Digital Variable Optical Attenuators (DVOAs)


  • Digitally Controlled OEM Fiber Attenuators
  • Available Wavelength Ranges of 980 - 1250 nm or 1250 - 1650 nm
  • Maximum Attenuation Up to >30 dB
  • Response Time of <0.5 ms

DV1000AA

Digital VOA, FC/APC,
980 - 1250 nm,
Up to >30 dB Attenuation

Application Idea

The DV Series instrument's compact housing can be mounted to Ø1/2" optical posts with the ECM100 Clamp.

DV1550AA

Digital VOA, FC/APC, 1250 - 1650 nm,
Up to >25 dB Attenuation

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Janis Valdmanis, Ph.D. Optics
Ultrafast Optoelectronics
General Manager
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DV Series Key Specifications
Item # Wavelength Range  Max Attenuation Max Input Power Response time Fiber Type/ Connector
DV1000AA 980 - 1250 nm  >30 dB 150 mW <0.5 ms Single Mode/ FC/APC
DV1550AA 1250 - 1650 nm  >25 dB 200 mW

Features

  • PC Controlled and USB Powered
    • Control with GUI Software or Serial Commands
  • Two Modes of Operation: Calibrated Attenuation or Manual
  • Dark Mode VOA 
  • SM Fiber Pigtail Output with FC/APC Connectors
    • Custom Units with FC/PC Connectors Available by Contacting Tech Sales
  • Compact Size (4.28" x 1.10" x 2.35")

Thorlabs' DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuators (DVOAs) are fully PC-controlled attenuators of the optical power in fiber optic cables. These digitally controlled instruments are capable of up to >30 dB optical attenuation from 980 to 1250 nm or >25 dB optical attenuation from 1250 to 1650 nm. They feature two operational modes, "Calibrated Attenuation" or "Manual", which provide attenuation control with a resolution down to 0.01 dB and a fast response time of <0.5 ms. The optical input and output ports are affixed with single mode optical fiber pigtails and are terminated with FC/APC connectors. Custom units with FC/PC connectors are available upon request, please contact Tech Sales for more info.

The attenuators can both be powered and controlled via USB connection to a PC. A USB-ABL-60 USB 2.0 Type-A to Mini-B Cable with Locking Screw is included with each instrument. A RS-232 serial connection can also be used to send commands to the attenuator. However, if power is not provided by a USB connection to PC, a separate 5 V USB power supply must be used, such as the DS5 Regulated Power Supply.

Dark Mode VOA
When the DVOA is powered off or "disabled" the device operates at "full-dark" or maximum attenuation. Only once the DVOA is "enabled" will it exit maximum "full-dark" attenuation and go to its selected mode and set point.

mountedDVOA
Click to Enlarge

The DV Series housing can be mounted to Ø1/2" optical posts with the ECM225 Aluminum Clamp.

Software
The DigitalVOA Application software is a user-friendly GUI, which allows the user to select between the Calibrated Attenuation or Manual modes, set attenuation parameters, and enable or disable the instrument. Please see the Software tab for details and to download the software package. The USB and RS-232 port can both be used to connect to the GUI software. Additionally, the DVOAs can be operated without the software GUI by using SCPI-type serial commands; both the RS-232 and USB ports can be used in this case as well. In order to use the USB interface, the software package must still be installed as it also installs a custom Windows® USB driver. When both the USB and RS-232 ports are connected, commands can be sent to either port and are executed in the order they arrive (to avoid confusion, it is recommended to send commands to only one port).

Mounting
The DVOAs can be post mounted with the ECM100 or ECM225 aluminum clamps. Multiple DVOAs can be stacked using the EPS225 plastic clamp.

Note: These attenuators are supplied with fiber optic pigtails for ease of use and easy connector cleaning. The fiber coupling efficiency is highly dependent on connector quality, fiber type, and concentricity. All these parameters, plus the internal loss of the DVOA, contribute to the base insertion loss of the device that will be different for every user application. As a result, the calibrated attenuation is always relative to (or in addition to) the base insertion loss of the device in the user’s setup.

