IEC 61290-10-3:2002

Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 10-3: Multichannel parameters - Probe methods

Applies to commercially available optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres containing rare-earth dopants. Establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the multichannel gain and noise parameters as defined in IEC 61292-4.

Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 10-3: Paramètres à canaux multiples - Méthodes par sondage

S'applique aux amplificateurs à fibres optiques (AFO), actuellement disponibles sur le marché, qui utilisent des fibres actives dopées aux terres rares. Etablit des prescriptions uniformes en vue de mesures précises et fiables des paramètres de gain et de bruit à canaux multiples tels que définis dans CEI 61291-4.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Dec-2002
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 33.180.20 - Fibre optic interconnecting devices
• Technical Committee: SC 86C - Fibre optic systems and active devices
• Drafting Committee: WG 3 - TC 86/SC 86C/WG 3
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 30-Nov-2002
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
61290-10-3
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STANDARD
First edition
2002-12
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods –
Part 10-3:
Multichannel parameters –
Probe methods
Amplificateurs optiques –
Méthodes d'essai –
Partie 10-3:
Paramètres à canaux multiples –
Méthodes de sonde
Numéro de référence
Reference number
CEI/IEC 61290-10-3:2002
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.
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NORME CEI
INTERNATIONALE IEC
61290-10-3
INTERNATIONAL
Première édition
STANDARD
First edition
2002-12
Optical amplifiers –
Test methods –
Part 10-3:
Multichannel parameters –
Probe methods
Amplificateurs optiques –
Méthodes d'essai –
Partie 10-3:
Paramètres à canaux multiples –
Méthodes de sonde
 IEC 2002 Droits de reproduction réservés  Copyright - all rights reserved
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Pour prix, voir catalogue en vigueur
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 61290-10-3  IEC:2002(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION .4
1 Scope and object . 5
2 Normative references. 6
3 Apparatus . 6
3.1 Laser probe method. 6
3.2 Broadband noise probe method . 7
3.3 Detailed description of apparatus. 7
3.3.1 Source module. 7
3.3.2 Variable optical attenuator . 8
3.3.3 Optical spectrum analyzer. 9
3.3.4 Optical power meter. 9
3.3.5 Optical connectors . 9
3.3.6 Optical fibre jumpers. 9
3.3.7 Polarization controller . 9
3.3.8 Broadband noise source module . 9
3.3.9 Coupler. 9
3.3.10 Optical switch .10
3.3.11 Probe laser .10
4 Test sample.10
5 Procedure.10
5.1 Setting the saturation condition.10
5.2 Laser probe method.11
5.3 Broadband noise probe method .12
6 Calculations.13
6.1 Laser probe method.13
6.2 Broadband source method .14
7 Test results.15
Annex A (informative) List of abbreviations .16
Annex B (informative) Relevant patents .17
Bibliography.18
Figure 1 – Block diagrams for probe methods . 7
Figure 2 – Modulated optical sources . 8
Figure 3 – A reduced set of saturating wavelengths – (b) replaces the full set (a) in
each region .11
Figure 4 – Typical timing for broadband noise probe method.13

61290-10-3  IEC:2002(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS –
TEST METHODS –
Part 10-3: Multichannel parameters –
Probe methods
FOREWORD
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6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61290-10-3 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 61290-3
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
86C/459/FDIS 86C/483/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 3.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2008-12. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
– 4 – 61290-10-3  IEC:2002(E)
INTRODUCTION
Each abbreviation introduced in this International Standard is explained in the text at least the
first time that it appears. However, for an easier understanding of the whole text, a list of all
abbreviations used in this International Standard is given in Annex A.

61290-10-3  IEC:2002(E) – 5 –
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS –
TEST METHODS –
Part 10-3: Multichannel parameters –
Probe methods
1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61290 applies to commercially available optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using
active fibres containing rare-earth dopants as described in the following.
The object of this international standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate
and reliable measurements of the multichannel gain and noise parameters as defined
in IEC 61291-4.
The test methods described in this standard use small-signal probes to obtain the
multichannel gain and noise parameters while one or more lasers set the saturation condition
for the OFA. These methods are classified as indirect in that there is not a laser source at
each wavelength of the multichannel plan. Multichannel parameters are estimated from the
probe data. IEC draft standards 61290-10-1 and 61290-10-2 are test methods for measuring
noise parameters using pulse techniques. These methods are direct in that the multichannel
source is required to have a laser at each wavelength for which multichannel parameters are
to be measured.
Probe techniques provide clear advantages for measuring multichannel gain characteristics in
that a simple source configuration can provide parameters for a wide range of multichannel
plans. Either a small-signal laser or a broadband noise source serves as the probe signal, and
single or multiple lasers are used to set the OFA saturation condition. Pulse modulation of the
saturating sources may optionally be used to measure ASE at or near the saturating laser
wavelengths without the contaminating effect of source spontaneous emission. If pulse
modulation is not used, the source spontaneous emission must be measured, and its effect
removed from the measured result. For a multichannel source with high spontaneous
emission or at high total input power, the source noise subtraction method can lead to large
uncertainty.
The probe techniques described herein are indirect in that laser sources are not required at
each channel frequency. A measurement error results from inhomogeneous effects that are
DUT dependent. The main source of this error is spectral hole burning (see [1] [2] and [4]).
The applicability of pulse modulation of the saturating signal(s) and the selection of the
modulation rate are dependent on the optical fibre amplifier’s characteristics, specifically its
time response. They may be unsuitable for amplifiers with active automatic level control (ALC)
or automatic gain control (AGC) circuits. They may also be unsuitable for praseodymium-
doped OFAs that have gain relaxation times that are much faster than erbium-doped designs.
For erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs), inaccuracy due to modulation is generally small.
Refer to IEC document 61290-10-2 for a discussion of inaccuracy due to pulse repetition rate.
In order to predict multichannel parameters by probe methods it is necessary to properly set
the output level of the saturating signal(s) to simulate the saturation effect of a specified
multichannel plan. Clause 5 describes a methodology to accomplish this under the
assumption of homogeneous behavior within a wavelength region. This methodology has the
———————
Numbers in brackets refer to the bibliography.

