What is BS EN 61290-1- Optical amplifiers about?
BS EN 61290-1 is a safety standard on optical amplifiers.
BS EN 61290-1 applies to all commercially available optical amplifiers (OAs) and optically amplified subsystems.
BS EN 61290-1 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 BS EN 61290-1 is to establish uniform requirements for accurate and reliable measurements of the following OA parameters:
- 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 BS EN 61290-1 is specifically directed to single-channel amplifiers.
Note 1: The applicability of the test methods described in the BS EN 61290-1 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.
Who is BS EN 61290-1- Optical amplifiers for?
BS EN 61290-1 on the test methods, power, and gain parameters is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of optical amplifiers
- Testing authorities
Why should you use BS EN 61290-1- Optical amplifiers?
Three commonly practiced procedures for quantifying the optical power and gain of an OA are considered in BS EN 61290-1.
- The aim of the first procedure (IEC 61290-1-1) is to determine the optical power and gain by means of the optical spectrum analyzer test method
- The aim of the second procedure (IEC 61290-1-2) is to determine the optical power and gain by means of an optical detector and an electrical spectrum analyzer
- The aim of the third procedure (IEC 61290-1-3) is to determine the optical power and gain by means of an optical power meter and an optical bandpass filter
The parameters listed by BS EN 61290-1 required for gain and power are:
- Nominal output signal power: The nominal output signal power is given by the minimum output signal optical power, for an input signal optical power specified in the BS EN 61290-1, and under nominal operating conditions, given in the BS EN 61290-1. To find this minimum value, input and output signal power levels shall be continuously monitored for a given duration of time and in presence of changes in the state of polarization and other instabilities, as specified in BS EN 61290-1. The measurement procedures and calculations are described in each test method
- Gain: The measurement procedures and calculations are described in each test method
- Reverse gain with the OA operating with the input port used as output port and vice-versa
- Maximum gain uses a wavelength-tuneable optical source, repeats all procedures at different wavelengths in a way to cover the wavelength range specified in BS EN 61290-1
Overall, BS EN 61290-1 is useful as it provides guidance on the test methods, power, and gain parameters of optical amplifiers which can be helpful for your business.