Digital VOA Specificationsa
Item # DV1000AA DV1550AA
Wavelength Range 980 - 1250 nm 1250 - 1650 nm
Attenuationb Minimum: <2.0 dB 
Maximum: >30 dB
Minimum: <1.5 dB 
Maximum: >25 dB
Max Optical Input Power 150 mW  200 mW 
Optical Return Loss >30 dB
Attenuation Accuracyc ≤20 dB <0.3 dB  <0.3 dB 
>20 dB <0.5 dB  <0.5 dB 
PDLd ≤20 dB <0.3 dB  <0.3 dB 
>20 dB <0.5 dB  <0.6 dB 
Calibrated Wavelengthse 980 nm, 1064 nm, 1250 nm 1310 nm, 1550 nm, 1590 nm
Optical Connectors FC/APC Narrow Key (2.0 mm)
Device Fiber Typef HI1060 SMF-28e
Attenuation Setting Resolutiong 0.01 dB
Response Time <0.5 ms
Power, Environmental, and Physical Specifications
DC Input Voltage Rangeh 5 V ± 10%
Max DC Input Current 100 mA 
Operating Temperature Range 10 to 45 °C
Storage Temperature Range 0 to 60 °C
Relative Humidityi 5% - 85%
Dimensions (L x W x H)j 108.7 mm x 27.9 mm x 59.7 mm (4.28” x 1.10” x 2.35”)
Weight 0.27 kg
Length of Fiber Leads 50.0 cm ± 10.0 cm
VOA Typek Dark
  • All specifications are typical at 22 °C.
  • These specifications do not include fiber coupling loss. Minimum attenuation is dependent on good core-to-core alignment at the connector, especially at shorter wavelengths.
  • At Calibrated Wavelengths for Fixed Polarization State
  • Polarization Dependent Loss (PDL) Characterized at Calibrated Wavelengths for Fixed Attenuation Level
  • Custom calibration points may be available upon request; please contact Tech Sales.
  • With Black Reinforced Ø2 mm Furcation Tubing
  • At Calibrated Wavelengths
  • USB Powered
  • Non-Condensing Environment 
  • Excluding Fiber Leads 
  • Full Attenuation with Power Off

Digital Variable Optical Attenuator Panels

DVOA Optical Panel
Callout Description
1 FC/APC Connectors at Fiber Pigtails Narrow Key (2.0 mm) Input
2 FC/APC Connectors at Fiber Pigtails Narrow Key (2.0 mm) Output
DVOA Electrical Panel
Callout Description
1 Mini USB "B" with Locking Screw
2 Status LED
3 DB9 Connector (Female)

RS-232 (DB9) Connector (Female)

The RS-232 connector is provided to support remote operation.

Pin Description
1 Not Connected
2 Transmit (Output)
3 Receive (Input)
4 Not Connected
5 Digital Ground
6 Not Connected
7 Not Connected
8 Not Connected
9 Not Connected

USB, Type Mini-B (Female)

USB Type Mini B

USB Type Mini-B to Type A Cable with Locking Screw Included

Software

Version 1.0.0

Click the link below to download the DigitalVOA Application Software.

Software Download

Software for the DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuators

Control with the DigitalVOA Application
The DigitalVOA Application is designed for straightforward use of the DV Series instruments. This software GUI provides full control over the variable optical attenuators, allowing the user to select between the Calibrated Attenuation or Manual modes, set attenuation parameters, and enable or disable the instrument. The software requires a computer running Windows® 10 or 11 operating systems.

Control via Serial Commands
Serial commands can also be used to control the DVOAs in either the Calibrated Attenuation or Manual modes, set attenuation parameters, receive instrument status, and disable or enable the attenuator. The commands can be sent from a computer running Windows® 10 or 11 operating systems to the USB or RS-232 ports. Descriptions of each command are included in the manual. Note that the software GUI installer also installs the required driver for USB remote control. The installer is not required for remote control over the RS-232 interface.


DVOA Operation Modes

The images below are examples of the DigitalVOA Application software GUI when used to control the DV Series instrument. The Calibrated and Manual modes are summarized below, please see the manual for additional details. When the DVOA is connected via USB, the GUI will detect the individual instrument's information such as the product name and serial number as shown in the images below. The appropriate GUI is chosen by selecting the COM port associated with the desired DVOA model and serial number upon starting the software. This basic information will not be available when connecting via RS-232 and will be identifiable by COM port only. 

Tunable Laser GUI
Click to Enlarge

Calibrated Attenuation: This operation allows the user to request a specific attenuation change, in dB, to be applied to the incoming optical signal. The maximum attenuation is shown on the left side of the scale, while the minimum attenuation is on the right. This mode utilizes the internal calibration points at specific wavelengths, which can be selected using the "Calibrated Wavelength (nm)" box (e.g., 1310, 1550, or 1590 nm). The user should pick the calibrated wavelength that most closely matches the applied wavelength for the best results.
Tunable Laser GUI
Click to Enlarge

Manual: This operation allows the user to directly control the operating voltage of the internal VOA within its operational limits and step it manually using the on-screen buttons. The "Monotonic Limit" function will limit the voltage range so the actual attenuation changes monotonically with voltage. Outside the monotonic range, the user can drive the attenuator to discover the exact min or max attenuation voltage (which is slightly different for each unit).

Each DV Series Instrument is Shipped with the Following:

  • DV Series Instrument
  • USB-ABL-60 USB 2.0 Type-A to Mini-B Cable
  • Quick Start Card
  • Test Results
  • QC Form
DVOA+USB
Click to Enlarge

The DV Series Digital Variable Optical Attenuators are shipped along with a USB-ABL-60 USB 2.0 Type-A to Mini-B Cable.

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Digital Variable Optical Attenuators

Based on your currency / country selection, your order will ship from Newton, New Jersey  
+1 Qty Docs Part Number - Universal Price Available
DV1000AA Support Documentation
DV1000AANEW!Digital Variable Optical Attenuator, 980 - 1250 nm, FC/APC
$1,450.00
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DV1550AA Support Documentation
DV1550AANEW!Digital Variable Optical Attenuator, 1250 - 1650 nm, FC/APC
$1,450.00
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