– 6 – 61290-10-3  IEC:2002(E)
limita
...

IEC 61290-10-3
Edition 1.0 2002-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 10-3: Multichannel parameters – Probe methods

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d’essai –
Partie 10-3: Paramètres à canaux multiples – Méthodes par sondage

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IEC 61290-10-3
Edition 1.0 2002-12
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 10-3: Multichannel parameters – Probe methods

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d’essai –
Partie 10-3: Paramètres à canaux multiples – Méthodes par sondage

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
R
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 2-8318-7040-2
– 2 – 61290-10-3 © CEI:2002
SOMMAIRE
AVANT-PROPOS.4
INTRODUCTION.6

1 Domaine d'application et objet.8
2 Références normatives.10
3 Appareils.10
3.1 Méthode par sonde à laser .12
3.2 Méthode avec sonde pour bruit à large bande .12
3.3 Description détaillée des appareils .14
3.3.1 Module source.14
3.3.2 Affaiblisseur optique variable.18
3.3.3 Analyseur de spectre optique .18
3.3.4 Appareil de mesure de la puissance (wattmètre) optique .18
3.3.5 Connecteurs optiques.18
3.3.6 Câbles de liaison à fibres optiques .18
3.3.7 Contrôleur de polarisation .18
3.3.8 Module de source de bruit à large bande .20
3.3.9 Coupleur.20
3.3.10 Interrupteur optique.20
3.3.11 Laser de sonde.20
4 Echantillon d’essai .20
5 Procédure.20
5.1 Réglage de l’état de saturation .20
5.2 Méthode par sonde à laser .24
5.3 Méthode avec sonde pour bruit à large bande .24
6 Calculs.28
6.1 Méthode par sonde à laser .28
6.2 Méthode par source à large bande .30
7 Résultats des essais .32

Annexe A (informative) Liste des abréviations.34
Annexe B (informative) Brevets concernés.36

Bibliographie.38

Figure 1 – Schémas-blocs des méthodes avec sonde .14
Figure 2 – Sources optiques modulées .16
Figure 3 – Un jeu réduit de longueurs d’onde saturantes .22
Figure 4 – Temporisation type de la méthode avec sonde à bruit à large bande.26

61290-10-3 © IEC:2002 – 3 –
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.5
INTRODUCTION.7

1 Scope and object.9
2 Normative references.11
3 Apparatus.11
3.1 Laser probe method .13
3.2 Broadband noise probe method.13
3.3 Detailed description of apparatus .15
4 Test sample.21
5 Procedure.21
5.1 Setting the saturation condition .21
5.2 Laser probe method .25
5.3 Broadband noise probe method.25
6 Calculations.29
6.1 Laser probe method .29
6.2 Broadband source method.31
7 Test results.33

Annex A (informative) List of abbreviations .35
Annex B (informative) Relevant patents .37

Bibliography.39

Figure 1 – Block diagrams for probe methods .15
Figure 2 – Modulated optical sources.17
Figure 3 – A reduced set of saturating wavelengths – (b) replaces the full set (a) in
each region.23
Figure 4 – Typical timing for broadband noise probe method .27

– 4 – 61290-10-3 © CEI:2002
COMMISSION ÉLECTROTECHNIQUE INTERNATIONALE
____________
AMPLIFICATEURS OPTIQUES –
METHODES D’ESSAI –
Partie 10-3: Paramètres à canaux multiples –
Méthodes par sondage
AVANT-PROPOS
1) La CEI (Commission Electrotechnique Internationale) est une organisation mondiale de normalisation
composée de l'ensemble des comités électrotechniques nationaux (Comités nationaux de la CEI). La CEI a
pour objet de favoriser la coopération internationale pour toutes les questions de normalisation dans les
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...