WG 3 - TC 86/SC 86C/WG 3

IEC 61291-2:2023 is available as IEC 61291-2:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 61292-2:2023 provides a performance specification template applicable to optical amplifiers (OAs) used in single channel applications. Multichannel applications are covered in IEC 61291-4. The objective of this template is to provide a framework for the preparation of performance standards and/or product specifications defining the performance of OA devices used in single channel applications. In addition to the requirements specified in this template, a performance standard or product specification could include other parameters, such as ratings, operating conditions, tests, and pass/fail criteria. For a particular application, product specification writers could add specification parameters and/or groups of specification parameters to this template, without removing the parameters specified in this document. This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2016. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- the test methods for gain ripple in Table 2, Table 4 and Table 6 refer now to the IEC 61290‑1 series;
- the SOA definition (3.1.3) refers now to IEC 61931.

IEC TR 61292-6:2023 is available as IEC TR 61292-6:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC TR 61292-6:2023 which is a Technical Report, relates to distributed Raman amplification (DRA). Its main purpose is to provide background material for future standards related to DRA, such as specifications, test methods and operating procedures. This document covers the following aspects:
- general overview of Raman amplification;
- applications of DRA;
- performance characteristics and test methods related to DRA;
- operational issues relating to the deployment of DRA.
As DRA is a relatively new technology, and still rapidly evolving, some of the material in this document can become obsolete or irrelevant in a fairly short period of time. This document will be updated frequently to minimize this possibility. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2010. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- correction of the formula for noise figure;
- correction of errors in Figure 10.

IEC TR 61292-4:2023 is available as IEC TR 61292-4:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC TR 61292-4:2023 which is a Technical Report, applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres as well as Raman amplifiers. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using semiconductor gain media are also included. This document provides informative guidelines on the threshold of high optical power that can cause high-temperature damage of the fibre. Also discussed is optical safety for manufacturers and users of optical amplifiers by quoting parts of existing standards and agreements on eye and skin safety. This document identifies the following values for maximum permissible optical power in the optical amplifier for damage-free and safe operation:
- the optical power limit that causes thermal damage to the fibre, such as fibre fuse and fibre-coat burning;
- the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to which the eyes/skin can be exposed without consequent injury;
- the optical power limit in the fibre that causes MPE on the eyes/skin after free-space propagation from the fibre;
- the absolute allowable optical power level for damage-free and safe operation of the optical amplifier by comparing a) and c).
The objective of this document is to minimize potential confusion and misunderstanding in the industry that can cause unnecessary alarms and hinder the progress and acceptance of advancing optical amplifier technologies in the market. It is important that the reader always refers to the latest international standards and agreements, because the technologies concerned are rapidly evolving. The present document will be frequently reviewed and updated in a timely manner by incorporating the results of various studies related to OAs and OA-supported optical systems. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third 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) The technical information has been updated to reflect revisions of the relevant references.
b) In particular, the descriptions provided in Clause 5 and Clause 6 have been modified significantly to reflect changes in the cited references. Unnecessary formulas and explanations that overlap with the references have been removed to simplify the document.
c) New information has been added to Annex A on optical fibre burning when light enters an optical fibre with a bubble train formed by a fibre fuse.

IEC TR 61292-9:2023 is available as IEC TR 61292-9:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC TR 61292-9:2023 which is a Technical Report, describes the characteristic features of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), including the specific features of gain ripple and polarization dependent gain (PDG). This document focuses on amplifying applications of SOAs. Other applications, such as modulation, switching and non-linear functions, are not covered. Potential applications of SOAs, such as reflective SOAs (RSOAs) for the seeded wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON), are reviewed in Annex A. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- revised definitions for SOAs in 3.1;
- added more theoretical background on gain ripple measurements using amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectrum in 4.3;
- removed the formerly preferred set-up for output power and PDG measurements in Clause 5.

IEC 62343:2023 is available as IEC 62343:2023 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.IEC 62343:2023 applies to all commercially available optical dynamic modules and devices. It describes the products covered by the IEC 62343 series, defines terminology, fundamental considerations and basic approaches. The object of this document is to:
- establish uniform requirements for operation, reliability and environmental properties of dynamic modules (DMs) to be implemented in the appropriate DM standard, and
- provide assistance to the purchaser in the selection of consistently high-quality DM products for their particular applications, as well as in the consultation of the appropriate specific DM standard(s).
This document covers performance templates, performance standards, reliability qualification requirements, hardware and software interfaces and related testing methods. Since a dynamic module integrates an optical module/device, printed wiring board, and software/firmware, the standards developed in the series will mimic appropriate existing standards. On the other hand, since "dynamic module" is a relatively new product category, the dynamic module standards series will not be bound by the existing practices where requirements differ.The safety standards as related to dynamic modules are mostly optical power considerations, which is covered by the IEC 60825 series (see Clause 6). This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2017. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- addition of terms and definitions for optical multicast switches (3.8);
- revision of Clause 4, listing the requirements for standards in the IEC 62343 series;
- addition of Clause 6 (Safety requirements).

