The Agilent 8614xB Family of Optical Spectrum Analyzers is a series of six instruments — three benchtop models (86140B, 86142B, 86146B) and three portable models (86143B, 86145B, 86144B) — covering standard and high-performance configurations for fiber-optic spectral analysis. The family is designed to provide a common measurement architecture across form factors so that data taken on a benchtop unit in a development or production environment correlates with measurements taken in the field using a portable unit.

The 8614xB family is used for R&D characterization, manufacturing test, and installation and maintenance of fiber-optic systems and components. Applications named in the product literature include DWDM sub-system test (transmission sub-systems, optical add/drop multiplexers, multiplexers and de-multiplexers), passive component test (filters, couplers, isolators), optical source and laser characterization (DFB, Fabry-Perot, and LED sources), optical amplifier characterization (EDFA, SOA, and Raman amplifiers), WDM channel monitoring, and time-resolved chirp measurement when paired with a digital communications analyzer.

Brand Heritage

The 8614xB family was developed and sold by Agilent Technologies, which was spun out of Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement business in 1999. In 2014, Agilent's electronic measurement division — including the optical and lightwave instrument lines that produced this family — was transferred to Keysight Technologies, which is the current support entity for these instruments.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The 8614xB family is structured as three benchtop models and three portable models, with each form factor offered in a standard-performance configuration, a high-performance configuration, and a filter-mode configuration that adds a monochromator output for single-channel DWDM isolation. The benchtop line consists of the 86140B (standard), 86142B (high performance), and 86146B (high performance with filter mode). The portable line consists of the 86143B (standard), 86145B (high performance), and 86144B (standard performance with filter mode).

The split between benchtop and portable is a packaging and use-environment decision rather than a measurement-architecture difference — the datasheet describes the portable units as a ruggedized version of the benchtop design with the same underlying performance characteristics, so measurements taken on a benchtop unit in a lab correlate with measurements taken on a portable unit in the field.

Each pre-owned 8614xB-family unit listed below is its own ValueTronics product page with its own model-specific listing, serial number, condition grade, and pricing. Click through to the specific model that matches your application — the comparison table that follows summarizes the key configuration differences across the six family members.

The differences across the family come down to three axes the datasheet calls out: form factor (benchtop versus portable), performance tier (standard versus high performance, with the high-performance tier carrying the ±10 pm wavelength accuracy and −70 dB at 0.5 nm dynamic range cited in the family overview), and filter-mode capability (present on the 86146B benchtop and the 86144B portable, absent on the other four).

The filter-mode models add the monochromator output path that lets a single DWDM channel be isolated and routed to an external time-domain instrument — that capability is the architectural feature that justifies a separate product page rather than an option code. The standard versus high-performance distinction within the same form factor is the second selection axis: customers doing R&D characterization, OSNR measurement near specification limits, or precision wavelength work typically need the high-performance tier, while manufacturing screening, field monitoring, and general spectral analysis can be served by the standard tier. See the comparison table for the per-model summary.

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Product Core & Specifications

About this used unit

• Warranty included
• Functional verification included
• Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
• Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.