IEC 61290-1:2022

Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1: Power and gain parameters

IEC 61290-1:2022 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified subsystems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs)), and aveguides (planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs)). It is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. Test methods for multichannel amplifiers are defined in the IEC 61290-10 series. This document establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:2018, Clause 3:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) reverse gain;
d) maximum gain;
e) maximum gain wavelength;
f) maximum gain variation with temperature;
g) gain wavelength band;
h) gain wavelength variation;
i) gain stability;
j) polarization-dependent gain;
k) gain ripple (SOA only);
l) large-signal output stability;
m) saturation output power;
n) maximum output signal power;
o) maximum total output power.
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is still under study. NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other values are acceptable if verified. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- specification of gain ripple as a new parameter;
- specification of test method and test report for gain ripple measurements;
- use of the term “measurement uncertainty” instead of “measurement accuracy”.

Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 1: Paramètres de puissance et de gain

L'IEC 61290-1:2022 s’applique à tous les amplificateurs optiques (AO) et sous-systèmes à amplification optique, disponibles sur le marché. Elle s’applique aux AO utilisant des fibres pompées optiquement (amplificateurs à fibres optiques (AFO) basés sur des fibres dopées aux terres rares ou sur l’effet Raman), des semiconducteurs (amplificateurs optiques à semiconducteurs (SOA)), et des guides d’ondes (amplificateurs à guide d’ondes optiques planaires (POWA)). Elle est spécifiquement centrée sur les amplificateurs à un seul canal. Les méthodes d'essai pour les amplificateurs à canaux multiples sont définies dans la série IEC 61290-10.
Le présent document établit des exigences uniformes pour des mesures précises et fiables des paramètres d’AO donnés ci-dessous, tels qu’ils sont définis dans l'IEC 61291-1:2018, Article 3:
a) puissance nominale du signal de sortie;
b) gain;
c) gain inverse;
d) Gain maximal;
e) longueur d’onde du gain maximal;
f) variation maximale du gain en fonction de la température;
g) bande de longueur d’onde du gain;
h) variation du gain en fonction de la longueur d’onde;
i) stabilité du gain;
j) gain dépendant de la polarisation;
k) ondulation du gain (SOA uniquement);
l) stabilité de sortie grands signaux;
m) puissance de sortie en saturation;
n) puissance maximale du signal de sortie;
o) puissance de sortie totale maximale.
NOTE 1 L’applicabilité des méthodes d’essai décrites dans le présent document à des amplificateurs à effet Raman répartis est toujours à l'étude. NOTE 2 Toutes les valeurs numériques suivies de (‡) sont des valeurs suggérées, pour lesquelles la mesure est assurée. D’autres valeurs sont acceptables, à condition d'être vérifiées.
Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- spécification de l’ondulation du gain en tant que nouveau paramètre;
- spécification de la méthode d’essai et du rapport d’essai pour les mesures d’ondulation du gain;
- utilisation du terme “incertitude de mesure” au lieu de “précision de mesure”.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 06-Jun-2022
• ICS: 33.180.30 - Optic amplifiers
• 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-Jun-2022
• Completion Date: 07-Jun-2022

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61290-1:2014 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1: Power and gain parameters
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61290-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-06
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 1: Power and gain parameters

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, 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
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
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About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 61290-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-06
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 1: Power and gain parameters
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-3847-9

– 2 – IEC 61290-1:2022 RLV © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope and object . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Optical power and gain test method . 6
5 Optical power and gain parameters . 6
6 Test results . 12
Bibliography . 15

Figure 1 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of input signal power . 7
Figure 2 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of wavelength . 8
Figure 3 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of temperature . 9
Figure 4 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of wavelength . 10
Figure 5 – Typical behaviour of the gain fluctuation as a function of time . 10
Figure 6 – Typical behaviour of the output power fluctuation as a function of time . 11
Figure 7 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of input signal power . 12
Figure 8 – Typical behaviour of the output power as a function of input signal power . 12

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1: Power and gain parameters

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,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) 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 itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
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.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This redline version of the official IEC Standard allows the user to identify the changes made to
the previous edition IEC 61290-1:2014. A vertical bar appears in the margin wherever a change
has been made. Additions are in green text, deletions are in strikethrough red text.