IEC 61290-1:2022 is available as IEC 61290-1:2022 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.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”.

IIEC TR 61292-1:2022 which is a Technical Report, applies to optical components of optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs). This document provides information about the most relevant parameters of these optical components, especially for erbium doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs) and fibre Raman amplifiers (FRAs). It provides introductory information for a better understanding operation and applications of EDFAs and FRAs. NOTE IEC TR 61292-6 provides more technical information on FRAs. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2009. This edition constitutes a technical revision.  This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:  
Change of document title from "Parameters of amplifier components" to "Parameters of optical fibre amplifier components";
Addition of parameters for optical components used in fibre Raman amplifiers;
Addition of Table 1, listing various documents that specify terms and definitions for optical components used in optical fibre amplifiers;
Addition of Figure 2 and Figure 3, showing typical component layouts for distributed and lumped fibre Raman amplifiers;
Harmonization of the descriptions of optical component parameters with the definitions in other standards on optical components.

IEC 61290-1-3:2021 is available as IEC 61290-1-3:2021 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.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".

IEC 61290-1-1:2020 is available as IEC 61290-1-1:2020 RLV which contains the International Standard and its Redline version, showing all changes of the technical content compared to the previous edition.
IEC 61290-1-1:2020 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified modules. It applies to OAs using optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect, semiconductor OAs (SOAs) and planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs). The object of this document is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) test method, of the following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1:
- nominal output signal power;
- gain;
- polarization-dependent gain (PDG);
- maximum output signal power;
- maximum total output power.
In addition, this document provides the test method of:
- gain ripple (for SOAs).
NOTE All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured.
The object of this document is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. Test methods for multichannel amplifiers are standardized in IEC 61290-10 (all parts). This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2015 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition: addition of techniques to test gain ripple of SOAs.

IEC TR 61292-3:2020 which is a Technical Report, establishes the classification of optical amplifiers (OAs). It also includes a brief description of each amplifier, its general properties, performance, configurations and applications. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2003. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:  
document architecture now focuses on EDFA, FRA and SOA;
the description of PDFA and TDFA has been moved to the annexes;
the EDWA description has been deleted;
information on single channel amplification, multi-channel amplification, configuration and control method for EDFA, FRA and SOA has been added;
information on future amplifiers, arrayed amplifiers and SDM amplifiers has been added.

IEC TR 61292-8:2019, which is a technical report, deals with high-power optical amplifiers. It provides general information relating to high-power optical amplifiers with an output power greater than 500 mW for the fibre communication field. It covers the following aspects:
- general information;
- example of the optical amplifier's configuration realizing high optical output power;
- test method for optical output power and gain;
- considerations on high-power optical amplifiers.
Potential applications of high-power optical amplifiers are briefly reviewed in Annex A.
Informative IEC documents related to high optical power are listed in Annex B.
Keywords: high-power amplifiers

IEC 61290-4-4:2018 applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified elementary sub-systems. More specifically, it applies to OAs using active fibres (optical fibre amplifiers, OFAs) containing rare-earth dopants, such as erbium doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs), presently commercially available, as indicated in IEC 61291-1. This document provides the general background for optical amplifier gain transients and their measurements and indicates those IEC standard test methods for accurate and reliable measurements of the following transient parameters:
a) optical input power increase/decrease transient gain overshoot and transient net gain overshoot;
b) optical input power increase/decrease transient gain undershoot and transient net gain undershoot;
c) optical input power increase/decrease gain offset;
d) optical input power increase/decrease transient gain response constant (settling time).
These parameters have been included to provide a complete description of the transient behaviour of gain controlled OA. The parameters defined here are applicable if the amplifier is an OFA or an alternative type of OA.
Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs) gain transients

