Agilent Keysight 8158A Optical Attenuator
The Agilent/Keysight 8158A is a versatile optical attenuator designed for precise control of optical power levels in a variety of testing and measurement applications. It offers high accuracy and repeatability, making it suitable for characterizing optical components and systems.
- Model
- Agilent / Keysight 8158A
- Calibration
- Available on request
- Price
- $2,789
- Status
- In stock
- RFQ ref
- 8158A
This unit
The Agilent Keysight 8158A is a programmable optical attenuator delivering precise control of optical power across single-mode and multimode fiber systems. It has 60 dB of attenuation range with 0.01 dB resolution and ±0.04 dB repeatability, enabling accurate characterization of optical components, amplifiers, and high-speed transmission systems. The instrument supports wavelength-corrected attenuation through user-selectable options, ensuring measurement accuracy across infrared and visible wavelengths.
Its high return loss and polarization-insensitive design make it ideal for demanding applications including bit error rate testing on fast optical systems.
Technical Specifications
- Attenuation Range: 60 dB
- Resolution: 0.01 dB
- Repeatability: Typically ±0.04 dB
- Fiber Compatibility: Single-mode and multimode optical fibers (NA up to 0.3 for multimode)
- Wavelength Correction Options:
Option 001: 600 nm to 1200 nm
Option 002: 1200 nm to 1650 nm
- Return Loss: Very high (specified for bit error rate test applications)
- Polarization Sensitivity: Insensitive to polarization state
- Control Interface: HP-IB/GPIB for remote automation; manual control available
Key Features
- High accuracy and linearity across the full attenuation range
- Integrated shutter option for power meter zeroing and channel drop simulation
- Built-in calibration capabilities with reference power setting and relative measurement display
- Wavelength correction memory for matching attenuator response to source wavelength
Typical Applications
- Optical amplifier testing (EDFA, Raman amplifier characterization)
- DWDM transmission system testing and multi-wavelength applications
- Bit error rate (BER) testing on high-speed optical systems
- Optical component and system characterization
- Optical power level control in telecommunication and data communication test setups
Compatibility & Integration Programs via HP-IB (GPIB) interface for system integration and automated test sequences. Compatible with standard optical fiber connectors appropriate to deployment configuration.
Agilent / Keysight 8158A — Repair & Calibration Service
Aumictech offers NIST-traceable calibration and repair for the Agilent / Keysight 8158A. 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 8158A 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 8158A price
This Agilent / Keysight 8158A is listed at $2,789. Calibration is available separately from $450. Contact us for volume pricing or if you need multiple units.
Agilent / Keysight 8158A calibration cost
NIST-traceable calibration for the Agilent / Keysight 8158A 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 →
