Precision Restoration for Optical Test Equipment | Aumictech | Downingtown, PA
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Introduction: Why the AQ6370 Series Still Leads the Optical Analysis Industry
The Yokogawa AQ6370 series of Optical Spectrum Analyzers (OSAs) has earned a reputation for precision, stability, and reliability across a broad range of optical testing applications — from DWDM network diagnostics and optical component characterization to research and manufacturing quality assurance.
Whether you’re working with AQ6370A, B, C, D, or E, your OSA is a cornerstone instrument that demands precise calibration and dependable operation. As these units age or are exposed to long duty cycles, issues can arise — optical drift, alignment errors, laser calibration loss, or grating wear.
At Aumictech, we specialize in professional-grade repair and NIST-traceable calibration of Yokogawa AQ6370 series OSAs, restoring them to factory-level performance at a fraction of replacement cost.
Understanding the Yokogawa AQ6370 Series
The AQ6370 series includes multiple generations of OSAs, each enhancing wavelength accuracy, measurement speed, and user interface. Despite their differences, all AQ6370 instruments share common characteristics: they use a diffraction grating-based monochromator, coupled with internal reference lasers and InGaAs detectors, to deliver high-resolution optical spectrum analysis over the 600–1700+ nm range.
AQ6370A
First-generation model featuring 600–1700 nm range, 50–200 pm resolution, and legacy interface. Popular in production and legacy setups.
AQ6370B
Enhanced with better measurement speed and stability. Adds USB interfaces and better control over sweep parameters.
AQ6370C
Improved resolution (down to 20 pm), better noise floor, more internal memory, and firmware updates to support modern protocols.
AQ6370D
Faster sweep speed, high dynamic range, enhanced GUI, and built-in auto-calibration with internal reference source.
AQ6370E
Current-generation model with best-in-class performance, full automation support, and robust platform for DWDM and component R&D.
Each model is still actively used across labs, universities, and manufacturers — and each requires precise calibration of its optical path, grating alignment, detector sensitivity, and internal laser references to maintain its accuracy.
Why Regular Repair and Calibration Is Critical
Without periodic maintenance, AQ6370 units suffer from:
- Wavelength drift (>10 pm error)
- Noise floor degradation
- Internal laser source weakening
- Grating wear or misalignment
- Optical bench contamination
- Mechanical failure in motors or shutters
- Faulty connectors or USB/LAN ports
- System crashes or firmware boot loops
These issues reduce the unit’s ability to detect weak signals, affect absolute wavelength precision, and can lead to false analysis in lab or production settings. In industries where optical accuracy is mission-critical, even a 0.05 nm wavelength error can render a unit untrustworthy.
Common Issues We Repair at Aumictech
Wavelength Calibration Drift
Units may read incorrect wavelength values due to aging of the internal reference laser, photodetector imbalance, or misalignment of the monochromator.
Low Optical Power or Detection Noise
Reduced signal-to-noise ratio due to damaged InGaAs sensors or contamination in the optical path.
Motor or Stage Failures
Sweep motors or shutter motors degrade with time and can cause random sweep stops or failure to initialize.
Touchscreen or Button Panel Issues
Frequent use can cause button wear, touchscreen unresponsiveness, or display flicker — especially in AQ6370A/B units.
USB, GPIB, or LAN Port Failure
Faulty I/O ports prevent data extraction and remote control, which is vital for automated labs or compliance logging.
Firmware Errors or System Boot Failures
Older units like the AQ6370A/B may develop memory corruption, requiring reinstallation or full firmware restoration.
Fan and Power Supply Wear
Extended use leads to overheating, unexpected reboots, and fan motor failure — especially in high-temperature or rack-mounted environments.
Aumictech’s Full Repair and Calibration Workflow
Our team has handled dozens of AQ6370A–E units, and we follow a proven multi-step procedure that ensures your spectrum analyzer returns fully operational, stable, and accurate.
