oSIST prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Sep-2026
• ICS: 33.180.30 - Optic amplifiers
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 23-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 10-Dec-2026
• Ref Project: prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME)

• Revises: SIST 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

Overview

oSIST prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026 is a draft international standard developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) under the IEC framework. It specifies test methods for measuring the polarization mode dispersion (PMD) parameter of optical amplifiers using the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) technique. This standard applies to all types of commercially available optical amplifiers, including optical fibre amplifiers (OFA), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), and planar waveguide optical amplifiers (PWOA).

Effective management of PMD in optical amplifiers is essential for maintaining the performance and reliability of fibre optic communication systems. The JME method described in this standard provides a precise means to determine differential group delay (DGD) and related PMD characteristics, supporting device qualification and system design.

Key Topics

• Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD): PMD refers to the time spreading of optical pulses due to differences in propagation velocities of different polarization states. This dispersion impacts the bandwidth and speed of fibre optic transmission systems.

• Jones Matrix Eigenanalysis (JME): This analysis utilizes normalized Stokes parameters, measured at closely spaced wavelengths, to calculate the PMD of optical amplifiers. JME is robust against polarization dependent gain (PDG) and loss (PDL) up to approximately 1 dB.

• Measurement Setups: The standard outlines two principal test configurations:

  • Use of a narrowband tuneable light source (e.g., tuneable laser) with a broadband polarimeter.
  • Use of a broadband light source with a polarization optical spectral analyser.

• Differential Group Delay (DGD): Procedures and calculations are provided to determine average, RMS, maximum, and minimum DGD values, all of which are critical PMD metrics.

• Degree of Polarization (DOP): The standard emphasizes the need for sufficiently polarized input light (minimum DOP of 25%) to ensure accurate Stokes parameter measurements, considering the impact of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE).

Applications

• Optical Amplifier Testing: Manufacturers and testing laboratories can use this standard to verify the PMD characteristics of OFAs, SOAs, and PWOAs, ensuring compliance with communication system specifications.

• Fibre Optic System Design: System designers apply PMD data measured according to IEC 61290-11-1 to evaluate network performance and deploy optical amplifiers that meet stringent transmission requirements.

• Quality Assurance and Compliance: Following international standards for PMD measurements assures customers and regulators of product consistency and compatibility across global markets.

• Research and Development: The JME test method supports R&D activities by providing an objective basis for comparing new amplifier designs and their impact on PMD.

Related Standards

• IEC 61290-11-2: Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-2: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Poincaré sphere analysis method. Offers an alternative PMD measurement approach.

• IEC TR 61282-9: Fibre optic communication system design guides - Guidance on polarization mode dispersion measurements and theory.

• IEC TR 61292-5: Optical amplifiers - General information on polarization mode dispersion parameters.

These related documents provide complementary techniques, broader theoretical background, and further guidance for PMD measurements in optical components and systems.

---

By implementing oSIST prEN IEC 61290-11-1:2026, organizations can standardize their PMD testing processes for optical amplifiers, enhancing network reliability and future-proofing fibre optic infrastructures for high-capacity applications. Ensure your testing and compliance strategies conform to the latest international best practices for optical amplifier characterization.

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
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft
for Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of
which they are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some
Countries” clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is
the final stage for submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 11-1: Polarization mode dispersion parameter - Jones
matrix eigenanalysis (JME)
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2030
download this electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National
Committee positions. You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, o r any part of it,
for any other purpose without permission in writing from IEC.

NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
Link to Committee Draft for Vote (CDV) online document:
Click here
How to access
This link leads you to the Online Standards Development (OSD) platform for National Mirror
Committee’s (NMC) comments. The project draft may be found further down this document.

Resource materials
We recommend NCs to review the available materials to better understand the member commenting
on the OSD platform. This includes the:
• OSD NC roles overview
• How to add and submit comments to the IEC

Contact
Should you require any assistance, please contact the IEC IT Helpdesk.

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
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 corres ponding 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) 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 applicability
of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document,
IEC [had/had not] received notice of (a) patent(s), which may be required to implement this
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
applicability of any claimed patent rights in respect thereof. As of the dat e of publication of this
document, IEC [had/had not] received notice of (a) patent(s), which may be required to
implement this 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 www.iso.org/patents. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying
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
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at https://www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC
are described in greater detail at https://www.iec.ch/publications.
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
stability date indicated on the IEC website under https://webstore.iec.ch in the data related to
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
...