What is BS EN 61291-4 - Optical amplifiers about?
BS EN 61291 is a series on optical amplifiers. An optical amplifier is a device that amplifies an optical signal directly, without the need to first convert it to an electrical signal. BS EN 61291-4 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 BS EN 61291-4 is to provide a frame for the preparation of detailed specifications on the performances of optical amplifier devices and sub-systems to be used in multichannel applications. Detail product specification writers may add specification parameters and/or groups of specification parameters for particular applications. However, detail specification writers may not remove specification parameters specified in BS EN 61291-4.
Who is BS EN 61291-4 - Optical amplifiers for?
BS EN 61291-4 on optical amplifiers is useful for:
- Telecommunication component manufacturers
- Telecommunication equipment manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 61291-4 - Optical amplifiers?
An optical amplifier may be thought of as a laser without an optical cavity, or one in which feedback from the cavity is suppressed. Optical amplifiers are important in optical communication and laser physics. Parameters specified for optical devices are those characterizing the transmission, operation, reliability, and environmental properties of the optical amplifier device, which is seen as a black box from a general point of view as defined in BS EN 61291-4. Each test method (optical amplifier test methods, IEC 61290 series) is generally given for the measurement of a group of homogeneous parameters. The grouping of the homogeneous parameters is given in BS EN 61291-4.
A typical configuration of an optical amplifier in a multichannel application is illustrated in BS EN 61291-4. At the transmitting side, m signals, coming from m optical transmitters, Tx1, Tx2, . . . Txm, each with a unique wavelength, λ1, λ2, . . . λm, respectively, are combined by an optical multiplexer (OM). At the receiving side, the m signals at λ1, λ2, . . . λm, are separated with an optical demultiplexer (OD) and routed to separate optical receivers, Rx1, Rx2, . . . Rxm, respectively. To characterize the OA in this multichannel application an input reference plane and an output reference plane, are defined at the OA input and output ports, respectively, as shown in BS EN 61291-4. Using BS EN 61291-4 you can specify optical amplifier devices and sub-systems to be used in multichannel applications.
