IEC 61280-2-9:2009

Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 2-9: Digital systems - Optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement for dense wavelength-division multiplexed systems

IEC 61280-2-9:2009 provides a parameter definition and a test method for obtaining optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) using apparatus that measures the optical spectrum at a multichannel interface. Because noise measurement is made on an optical spectrum analyzer, the measured noise does not include source relative intensity noise (RIN) or receiver noise. Three implementations for an optical spectrum analyser (OSA) are discussed:
- a diffraction-grating-based OSA,
- a Michelson interferometer-based OSA,
- and a Fabry-Perot-based OSA.
This second addition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2002 and constitutes a technical revision. The main changes from the previous edition are as follows:
- A paragraph has been added to the Scope describing the limitations due to signal spectral width and wavelength filtering;
- and Annex B has been added to further explain error in measuring noise level due to signal spectral width and wavelength filtering.

Procédures d'essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications à fibres optiques - Partie 2-9: Systèmes numériques - Mesure du rapport signal sur bruit optique pour les systèmes multiplexés à répartition en longueur d'onde dense

La CEI 61280-2-9:2009 fournit une définition de paramètres et une méthode d'essai pour obtenir un rapport signal sur bruit optique (OSNR) en utilisant un appareillage destiné à mesurer le spectre optique au niveau d'une interface multivoie. Du fait qu'une mesure de bruit est effectuée sur un analyseur de spectre optique, le bruit mesuré n'inclut pas le bruit à intensité relatif de la source (RIN) ou le bruit de récepteur. Trois réalisations relatives aux analyseurs de spectre optique (OSA) sont en cours de discussion:
- un OSA réalisé à partir d'un réseau de diffraction,
- un OSA réalisé à partir d'un interféromètre Michelson,
- et un OSA réalisé à partir d'un Fabry-Perot.
Cette deuxième édition annule et remplace la première édition parue en 2002 et constitue une révision technique. Les changements principaux par rapport à la première édition sont les suivants:
- Un paragraphe a été ajouté au Domaine d'application, décrivant les limites dues à la largeur spectrale du signal et au filtrage en longueur d'onde;
- et L'Annexe B a été ajoutée, afin de mieux expliquer les erreurs survenant lors de la mesure du niveau de bruit dû à la largeur spectrale du signal et au filtrage en longueur d'onde.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 10-Feb-2009
• 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 1 - TC 86/SC 86C/WG 1
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 31-May-2009
• Completion Date: 11-Feb-2009

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61280-2-9:2002 - Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures - Part 2-9: Digital systems - Optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement for dense wavelength-division multiplexed systems
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61280-2-9 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures –
Part 2-9: Digital systems – Optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement for dense
wavelength-division multiplexed systems

Procédures d'essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications
à fibres optiques –
Partie 2-9: Systèmes numériques – Mesure du rapport signal sur bruit optique
pour les systèmes multiplexés à répartition en longueur d'onde dense

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.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de la CEI ou du Comité national de la CEI du pays du demandeur.
Si vous avez des questions sur le copyright de la CEI ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette
publication, utilisez les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de la CEI de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office
3, rue de Varembé
CH-1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
Email: [e-mail]
Web: www.iec.ch
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 corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.
ƒ Catalogue of IEC publications: www.iec.ch/searchpub
The IEC on-line Catalogue enables you to search by a variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical committee,…).
It also gives information on projects, withdrawn and replaced publications.
ƒ IEC Just Published: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published details twice a month all new publications released. Available
on-line and also by email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and electrical terms containing more than 20 000 terms and definitions
in English and French, with equivalent terms in additional languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
Vocabulary online.
ƒ Customer Service Centre: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need further assistance, please visit the Customer Service
Centre FAQ or contact us:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
A propos de la CEI
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (CEI) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications CEI
Le contenu technique des publications de la CEI est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez
l’édition la plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.
ƒ Catalogue des publications de la CEI: www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut-f.htm
Le Catalogue en-ligne de la CEI vous permet d’effectuer des recherches en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence,
texte, comité d’études,…). Il donne aussi des informations sur les projets et les publications retirées ou remplacées.
ƒ Just Published CEI: www.iec.ch/online_news/justpub
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications de la CEI. Just Published détaille deux fois par mois les nouvelles
publications parues. Disponible en-ligne et aussi par email.
ƒ Electropedia: www.electropedia.org
Le premier dictionnaire en ligne au monde de termes électroniques et électriques. Il contient plus de 20 000 termes et
définitions en anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans les langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé
Vocabulaire Electrotechnique International en ligne.
ƒ Service Clients: www.iec.ch/webstore/custserv/custserv_entry-f.htm
Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette publication ou si vous avez des questions, visitez le FAQ du
Service clients ou contactez-nous:
Email: [e-mail]
Tél.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
IEC 61280-2-9 ®
Edition 2.0 2009-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fibre optic communication subsystem test procedures –
Part 2-9: Digital systems – Optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement for dense
wavelength-division multiplexed systems