IEC 61290-4-3:2018 applies to output power controlled optically amplified, elementary sub‑systems. It applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres containing rare‑earth dopants, presently commercially available, as indicated in IEC 61291-1, as well as alternative optical amplifiers that can be used for single channel output power controlled operation, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). The object of this document is to provide the general background for optical amplifiers (OAs) power transients and their measurements and to indicate those IEC standard test methods for accurate and reliable measurements of the following transient parameters:
a) transient power response;
b) transient power overcompensation response;
c) steady-state power offset;
d) transient power response time.
The stimulus and responses behaviours under consideration include the following:
1. channel power increase (step transient);
2. channel power reduction (inverse step transient);
3. channel power increase/reduction (pulse transient);
4. channel power reduction/increase (inverse pulse transient);
5. channel power increase/reduction/increase (lightning bolt transient);
6. channel power reduction/increase/reduction (inverse lightning bolt transient).
These parameters have been included to provide a complete description of the transient behaviour of an output power transient controlled OA. The test definitions defined here are applicable if the amplifier is an OFA or an alternative OA. However, the description in Annex A concentrates on the physical performance of an OFA and provides a detailed description of the behaviour of an OFA; it does not give a similar description of other OA types. Annex B provides a detailed description background of the dynamic phenomenon in output power controlled amplifiers under transient conditions and Annex C details the impact of speed of transient inputs.This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2015. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical change with respect to the previous edition: alignment of the measure of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) relative to signal power with the definition in IEC 61290-3-3.
Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs) power transients
This International Standard is to be used in conjunction with IEC 61291-1:2012

IEC 61291-1:2018 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified assemblies. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based either on rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOAs), and waveguides (POWAs). The object of this document is
- to establish uniform requirements for transmission, operation, reliability and environmental properties of OAs, and
- to provide assistance to the purchaser in the selection of consistently high-quality OA products for his particular applications.
Parameters specified for OAs are those characterizing the transmission, operation, reliability and environmental properties of the OA seen as a "black box" from a general point of view. In the sectional and detail specifications a subset of these parameters will be specified according to the type and application of the particular OA device or assembly. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- terms have been added for parameters from IEC 61290-4-3 and IEC 61290-10-5;
- Clause 4 Classification has been removed, since this system is judged to be unused;
- the definition of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) has been simplified.
Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs)

IEC TR 61292-9:2017(E) which is a Technical Report, focuses on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), especially the specific features and measurement of gain and polarization dependent gain (PDG). In this document, only the amplifying application of SOAs is described. Other applications, such as modulation, switching and non-linear functions, are not covered. Potential applications of SOAs, however, such as reflective SOAs (RSOAs) for the seeded wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON), are briefly reviewed in Annex A. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2013. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) addition of new terms;
b) clarification of noise figure definition.
Keywords: semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), gain and polarization dependent gain (PDG)

IEC 61291-5-2:2017 applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified, elementary sub-systems for terrestrial applications, using active fibres (optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs)) containing rare-earth dopants, which are commercially available. The black box approach is used in this document. The black box approach is adopted in order to give product specifications which are independent of OA implementation details. For reliability qualification purposes, some information about the internal components is needed; these internal parts are themselves treated as black boxes. This document gives requirements for the evaluation of OA reliability by combining the reliability of such internal black boxes. The object of this document is to specify the minimum list of reliability qualification tests, requirements on failure criteria during testing and on reliability predictions, and give the relevant normative references to establish a standard method for the assessment of the reliability of OFA devices and sub-systems in order to minimize risks and to promote product development and reliability qualification. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2002. It constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) removal of the contents on the relating quality management system from scope, terms and definitions, and the reliability requirements;
b) moving fit-rate calculation to Annex B (informative);
c) change of requirements for shock test;
d) amendment of abbreviations related to changes a) and b).
The contents of the corrigendum of May 2019 have been included in this copy.

IEC 61290-4-1:2016 applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) using active fibres (optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs)) containing rare-earth dopants including erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs) and optically amplified elementary sub-systems. These amplifiers are commercially available and widely deployed in service provider networks. The object of document is to provide the general background for OFA transients and related parameters, and to describe a standard test method for accurate and reliable measurement of the following transient parameters:
- channel addition or removal transient gain overshoot and transient net gain overshoot;
- channel addition or removal transient gain undershoot and transient net gain undershoot;
- channel addition or removal gain offset;
- channel addition or removal transient gain response time constant (settling time). This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2011. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- extended the applicability from only EDFAs to all OFAs;
- updated definitions for consistency with other documents in the IEC 61290-4 series. Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs), optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs), rare-earth dopants, erbium-doped fibre amplifiers

