Agilent
8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer
Provisional entry — research in progress
This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.
What it is
The Agilent 8703A Lightwave Component Analyzer is a lightwave and microwave measurement instrument for optical, electrical, and electro-optical device characterization. The Agilent 8703A can show measurements in magnitude, phase, and distance-time formats.[2]
The Agilent 8703A uses a single-wavelength configuration with a 1300 nm or 1550 nm carrier and a 130 MHz to 20 GHz modulation bandwidth. The Agilent 8703A has lightwave source and receiver functions, microwave source and receiver functions, and an information processor.[2]
How it works
The Agilent 8703A combines a lightwave test set with a microwave test set. The instrument supports optical output, optical input, RF input, and RF output paths, and the block diagram shows an optical modulator, laser, optical switch in the external-source configuration, photodiode receivers, samplers, and a phase-lock and bias-tee based microwave section.[2]
The Agilent 8703A measures source, receiver, optical device, and microwave device behavior. The Agilent 8703A performs transfer-function and reflection tests, and it can report insertion loss or gain, return loss, group delay, step response, and distance-time response.[2]
Where it fits in the process flow
The Agilent 8703A fits in optical-device, optoelectronic-device, and microwave-device characterization rather than in wafer fabrication steps. The Agilent 8703A is used after a device, receiver, source, or interconnect has been built and needs frequency-domain and distance-time performance measurement.[2]
The Agilent 8703A supports calibration and accuracy enhancement before measurement. The Agilent 8703A supports response calibration, response and match calibration, response and isolation calibration, one-port calibration, full two-port calibration, reference-plane extensions, IF-bandwidth control, and sweep-to-sweep averaging.[2]
Applications
The Agilent 8703A is used for lightwave source characterization, lightwave receiver characterization, optical-device characterization, and microwave-device characterization. The Agilent 8703A measures modulation bandwidth, modulated output power flatness, step response, modulation signal group delay, differential phase, insertion loss or gain, and port return loss.[2]
The Agilent 8703A supports optical reflection tests, electrical reflection tests, and distance-time response measurements. The Agilent 8703A also supports measurements on optical-to-optical, optical-to-electrical, electrical-to-optical, and electrical-to-electrical paths.[2]
What do the numbers mean?
Power & electrical2
Optics & imaging2
- Single wavelength configuration[2]
Control & software1
- Connector types
- Lightwave: HMS-10, FC/PC, DIN 47256, ST, Biconic, SC; Microwave: 3.5 mm (male)[2]
Configuration & options4
- For parts[1]
Vintage & configurations
Documented models & variants
| Designation | Generation | Vintage | Changes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 100 | — | — | Adds external lightwave source input. | assets.testequity.com[2] |
| Option 210 | — | — | Adds a 1550 nm DFB laser. | assets.testequity.com[2] |
| Option 220 | — | — | Adds a 1300 nm DFB laser. | assets.testequity.com[2] |
| Option 300 | — | — | Adds one lightwave receiver. | assets.testequity.com[2] |
What does it need to run?
Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.
Where are the manuals?
Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.
Not publicly documented
Field notes
No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency range does the Agilent 8703A cover?
The Agilent 8703A has a modulation bandwidth from 130 MHz to 20 GHz. The microwave source and microwave receiver sections also operate from 130 MHz to 20 GHz.[2]
What kinds of measurements can the Agilent 8703A perform?
The Agilent 8703A performs lightwave source characterization, lightwave receiver characterization, optical-device characterization, and microwave-device characterization. The Agilent 8703A measures insertion loss or gain, return loss, step response, group delay, modulation bandwidth, and distance-time response.[2]
What connector types are used on the Agilent 8703A?
The lightwave side uses HMS-10, FC/PC, DIN 47256, ST, Biconic, and SC connector types. The microwave side uses 3.5 mm male connectors.[2]
Not publicly documented
The following facts about the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer are on record.
Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement
The control-system platform and OS era of the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
No publicly documented failure modes or field errata for the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer are on record.
Answerable by: a field service engineer, process engineer, or maintenance technician
The process node or technology generation of the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the 8703 A Lightwave Component Analyzer are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.
Sources & citations
Sources (2)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
- [1]Inventory photo
- [2]assets.testequity.com — assets.testequity.comassets.testequity.com
Last updated Oct 6, 2026.
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