SIST EN IEC 61290-1-2:2026

Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)

IEC 61290-1-2:2026 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified sub-systems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOAs), and planar optical waveguides (POWAs). This document does not apply to polarization-maintaining optical amplifiers. This document defines uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the electrical spectrum analyzer test method, of the following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1, Clause 3:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) reverse gain;
d) maximum gain;
e) polarization-dependent gain.
In addition, this test method provides a means for measuring the following parameters:
- maximum gain wavelength;
- gain wavelength band.
This document specifically covers single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers, the IEC 61290-10 series applies.
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is for further study.
NOTE 2 A test method for polarization-maintaining optical amplifiers is for further study.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) addition of information on the applicability of this document to the scope;
b) harmonization of the scope with the IEC 61290-1 series;
c) addition of safety recommendations to Clause 4 and Clause 5;
d) correction of an error in Clause 7, item e);
e) replacement of the term "wavelength measurement accuracy" with "wavelength accuracy".

Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Verstärker - Teil 1-2: Optische Leistungs- und Verstärkerparameter - Verfahren mit elektrischem Spektralanalysator (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)

Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 1-2: Paramètres de puissance et de gain - Méthode de l'analyseur de spectre électrique (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)

IEC 61290-1-2:2016 s'applique à tous les amplificateurs optiques (OA) disponibles dans le commerce et aux sous-systèmes amplifiés optiquement. Elle s'applique aux OA utilisant des fibres optiquement pompées (AFO basées soit sur des fibres dopées de terres rares, soit sur l'effet Raman), des semi-conducteurs (SOA) et des guides d'ondes optiques planaires (POWA). Le présent document ne s'applique pas aux amplificateurs optiques à maintien de polarisation.
Le présent document définit des exigences uniformes pour des mesures précises et fiables, au moyen de la méthode d'essai de l'analyseur de spectre électrique, des paramètres OA suivants, tels que définis dans l'IEC 61291-1, Article 3:
a) puissance nominale du signal de sortie;
b) gain;
c) le gain inverse;
d) gain maximal;
e) gain dépendant de la polarisation.
En outre, cette méthode d'essai fournit un moyen pour mesurer les paramètres suivants:
- longueur d'onde de gain maximal;
- bande de longueur d'onde de gain.
Le présent document couvre spécifiquement les amplificateurs monovoies. Pour les amplificateurs multicanaux, la série IEC 61290-10 s'applique.
NOTE 1 L'applicabilité des méthodes d'essai décrites dans le présent document aux amplificateurs Raman distribués doit faire l'objet d'études complémentaires.
NOTE 2 Une méthode d'essai pour les amplificateurs optiques à maintien de polarisation fait l'objet d'études complémentaires.
Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition parue en 2005. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) ajout d'informations sur l'applicabilité du présent document au domaine d'application;
b) harmonisation du domaine d'application avec la série IEC 61290-1;
c) ajout de recommandations de sécurité à l'Article 4 et à l'Article 5;
d) correction d'une erreur de l'Article7, point e);
e) remplacement du terme "précision de mesure de longueur d'onde" par "précision de longueur d'onde".

Optični ojačevalniki - Preskusne metode - 1-2. del: Parametri moči in ojačenja - Metoda z električnim spektralnim analizatorjem (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)

