Ando
The classic double-pass monochromator OSAs. We handle boot and HDD failures and the well-known step 8/8 stop that sends most AQ6317-series units in for service.
Models: AQ6315A, AQ6315B, AQ6315E, AQ6317, AQ6317B, AQ6317C, AQ6319, AQ6331
Optical instrument service
Optical spectrum analyzer repair & calibration
Independent repair and NIST-traceable calibration for OSAs: Ando AQ6317, Yokogawa AQ6370 series, Keysight 86140 series, Anritsu and Bristol. We take on the boot failures, grating-motor drift and wavelength-offset problems the OEM quotes thousands for. Free evaluation, flat-rate quote, certificate with measured data.
OSAs are precision instruments, and when one fails the OEM repair quote often approaches the value of the unit itself. A working Ando AQ6317 is worth a few thousand dollars used. Being quoted $2,000 or more just to calibrate it, or far more for a boot fault, does not add up. Aumictech repairs and recalibrates optical spectrum analyzers in-house, including the discontinued models the manufacturer no longer supports.
Grating-motor drift, wavelength offset, noise-floor degradation after years of service, boot and drive failures: we have seen all of it. Send the unit in; we evaluate it at no cost, send a written diagnosis and a flat-rate quote, and only proceed once you approve it. Every repair includes a full recalibration and a certificate with the measured numbers, not just a sticker and a date.
Free evaluation
No-cost diagnosis and a flat-rate quote before any work. Decline and you cover only return shipping.
Fast turnaround
Diagnosed in 1–2 business days, returned within a few days once approved. Rush service on request.
Board-level repair
Power, controller, grating-motor and display faults fixed to the component level, not by swapping parts.
Certificate included
Every unit is recalibrated with measured wavelength, level, noise-floor and dynamic-range data. NIST-traceable.
OSA brands and models we repair and calibrate
Current and discontinued optical spectrum analyzers. If your model is not listed, send the model number. We service legacy units other labs turn away.
Yokogawa
Current-generation AQ6370 family plus AQ6373/AQ6375/AQ6380 variants. Boot loops, initialization hangs, no-display and monochromator drift are the usual reasons.
Models: AQ6370, AQ6370B, AQ6370C, AQ6370D, AQ6370E, AQ6373, AQ6373B, AQ6375, AQ6375B, AQ6380, AQ2170
Agilent / Keysight / HP
86140-series benchtop OSAs and the 70950-series lightwave analyzers. Front-end optics, attenuator and level-accuracy issues.
Models: 86140A, 86140B, 86141B, 86142A, 86142B, 86143B, 86145B, 86146B, 70951B, 70952B, 70004A
Anritsu
MS9710 and MS9740 benchtop OSAs. Wavelength accuracy, optical-bench alignment and level-flatness service.
Models: MS9701B, MS9710B, MS9710C, MS9740A, MS9740B, MS9030A/MS9001B
Bristol / Other
Bristol wavelength meters and OSAs, EXFO and Viavi optical analyzers, and other diffraction-grating instruments. Send the model number and we will confirm.
Models: Bristol 157A/771/771A, EXFO FTB-5240, Viavi/JDSU, ID Photonics, APEX AP207x
Model-specific repair pages
Detailed repair information, common faults, and service specs for specific OSA models.
Agilent 86141B Agilent 86141B optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86142A Agilent 86142A optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86146B Agilent 86146B optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86145B Agilent 86145B optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86142B Agilent 86142B optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86140A Agilent 86140A optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86140B Agilent 86140B optical spectrum analyzer repair Agilent 86145A Agilent 86145A optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6315E Ando AQ6315E optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6317B Ando AQ6317B optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6317C Ando AQ6317C optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6315A Ando AQ6315A optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6315B Ando AQ6315B optical spectrum analyzer repair Ando AQ6317 Ando AQ6317 optical spectrum analyzer repair HP 70950A HP 70950A optical spectrum analyzer repair HP 70952B HP 70952B optical spectrum analyzer repair HP 70951B HP 70951B optical spectrum analyzer repair HP 70950B HP 70950B optical spectrum analyzer repair HP 70951A HP 70951A optical spectrum analyzer repair Photonetics 3651HR12 Photonetics Walics 3651HR12 optical spectrum analyzer repair Yokogawa AQ6370C Yokogawa AQ6370C optical spectrum analyzer repair Yokogawa AQ6370 Yokogawa AQ6370 optical spectrum analyzer repair Yokogawa AQ6370E Yokogawa AQ6370E optical spectrum analyzer repair Yokogawa AQ6370D Yokogawa AQ6370D optical spectrum analyzer repair
Common OSA problems and faults
The faults we see most across every brand. Symptom wording differs between Ando, Yokogawa, Keysight and Anritsu, but the underlying causes and the fixes are consistent.
