EN 61290-3-1:2003

SLOVENSKI SIST EN 61290-3-1:2004

STANDARD
september 2004
Optični ojačevalci – Preskusne metode – 3-1. del: Parametri hrupa - Metoda
analizatorja optičnega spektra (IEC 61290-3-1:2003)*
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 3-1: Noise figure parameters - Optical
spectrum analyzer method (IEC 61290-3-1:2003)
ICS 33.180.30 Referenčna številka
©  Standard je založil in izdal Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje ali kopiranje celote ali delov tega dokumenta ni dovoljeno

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 61290-3-1
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM November 2003

ICS 33.180.30
English version
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods
Part 3-1: Noise figure parameters –
Optical spectrum analyzer method
(IEC 61290-3-1:2003)
Amplificateurs optiques –  Lichtwellenleiter-Verstärker -
Méthodes d'essai Prüfverfahren
Partie 3-1: Paramètres du facteur de bruit - Teil 3-1: Rauschzahlparameter -
Méthode d'analyseur du spectre optique Prüfverfahren mit optischem
(CEI 61290-3-1:2003) Spektralanalysator
(IEC 61290-3-1:2003)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2003-11-01. CENELEC members are bound to
comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2003 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 61290-3-1:2003 E
Foreword
The text of document 86C/543/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 61290-3-1, prepared by SC 86C, Fibre
optic systems and active devices, of IEC TC 86, Fibre optics, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC
parallel vote and was approved by CENELEC as EN 61290-3-1 on 2003-11-01.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with EN 61291-1:1998.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2004-08-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2006-11-01

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and CENELEC draw attention to the fact that it is
claimed that compliance with this standard may involve the use of a patent concerning the polarization
nulling technique given in subclause 6.2.2.

The IEC and CENELEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of these patent
rights.
The holders of these patent rights have assured the IEC that they are willing to negotiate licences
under reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world. In
this respect, the statements of the holders of these patent rights are registered with the IEC.
Information may be obtained from:

Lucent
600 Mountain Avenue
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
USA
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this standard may be the subject of
patent rights other than those identified above. IEC and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for
identifying any or all such patent rights.

Annexes designated "normative" are part of the body of the standard.
In this standard, annexes A and ZA are normative.
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61290-3-1:2003 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:
IEC 60793-1-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60793-1-1:2003 (not modified).
IEC 60825-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60825-1:1994 (not modified).
IEC 60825-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60825-2:2000 (not modified).
IEC 60874-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60874-1:1999 (not modified).
IEC 61290-3 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61290-3:2000 (not modified).
__________
- 3 - EN 61290-3-1:2003
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other
publications. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the
publications are listed hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any
of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including
amendments).
NOTE When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
1) 2)
IEC 61290-1-1 - Optical fibre amplifiers - Basic EN 61290-1-1 1998
specification
Part 1-1: Test methods for gain
parameters - Optical spectrum analyzer

1) 2)
IEC 61291-1 - Optical fibre amplifiers EN 61291-1 1998
Part 1: Generic specification
1)
IEC/TR 61292-3 - Optical amplifiers - -
Part 3: Classification, characteristics
and applications
1)
Undated reference.
2)
Valid edition at date of issue.

NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
61290-3-1
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STANDARD
First edition
2003-08
Amplificateurs optiques –
Méthodes d'essai –
Partie 3-1:
Paramètres du facteur de bruit –
Méthode d'analyseur du spectre optique
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods –
Part 3-1:
Noise figure parameters –
Optical spectrum analyzer method
 IEC 2003 Droits de reproduction réservés  Copyright - all rights reserved
Aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any
utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'éditeur. the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch  Web: www.iec.ch
CODE PRIX
Q
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale PRICE CODE
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 3 –
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION .9
1 Scope and object . 11
2 Normative references . 11
3 Abbreviations . 13
4 Apparatus .13
5 Test sample . 17
6 Procedure .17
6.1 Calibration . 19
6.1.1 Calibration of optical bandwidth . 19
6.1.2 Calibration of nulling stage insertion loss . 21
6.1.3 Calibration of OSA power correction factor . 21
6.2 Measurement. 23
6.2.1 Single channel DI technique . 23
6.2.2 PN technique . 25
7 Calculation. 25
8 Test results . 27
Annex A (normative) Limitation of direct interpolation techniques due to source
spontaneous emission . 29
Bibliography . 33
Figure 1 – Two typical arrangements of the optical spectrum analyzer test apparatus
for noise figure parameter measurements . 15
Figure A.1 – DI subtraction error as a function of source spontaneous emission level. 31

61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS
Part 3-1: Noise figure parameters –
Optical spectrum analyzer method
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to
technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate in this
preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also
participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) draws attention to the fact that it is claimed that compliance
with this International Standard may involve the use of a patent concerning the polarization nulling technique given
in subclause 6.2.2.
The IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of these patent rights.
The holders of these patent rights have assured the IEC that they are willing to negotiate licences under reasonable
and non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world. In this respect, the statements of
the holders of these patent rights are registered with the IEC. Information may be obtained from:
Lucent
600 Mountain Avenue
Murray Hill, NJ 07974
USA
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of
patent rights other than those identified above. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61290-3-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic
systems and active devices, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.

