm, insertion loss at minimum attenuation (0 dB position), and polarization-dependent loss (PDL) where applicable. All calibrations ship with a NIST-traceable certificate. Turnaround is typically 1–3 business days after receipt.
Common Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 faults: motor and gear mechanism wear (attenuation steps or loss of smooth control), optical port contamination, EEPROM calibration data corruption. Most common faults are motor or gear mechanism wear on variable attenuators causing attenuation steps or loss of smooth control, optical port contamination reducing dynamic range, and EEPROM calibration data corruption on digitally controlled models.
Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 price
This Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 is listed at $2,789. Calibration is available separately from $450. Contact us for volume pricing or if you need multiple units.
Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 calibration cost
NIST-traceable calibration for the Agilent / Keysight 8156A-101 is $450 (standard — pass/fail certificate and calibration sticker) or $650 (full measured data at every test point, reference standards documented, traceability chain included). Calibration for this instrument covers attenuation accuracy at 5 or more set values across the full range (0 to rated maximum dB), attenuation linearity, wavelength-dependent attenuation at 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1550 nm, insertion loss at minimum attenuation (0 dB position), and polarization-dependent loss (PDL) where applicable. Turnaround is 1 to 3 business days after receipt. See full calibration details →