IEC 61290-1-2:2026 se uporablja za vse komercialno dostopne optične ojačevalnike (OAs) in optično ojačane podsisteme. Uporablja se za OAs, ki uporabljajo optično črpana vlakna (OFAs, ki temeljijo bodisi na vlaknih, dopiranih z redkimi zemljami, bodisi na Ramanovem učinku), polprevodnike (SOAs) in planarno optične valovode (POWAs). Ta dokument se ne uporablja za optične ojačevalnike, ki ohranjajo polarizacijo. Ta dokument določa enotne zahteve za natančne in zanesljive meritve, z uporabo metode testiranja z električnim spektralnim analizatorjem, naslednjih parametrov OA, kot so opredeljeni v IEC 61291-1, člen 3:
a) nazivna izhodna moč signala;
b) ojačanje;
c) obratno ojačanje;
d) največje ojačanje;
e) polarizacijsko odvisno ojačanje.
Poleg tega ta metoda testiranja omogoča merjenje naslednjih parametrov:
- valovna dolžina največjega ojačanja;
- pasovna širina ojačanja.
Ta dokument posebej pokriva enokanalne ojačevalnike. Za večkanalne ojačevalnike se uporablja serija IEC 61290-10.
OPOMBA 1 Uporabnost metod testiranja, opisanih v tem dokumentu, za porazdeljene Ramanove ojačevalnike je predmet nadaljnjih študij.
OPOMBA 2 Metoda testiranja za optične ojačevalnike, ki ohranjajo polarizacijo, je predmet nadaljnjih študij.
Ta tretja izdaja preklicuje in nadomešča drugo izdajo, objavljeno leta 2005. Ta izdaja predstavlja tehnično revizijo. Ta izdaja vključuje naslednje pomembne tehnične spremembe v primerjavi s prejšnjo izdajo:
a) dodatek informacij o uporabnosti tega dokumenta v obseg;
b) uskladitev obsega z serijo IEC 61290-1;
c) dodatek varnostnih priporočil v člen 4 in člen 5;
d) popravek napake v členu 7, točka e);
e) zamenjava izraza "natančnost merjenja valovne dolžine" z "natančnost valovne dolžine".

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 31-Jul-2025
• Publication Date: 06-Apr-2026
• ICS: 33.180.30 - Optic amplifiers
• Technical Committee: MOC - Mobile Communications
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 24-Mar-2026
• Due Date: 29-May-2026
• Completion Date: 07-Apr-2026
• Ref Project: EN IEC 61290-1-2:2026 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 61290-1-2:2006 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods -- Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method
• Effective Date: 01-May-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 61291-1:2018 - Optical amplifiers - Part 1: Generic specification (IEC 61291-1:2018)
• Effective Date: 17-Mar-2026
• Refers: SIST EN IEC 60793-1-40:2025 - Optical fibres - Part 1-40: Attenuation measurement methods (IEC 60793-1-40:2024)
• Effective Date: 17-Mar-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 61290-1:2015 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1: Optical power and gain parameters (IEC 61290-1:2014)
• Effective Date: 24-Mar-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN 61291-2:2016 - Optical amplifiers - Part 2: Single channel applications - Performance specification template (IEC 61291-2:2016)
• Effective Date: 24-Mar-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 60728-106:2024 - Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services - Part 106: Optical equipment for systems loaded with digital channels only (IEC 60728-106:2023)
• Effective Date: 24-Mar-2026
• Referred By: SIST EN IEC 61290-1:2022 - Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1: Power and gain parameters (IEC 61290-1:2022)
• Effective Date: 24-Mar-2026

Overview

prEN IEC 61290-1-2:2025 - "Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1‑2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method" defines a standardized electrical‑spectrum‑analyzer (ESA) based test method for measuring power and gain parameters of single‑channel optical amplifiers. This third‑edition IEC/CDV (2025) applies to commercially available optical amplifiers: optically pumped fibre amplifiers (OFAs), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs). It does not apply to polarization‑maintaining amplifiers; multichannel amplifiers are covered by the IEC 61290‑10 series.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Measured parameters: nominal output signal power, gain, reverse gain, maximum gain, polarization‑dependent gain, maximum‑gain wavelength and gain wavelength band.
• Test method: uses an electrical spectrum analyzer to convert optical modulation to electrical spectra for accurate power/gain measurement.
• Applicability: focused on single‑channel amplifiers; applicability to distributed Raman amplifiers and polarization‑maintaining amplifiers is noted for further study.
• Required apparatus and characteristics:
  • Optical source: fixed or wavelength‑tunable; typical requirement FWHM < 1 nm and side‑mode suppression > 30 dB for DFB/DBR/ECL; output power stability < 0.05 dB. LEDs allowed only for small‑signal gain.
  • Optical power meter: uncertainty < 0.2 dB across OA operational band; dynamic range to exceed measured gain (e.g., ~40 dB).
  • Electrical spectrum analyzer: spectral‑power error ±0.5 dB (optical equivalent); linearity ±0.2 dB (optical).
  • Optical isolators and attenuators: isolator isolation > 40 dB, reflectance < −40 dB, polarization‑dependent loss variation < 0.2 dB; variable attenuator range > 40 dB, stability ±0.1 dB.
  • Polarization controller: to exercise polarization‑dependent tests.
• Measurement regimes: defines small‑signal linear region (example input −30 to −40 dBm) and saturated region behaviour; includes procedures, calculations and result reporting.

