IEC 61290-1-3:2021

Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters - Optical power meter method

IEC 61290-1-3:2021 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OA) and optically amplified subsystems. It applies to OA using optically pumped fibres (OFA based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOA), and waveguides (POWA).
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is for further study. The object of this document is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the optical power meter test method, of the following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:
- nominal output signal power;
- gain;
- polarization-dependent gain;
- maximum output signal power;
- maximum total output power.
NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other values can be acceptable upon verification.
This document applies to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers,
IEC 61290-10 (all parts) applies. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- harmonization with IEC 61290-1-1;
- use of the term "measurement uncertainty" instead of "measurement accuracy".

Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 1-3: Paramètres de puissance et de gain - Méthode par appareil de mesure de la puissance optique

L'IEC 61290-1-3:2021 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 (AFO basé sur des fibres dopées aux terres rares ou sur l’effet Raman), des semiconducteurs (AOS), et des guides d’ondes (POWA).
NOTE 1 L’applicabilité des méthodes d’essai décrites dans le présent document à des amplificateurs Raman répartis est destinée à une étude ultérieure. L'objet du présent document est d'établir des exigences uniformes pour des mesurages précis et fiables, par le biais de la méthode d'essai par appareil de mesure de la puissance optique, des paramètres d’AO donnés ci-dessous, tels qu’ils sont définis dans l'IEC 61291-1:
- puissance nominale du signal de sortie;
- gain;
- gain en fonction de la polarisation;
- puissance maximale du signal de sortie;
- puissance totale de sortie maximale
NOTE 2 Toutes les valeurs numériques suivies de (‡) sont des valeurs suggérées, pour lesquelles le mesurage est assuré. D’autres valeurs peuvent être acceptables après vérification.
Le présent document s'applique aux amplificateurs à un seul canal. Pour les amplificateurs à canaux multiples, l’IEC 61290-10 (toutes les parties) s'applique. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2015. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. La présente édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- harmonisation avec l'IEC 61290-1-1;
- utilisation du terme "incertitude de mesure" au lieu de "précision de mesure".

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2021
• 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: 22-Mar-2021
• Completion Date: 01-Mar-2021

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61290-1-3:2015 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters - Optical power meter method
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61290-1-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2021-03
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

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
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

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About the IEC
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International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

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IEC 61290-1-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2021-03
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –

Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.180.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-9527-4

– 2 – IEC 61290-1-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
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 Apparatus . 7
5 Test sample . 9
6 Procedure . 9
7 Calculation . 12
8 Test results . 14
Annex A (informative)  Optimization of optical bandpass filter spectral width . 16
Bibliography . 17

Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of optical power meter test apparatus for measurement . 7

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

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 61290-1-3:2015. 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 61290-1-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
IEC 61290-1-3 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 fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2015. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) harmonization with IEC 61290-1-1;
b) 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/1671/CDV 86C/1698/RVC
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/standardsdev/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 "http://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 publication 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 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OA) and optically
amplified subsystems. It applies to OA using optically pumped fibres (OFA based on either rare-
earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOA), and waveguides (POWA).
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is for
further study.
The object of this document is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable
measurements, by means of the optical power meter test method, of the following OA
parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) polarization-dependent gain;
d) maximum output signal power;
e) maximum total output power.
NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other
values may can be acceptable but should be verified upon verification.
This document applies to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers,
IEC 61290-10 (all parts) applies.
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 60793-1-40, Optical fibres – Part 1-40: Measurement methods and test procedures –
Attenuation
IEC 60793-2-50, Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
class B single-mode fibres
IEC 61290-1, Optical amplifiers – Test methods – Part 1: Power and gain parameters
IEC 61291-1, Optical amplifiers – Part 1: Generic specification

– 6 – IEC 61290-1-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
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
DBR distributed Bragg reflector (laser diode)
DFB distributed feedback (laser diode)
ECL external cavity laser (diode)
FWHM full width at half maximum
LED light emitting diode
OA optical amplifier
OFA optical fibre amplifier
OSA optical spectrum analyzer
PDL polarization dependent loss
POWA planar optical waveguide amplifier
SOA semiconductor optical amplifier

4 Apparatus
A diagram of the measurement set-up is given in Figure 1 a), Figure 1 b), Figure 1 c) and
Figure 1 d).
a) Measurement of input signal power

b) Measurement of optical bandpass filter loss and jumper loss

c) Measurement of output signal power and gain

d) Measurement of total output power
Key
J1, J2 optical connector
Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of optical power meter test apparatus for measurement

– 8 – IEC 61290-1-3:2021 RLV © IEC 2021
The test equipment listed below, with the required characteristics, is needed.
a) Optical source: The optical source shall be either at fixed wavelength or wavelength-
tuneable.
– Fixed-wavelength optical source: This optical source shall generate a light with a
wavelength and optical power specified in the relevant detail product specification.
Unless otherwise specified, the optical source shall emit a continuous wave with FWH
...

IEC 61290-1-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2021-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –
Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d'essai –
Partie 1-3: Paramètres de puissance et de gain – Méthode par appareil de
mesure de la puissance optique

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or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
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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.

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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IEC 61290-1-3 ®
Edition 4.0 2021-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Optical amplifiers – Test methods –

Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

Amplificateurs optiques – Méthodes d'essai –

Partie 1-3: Paramètres de puissance et de gain – Méthode par appareil de

mesure de la puissance optique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.180.30 ISBN 978-2-8322-9475-8

– 2 – IEC 61290-1-3:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 6
4 Apparatus . 7
5 Test sample . 9
6 Procedure . 9
7 Calculation . 12
8 Test results . 13
Annex A (informative)  Optimization of optical bandpass filter spectral width . 15
Bibliography . 16

Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of optical power meter test apparatus for measurement . 7

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS – TEST METHODS –

Part 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

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 61290-1-3 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 fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2015. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) harmonization with IEC 61290-1-1;
b) use of the term "measurement uncertainty" instead of "measurement accuracy".

– 4 – IEC 61290-1-3:2021 © IEC 2021
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86C/1671/CDV 86C/1698/RVC
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/standardsdev/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 "http://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 1-3: Power and gain parameters – Optical power meter method

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OA) and optically
amplified subsystems. It applies to OA using optically pumped fibres (OFA based on either rare-
earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOA), and waveguides (POWA).
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is for
further study.
The object of this document is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable
measurements, by means of the optical power meter test method, of the following OA
parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) polarization-dependent gain;
d) maximum output signal power;
e) maximum total output power.
NOTE 2 All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other
values can be acceptable upon verification.
This document applies to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers,
IEC 61290-10 (all parts) applies.
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 60793-2-50, Optical fibres – Part 2-50: Product specifications – Sectional specification for
class B single-mode fibres
IEC 61291-1, Optical amplifiers – Pa
...