prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 07-Feb-2028
• ICS: 33.180.30 - Optic amplifiers
• Technical Committee: CLC/SR 86C - Fibre optic systems and active devices
• Current Stage: 4020 - Enquiry circulated - Enquiry
• Start Date: 17-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 18-Dec-2026
• Completion Date: 17-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME)

• Revises: EN 61290-11-1:2008 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME)
• Effective Date: 02-Dec-2025

Overview

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 is an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard that outlines test methods for evaluating the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) parameter in optical amplifiers using the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) technique. It is applicable to all commercially available optical amplifiers, including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), and planar waveguide optical amplifiers (PWOAs). Accurate measurement and control of PMD are critical for ensuring high-performance optical communication systems, as PMD can significantly impact signal integrity, especially in high-speed networks.

Key Topics

• Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD): The phenomenon where optical pulses experience differential delays due to the varying propagation speeds of different polarization modes, leading to pulse broadening and potential system performance degradation.
• Jones Matrix Eigenanalysis (JME): A mathematical method used to evaluate PMD by analyzing the transformation of polarization states through the optical amplifier based on normalized Stokes parameters measured at closely spaced wavelengths.
• Measurement Methods: The standard specifies two principal set-ups for measuring PMD:
  • Using a narrowband tunable laser source and a broadband polarimeter.
  • Using a broadband light source with a polarization optical spectrum analyser (polarization OSA).
• Degree of Polarization (DOP): The requirement for a minimum DOP at the input of the polarimeter to ensure accurate measurements, and the impact of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in reducing DOP.
• Test Apparatus: Guidance on light sources, polarization controllers, polarizers, input and output optics, and polarization analysers necessary to perform valid PMD measurements.
• Data Analysis: Calculation and interpretation of differential group delay (DGD), mean and root-mean-square (RMS) DGD, as well as maximum and minimum DGD values across tested wavelength ranges.

Applications

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 offers practical value to manufacturers, test laboratories, and network operators in the fiber optic communications industry by enabling:

• Quality assurance of optical amplifiers: Ensures products meet stringent PMD requirements, which is vital for long-haul and high-capacity telecommunications networks.
• Component evaluation: Facilitates benchmarking of OA products, aiding procurement and R&D by providing standardized methodologies for PMD evaluation.
• Network performance optimization: Supports field testing and monitoring of optical amplifiers in deployed fiber optic links to minimize PMD-induced impairments.
• Comparison of amplifier designs: Permits apples-to-apples evaluation of different amplifier types (OFAs, SOAs, PWOAs) using a harmonized measurement framework.

Related Standards

For comprehensive PMD assessment and to meet broader fiber optic test requirements, the following standards are closely related:

• IEC TR 61282-9:2016: Guidance on polarization mode dispersion measurements and theory, providing foundational understanding and supplementary testing strategies.
• IEC TR 61292-5:2004: Focuses on PMD parameters specific to optical amplifiers, including their implications for amplifier design and operation.
• IEC 61290-11-2:2005: Details an alternative PMD measurement technique using the Poincaré sphere analysis method.

By harmonizing PMD test procedures across the industry, prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 fosters international compatibility, supports market access, and promotes reliable, high-speed optical communications infrastructure.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Optični ojačevalniki - Preskusne metode - 11-1. del: Disperzija polarizacijskega
načina - Analiza lastnih vektorjev Jonesove matrike (JME)
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter -
Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME)
Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Verstärker - Teil 11-1:
Polarisationsmodendispersionsparameter - Jones-Matrix-Eigenanalyse (JME)
Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essais - Partie 11-1: Paramètre de dispersion du
mode de polarisation - Analyse des vecteurs propres de la matrice de jones (JME)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026
ICS:
33.180.30 Optični ojačevalniki Optic amplifiers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

86C/2024/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 61290-11-1 ED3
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2026-07-17 2026-10-09
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
86C/2009/CD, 86C/2015A/CC
IEC SC 86C : FIBRE OPTIC SYSTEMS, SENSING AND ACTIVE DEVICES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
United States of America Mr Fred Heismann
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

