HP / Agilent 8156A Optical Attenuator 60dB attenuation with 0.001dB resolution 1200nm to 1650nm
HP / Agilent Optical Attenuators. Resolution: 0.001 dB.
- Model
- HP / Agilent 8156A
- Calibration
- Available on request
- Price
- $976
- Status
- In stock
- RFQ ref
- 8156A
This unit
The HP/Agilent 8156A is a precision optical attenuator engineered for telecommunications testing and R&D applications requiring exact control of optical power levels across extended wavelength ranges. It delivers 60 dB attenuation with 0.001 dB resolution, exceptional repeatability of ±0.005 dB, and attenuation accuracy down to ±0.05 dB typical. The instrument employs a novel single-filter design that eliminates dark spots and attenuation overshoots or undershoots inherent in ranging-based architectures.
Technical Specifications
- Wavelength Range: 1200 nm to 1650 nm
- Attenuation Range: 60 dB (excluding insertion loss)
- Attenuation Resolution: 0.001 dB
- Attenuation Accuracy (Typical): ±0.05 dB; linearity < ±0.1 dB
- Repeatability (Typical): ±0.005 dB
- Polarization Sensitivity (Typical): 35 dB (Option 100) to >60 dB (Options 201, 221)
- Insertion loss ranges 2.5 dB to 4.5 dB depending on configuration
- Single-mode fiber optimized; multimode support available via Option 350 (50/125 µm)
- HP-IB (GPIB) interface with IEEE 488.1/488.2 compliance and SCPI command compatibility
- Configurable with straight (PC) or angled (APC) optical connectors
- Optional monitor output for real-time power measurement (Options 121, 221)
Typical Applications Optical power control in telecommunications test labs, fiber-optic component characterization, automated attenuation measurement in production environments, and integrated system architectures requiring programmable optical signal conditioning.
Compatibility & Integration Primarily supports 9/125 µm single-mode fiber with Option 350 extending support to 50/125 µm multimode applications. GPIB control enables seamless integration into automated measurement systems. Optical connectors sold separately.
HP / Agilent 8156A — Repair & Calibration Service
Aumictech offers NIST-traceable calibration and repair for the HP / Agilent 8156A. 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 HP / Agilent 8156A 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.
HP / Agilent 8156A price
This HP / Agilent 8156A is listed at $976.3. Calibration is available separately from $450. Contact us for volume pricing or if you need multiple units.
HP / Agilent 8156A calibration cost
NIST-traceable calibration for the HP / Agilent 8156A 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 →
