
EDFA optical amplifier – user manual
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13
EDFA education and Application note
If you never work with optical amplifier and especially with EDFA optical
amplifier, please, read this chapter before using.
13.1
EDFA education
You get knowledge in this chapter some basic information about EDFA system
of amplification, what`s mean under term “EDFA” and basic EDFA block scheme
and its function.
What`s mean under term “EDFA”
EDFA is acronym for
E
rbium
D
oped
F
iber
A
mplifier. This principle don`t need
convert the optical signal to the electric signal. The amplification is provided in the
special optical fiber which is doped by Erbium element. The Erbium doped fiber is
used as gain medium. The optical signal comes into Erbium Doped Fiber together
and is mixed with next energy in form pump signal and input signal is amplified
trough interaction with the doping ions. Erbium element is used because Erbium
ions can be efficiently pumped with a laser at wavelength 980nm or 1480. The
Gain is in 1550nm wavelength region.
EDFA optical amplifier can be used for amplification at C-Band only!
EDFA block scheme
Picture 28 - EDFA block scheme
APC connector are using by all EDFA optical amplifier. The output optical level
is often very high and high optical level can damage connector with help effect of
back reflection.
Each EDFA involves isolator for protection against reverse connection
Each Inputs and Outputs are monitored by monitor diodes for better settings of
optical properties and for feedback control electronic.
Various EDFA units can involve more than one pump laser diodes. By these
pump diodes are measured values like current, temperature, current temperature
control etc. These measured values are same as values from monitor diodes
connect to control electronic for control operational modes APC and AGC.