Electro-Photonics BLS1550A 1545 nm Broadband ELED Light Source

Electro-Photonics BLS1550A 1545 nm Broadband ELED Light Source

The Electro-Photonics BLS1550A is a compact benchtop broadband optical source designed for professional fiber optic component manufacturing, wavelength-division multiplexing testing, sensing, spectroscopy, imaging experiments, equipment calibration, and amplified spontaneous emission simulation. It uses an edge-emitting light-emitting diode, commonly called an ELED or EELED, to provide stable broadband optical output around the 1550 nm telecommunications region.

The BLS1550A combines high optical output, broad spectral coverage, low spectral ripple, variable output power, and built-in modulation circuitry. These capabilities make the source useful for applications that require broadband illumination rather than the narrow spectral output of a conventional laser source.

The source provides a peak wavelength of 1545 nm ±25 nm and a typical 3 dB spectral width greater than 45 nm. Total optical output power is greater than 0 dBm, while typical peak spectral density is greater than -21 dBm per nanometre. The standard optical interface is FC/APC, with other connector configurations available depending on the individual unit.

Features and Benefits of the Electro-Photonics BLS1550A

• Broadband 1550 nm-region output: Provides optical energy across a wide spectral range centered near 1545 nm.
• High-power ELED technology: Uses an edge-emitting LED to deliver useful broadband optical power for component and system testing.
• Greater than 45 nm spectral width: Supports wavelength-dependent measurements across a broad portion of the 1550 nm telecommunications region.
• Greater than 0 dBm total output: Provides more than 1 mW of total optical power under the documented conditions.
• High spectral stability: Supports consistent broadband measurements in laboratory and production environments.
• Low spectral ripple: Maintains spectral modulation below 5% across the applicable output spectrum.
• Stable optical power: Provides power stability better than ±0.02 dB over 30 minutes and better than ±0.05 dB over six hours.
• Built-in modulation: Supports internal modulation from DC to 2 kHz.
• Variable output power: Allows the optical output to be adjusted for compatible devices and measurement configurations.
• Single-mode and multimode compatibility: Supports compatible single-mode and multimode fiber applications.
• FC/APC standard interface: Provides an angled physical-contact optical connection designed to reduce back reflection.
• Compact benchtop enclosure: Integrates easily into laboratory, manufacturing, and equipment-calibration workflows.

Broadband ELED Optical Output

The BLS1550A generates broadband optical output using an edge-emitting LED. Unlike a narrow-linewidth laser source, an ELED distributes optical power over a wider wavelength region. This makes the source useful for evaluating wavelength-dependent characteristics of optical components and systems.

The BLS1550A has a documented peak wavelength of 1545 nm ±25 nm. Its typical 3 dB spectral width is greater than 45 nm, providing broad optical coverage around the nominal 1550 nm telecommunications window.

Broadband output allows multiple wavelengths to be applied to a device under test simultaneously. When the source is used with a compatible optical spectrum analyzer, users can evaluate transmission response, spectral shape, bandwidth, ripple, wavelength-dependent loss, and other optical characteristics.

Optical Output Power and Spectral Density

The Electro-Photonics BLS1550A provides total optical output power greater than 0 dBm. This corresponds to more than 1 mW of combined optical power across the source spectrum.

Typical peak spectral density is greater than -21 dBm/nm. Spectral density indicates the optical power available within a defined wavelength interval and is an important factor when measuring devices with significant insertion loss.

The usable optical power at an individual wavelength depends on the source spectrum, output setting, connector condition, fiber characteristics, and connected test equipment. A compatible optical spectrum analyzer can be used when wavelength-specific power information is required.

Optical Power Stability

The BLS1550A provides optical power stability better than ±0.02 dB over 30 minutes and better than ±0.05 dB over six hours under the documented ambient measurement conditions.

Stable output helps reduce drift during extended measurements, comparative testing, calibration procedures, production verification, and sensing experiments. It also supports repeatable reference measurements when devices are evaluated over time.

Complete measurement stability also depends on source warm-up, connector cleanliness, patch-cord movement, detector stability, ambient temperature, optical reflections, and the measurement procedure used.

Low Spectral Modulation

Spectral modulation for the BLS1550A is specified below 5%. Low modulation helps provide a smoother output spectrum for broadband optical measurements.

A stable spectral profile is useful when the source is used to characterize filters, couplers, WDM components, sensors, and other wavelength-dependent devices. The output spectrum can be stored as a reference and compared with the spectrum measured after a device under test is inserted.

The source spectrum should be measured directly when an application requires detailed information about wavelength flatness, local ripple, or power available at a specific wavelength.

Built-In Modulation Circuitry

The BLS1550A includes internal modulation circuitry covering frequencies from DC to 2 kHz. Built-in modulation expands the source’s usefulness in sensing, imaging, calibration, and detection systems that require a modulated optical signal.

Modulation can help distinguish the intended source signal from ambient optical energy or unmodulated background light when used with a compatible detector or lock-in measurement system.

The selected modulation frequency should be compatible with the receiving instrument, optical detector, measurement bandwidth, and complete experimental configuration.

WDM Component Manufacturing and Testing

The BLS1550A is suitable for manufacturing and testing wavelength-division multiplexing components. Its broad output can illuminate a component across many wavelengths simultaneously, while an optical spectrum analyzer measures the transmitted response.

Applicable components may include optical filters, multiplexers, demultiplexers, couplers, splitters, attenuators, isolators, circulators, wavelength-selective devices, and other passive components operating near the 1550 nm region.

