COMMUNICATIONS COMPONENTS
Key Features • High reliability for network applications
• Hermetically sealed
• Small size
• Potentiometer feedback to monitor attenuator settings
• Mountable on printed circuit board (PCB)
• Latching capability
• Single or multichannel applications
• Low loss
The JDSU VCB Series of voltage-controlled optical attenuators is specifically
designed for highly reliable optical power control in network applications. They
are Telcordia GR-1221 compliant, through the use of hermetic sealing technology,
and feature latching capabilities. They show excellent optical performance over
the C and L bands.
Each attenuator uses a stepper motor driven by an external IC driver to achieve
fine attenuation resolution. The driver for the stepper motor is user-supplied to
move the motor up or down in uniform step sizes. Latching operation is a
standard feature; upon removal of the drive voltage, the most recent attenuation
setting is retained.
JDSU attenuators withstand the diverse environmental conditions encountered in
network applications. They ensure high reliability, particularly during long
quiescent periods.
Applications
• Power equalization in multichannel
optically amplified networks
• Gain-tilt control in optical amplifiers
• Power control into narrowband
wavelength division multiplexers
(WDMs) and configurable networks
• Power control into receivers
Voltage-Controlled Optical Attenuators
VCB Series
NORTH AMERICA:800 498-JDSU (5378) WEBSITE:www.jdsu.comWORLDWIDE:+800 5378-JDSU
Configuration
2
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OPTICAL ATTENUATORS
Optics
Stepper
Motor
Potentiometer
M
oto
r
A
-
M
oto
r A+
M
oto
r B -
M
oto
r B +
P
O
T +
POT WIPE
R
POT -
Case
G
r
ou
n
d
OUT
IN
9/125.900
µm Fiber
NC
NC
Note: NC = No Connect
NC
NC
3
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OPTICAL ATTENUATORS
Specifications
Parameter Specification
Optimized wavelength range 1525 to 1575 nm
Attenuation range >30 dB
Attenuation resolution ≤0.1 dB
Minimum insertion loss1
Straight-through channel2≤0.6 dB
With input monitoring tap detector ≤1.2 dB
Attenuation temperature dependence3≤0.15 dB
Attenuation wavelength dependence
Flatness Greater of 0.1 or 0.05 plus 1% of attenuation
Ripple2≤0.6 dB
Polarization dependent loss1,4 <0.2 dB
Polarization mode dispersion ≤0.10 ps
Return loss1>50 dB
Response speed5≤100 ms
Attenuation setting repeatability ≤0.1 dB
Attenuation setting backlash ≤0.2 dB
Fiber type SMF-28 with 900 µm buffered jacket
Maximum optical power 50 mW
Dimensions (W x H x D)625 x 12 x 50 mm
Operating temperature -5 to 70°C
Storage temperature -40 to 85°C
1. Excluding connectors.
2. Tapless model.
3. Relative to 23°C.
4. For attenuation up to 15 dB over the optimized wavelength range.
5. Considering 3 dB attenuation change.
6. Excluding strain relief and connector pins.
NORTH AMERICA:800 498-JDSU (5378) WEBSITE:www.jdsu.comWORLDWIDE:+800 5378-JDSU
Ordering Information
For more information on this or other products and their availability, please contact your local JDSU account manager or
JDSU directly at 1-800-498-JDSU (5378) in North America and +800-5378-JDSU worldwide or via e-mail at
customer.service@jdsu.com.
Sample: VCB0+1NC1.0NC1.0NC
VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OPTICAL ATTENUATORS
VCB 0
Code Tap
0 Without taps
Code Length 1
1.0 1.0 m
2.0 2.0 m
Code Connector Type 1
NC No connector
FP FC/HPC
FA FC/APC
SC SC/HPC
SU SC/APC
SP ST/HPC
Code Length 2
1.0 1.0 m
2.0 2.0 m
+1NC ..
Code Connector Type 2
NC No connector
FP FC/HPC
FA FC/APC
SC SC/HPC
SU SC/APC
SP ST/HPC
Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change without notice. © 2009 JDS Uniphase Corporation 10143041 002 1209 VCB.DS.CC.AE December 2009
SMF-28 is a registered trademark of Corning Incorporated.
