The power sensors incorporate a patented logarithmic conversion circuit that achieves essentially seamless range switching. This results in a useful dynamic range of >65 dB even at full speeds, about 20 dB better than conventional power sensors. There are also three user controllable speed settings so you can further extend the dynamic range if you don’t need the speed.

The Model 2103 HDR power sensors were designed to be used with our Model TLB-6600 tunable laser system. Integrating the TLB-6600 with the HDR power sensors, and a data-acquisition card (DAQ), results in a state-of-the-art swept-wavelength measurement system with extremely fast, linear sweeps and high-dynamic range. A sample program is available to simplify integration with the laser and your DAQ. The output of the laser is sent to the device under test (DUT), and the signal from the DUT output (or outputs) is monitored with the HDR power sensor. The electronic outputs of the power sensors are then sent to the DAQ and displayed on your computer. Because the output of the laser is swept continuously through the wavelength range of interest, optical sensors, like the HDR power sensors, must have sufficient bandwidth to handle the in-coming data-stream. Conventional power sensors do not have the required bandwidth for swept-wavelength systems.