TC 100
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
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TITLE:
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones
matrix eigenanalysis (JME)
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2030
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IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
Contact . 3
CONTENTS . 1
FOREWORD . 2
INTRODUCTION . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms, and symbols . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions. 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
3.3 Symbols . 6
4 Apparatus . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Light source . 2
4.3 Polarization controller . 3
4.4 Polarizers . 3
4.5 Input optics . 3
4.6 Fibre pigtail . 3
4.7 Optical lens system . 3
4.8 Output optics . 3
4.9 Polarization analyser . 3
5 Procedure . 4
6 Calculations. 5
6.1 Jones matrix eigenanalysis calculations . 5
6.2 Display of DGD versus wavelength . 6
6.3 Average DGD and RMS DGD . 6
6.4 Maximum and minimum DGD . 6
7 Test results . 6
Annex A (informative) Degree of polarization reduction due to optical amplifier ASE in
test systems with tuneable narrowband light source . 8
Bibliography . 10

Figure 1 – Schematic diagram of test equipment using a tuneable laser . 1
Figure 2 – Schematic diagram of test equipment using a broadband light source . 2
Figure 3 – Measurement example of the DGD for a typical optical amplifier . 6
Figure A.1 – Spectrum of optical amplifier output . 8

IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical amplifiers - Test methods -
Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones matrix
eigenanalysis (JME)
FOREWORD
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced
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of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document,
IEC [had/had not] received notice of (a) patent(s), which may be required to implement this
IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent the latest
information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch
and 9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may
involve the use of (a) patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or
applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the dat e of publication of this
document, IEC [had/had not] received notice of (a) patent(s), which may be required to
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latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
https://patents.iec.ch and www.iso.org/patents. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying
any or all such patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
IEC 61290-11-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic systems, sensors and
active devices, of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2008. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Addition of an alternative test setup using a broadband light source (Figure 2);
b) Addition of root-mean-square DGD to the test results.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English [change
language if necessary].
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at https://www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC
are described in greater detail at https://www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts of IEC 61290 series, published under the general title Optical amplifiers – Test
methods, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under https://webstore.iec.ch in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
INTRODUCTION
Polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) causes an optical pulse to spread in the time domain. This
dispersion could impair the performance of a telecommunications system. The effect can be
related to differential group velocity and corresponding arrival times of different polarization
components of the signal. For a narrowband light source, the effect can be related to a
differential group delay (DGD) between pairs of orthogonally polarized principal states of
polarization (PSP). Other information about PMD may be found in IEC TR 61282-9:2016 [1] in
general and in IEC TR 61292-5:2004 [2] on OAs in particular.
IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including
optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), and
planar waveguide optical amplifiers (PWOAs).
This document describes a test procedure for measuring the polarization-mode dispersion
(PMD) of OAs using the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) method. The measurement result is
obtained from the measurement of the normalized Stokes parameters at two close ly spaced
wavelengths.
The test method described in this doccument requires a polarized signal at the input of the
polarimeter with a degree of polarization (DOP) of at least 25 %. Although the test source is
highly polarized, the DOP at the output of the OA is reduced by amplified spontaneous emission
(ASE). Annex A analyses the impact of ASE on the DOP when using a tuneable narrowband
light source. In order to assure an accurate measurement, the DOP is measured as part of the
measurement procedure.
The JME test method described in this document has been shown to be immune to polarization-
dependent gain (PDG) and polarization dependent loss (PDL) up to approximately 1 dB.
Although the JME method is in principle also applicable to unpumped (that is, unpowered) OAs,
the JME technique in this document applies to pumped (that is, powered) OAs only.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms, and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.2 Abbreviated terms
ASE Amplified spontaneous emission
DGD Differential group delay
DOP Degree of polarization
DUT Device (optical amplifier) under test
JME Jones matrix eigenanalysis
OA Optical amplifier
OFA Optical fibre amplifier
OPD Optical path difference
PDG Polarization-dependent gain
PDL Polarization-dependent loss
PMD Polarization-mode dispersion
IEC CDV 61290-11-1 © IEC 2026
PSP Principal states of polarization
PWOA Planar waveguide optical amplifier
SOA Semiconductor optical amplifier
3.3 Symbols
ΔL Maximum optical path difference
max
Δλ Wavelength interval
Δτ Differential group delay (DGD)
λ Wavelength
ν
...