| Symptom / fault | Likely cause | What our repair does |
|---|---|---|
| Ando AQ6317 stuck at step 8 of 8 / will not finish initializing | On the AQ6317 and AQ6317B this almost always means a dead BIOS (CMOS) battery on the controller board, so the unit cannot complete its boot sequence. | BIOS/CMOS battery replacement, BIOS settings and date/time restoration, boot verification, then full wavelength and level recalibration before it ships back. |
| Will not boot / no power / boot loop | Failed power supply, controller-board fault, corrupted firmware or OS, or a failing internal drive (HDD/CF) on units that boot from disk. | Power-rail diagnosis, supply repair or replacement, drive imaging/replacement, firmware/OS restoration, and controller-board repair to the component level. |
| Stuck on "Initializing" / freezes during startup | Firmware or OS corruption, a failing drive, or a hardware fault that stalls the self-test (often the monochromator home or grating-motor check). | Drive and firmware service, grating-motor home verification, self-test diagnostics, and replacement of the failed subsystem, followed by recalibration. |
| No display / blank screen (external monitor works) | Failed internal LCD, backlight or inverter, loose display ribbon, or a display-controller fault. If an external monitor works, the instrument is running but the panel is not. | LCD, backlight/inverter and ribbon service, display-controller repair, and a full functional check across all screens. |
| Wavelength offset / wavelength reads inaccurately | Grating-motor drift, reference-source aging, monochromator misalignment, or a knocked optical bench after rough shipping. | Multi-point wavelength alignment against 1310 nm and 1550 nm references, internal reference verification, monochromator re-alignment, and a wavelength-accuracy certificate. |
| Grating motor drift / sweep will not track / mechanical noise | Worn grating-motor drive, lost step/home position, debris in the drive train, or a motor-driver fault. Common on heavily-used Ando units. | Grating-motor service or replacement, home-position recalibration, drive-train cleaning, driver-board repair, and sweep-linearity verification. |
| High noise floor / sensitivity degraded / dynamic range collapsed | Aged or contaminated optics, detector degradation, light leakage in the monochromator, or a dirty optical input. | Optical-bench cleaning and alignment, stray-light correction, detector check, input-connector service, and noise-floor/dynamic-range verification at rated RBW. |
| Level / amplitude accuracy out of spec / power offset | Detector responsivity drift, attenuator wear, or calibration drift over years of service. | Power-offset correction, level-linearity sweep across the full range, attenuator check, and amplitude-accuracy certification with measured data. |
| Resolution bandwidth (RBW) wrong / peaks broadened | Monochromator slit misalignment, grating contamination, or alignment drift affecting the resolution setting. | RBW verification against a known narrowband source at minimum and maximum settings, slit and grating alignment, and resolution certification. |
| Optical input damaged / connector worn / intermittent reading | Worn or damaged optical input connector, contaminated ferrule, or a damaged input fiber/free-space coupling. | Input-connector replacement or service, ferrule cleaning/polishing, free-space coupling alignment, and insertion-loss verification. |
The Ando AQ6317 step 8 of 8 stop is the single most common OSA fault we are asked about. It is usually a dead BIOS battery. Seeing a different symptom or an error specific to your model? Send us the exact message and the model number and we will tell you what it means before you ship.
What is included in OSA repair and calibration
- Physical inspection and optical-port cleaning: condition check, input-connector service, and clearing any error codes before anything else.
- Boot / power / controller repair: no-power, boot-loop, drive and BIOS-battery faults diagnosed to the board level, including the AQ6317 step 8/8 fix.
- Grating-motor service: drive-train cleaning, home-position recalibration, motor or driver-board repair, sweep-linearity check.
- Multi-point wavelength alignment: against 1310 nm and 1550 nm reference sources, verified against the internal reference where supported.
- Noise-floor and dynamic-range restoration: optical-bench cleaning, stray-light correction, detector check, verified at rated RBW.
- Level / amplitude accuracy: power-offset correction and level-linearity sweep across the full range.
- Resolution bandwidth verification: checked against a known narrowband source at minimum and maximum settings.
- Display / LCD repair: blank, dim or failed panels, backlight/inverter and ribbon service.
- Optical bench cleaning and alignment: for units knocked out of alignment by rough shipping or years of use.
- Final verification and certificate: measured data at each test point, traceability chain documented, NIST-traceable certificate (printed or PDF).