IEC 61291-2:2016 provides a performance specification template which applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) to be used in single channel applications. Multichannel applications are covered in IEC 61291-4. The object of this performance specification template is to provide a frame for the preparation of performance standards and/or product specifications on the performance of OA devices to be used in single channel applications. In the performance standards or product specifications, other specifications such as ratings, operating conditions, tests and pass/fail criteria could be included in addition to the requirements based on this performance specification template. Product specification writers may add specification parameters and/or groups of specification parameters for particular applications. However, product specification writers should not remove specification parameters specified in this standard. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2012. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- the title of this standard has been changed from digital applications to single channel applications;
- the scope has been changed and, as a result, the titles of tables have been changed;
- Terms and definitions have been revised;
- three tables regarding the minimum list of relevant parameters of power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers and line amplifiers based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) components have been added;
- transient parameters have been added in the minimum list of relevant parameters of pre-amplifiers and line amplifiers based on optical fibre amplifier (OFA) module. Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs) used in single channel applications

IEC 61290-1-1:2015 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified modules. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductor OAs (SOAs) and planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs). The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the optical spectrum analyzer 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. The object of this standard is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers, one should refer to the IEC 61290-10 series. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2006 and constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: updates on the characteristics of measurement apparatus and revised list of addressed optical amplifier parameters. Keywords: optical amplifiers, optical spectrum analyzer test, single-channel amplifiers

IEC 61290-4-3:2015(E) applies to output power controlled optically amplified, elementary sub-systems. It applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFA) using active fibres containing rare-earth dopants, presently commercially available, as indicated in IEC 61291-1, as well as alternative optical amplifiers that can be used for single channel output power controlled operation, such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA). The object of this standard is to provide the general background for optical amplifier (OA) power transients and its measurements and to indicate those IEC standard test methods for accurate and reliable measurements of the following transient parameters:
- Transient power response;
- Transient power overcompensation response;
- Steady-state power offset;
- Transient power response time. The stimulus and responses behaviours under consideration include:
- Channel power increase (step transient);
- Channel power reduction (inverse step transient);
- Channel power increase/reduction (pulse transient);
- Channel power reduction/increase (inverse pulse transient);
- Channel power increase/reduction/increase (lightning bolt transient);
- Channel power reduction/increase/reduction (inverse lightning bolt transient). These parameters have been included to provide a complete description of the transient behaviour of an output power transient controlled OA. The test definition defined here are applicable if the amplifier is an OFA or an alternative OA. However, the description in Annex A of this document concentrates on the physical performance of an OFA and provides a detailed description of the behaviour of OFA; it does not give a similar description of other OA types. Keywords: output power controlled optically amplified elementary sub-systems, optical fibre amplifiers, rare-earth dopants
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1:2012.

IEC 61290-1-3:2015 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). The object of this part of IEC 61290-1 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. All numerical values followed by (‡) are suggested values for which the measurement is assured. Other values may be acceptable but should be verified. This part of IEC 61290-1 applies to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers, the IEC 61290-10 series applies. 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:
- Detail description of most parameters has been described in IEC 61290-1 and removed from this part;
- Description of maximum output signal power and maximum total output power are added. Keywords: optical amplifiers (OA), single-channel amplifiers, optical power meter test method
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61290-1:2014.

IEC 61290-1:2014 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified subsystems. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOAs), and waveguides (POWAs). The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the following OA parameters, as defined in Clause 3 of IEC 61291-1:2012:
- nominal output signal power;
- gain;
- reverse gain;
- maximum gain;
- maximum gain wavelength;
- maximum gain variation with temperature;
- gain wavelength band;
- gain wavelength variation;
- gain stability;
- polarization-dependent gain;
- large-signal output stability;
- saturation output power;
- maximum output signal power;
- maximum total output power. The object of this standard is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers. For multichannel amplifiers, one should refer to the IEC 61290-10 series. Keywords: optical amplifiers (OAs), optically pumped fibres (OFAs), semiconductors (SOAs), and waveguides (POWAs)

IEC/TR 61292-4:2014(E) which is a technical report, applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, as well as Raman amplifiers. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using semiconductor gain media are also included. This technical report provides a simple informative guideline on the threshold of high optical power that causes high-temperature damage of fibre. Also discussed is optical safety for manufacturers and users of optical amplifiers by reiterating substantial parts of existing standards and agreements on eye and skin safety. It is important to point out that the reader should always refer to the latest international standards and agreements because the technologies concerned are rapidly evolving. The present technical report will be frequently reviewed and will be updated by incorporating the results of various studies related to OAs and OA-supported optical systems in a timely manner. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2010, and constitutes a technical revision with updates reflecting new research in the subject area. Keywords: guideline on the threshold of high optical power, maximum permissible optical power, optical amplifiers, Raman amplifiers, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs)