– 4 – IEC 61290-1:2022 RLV © IEC 2022
IEC 61290-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic systems and active devices,
of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) specification of gain ripple as a new parameter;
b) specification of test method and test report for gain ripple measurements;
c) use of the term “measurement uncertainty” instead of “measurement accuracy”.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86C/1746/FDIS 86C/1783/RVD
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.
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 www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the 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 webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The "colour inside" logo on the cover page of this document indicates that it
contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding of its
contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1: Power and gain parameters

1 Scope and object
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and
optically amplified subsystems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (optical fibre
amplifiers (OFAs) based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect),
semiconductors (semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs)), and waveguides (planar optical
waveguide amplifiers (POWAs)). It is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. Test
methods for multichannel amplifiers are defined in the IEC 61290-10 series.
This document establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the
following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:20122018, Clause 3:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) reverse gain;
d) maximum gain;
e) maximum gain wavelength;
f) maximum gain variation with temperature;
g) gain wavelength band;
h) gain wavelength variation;
i) gain stability;
j) polarization-dependent gain;
k) gain ripple (SOA only);
l) large-signal output stability;
m) saturation output power;
n) maximum output signal power;
o) maximum total output power.
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is still
under study.
NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other
values are acceptable if verified.
The object of this standard is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel
amplifiers, one should refer to the IEC 61290-10 series.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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 amplifiers – Test methods – Part 1-1: Power and gain parameters –
Optical spectrum analyzer method

– 6 – IEC 61290-1:2022 RLV © IEC 2022
IEC 61290-1-2, Optical amplifiers – Test methods – Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters –
Electrical spectrum analyzer method
IEC 61290-1-3, Optical amplifiers – Test methods – Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters –
Optical power meter method
IEC 61291-1:20122018, Optical amplifiers – Part 1: Generic specification
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 61291-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.2 Abbreviated terms
ASE amplified spontaneous emission
FWHM full width at half maximum
OA optical amplifier
OFA optical fibre amplifier
OSA optical spectrum analyzer
POWA planar optical waveguide amplifier
SOA semiconductor optical amplifier
4 Optical power and gain test method
Three commonly practised procedures for quantifying the optical power and gain of an OA are
considered in this standard.
One of the three test methods described in IEC 61290-1-1, IEC 61290-1-2, and IEC 61290-1-3
for quantifying the optical power and gain of an OA shall be followed in this document.
The aim of the first procedure (see The test method described in IEC 61290-1-1) is to
determines the optical power and gain by means of an optical spectrum analyzer test method.
The aim of the
...

IEC 61290-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 1: Power and gain parameters

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d’essai –
Partie 1: Paramètres de puissance et de gain

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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

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and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
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IEC 61290-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2022-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –

Part 1: Power and gain parameters

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d’essai –

Partie 1: Paramètres de puissance et de gain

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-2286-7

– 2 – IEC 61290-1:2022 © IEC 2022
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 6
3.1 Terms and definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Optical power and gain test method . 6
5 Optical power and gain parameters . 6
6 Test results . 11
Bibliography . 14

Figure 1 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of input signal power . 7
Figure 2 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of wavelength . 7
Figure 3 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of temperature . 8
Figure 4 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of wavelength . 9
Figure 5 – Typical behaviour of the gain fluctuation as a function of time . 9
Figure 6 – Typical behaviour of the output power fluctuation as a function of time . 10
Figure 7 – Typical behaviour of the gain as a function of input signal power . 11
Figure 8 – Typical behaviour of the output power as a function of input signal power . 11

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1: Power and gain parameters

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,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) 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 itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
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.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61290-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic systems and active devices,
of IEC technical committee 86: Fibre optics. It is an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2014. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) specification of gain ripple as a new parameter;
b) specification of test method and test report for gain ripple measurements;
c) use of the term “measurement uncertainty” instead of “measurement accuracy”.

– 4 – IEC 61290-1:2022 © IEC 2022
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86C/1746/FDIS 86C/1783/RVD
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.
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 www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the 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 webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1: Power and gain parameters

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and
optically amplified subsystems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (optical fibre
amplifiers (OFAs) based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect),
semiconductors (semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs)), and waveguides (planar optical
waveguide amplifiers (POWAs)). It is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. Test
methods for multichannel amplifiers are defined in the IEC 61290-10 series.
This document establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the
following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:2018, Clause 3:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) reverse gain;
d) maximum gain;
e) maximum gain wavelength;
f) maximum gain variation with temperature;
g) gain wavelength band;
h) gain wavelength variation;
i) gain stability;
j) polarization-dependent gain;
k) gain ripple (SOA only);
l) large-signal output stability;
m) saturation output power;
n) maximum output signal power;
o) maximum total output power.
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is still
under study.
NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assu
...