Optical spectrum analyzer having adjustable sensitivity

A method for spectrum analysis of an input light beam using an optical spectrum analyzer which performs a wavelength scan of said input light beam in response to a sweep signal to provide an electrical signal that represents the intensity of said input light beam as a function of wavelength, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing said optical spectrum analyzer with a user selectable sensitivity, said optical spectrum analyzer having a video channel that processes said electrical signal;
• said optical spectrum analyzer setting a required gain of said video channel in response to user selection of sensitivity and in response to user specification of a maximum input signal to permit measurement of said maximum input signal and to provide the selected sensitivity;
• said optical spectrum analyzer setting a required video bandwidth of said video channel to provide the selected sensitivity at the required gain of said video channel;
• said optical spectrum analyzer setting a sweep rate of the sweep signal to provide the selected sensitivity at the required video bandwidth;
• and
• said optical spectrum analyzer performing a wavelength scan of said input light beam and displaying said electrical signal as a function of wavelength to provide an optical spectrum of said input light beam at the selected sensitivity.

A method for spectrum analysis of an input light beam using an optical spectrum analyzer, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing said optical spectrum analyzer with a user specified maximum input signal;
• said optical spectrum analyzer setting required operating parameters to permit measurement of the user specified maximum input signal;
• said optical spectrum analyzer displaying a sensitivity that corresponds to the required operating parameters;
• and
• said optical spectrum analyzer providing an optical spectrum of said input light beam.

An optical spectrum analyzer for spectrum analysis of an input light beam comprising:

• means for performing a wavelength scan of said input light beam to provide an electrical signal that represents the intensity of said input light beam as a function of wavelength;
• means for detecting a peak value of said electrical signal during each of a plurality of predetermined intervals;
• means for measuring said peak values during each of said predetermined intervals;
• and
• means for displaying said peak values as a function of wavelength to provide an optical spectrum of said input light beam.

A method for spectrum analysis of an input light beam using an optical spectrum analyzer, said method comprising the steps of:

• performing a wavelength scan of said input light beam to provide an electrical signal that represents the intensity of said input light beam as a function of wavelength;
• detecting a peak value of said electrical signal during each of a plurality of predetermined intervals;
• measuring said peak values during each of said predetermined intervals;
• and
• displaying said peak values as a function of wavelength to provide an optical spectrum of said input light beam.