A reference spectrum should normally be captured before the device under test is inserted. Comparing the reference and measured spectra can help determine wavelength-dependent insertion loss and other transmission characteristics.

Sensing, Spectroscopy, and Imaging Applications

The broadband and stable output of the BLS1550A supports compatible fiber optic sensing, spectroscopy, and imaging experiments. Broadband illumination can be useful when a measurement requires optical energy over a wider wavelength region than a single-frequency laser can provide.

The built-in modulation capability can support experiments that use synchronous detection or controlled optical excitation. Variable output power allows the source level to be adjusted according to detector sensitivity and system loss.

The suitability of the BLS1550A for a specific sensing or imaging configuration depends on wavelength coverage, required spectral density, detector response, modulation requirements, fiber type, and optical power budget.

Equipment Calibration and ASE Simulation

The BLS1550A can be used as a broadband stimulus for calibration and verification of compatible optical measurement equipment. Applicable instruments may include optical spectrum analyzers, optical power meters, wavelength-dependent detectors, filters, and other fiber optic test systems.

The source can also support simulation of amplified spontaneous emission in laboratory and system-level experiments. Its broadband ELED output provides an optical signal with characteristics useful for evaluating systems exposed to broadband noise-like energy.

The BLS1550A is an ELED source and does not generate ASE through an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. ASE simulation describes an application of the broadband output rather than the internal source technology.

Single-Mode and Multimode Fiber Compatibility

The documented compatible fiber types include single-mode and multimode fiber. The appropriate patch cable and measurement setup should be selected according to the device under test and intended application.

Changing fiber type can affect launch conditions, coupling efficiency, measured optical power, and modal distribution. Reference measurements should therefore use the same fiber type, connector arrangement, and routing used for the device measurement.

Fiber bend radius, connector cleanliness, adapter condition, and patch-cord movement can also affect measurement repeatability.

FC/APC Optical Interface

The BLS1550A uses an FC/APC connector as its standard optical interface. FC/APC connectors use an angled end face to help reduce reflected optical power.

The connected patch cord must use a compatible FC/APC interface. FC/UPC or other straight physical-contact connectors should not be directly mated to an FC/APC port because the different end-face geometry can increase insertion loss, reduce return loss, and damage the precision optical surfaces.

Other connector types may be present on specially configured units. The installed connector should be verified before selecting a patch cable or adapter.

Typical Applications

• WDM component manufacturing and testing
• Broadband optical component characterization
• Fiber optic sensing experiments
• Optical spectroscopy
• Optical imaging experiments
• Equipment calibration and verification
• ASE simulation
• Wavelength-dependent insertion-loss measurements
• Optical filter and coupler evaluation
• Laboratory photonics research
• Production and quality-control testing
• System compliance testing

Product Overview

Optical Specifications

Electrical, Mechanical, and Environmental Specifications

Connection and Measurement Considerations

The installed optical connector should be verified before connecting the source. The standard BLS1550A interface is FC/APC, but other connector configurations may exist.

All optical connectors should be inspected and cleaned before use. Dust, oil, fiber fragments, and end-face damage can reduce output power, increase reflection, create spectral measurement errors, and damage the source interface.

The receiving detector, optical spectrum analyzer, attenuator, switch, or device under test should be rated for the available output power. Suitable optical attenuation should be added when connecting the source to equipment with a lower maximum input rating.

The source and receiving equipment should be allowed to stabilize before precision measurements. Reference and device traces should use the same output setting, patch cord, connector arrangement, fiber type, and analyzer configuration.

Comprehensive Functional and Performance Testing

The Electro-Photonics BLS1550A receives comprehensive functional and performance testing before shipment. Testing may include AC power operation, optical output activation, variable power adjustment, internal modulation, enclosure condition, and inspection of the optical interface.

Optical testing may include total output-power measurement, peak wavelength verification, spectral-width evaluation, spectral modulation, short-term stability, and inspection of the emitted broadband spectrum using suitable optical measurement equipment.

The installed FC/APC or optional connector interface may be inspected for contamination, damaged threads, worn alignment components, loose mounting, or incompatible connector use.

The exact testing scope depends on the connector type, available optical spectrum analyzer, calibrated optical power meter, wavelength range, modulation equipment, reference patch cords, and supporting test equipment.

Buyer Considerations

Buyers should confirm that the source is the Electro-Photonics BLS1550A and verify the complete product identification shown on the individual unit. Related BLS Series sources were available for several wavelength regions, including 980 nm, 1300 nm, 1480 nm, 1550 nm, and 1620 nm.

The installed connector should be identified as FC/APC or another configuration. Compatible patch cords, adapters, modulation cables, test equipment, and optical attenuators may be required separately.

The condition of the optical port, power controls, modulation functions, enclosure, AC inlet, labels, and available output should be reviewed before purchase.

Only the broadband optical source, power cord, optical patch cable, connector adapter, modulation cable, documentation, calibration records, and accessories specifically identified in the product listing should be considered included.

Why Buy from AssetRelay?

AssetRelay supplies professional equipment and product solutions for fiber optic, telecom, laboratory, production, optical test, inspection, cleaning, electronic test, RF/microwave, photonics, sensing, spectroscopy, and component characterization applications. The Electro-Photonics BLS1550A provides stable broadband illumination for engineers, laboratories, optical component manufacturers, system integrators, production facilities, and research organizations.

Buyers should review the product photographs, physical condition, complete model number, connector configuration, output power, spectrum, modulation operation, included accessories, calibration status, and testing information before purchase.