SmartClass OLA-54/-55/-55M Handheld Optical Level Attenuators
Compact handheld variable optical attenuators for multimode (OLA-54) and singlemode (OLA-55/-55M) fiber testing in the field or lab.
- Adjustable wavelength range
- 750 to 1350 nm in 1 nm increments
- Adjustable wavelength range
- 1260 to 1650 nm in 1 nm increments
- Fiber type
- 50/125 µm
- Fiber type
- 9/125 µm
Overview
The VIAVI SmartClass OLA-54, OLA-55 and OLA-55M are handheld variable optical level attenuators for fiber system testing and for the installation, maintenance and production of fiber links. The OLA-54 is designed for 50/125 µm multimode fiber, while the OLA-55 and OLA-55M are designed for 9/125 µm singlemode fiber.
All three models support absolute and relative attenuation setting, operate bi-directionally in attenuation mode and are ready to use without warm-up time. The housing is shock-proof and splash-proof for field operation, and the illuminated 128 × 64 dot graphical display can show up to three results at the same time.
Level controller mode (OLA-55M)
The OLA-55M is a motorized version of the OLA-55 with a power meter built in. In level controller mode the output power is set directly instead of an attenuation value. The instrument then adjusts for changes in input power to keep the output level stable, so no separate power meter is needed to set the power level.
Test kits
The OLA-54 and OLA-55 can be part of a SmartClass Optical Test Kit, which combines instruments and accessories for power and loss testing in the field.
Models in this series
| Model | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| OLA-54 |
SmartClass OLA-54 Multimode Optical Level Attenuator
Handheld variable attenuator for 50/125 µm multimode fiber, adjustable from 750 to 1350 nm with absolute and relative attenuation setting. |
Details → |
| OLA-55 |
SmartClass OLA-55 Single-mode Optical Level Attenuator
Handheld variable attenuator for 9/125 µm single-mode fiber, adjustable from 1260 to 1650 nm, available with PC or APC interface. |
Details → |
| OLA-55M |
SmartClass OLA-55M Motorized Single-mode Optical Level Attenuator
Motorized single-mode variable attenuator with integrated power meter and level controller mode for direct setting of a stable output power level. |
Details → |
Key Features
- Robust, shock-proof and splash-proof design for field operation
- USB port for remote operation
- Absolute and relative attenuation setting
- Level controller function for direct setting of attenuator output level (OLA-55M)
- Automatic stabilization of the output power when the launched input fluctuates (OLA-55M level controller mode)
- 40 Gbps ready due to low Differential Group Delay
- Traceable measurements to NIST/PTB standards
- 600 adjustable wavelengths for the OLA-54 and 400 adjustable wavelengths for the OLA-55/55M
- Quick start operation requiring no warm-up time
- New optical design allowing for low minimum insertion loss
- Wheel for precise and fast manual setting (OLA-54/-55)
- Up and down arrow keys for precise and fast manual setting (OLA-55M)
- Illuminated 128 x 64 dot display showing up to three results simultaneously
- FTTx ready
Specifications
Optical
|
Adjustable wavelength range
OLA-54 |
750 to 1350 nm in 1 nm increments |
|---|---|
|
Adjustable wavelength range
OLA-55, OLA-55M |
1260 to 1650 nm in 1 nm increments |
|
Fiber type
OLA-54 |
50/125 µm
Multimode |
|
Fiber type
OLA-55, OLA-55M |
9/125 µm
Single-mode |
|
Calibrated wavelengths
OLA-54 |
850 nm, 1300 nm |
|
Calibrated wavelengths
OLA-55, OLA-55M |
1310 nm, 1550 nm, 1625 nm |
|
Display range
OLA-54 |
<2.5 to 55 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA. The OMK-55 kit datasheet lists 2.5 to 60 dB for the OLA-54. |
|
Display range
OLA-55 |
2.0 to 60 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
|
Display range
OLA-55M |
2.0 to 60 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6). The OLA-55M datasheet feature list states an attenuation range of 2.5 to 60 dB. |
|
Minimum insertion loss
OLA-54 |
<2.5 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
|
Minimum insertion loss
OLA-55 |
<2.0 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
|
Minimum insertion loss
OLA-55M |
<2.5 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
| Linearity | ± 0.2 |