Procédures d'essai des sous-systèmes de télécommunications
à fibres optiques –
Partie 2-9: Systèmes numériques – Mesure du rapport signal sur bruit optique
pour les systèmes multiplexés à répartition en longueur d'onde dense

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
S
CODE PRIX
ICS 33.180.20 ISBN 978-2-88910-477-2
– 2 – 61280-2-9 © IEC:2009
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4
INTRODUCTION.6
1 Scope.7
2 Normative references .8
3 Definition.8
4 Apparatus.9
4.1 General .9
4.2 Diffraction grating-based OSA .9
4.3 Michelson interferometer-based OSA .10
4.4 Fabry-Perot-based OSA .10
4.5 OSA performance requirements .11
4.5.1 General .11
4.5.2 Wavelength range .11
4.5.3 Sensitivity.11
4.5.4 Resolution bandwidth (RBW) .11
4.5.5 Resolution bandwidth accuracy .12
4.5.6 Dynamic range .12
4.5.7 Scale fidelity.13
4.5.8 Polarization dependence .13
4.5.9 Wavelength data points .13
5 Sampling and specimens.13
6 Procedure .13
7 Calculations .14
8 Measurement uncertainty .14
9 Documentation .14
Annex A (informative) Error in measuring signal level due to signal spectral width.16
Annex B (informative) Error in measuring noise level due to signal spectral width and
wavelength filtering.19
Bibliography.21

Figure 1 – A typical optical spectrum at an optical interface in a multichannel
transmission system .8
Figure 2 – The OSNR for each channel as derived from direct measurements of the
optical spectrum .9
Figure 3 – A diffraction grating-based OSA .10
Figure 4 – A Michelson interferometer-based OSA.10
Figure 5 – A Fabry-Perot-based OSA.11
Figure 6 – Illustration of insufficient dynamic range as another source of measurement
uncertainty.
Figure A.1 – The power spectrum of a 10 Gb/s, 2 − 1 PRBS signal showing the
considerable amount of power not captured in a 0,1 nm RBW with 0,64 nm filtering
after the signal.17
Figure A.2 – The spectrum of a 2,5 Gb/s 2 − 1 PRBS with 0,36 nm filtering with
considerably less power outside the 0,1 nm OSA RBW .
Figure A.3 – Signal power error versus RBW for a 10 Gb/s modulated signal.18

61280-2-9 © IEC:2009 – 3 –
Figure A.4 – Signal power error versus RBW for a 2,5 Gb/s modulated signal.18
Figure B.1 – Example for noise filtering between channels for a 200 GHz grid .20

Table A.1 – Filtering used in simulation to determine signal power level error.16
Table A.2 – RBW to achieve less than 0,1 dB error in signal power .18

– 4 – 61280-2-9 © IEC:2009
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIBRE OPTIC COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM TEST PROCEDURES –

Part 2-9: Digital systems –
Optical signal-to-noise ratio measurement
for dense wavelength-division multiplexed systems

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 provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.
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 responsib
...