Applications and users

• Who uses it: optical amplifier manufacturers, test & calibration laboratories, system integrators, component R&D teams, procurement/specification authors, and certification bodies.
• Practical uses: factory acceptance testing, specification compliance verification, R&D characterization of gain and wavelength behaviour, production QA and supplier comparison using consistent ESA‑based methods.

Related standards

• IEC 61291‑1 - Optical amplifiers: generic specification (terms/definitions used).
• IEC 61290‑10 series - Multichannel amplifier test methods.
• IEC 60793‑1‑40 - Optical fibres - attenuation measurement methods (referenced).

Keywords: IEC 61290‑1‑2, optical amplifiers test method, electrical spectrum analyzer, gain measurement, optical amplifier power parameters, OFA, SOA, POWA, single‑channel amplifier.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61290-1-2:2006
Optični ojačevalniki - Preskusne metode - 1-2. del: Parametri moči in ojačenja -
Metoda z električnim spektralnim analizatorjem (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical
spectrum analyzer method (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)
Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Verstärker - Teil 1-2: Optische Leistungs- und
Verstärkerparameter - Verfahren mit elektrischem Spektralanalysator (IEC 61290-1-
2:2026)
Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 1-2: Paramètres de puissance et de
gain - Méthode de l'analyseur de spectre électrique (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61290-1-2:2026
ICS:
33.180.30 Optični ojačevalniki Optic amplifiers
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61290-1-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2026
ICS 33.180.30 Supersedes EN 61290-1-2:2005
English Version
Optical amplifiers - Test methods - Part 1-2: Power and gain
parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method
(IEC 61290-1-2:2026)
Amplificateurs optiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 1-2: Prüfverfahren für Lichtwellenleiter-Verstärker - Teil 1-2:
Paramètres de puissance et de gain - Méthode de Optische Leistungs- und Verstärkerparameter - Verfahren
l'analyseur de spectre électrique mit elektrischem Spektralanalysator
(IEC 61290-1-2:2026) (IEC 61290-1-2:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-03-11. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 61290-1-2:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 86C/1973/CDV, future edition 3 of IEC 61290-1-2, prepared by SC 86C "Fibre
optic systems, sensing and active devices" of IEC/TC 86 "Fibre optics" was submitted to the IEC-
CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 61290-1-2:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-03-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-03-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61290-1-2:2005 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61290-1-2:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 60825-1 NOTE Approved as EN 60825-1
IEC 60825-2 NOTE Approved as EN 60825-2
IEC 61290 (series) NOTE Approved as EN 61290 (series)
IEC 61290-10 (series) NOTE Approved as EN 61290-10 (series)
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
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.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60793-1-40 - Optical fibres - Part 1-40: Attenuation EN IEC 60793-1-40 -
measurement methods
IEC 61291-1 - Optical amplifiers - Part 1: Generic EN IEC 61291-1 -
specification
IEC 61290-1-2 ®
Edition 3.0 2026-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Optical amplifiers - Test methods -
Part 1-2: Power and gain parameters - Electrical spectrum analyzer method
ICS 33.180.30  ISBN 978-2-8327-0943-6

IEC 61290-1-2:2026-02(en)
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms, and symbols . 4
3.1 Terms and definitions. 4
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 5
3.3 Symbols . 5
4 Apparatus . 5
5 Test sample . 8
6 Procedures . 8
7 Calculation . 11
8 Test results . 13
Bibliography . 15

Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of the electrical spectrum analyzer test apparatus for
measurement of average optical input signal power, electrical input signal power, and
electrical output signal power . 6
Figure 2 – Typical variation of gain as a function of input signal power . 7

IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Optical amplifiers - Test methods -
Part 1-2: power and gain parameters -
Electrical spectrum analyzer 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) 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 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. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 61290-1-2 has been prepared by subcommittee 86C: Fibre optic systems, sensing 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 2005. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) addition of information on the applicability of this document to the scope;
b) harmonization of the scope with the IEC 61290-1 series;
c) addition of safety recommendations to Clause 4 and Clause 5;
d) correction of an error in Clause 7, item e);
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
e) replacement of the term "wavelength measurement accuracy" with "wavelength accuracy".
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
86C/1973/CDV 86C/1991/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/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, or
– revised.
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
1 Scope
This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and
optically amplified sub-systems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based
on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOAs), and planar
optical waveguides (POWAs). This document does not apply to polarization-maintaining optical
amplifiers.
This document defines uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means
of the electrical spectrum analyzer test method, of the following OA parameters, as defined in
IEC 61291-1, Clause 3:
a) nominal output signal power;
b) gain;
c) reverse gain;
d) maximum gain;
e) polarization-dependent gain.
In addition, this test method provides a means for measuring the following parameters:
– maximum gain wavelength;
– gain wavelength band.
This document specifically covers single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers, the
IEC 61290-10 series applies.
NOTE 1 The applicability of the test methods described in this document to distributed Raman amplifiers is for
further study.
NOTE 2 A test method for polarization-maintaining optical amplifiers is for further study.
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 61291-1, Optical amplifiers - Part 1: Generic specification
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms, and symbols
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 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
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
3.2 Abbreviated terms
ASE amplified spontaneous emission
DBR distributed Bragg reflector (laser diode)
DFB distributed feedback (laser diode)
ECL external cavity laser (diode)
LED light emitting diode
OA optical amplifier
OFA optical fibre amplifier
POWA planar optical waveguide amplifier
SOA semiconductor optical amplifier
3.3 Symbols
(‡) indicates a suggested value for which a measurement is assured.
4 Apparatus
A diagram of the measurement set-up is given in Figure 1.

a) Average optical input signal power

b) Electrical input signal power
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
c) Electrical output signal power

Key
J1, J2 Optical connectors
Figure 1 – Typical arrangement of the electrical spectrum analyzer test apparatus for
measurement of average optical input signal power, electrical input signal power, and
electrical output signal power
The test equipment items with their required characteristics listed in a) to k) in this clause shall
be used.
a) Optical source: the optical source shall be either at a fixed wavelength or wavelength
tuneable.
1) Fixed-wavelength optical source: the optical source shall generate light with a
wavelength and optical power specified in the relevant detail specification. The optical
source shall emit modulated light with the full width at half maximum of the spectrum
narrower than 1 nm (‡), unless otherwise specified in the relevant detail specification. A
distributed feedback (DFB) laser, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser, an external
cavity laser (ECL) diode, or a light-emitting diode (LED) with a narrow-band filter can be
used as the optical source, for example. The suppression ratio of the side modes for the
DFB laser, the DBR laser, and the ECL shall be higher than 30 dB (‡). The output power
fluctuation shall be less than 0,05 dB (‡), which can require the insertion of an optical
isolator at the output port of the optical source. Spectral broadening at the foot of the
lasing spectrum should be minimal for laser sources.
2) Wavelength-tuneable optical source: this optical source shall be able to generate
wavelength-tuneable light within the wavelength range specified in the relevant detail
specification. Its optical power shall be specified in the relevant detail specification. The
optical source shall emit modulated light with the full width at half maximum of the
spectrum narrower than 1 nm (‡), unless otherwise specified in the relevant detail
specification. An ECL or a LED with a narrow bandpass optical filter can be used as the
optical source, for example. The suppression ratio of side modes for the ECL shall be
higher than 30 dB (‡). The output power fluctuation shall be less than 0,05 dB, which
can require the insertion of an optical isolator at the output port of the optical source.
Spectral broadening at the foot of the lasing spectrum should be minimal for the ECL.
The use of a LED should be limited to small-signal gain measurements.
NOTE 1 The regime of small-signal gain is the range of input signal power sufficiently small so that the OA
under test operates in the linear region. This regime can be found by plotting the signal gain G versus the
averaged input optical signal power [see Formula (3)]. The linear region is the range of input optical signal
powers where the gain is nearly independent of input optical signal power (see Figure 2). An averaged input
optical signal power between −30 dBm and −40 dBm is generally well within this range. In the saturated
region, the signal power is large enough to well suppress the ASE.
IEC 61290-1-2:2026 © IEC 2026
Figure 2 – Typical variation of gain as a function of input signal power
b) Optical power meter: it shall have a measurement uncertainty less than 0,2 dB, irrespective
of the state of polarization, within the operational wavelength bandwidth of the OA. The
optical power meter shall have a dynamic range that exceeds the measured gain (e.g.
40 dB).
c) Electrical spectrum analyzer: the spectral-power-measurement error shall be within ±0,5 dB
(optical). The linearity s
...