IEC 61290-10-1:2003

INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61290-10-1
First edition
2003-03
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods –
Part 10-1:
Multichannel parameters –
Pulse method using an optical switch
and optical spectrum analyzer
Amplificateurs optiques –
Méthodes d'essai
Partie 10-1:
Paramètres à canaux multiples –
Méthode d'impulsion utilisant un commutateur
optique et un analyseur de spectre optique

Reference number
Publication numbering
As from 1 January 1997 all IEC publications are issued with a designation in the

60000 series. For example, IEC 34-1 is now referred to as IEC 60034-1.

Consolidated editions
The IEC is now publishing consolidated versions of its publications. For example,

edition numbers 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 refer, respectively, to the base publication, the

base publication incorporating amendment 1 and the base publication incorporating

amendments 1 and 2.
Further information on IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC,
thus ensuring that the content reflects current technology. Information relating to
this publication, including its validity, is available in the IEC Catalogue of
publications (see below) in addition to new editions, amendments and corrigenda.
Information on the subjects under consideration and work in progress undertaken
by the technical committee which has prepared this publication, as well as the list
of publications issued, is also available from the following:
• IEC Web Site (www.iec.ch)
• Catalogue of IEC publications
The on-line catalogue on the IEC web site (http://www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut.htm)
enables you to search by a variety of criteria including text searches, technical
committees and date of publication. On-line information is also available on
recently issued publications, withdrawn and replaced publications, as well as
corrigenda.
• IEC Just Published
This summary of recently issued publications (http://www.iec.ch/online_news/
justpub/jp_entry.htm) is also available by email. Please contact the Customer
Service Centre (see below) for further information.
• Customer Service Centre
If you have any questions regarding this publication or need further assistance,
please contact the Customer Service Centre:
Email: custserv@iec.ch
Tel: +41 22 919 02 11
Fax: +41 22 919 03 00
INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
61290-10-1
First edition
2003-03
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods –
Part 10-1:
Multichannel parameters –
Pulse method using an optical switch
and optical spectrum analyzer
Amplificateurs optiques –
Méthodes d'essai
Partie 10-1:
Paramètres à canaux multiples –
Méthode d'impulsion utilisant un commutateur
optique et un analyseur de spectre optique

 IEC 2003  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from 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
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
S
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 61290-10-1  IEC:2003(E)

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3

INTRODUCTION .5

1 Scope and object . 6

2 Normative references. 6

3 Apparatus . 6

4 Test sample . 9

5 Procedure . 9
5.1 Calibration .10
5.2 OFA measurement.13
6 Calculation.16
6.1 Noise factor calculation.16
6.2 ASE power.16
6.3 Gain calculation .17
6.4 Average output signal power .17
6.5 Noise figure calculation.17
7 Test results.17
Annex A (informative) List of abbreviations .18
Annex B (informative) Output waveforms for various EDFAs at 25 kHz and 500 kHz
pulse rates (see 5.1.2 a).19
Annex C (informative) Measurement accuracy versus pulse rates (see 5.1.2 a).21
Bibliography .22
Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of the optical pulse test method . 6
Figure 2 – Two arrangements of the optical pulse source. 7
Figure 3 – Static isolation of an optical switch . 8
Figure 4 – Definitions of rise time and fall time, t and t of optical pulses . 8
r f
Figure 5 – Measurement flow chart . 9

Figure 6 – Arrangement for the sampling switch calibration.10
Figure 7 – Arrangement for timing adjustment.11
Figure 8 – Timing adjustment of the sampling switch .12
Figure 9 – Timing chart for dynamic isolation calibration .13
Figure 10 – Arrangement for OFA measurement .14
Figure 11 – Timing chart for ASE measurement .15
Figure 12 – Timing chart for amplified signal power measurement.15
Figure B.1 – EDFA output waveforms for various EDFAs .20
Figure C.1 – NF measurement accuracy versus pulse rates .21

61290-10-1 © IEC:2003(E) – 3 –

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION

____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS –
TEST METHODS –
Part 10-1: Multichannel parameters –

Pulse method using an optical switch and optical spectrum analyzer

FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the 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, the IEC publishes International Standards. 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. The 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 the 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 National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) draws attention to the fact that it is claimed that compliance
with this document may involve the use of two patents.
One patent concerns a technique for determining the amplified spontaneous emission noise of an optical amplifier
in the presence of an optical signal given in Clause 3 and Clause 5.
IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of this patent right.
The holder of this patent right has assured the IEC that he/she is willing to negotiate licenses under reasonable and
non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world. In this respect, the statement of the
holder of this patent right is registered with the IEC. Information may be obtained from:
Agilent Technologies
Palo Alto (CA)
USA
Another patent concerns a measurement system and noise measurement apparatus for an optical amplifier given in
clause 3 and clause 5.
IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of this patent right.
The holder of this patent right has assured the IEC that he/she is willing to negotiate licenses under reasonable and
non-discriminatory terms and conditions with applicants throughout the world. In this respect, the statement of the
holder of this patent right is registered with the IEC. Information may be obtained from:
Fujitsu Limited
Tokyo
Japan
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.
– 4 – 61290-10-1  IEC:2003(E)

International Standard IEC 61290-10-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic
systems and active devices, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics.

This standard should be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1 and IEC 61290-3.

The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting
86C/498/FDIS 86C/533/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.
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.
A bilingual edition of this standard may be issued at a later date.

61290-10-1 © IEC:2003(E) – 5 –

INTRODUCTION
As far as can be determined, this is the first International Standard on this subject. The

technology of optical fibre amplifiers is quite new and still emerging, hence amendments and

new editions to this document can be expected.

Each abbreviation introduced in this International Standard is explained in the text at least

the first time it appears. However, for an easier understanding of the whole text, a list of

abbreviations used in this International Standard is given in Annex A.

– 6 – 61290-10-1  IEC:2003(E)

OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS –
TEST METHODS –
Part 10-1: Multichannel parameters –

Pulse method using an optical switch and optical spectrum analyzer

1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61290 applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, containing
rare-earth dopants, currently commercially available. It establishes uniform requirements
for accurate and reliable measurements of the signal-spontaneous noise figure as defined
in 3.1.18 of IEC 61291-1.
The test method independently detects amplified signal power and amplified spontaneous
emission (ASE) power by launching optical pulses into the OFA under test and synchronously
detecting “on” and “off” levels of the output pulses by using an optical sampling switch and an
optical spectrum analyzer (OSA).
Such a measurement is possible because the gain response of the rare-earth doped OFA is
relatively slow, particularly in Er-doped OFAs. However, since the OFA gain dynamics vary
with amplifier types, operating conditions and control scheme, the amplifier type should be
considered when applying the present test method.
The test method is described basically for multichannel applications, which includes single
channel applications as a special case of multichannel (wavelength-division multiplexed)
applications.
NOTE All numerical values followed by (‡) are intended to be currently under study.
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 docum
...