61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 7 –
This standard cancels and replaces IEC/PAS 61290-3-1 published in 2002. This first edition
constitues a technical revision.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86C/543/FDIS 86C/563/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
This standard is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1: Optical fibres amplifiers – Part 1:
Generic specification.
IEC 61290-3 consists of the following parts, under the general title Optical amplifiers – Basic
specification – Part 3: Test methods for noise figure parameters:
Part 3-1: Optical spectrum analyzer
Part 3-2: Electrical spectrum analyzer method
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2008. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 9 –
INTRODUCTION
This part of IEC 61290 is devoted to the subject of optical amplifiers. The technology of optical
amplifiers is still rapidly evolving, hence amendments and new additions to this standard can
be expected.
Each abbreviation introduced in this standard is generally explained in the text the first time it
appears. However, for an easier understanding of the whole text, a list of all abbreviations used
in this standard is given in Clause 3.

61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 11 –
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS
Part 3-1: Noise figure parameters –
Optical spectrum analyzer method
1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61290 applies to commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) such as
optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and planar waveguide
amplifiers (PWOAs) as classified in IEC 61292-3.
The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable
measurements, by means of the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) test method, of the following
OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:
a) signal-spontaneous noise figure;
b) forward amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) power level.
The methods described in this part of IEC 61290 apply to single-channel stimulus only.
Two alternatives for determining the signal-spontaneous beat noise are possible, namely
the ASE direct interpolation technique (DI) and the polarization nulling with interpolation
technique (PN). The accuracy of the DI technique will suffer when the slope of the OA spectral
ASE curve has large wavelength dependence, as in the case of an OA with an internal
narrowband ASE suppressing filter.
The accuracy of the DI technique degrades at high input power level due to the spontaneous
emission from the laser source(s). Annex A provides guidance on the limits of this technique
for high input power.
NOTE 1 All numerical values marked with (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other
values may be acceptable but should be verified.
NOTE 2 General aspects of noise figure test methods are reported in IEC 61290-3.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of
the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 61290-1-1, Optical fibre amplifiers – Basic specification – Part 1-1: Test methods for gain
parameters – Optical spectrum analyser
IEC 61291-1, Optical fibre amplifiers – Part 1: Generic specification
IEC 61292-3, Optical amplifier technical reports – Part 3: Classification, characteristics and
applications of optical amplifiers

61290-3-1  IEC:2003 – 13 –
3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviations apply:
ASE Amplified spontaneous emission
DBR Distributed Bragg reflector
DFB Distributed feedback laser
DI Direct interpolation (technique)
ECL External cavity laser (diode)
LED Light emitting diode
OA Optical amplifier
OFA Optical fibre amplifier
OSA Optical spectrum analyzer
PN Polarization nulling (with interpolation technique)
PWOA Planar waveguide optical amplifier
SOA Semiconductor optical amplifier
SSE Source spontaneous emission
4 Apparatus
Two schemes of the measurement set-up (for DI and PN techniques, respectively), are given in
Figure 1.
The test equipment listed below, with the required characteristics, is needed.
a) Narrowband optical source
The optical source shall be either at a fixed wavelength or wavelength tunable.
– Fixed-wavelength optical source
This optical source shall generate light with a wavelength and optical power specified in the
relevant detail specification. Unless otherwise specified, the optical source shall emit light
with the full width at half maximum of the spectrum narrower than 1 nm (‡). Single-line
lasers such as a distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser
or an external cavity laser (ECL) are applicable. Also applicable is a light emitting diode
(LED) with a narrowband filter. The suppression ratio for the side modes for the single-line
laser shall be higher than 30 dB (‡). The output power fluctuation shall be less than
0,05 dB (‡), which may be better attainable with an optical isolator at the output port of the
optical source. Source-spontaneous emission and spectral broadening at the base of
the lasing spectrum should be minimal for laser sources.
– Wavelength-tunable optical source
This optical source shall generate wavelength-tunable light within the range specified in the
relevant detail specification. Its optical power shall be specified in the relevant detail
specification. Unless otherwise specified, the optical source shall emit light with the full
width at half maximum of the spectrum narrower than 1 nm (‡). A single-line laser or an
LED with a narrow bandpass optical filter is applicable, for example. The suppression ratio
of the side modes for the single-line laser shall be higher t
...