User Guide
Remote Control User Guide for the MX / MBX / TLX1 / TLX2 Series Chapter 2: Supported Commands
Page 16 TTN116413-D04
Command Syntax Description
Set the Optical
Output Power Value
in mW
VOA:OUTput:MW: N N is a floating point value between 0.01 and 100.0,
inclusive, and the units are mW. This command sets optical
output power of the VOA and returns 1 on receipt of
command. While this range exceeds the maximum power
output of the built-in laser, the entire range is supported to
accommodate the use of higher-power external laser
sources. If this value is set while operating in constant
attenuation mode, it will not affect the operation of the
VOA. In this case, the value will be cached and applied
when constant power mode is activated.
Get the Optical
Output Power Value
in mW
VOA:OUTput:MW? Returns the power setting of the VOA as a floating point
value between 0.01 and 100.0, inclusive, with units of mW.
Set VOA Power On VOA:POWer: 1 Sets the VOA power to “on” and returns 1 on receipt of
command. When the VOA is powered on, an active and
automatic software control loop is engaged to vary the
VOA bias voltage. This maintains the requested
attenuation level, or optical output power, depending on the
VOA operating mode.
Set VOA Power Off VOA:POWer: 0 Sets the VOA power to “off” and returns 1 on receipt of
command. As VOA is in-line with the optical path, there is
an insertion loss associated with it. When the VOA is
powered off, the VOA bias voltage is set to 0.0 V, which
minimizes the optical attenuation through the VOA.
Get VOA Power
Status
VOA:POWer? Returns 0 if the VOA power is set to “off” and 1 if the VOA
power is set to “on.”
Get VOA Status VOA:SETpoint?
A 1 is returned, and a steady green dot shows in the VOA
field of the instrument’s touchscreen, if the attenuation
provided by the VOA is within 0.1 dB of the attenuation
setpoint. The attenuation provided by the VOA is the
calculated ratio of the optical power measured before and
after the VOA. The attenuation setpoint references the last
requested power setting if operating in constant power
mode, and it references the last requested attenuation
setting if operating in constant attenuation mode. If the
difference between the attenuation provided by the VOA
and the attenuation setpoint is >0.1 dB, a 0 is returned.
This command returns a valid value whether or not the
VOA is powered on.
Get Optical Power
Output by the VOA in
dBm
VOA:TAP:DBM? Returns the measured optical output of the VOA as a
floating point value with units of dBm.
Get Optical Power
Output by the VOA in
mW
VOA:TAP:MW? Returns the measured optical output of the VOA as a
floating point value with units of mW.