| Repeatability of attenuation setting |
± 0.1 dB
Excluding remating |
|
Total attenuation accuracy
OLA-54 |
typ. ± 0.8 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
|
Total attenuation accuracy
OLA-55, OLA-55M |
± 0.8 dB
Including connectors (to IEC874-1, method 6), depending on quality of the connectors applied to the OLA |
| Setting type | Continuous over the entire range |
|
Function
OLA-54, OLA-55 |
Bi-directional |
|
Function
OLA-55M |
Bi-directional in attenuation mode, uni-directional in level control mode |
| Displayed value | Absolute or relative attenuation value |
|
Max. permitted level
OLA-54 |
+20 dBm |
|
Max. permitted level
OLA-55, OLA-55M |
+23 dBm |
Optical Level Control Mode (OLA-55M)
|
Control range
OLA-55M |
-50 to +20 dBm
Input power level needs to be at least 3 dB higher than selected output power level |
|---|---|
|
Accuracy
OLA-55M |
± 0.25 dB
At 23 °C ± 3 °C, calibrated wavelengths, at 1625 nm ± 0.3 dB |
|
Display resolution
OLA-55M |
0.01 dB |
|
Setting time
OLA-55M |
<2 s |
|
Output power level stabilization stability
OLA-55M |
±0.15 dB
Input power variations in frequency range <0.5 Hz |
Display
| Display | Illuminated graphical display, resolution of 128 × 64 dots |
|---|---|
| Results displayed in | dB |
| Backlight | Backlight function switchable via a separate key |
Connector
| Optical connector | Interchangeable adapter from BN 2155/00.xx range is suitable for measurements on flat or angled physical contact systems |
|---|
Power Supply
| Batteries | Four dry batteries Mignon/AA, 1.5 V or NiMH rechargeable cells Mignon/AA, 1.2 V |
|---|---|
| Operating time from dry batteries |
>300 h
Datasheet value; the product web page states >1000 h (OLA-54/-55) |
| Power saving |
The instrument switches off automatically after ~20 min
Function can be disabled |
| AC line operation | Via separate AC adapter |
| Battery charging | Integrated fast battery charging function (2 hours) |
|
External DC operation
OLA-54, OLA-55 |
External 12 V DC operating via an AC adapter or a 12 V car battery adapter |
|
External DC operation
OLA-55M |
External 12 V DC operating via an AC adapter |
General
| Electromagnetic compatibility | Corresponds to IEC 61326 (CE conformance) |
|---|---|
| Suggested calibration interval | 3 years |
| Remote interface | USB |
Environmental
| Nominal range of use | −10°C to +55°C |
|---|---|
| Storage and transport | −40°C to +70°C |
Physical
| Dimensions (W × H × D) |
95 × 60 × 195 mm (3.74 × 2.36 × 7.68 in)
Approximately |
|---|---|
| Weight |
500 g (1.1 lb)
Approximately |
Ordering Information
|
BN 2280/41
OLA-54 |
SmartClass OLA-54 Multimode, variable attenuator, 50/125 μm |
|---|---|
|
BN 2280/01
OLA-55 |
SmartClass OLA-55 Single-mode, variable attenuator, PC |
|
BN 2280/21
OLA-55 |
SmartClass OLA-55 Single-mode, variable attenuator, APC |
|
BN 2280/02
OLA-55M |
SmartClass OLA-55M Single-mode, variable attenuator incl. level control mode, PC |
|
BN 2280/22
OLA-55M |
SmartClass OLA-55M Single-mode, variable attenuator incl. level control mode, APC |
Applications
- Emulating fiber loss for testing system dynamics
- Simulating line loss for BER testing and amplifier testing (OLA-55/-55M)
- Installation and maintenance of multimode fiber systems (OLA-54)
- Installation and maintenance of singlemode fiber systems (OLA-55/-55M)
- Power level control for calibration test setups (OLA-55M)
Options & Accessories
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| BN 2155/00.32 | Optical adapter ST type |
| BN 2155/00.06 | Optical adapter SC/PC type |
| BN 2155/00.05 | Optical adapter FC type |
| BN 2155/00.26 | Optical adapter SC/APC type |
| BN 2155/00.07 | Optical adapter LC type |
| BN 2252/01 | OVF-1 Visual Fault Locator |
| BN 2229/90.21 | OCK-10 Optical Connector Cleaning Kit |
| BN 2229/90.07 | Optical cleaning tape |
| BN 2229/90.08 | Spare tape for optical cleaning tape |
| BN 2237/90.02 | NiMH cells, Mignon/AA, 1.2 V — 4 required per instrument |
| BN 2277/90.01 | SNT-121A Worldwide compatible AC adapter |
| K804 | USB connection cable |
| BN 2277/90.02 | MT-1S belt bag for one instrument |
| BN 2126/03 | MT-2S soft bag for two instruments |
| BN 2126/04 | MT-3S soft bag for three instruments |
| BN 2093/31 | MK-3S hard case for three instruments |
| BN 2280/90.01 | Calibration Report |