Ando AQ6317 repair: boot failures and the step 8/8 stop
We are one of the few independent shops that deal with Ando OSA boot and drive failures. The most common call is an AQ6317 or AQ6317B that hangs at step 8 of 8 during startup. On these units that is the dead BIOS/CMOS battery, a quick and inexpensive fix once it is correctly diagnosed. Beyond that we handle drive failures, controller-board faults, grating-motor drift and monochromator misalignment on the whole AQ6315/AQ6317/AQ6319/AQ6331 family. After any repair the unit gets a full wavelength and level recalibration with a certificate before it ships back.
Yokogawa AQ6370-series repair: boot loops and initialization hangs
The AQ6370 family (AQ6370B/C/D, AQ6373, AQ6375, AQ6380) most often arrives stuck on initializing, in a boot loop, or with no display while an external monitor works. These trace to firmware/OS corruption, a failing internal drive, a power-supply fault, or a stalled monochromator self-test. We diagnose to the subsystem level, restore the firmware/OS, repair or replace the failed hardware, and recalibrate wavelength accuracy, level accuracy and dynamic range with traceable references before returning the unit.
Legacy and discontinued OSAs
If Yokogawa or Keysight has discontinued support for your OSA, or the calibration quote costs more than the instrument is worth, ask us first. We regularly service older Ando AQ6315/AQ6317 units, HP/Agilent 70950-series lightwave analyzers, and Anritsu MS9710-series benchtop OSAs. We keep references and donor parts for instruments the OEM no longer supports.
How the repair process works
- Request an evaluation
Use the form, email sales@aumictech.com, or call +1 (484) 841-9341. Tell us the model and the exact symptom or step number you see on screen.
- Ship it in
Send the OSA with its power cord. Double-box anything with a monochromator. Ask us for packing guidance before you box a fragile optical instrument; a knocked optical bench turns a calibration into a realignment.
- Free evaluation
We diagnose at no cost and send a written report plus a flat-rate quote. Nothing proceeds without your approval.
- Repair and recalibrate
We complete the repair and run a full wavelength, level, noise-floor and dynamic-range calibration against traceable references.
- Back to you
Your OSA ships back with a certificate of the measured values. FedEx, UPS or DHL; international shipping supported.
Frequently asked questions
My Ando AQ6317 is stuck at step 8 of 8. What is wrong?
On the AQ6317 and AQ6317B, stopping at step 8 of 8 during startup almost always means the BIOS (CMOS) battery on the controller board is dead, so the unit cannot finish booting. It is a straightforward fix: we replace the battery, restore the BIOS settings, verify the boot, and recalibrate. Send it in for a free evaluation and we will confirm.
My OSA will not boot or is stuck initializing. Can it be repaired?
Usually yes. Boot failures and initialization hangs trace to the power supply, internal drive, firmware/OS, or a stalled monochromator self-test. All are repairable. We diagnose to the board and subsystem level, fix the root cause, then recalibrate before returning the unit.
How much does OSA repair cost?
Most repairs are quoted as a flat rate after a free evaluation. We diagnose first, then send a fixed price before any work begins. You approve the quote before we proceed. A common reference point in the industry for a max service charge on high-end OSAs is around $6,500, but most repairs come in well under that.
Do you offer a free evaluation?
Yes. Ship us the OSA and we evaluate it at no cost, then send a written diagnosis and a flat-rate repair quote. If you decline, you only cover return shipping.
How long does OSA repair and calibration take?
Most units are diagnosed within 1–2 business days of arrival and returned within a few business days once approved. Rush service is available; mention your deadline when you request the RMA.
Which optical spectrum analyzers do you repair and calibrate?
Ando AQ6315/AQ6317 series, Yokogawa AQ6370 family (AQ6370B/C/D, AQ6373, AQ6375, AQ6380), Agilent/Keysight/HP 86140 series and 70950-series, Anritsu MS9710/MS9740, Bristol, and other diffraction-grating OSAs, current and discontinued. If your model is not listed, send the model number.
My OSA wavelength readings are off. Is that fixable?
Yes. Wavelength offset usually comes from grating-motor drift, reference-source aging, or a monochromator knocked out of alignment during shipping. We perform multi-point wavelength alignment against 1310 nm and 1550 nm references, re-align the monochromator, and certify wavelength accuracy.
Do you provide a NIST-traceable calibration certificate?
Yes. Every calibration ships with a certificate documenting measured values at each test point: wavelength accuracy, level accuracy, noise floor, dynamic range, plus the reference standards used and the traceability chain. Printed or PDF, your choice.
Can you fix an Ando OSA with a hard drive or boot failure?
Yes. Ando OSA drive and boot failures are among the jobs we handle most. We image or replace the drive, restore the firmware/OS, repair the controller board if needed, and recalibrate. We are one of the few independent shops that take these on.
What should I send with my OSA?
Send the OSA with its power cord. If the optical input adapter or a specific connector interface is part of the complaint, include it. Note the exact symptom and any error or step number on screen; it speeds up the diagnosis.