IEC 61290-10-5:2014 applies to distributed Raman amplifiers (DRAs). DRAs are based on the process whereby Raman pump power is introduced into the transmission fibre, leading to signal amplification within the transmission fibre through stimulated Raman scattering. A detailed overview of the technology and applications of DRAs can be found in IEC TR 61292-6. The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, using an optical spectrum analyser (OSA), of the following DRA parameters:
- channel on-off gain;
- pump unit insertion loss;
- channel net gain;
- channel signal-spontaneous noise figure. Keywords: Raman amplifiers (DRAs), optical spectrum analyser (OSA)

IEC 61290-3-3:2013 applies to all commercially available single channel optical amplifiers (OAs), including OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs) based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect, semiconductor optical amplifier modules (SOA modules) and planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs). More specifically, it applies to single channel OAs placed before optical receivers, where there are no optical bandpass filtering elements placed between the OA and the receiver. The object of this part of IEC 61290-3 is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurement of the ratio of the signal output power to the total ASE power generated by the OA in the optical bandwidth of the receiver. This quantity is a measure of the spontaneous-spontaneous beat noise at the receiver, and is correlated to the spontaneous-spontaneous noise factor of the OA, Fsp-sp, as defined in IEC 61290-3 and IEC 61291-1. Keywords: single channel optical amplifiers (OAs), semiconductor optical amplifier modules (SOA modules), planar optical waveguide amplifiers (POWAs), measurement of the ratio of the signal output power to the total ASE power generated by the OA in the optical bandwidth of the receiver

IEC 61291-1:2012 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified assemblies. It applies to OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based either on rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductors (SOAs), and waveguides (POWAs). This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2006. It is a technical revision that includes the following significant changes: the definitions related to transient behaviour have been extensively updated with terms from the 61290-4 series and the definition for gain ripple has been added.

IEC 61291-2:2012 applies to single channel optical amplifier (OA) devices to be used in digital applications. For multichannel applications, use IEC 61291, Part 4. The object of this performance specification template is to provide a frame for the preparation of detail specifications on the performances of single channel OA devices to be used in digital applications. This edition constitutes a minor update through clarification that the scope is for single channel optical amplifiers, and that pump leakage parameters do not apply to semiconductor optical amplifiers.

IEC 61291-4:2011 applies to optical amplifier (OA) devices and sub-systems to be used in multichannel applications. For single channel applications, use IEC 61291-2. The object of this performance specification template is to provide a frame for the preparation of detail specifications on the performances of OA devices and sub-systems to be used in multichannel applications. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2008 and constitutes a technical revision. The main significant changes are the transient parameter test methods, IEC 61290-4 series, have been added to Tables 1, 2, and 3.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1:2006.

IEC/TR 61292-7:2011(E) applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) using active fibres and waveguides, containing rare-earth dopants, currently commercially available. It provides guidance on crosstalk caused by the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect. The object of this technical report is to provide introductory information for understanding of the crosstalk issue raised by the FWM effect.

IEC 61290-4-1:2011 applies to erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs) and optically amplified elementary sub-systems. It applies to OAs using active fibres (optical fibre amplifiers, OFAs), containing rare-earth dopants. These amplifiers are commercially available and widely deployed in service provider networks.

IEC 61290-4-2:2011 applies to optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified elementary sub-systems. More specifically, it applies to OAs using active fibres (optical fibre amplifiers, OFAs) containing rare-earth dopants, such as erbium doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs), presently commercially available, as indicated in IEC 61291-1. The object of this part of IEC 61290-4 is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the broadband source method, of the transient response of OFAs to dynamic changes in their input power, as defined in IEC 61290-4-1:2011.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1:2006.

IEC/TR 61292-4:2010(E) applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, as well as Raman amplifiers. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using semiconductor gain media are also included. This technical report provides a simple informative guideline on the threshold of high optical power that causes high-temperature damage of fibre. Also discussed is optical safety for manufacturers and users of optical amplifiers by reiterating substantial parts of existing standards and agreements on eye and skin safety. This edition constitutes a technical revision with updates reflecting new research in the subject area.

IEC/TR 61292-6:2010(E) deals with distributed Raman amplification (DRA). The main purpose of the report is to provide background material for future standards (specifications, test methods and operating procedures) relating to DRA.

