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

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 is a CLC draft standard for optical amplifiers test methods. It specifies the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) method for measuring the polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) parameter of optical amplifiers, including optical fibre amplifiers (OFA), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), and planar waveguide optical amplifiers (PWOA). It is intended for people who need to set up, run, or review PMD measurements on pumped optical amplifiers.

What does prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 specify?

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 specifies a test procedure for measuring PMD in optical amplifiers by JME, together with the required apparatus, calculation steps, and test reporting items. The document is organized into scope, references, terms and abbreviations, apparatus, procedure, calculations, and test results, with one informative annex.

The annex structure is simple:

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Informative analysis of how amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) reduces degree of polarization (DOP) in systems using a tuneable narrowband light source

The document applies to commercially available optical amplifiers and focuses on pumped devices. It also explains how the method is used with either a tuneable narrowband source or a broadband source with a spectrally selective analyser, so users can choose a setup that matches their laboratory equipment.

What are the key requirements of prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026?

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 defines a measurement method that depends on stable polarization handling, a suitable wavelength spacing, and calculations based on normalized Stokes parameters. In practice, the standard tells the user what to measure, how to check that the signal is valid, and how to turn the measured data into DGD results.

Measurement scope and applicability

The standard applies to OFA, SOA, and PWOA devices. It states that the JME technique in this document applies to pumped optical amplifiers only, even though the method is described as generally applicable in principle.

For a lab or manufacturer, this means the method is aimed at powered amplifier testing during development, qualification, or verification, not at unpowered devices.

Two permitted test setups

Clause 4 allows two measurement systems:

• a tuneable narrowband light source with a spectrally broadband polarimeter
• a broadband light source with a polarization optical spectral analyser

This matters because the selected setup changes the analyser arrangement and the way the spectral width is handled. Figure 1 shows the tuneable-laser arrangement, and Figure 2 shows the broadband-source arrangement.

Polarization preparation and input conditions

Clause 4 uses a polarization controller when the source is polarized, and the source should be adjusted so the three polarizer measurements stay within roughly a 3 dB range. Three linear polarizers are used at relative angles of about 45 degrees, with the actual angles known.

In practice, this avoids a situation where one polarizer blocks the input too strongly, which would make the Stokes-parameter measurements unstable or unusable.

DOP check for tuneable narrowband sources

Clause 5 requires calculation of the degree of polarization (DOP) from the normalized Stokes parameters. For the tuneable narrowband source setup, the measurement is valid only if the DOP is greater than 25%.

That check matters because amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from the amplifier can reduce the polarization purity of the received signal. If the DOP is too low, the standard says to increase the tuneable laser power and repeat the measurement.

Wavelength spacing and analyser bandwidth limits

Clause 5 sets limits on the wavelength interval used for the measurement. The interval has to be small enough that the product of maximum expected DGD and wavelength spacing remains within the formula limit, so the state of polarization does not rotate too far between measurement points. The text gives practical examples of about 4 ps×nm at 1 550 nm and about 2.8 ps×nm at 1 300 nm.

For broadband-source measurements, the resolution bandwidth of the spectrally selective analyser must satisfy the corresponding formula. In practice, this means the spectral window has to be narrow enough to support a valid PMD result.

DGD calculation and reporting

Clause 6 defines the JME calculation from normalized Stokes parameters. The method computes a response Jones matrix at each wavelength, forms the matrix product for adjacent wavelengths, and derives DGD from the eigenvalues.

Clause 6 also requires the result to be presented as DGD versus wavelength, and it defines:

• average DGD
• root-mean-square (RMS) DGD
• maximum DGD
• minimum DGD

For a reader, this means the document is not just a measurement recipe - it also tells you how to summarize the measurement across a wavelength range.

Test report content

Clause 7 lists what the report should include: wavelength range, wavelength step size, DGD at each wavelength, average DGD, RMS DGD, maximum and minimum values across the range, the test arrangement, the light source type and bandwidth, analyser RBW where relevant, amplifier operating conditions, and ambient temperature when needed.

That makes the report useful for comparison, traceability, and later review of test conditions.

What terms does prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 define?

• Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) - Unwanted broadband emission generated by the optical amplifier, which can reduce DOP and affect measurement validity.
• Differential group delay (DGD) - The delay between orthogonally polarized principal states of polarization, used here as the PMD result.
• Degree of polarization (DOP) - A measure derived from the normalized Stokes parameters that the standard uses to check whether the measurement signal is valid.
• Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) - The method used in this standard to calculate PMD from measurements at closely spaced wavelengths.
• Optical amplifier (OA) - The general device category covered by the method.
• Principal states of polarization (PSP) - The orthogonal polarization states used in the PMD explanation and DGD interpretation.
• Polarization-dependent gain (PDG) - Gain that varies with polarization, which the standard notes the method is largely immune to up to about 1 dB.
• Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) - Loss that varies with polarization, also noted as having limited influence on the method up to about 1 dB.

Who uses prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026?

This standard is used by optical amplifier manufacturers, test laboratories, and quality teams that need to measure PMD in fibre-optic devices. It is also relevant to engineers working on optical communication components, because PMD can affect pulse spreading and system performance.

In practice, users apply it when they need repeatable test results for pumped OFA, SOA, or PWOA devices, or when they need to compare amplifier behaviour across wavelength. Buyers and quality managers can use the report structure to compare test evidence from different suppliers.

What changed in prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 from the previous edition?

prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 is the third edition and replaces the second edition published in 2008. The document states two significant technical changes:

• addition of an alternative test setup using a broadband light source
• addition of RMS DGD to the test results

It is described as a technical revision.

Which standards are used with prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026?

The document points readers to these related IEC publications:

• IEC TR 61282-9:2016 - guidance on PMD measurements and theory
• IEC TR 61292-5:2004 - general information on PMD in optical amplifiers
• IEC 61290-11-2:2005 - apodization guidance for the interferometric broadband-source method

These references help with background theory, amplifier-specific PMD context, and the signal processing used in the broadband-source setup.

What does the prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 document contain?

The document contains schematic diagrams for two measurement setups, one using a tuneable laser and one using a broadband source. It also contains the measurement procedure, the JME calculation method, and an example plot of DGD versus wavelength.

Annex A gives a worked analysis of how ASE reduces DOP in a tuneable narrowband source setup, including the logic used to judge whether the signal remains measurable. The bibliography points readers to PMD theory and to the companion test method for the broadband/interferometric approach.

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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
...