1. Full Functional Diagnostics
- Sweep test across full wavelength range
- Internal laser check and calibration offset logging
- Wavelength accuracy measurement using NIST-traceable references
- Noise floor evaluation using calibrated fiber source
- GUI and hardware button interface test
- Verification of USB, GPIB, and LAN functionality
2. Physical Inspection & Cleaning
- Internal inspection of optical path under cleanroom lighting
- Cleaning of input connectors and sensor entrance windows
- ESD-safe dust removal from fans, PCBs, and connectors
- Optical bench contamination removal
- Touchscreen or button membrane cleaning or replacement
3. Optical Path and Mechanical Realignment
- Re-zeroing of motorized stages
- Recalibration of diffraction grating motor and feedback sensor
- Inspection and recalibration of monochromator angle tables
- Restoration of grating mirror positioning for wavelength targeting
- Re-optimization of shutter timing and sweep speed synchronization
4. Detector and Laser Calibration
- Verification of photodiode response curves
- Cross-checking internal laser diode peak versus reference standard
- Amplitude response tuning using calibrated fiber laser or supercontinuum source
- Power linearity adjustment and multi-point scaling
- Realignment of internal alignment fiber if required
5. Firmware & Electronics
- Installation of latest firmware (if compatible)
- Board-level diagnostics (checking power rails, capacitors, thermal points)
- Reset corrupted boot parameters
- Restore calibration memory and user settings
- Replace failing backlight in LCD (common in AQ6370B)
6. Final Testing and NIST-Traceable Calibration
- Full-range sweep test with calibrated source (e.g., C-band grid)
- Power linearity testing at 1310, 1490, 1550, and 1625 nm
- Optical noise floor and dynamic range validation
- Generation of calibration certificate and test report
- Optional: Full compliance report with screenshots and pre/post data
Supported AQ6370 Models and Variants
| Model | Range | Resolution | Status | Repair Parts Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQ6370A | 600–1700 nm | 50–200 pm | Legacy | Limited, refurbished stock |
| AQ6370B | 600–1700 nm | 50–20 pm | Active | Good inventory |
| AQ6370C | 600–1700 nm | 20–200 pm | Active | Full support |
| AQ6370D | 600–1700 nm | 20–200 pm | Active | OEM-grade & compatible parts |
| AQ6370E | 600–1700 nm | 20–200 pm | Current | Factory-supported & full coverage |
We also repair Yokogawa AQ6317B, AQ6319, AQ6373B, and similar older/lab-grade units used in universities and telecom test environments.
Who Uses These Instruments?
- Optical component manufacturers (AWG, DWDM, isolators, EDFAs)
- Fiber laser R&D and production teams
- Telecom network builders and service providers
- Government & defense labs focused on photonics
- Academic and research institutions
- Quantum computing and LiDAR development startups
Why Aumictech for AQ6370 Series Repair?
We are one of the few independent U.S. labs equipped with:
- Cleanroom optical benches
- Supercontinuum sources and wavelength meters for calibration
- Real C-band/DWDM verification grid sources
- Inventory of Yokogawa-compatible spares
- Decade-long track record in servicing optical test equipment
- NIST-traceable standards and documentation procedures
- 3–5 business day turnaround for most units
- Affordable flat-rate diagnostics and optional annual contracts
Optional Add-On Services
- Pickup & delivery for PA/NJ/NY customers
- Annual or bi-annual preventative maintenance contracts
- Trade-in or buyback of older AQ6370 units
- Optical test station setup (including OSA, laser, power meter integration)
- On-site training on AQ6370 usage, automation, and maintenance best practices
Testimonials
“We had three AQ6370C units reporting incorrect power readings. Aumictech not only fixed the calibration but also repaired the LAN ports and helped us automate result retrieval. Brilliant work.”
– Optical Network Validation Engineer, New York
“Our AQ6370B had not been calibrated in 8 years. It came back from Aumictech looking brand new, with full test reports and all buttons working. Now it’s reliable for our research use again.”
– R&D Manager, Midwestern University Photonics Lab
Get Started with Your Repair
If your AQ6370 is out of spec, randomly crashing, or failing wavelength validation, it’s time to restore it.
Contact us for a free quote, shipping instructions, and an expected turnaround time.
Aumictech
Downingtown, PA, USA
Email: sales@aumictech.com
Website: www.aumictech.com
We serve labs, factories, and companies across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Final Words
Your Yokogawa AQ6370 series OSA is a finely tuned optical instrument. Whether you’re using the legacy AQ6370A or the modern AQ6370E, its accuracy and reliability directly impact your product quality and research outcomes. At Aumictech, we don’t just repair — we recalibrate, optimize, and future-proof your investment.
Trust our expertise to keep your optical measurements accurate, compliant, and dependable.