IEC/TR 61292-1:2009(E) is a technical report, and applies to optical components of rare-earth doped fibre amplifiers. It provides information about the most relevant parameters of optical components especially for erbium doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs). This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1998. It is a technical revision with updates reflecting new technology.

IEC 61290-10-1:2009 applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, containing rare-earth dopants, currently commercially available. The uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the signal-spontaneous noise figure as defined in 3.1.18 of IEC 61291-1 are established. The test method independently detects amplified signal power and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) power by launching optical pulses into the OFA under test and synchronously detecting 'on' and 'off' levels of the output pulses by using an optical sampling switch and an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). This edition is a technical revision with updated references and cautions on proper use of the procedure.
This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 61291-1:2006.

IEC 61290-3:2008 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs), including OAs using optically pumped fibres (OFAs based on either rare-earth doped fibres or on the Raman effect), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and planar waveguide optical amplifiers (PWOAs). The object of this standard is to provide the general background for OA noise figure parameters measurements and to indicate those IEC standard test methods for accurate and reliable measurements of OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1. This edition includes updates to specifically address additional types of optical amplifiers and to highlight that the IEC 61290-3 series pertains to single-channel amplifiers. References have been added to the documents pertaining to multichannel amplifiers.

IEC 61291-6-1:2008 describes the optical amplifier command set (OACS) for use in communicating with and controlling intelligent optical amplifiers. These amplifiers can receive and possibly respond to such commands by using resident firmware or may be optical amplifiers controlled by a microprocessor. This standard addresses the structure and content of the command set to control optical amplifiers. It does not cover the physical or hardware interface, which is assumed to exist for communication of this command set to the optical amplifier.

IEC 61290-3-2:2008 applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFA) using active fibres, containing rare-earth dopants, presently commercially available. Establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, of the noise figure, as defined in 3.1.17 of IEC 61291-1, by means of the electricial spectrum analyzer (ESA) method. This technical revision includes updates to specifically address all types of optical amplifiers - not just optical fibre amplifiers. This standard should be read in conjunction with IEC 61290-3 and IEC 61291-1.

IEC 61290-11-1:2008 provides information that applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using semiconductor gain media. Although the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) test method is in principle also applicable to unpumped (that is, unpowered) OAs, the JME technique in this standard applies to pumped (that is, powered) OAs only. This edition is a technical revision that specifically addresses additional types of optical amplifiers. It also includes updated references.

Applies to optical fibre amplifiers (OFA) using active fibres, containing rare-earth dopants, currently commercially available. The object is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the signal-spontaneous noise figure as defined in IEC 61291-1.The test method described is, in general, for multichannel applications. Single-channel applications are a special case of multichannel applications. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition. It is a technical revision with updated references and cautions on proper use of the procedure.

This part of IEC 61290 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified subsystems. The object of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the interpolated source subtraction method using an optical spectrum analyzer.

Applies to optical fibre amplifiers using active fibres, containing rare-earth dopants, presently commercially available. Establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the filtered optical power meter test method, of the following OFA parameters: - out-of-band insertion loss; - out-of-band reverse insertion loss. The main significant changes are the following: a) the applicability has been extended to all commercially available optical amplifiers, b) Clause 9, EMC, has been added.

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), semiconductor OAs (SOAs), and waveguides (POWAs).

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 waveguides (POWAs).

Applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) including optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres and semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using semiconductor gain media.

Applies to optical amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres, containing rare-earth dopants, presently commercially available. The object is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of the electrical spectrum analyser test method, of the following OFA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1: a) input reflectance; b) output reflectance.

Applies to commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) such as optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs), semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) and planar wageguide apmlifiers (PWOAs) as classified in IEC 61292-3.The object is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements, by means of optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) test method, of the following OA parameters, as defined in IEC 61291-1: a) signal-spontaneous noise figure; b) forward amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) power level. The methods outlined in this part of IEC 61290 apply to single-channel stimulus only.

Applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers including optical fibre amplifiers using active fibres and semiconductor optical amplifiers using semiconductor gain media. The object is to provide the theoretical background to clause 6 (Calculation) of IEC 61290-3-2.

Applies to commercially available optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres containing rare-earth dopants. Establishes uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the multichannel gain and noise parameters as defined in IEC 61292-4.

Applies to commercial optical fibre amplifiers (OFAs) using active fibres. It establishes requirements for accurate measurements, by means of electrical spectrum analyser test method, of the maximum reflectance tolerable at input and output (as defined in clause 3 of IEC 61291-1). The accuracy for reflectance tolerable is +/-0,5dB.