DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
Measurement Section 2
Multi-Channel Input/Output Interfaces
requirements because a DWDM system takes different channels (or
DWDM systems require a number of optical components to combine
through the fiber.
or separate channels. Their optical properties usually depend directly
The measurements in this section apply to both the transmit and receive
on wavelength, so accurate characterization will be achieved with a
sides of the optical network. The optical performance of the entire link
stimulus/response test setup using an optical spectrum analyzer as a
can be bounded by using this set of parameters.
colors of light) and combines them into a single light stream that runs
wavelength-selective receiver.
Measurement 2.1 Channel Output Power
Required Measurements
Standard: Specified in G.692 Section 6.3.2.
Table 9 itemizes the measurements for multi-channel input/output
interfaces in single- and multi-channel systems as required by the
SONET/SDH standards. All of these measurements are relatively new
Channel output power is the mean launched optical power including
amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). It is expressed in dBm while
transmitting a pseudo-random bit stream (PRBS), and is typically
measured with a pattern generator
such as a BERT or transmission
tester and a power meter.
Typical Test Configuration
A number of instrument configurations can be used to characterize
the channel output power of multichannel I/Os. It is possible to
combine a broadband source with
a wavelength-selective receiver, or
use a wavelength-selective source
with a broadband receiver. A tunable
laser source, with its picometer
resolution, represents the ultimate
in a wavelength-selective source.
Figure 32. Multi-channel input/output interfaces.
Ta b l e 9 . R e q u i r e d M e a s u r e m e n t s f o r M u l t i - c h a n n e l I n p u t / o u t p u t I n t e r f a c e s
Standards
Required Measurements
G.957 section
G.691 section
G.692 section
Channel output power
6.3.2
Total launched power
6.3.3
Per channel OSNR
Maximum channel power difference
Optical crosstalk
28 [Link]/optical
6.3.4 & 6.6.3
6.3.5
6.6.4 & 6.7.1
DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
The test setup in Figure 33 uses a tunable laser source and an optical
Features to look for in the optical spectrum analyzer include:
spectrum analyzer to achieve the best wavelength selectivity.
Measurement time (scan rate)
Measurement Considerations
Instrument calibration
This basic test setup forms a stimulus and response system for the
Wavelength stability and accuracy
device under test. The broadband light source is the stimulus. The
Application specific measurements (pulse, gain, noise figure, coherence, etc.)
polarization controller characterizes polarization dependencies of the
Accurate SNR measurements
DWDM component being tested.
The wavelength meter should provide:
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as a wavelength-selective receiver.
Wavelength accuracy and stability
Absolute wavelength accuracy, necessary for the precise measurement
Multi-channel display
of bandwidth and band edges, is achieved by calibrating the OSA with
High resolution
the tunable laser and the wavelength meter.
Figure 34 shows the typical output from an optical spectrum analyzer
P
when testing multi-channel input/output interfaces. This waveform is
used to measure channel output power, total launched power, per
channel OSNR, maximum channel power difference, and optical crosstalk.
Important characteristics to look for when selecting a tunable laser
Pn
Width @ 3 dB
Width @ 10 dB
include:
OSNR
Broad wavelength range
Width @ 20 dB
High output power
Accurate and stable power
Accurate and stable wavelength
Modulation (at high and low frequencies)
No mode hopping
n+1
Figure 34. Multi-channel measurements.
Broadband Light
Source
Polarization
Controller
Tunable Laser
D
U
T
Optical
Spectrum
Analyzer
Wavelength
Meter
Figure 33. Channel output power test setup.
[Link]/optical 29
DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
Measurement 2.2 Total Launched Power
Standard:Specified in G.692 Section 6.3.3.
Pn
Total launched power is the total power of all channels at the transmitter,
Width @ 3 dB
in dBm, while transmitting a pseudo-random bit stream (PRBS). It is
typically measured with a pattern generator such as a BERT or transmis-
Width @ 10 dB
sion tester and a power meter.
OSNR
Example Test Configuration
Width @ 20 dB
A number of possible instrument configurations can be used to characterize
the total launched power. It is possible to combine a broadband source
with a wavelength-selective receiver, or use a wavelength-selective source
with a broadband receiver. A tunable laser source, with its picometer
n+1
resolution, represents the ultimate in a wavelength-selective source.
The test setup in Figure 35 uses a light source and a power meter to
achieve the best wavelength selectivity.
Figure 36. Multi-channel measurements.
Important characteristics to look for when selecting a tunable
laser include:
Measurement Considerations
This basic test setup forms a stimulus and response system for the
Broad wavelength range
device under test. The broadband light source is the stimulus. The
High output power
polarization controller characterizes polarization dependencies of the
Accurate and stable power
DWDM component being tested.
Accurate and stable wavelength
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as a wavelength-selective receiver.
Modulation (at high and low frequencies)
Absolute wavelength accuracy, necessary for the precise measurement
No mode hopping
of bandwidth and band edges, is achieved by calibrating the OSA with
the tunable laser and the wavelength meter.
Features to look for in the optical spectrum analyzer include:
Measurement time (scan rate)
Figure 36 shows the typical output from an optical spectrum analyzer
when testing multi-channel input/output interfaces. This waveform is
used to measure channel output power, total launched power, per
channel OSNR, maximum channel power difference, and optical crosstalk.
Instrument calibration
Wavelength stability and accuracy
Application specific measurements (pulse, gain, noise figure, coherence, etc.)
Accurate SNR measurements
The wavelength meter should provide:
Wavelength accuracy and stability
Broadband Light
Source
Multi-channel display
High resolution
Polarization
Controller
Figure 35. Total launched power test setup.
30 [Link]/optical
D
U
T
Power
Meter
DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
Measurement 2.3 Per Channel OSNR
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as a wavelength-selective receiver.
Standards: Specified in G.692 Sections 6.3.4 & 6.6.3.
Absolute wavelength accuracy, necessary for the precise measurement
Optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) is defined as the ratio of the optical
signal power to the optical noise power. OSNR is typically expressed in
of bandwidth and band edges is achieved by calibrating the OSA with
the tunable laser and the wavelength meter.
dB as the minimum value required to obtain 1012 BER, and is measured
Figure 38 shows the typical output from an optical spectrum analyzer
using a pattern generator such as a BERT or with a transmission tester,
when testing multi-channel input/output interfaces. This waveform is
an attenuator, a power meter, and an error detector.
used to measure channel output power, total launched power, per
Requirements for per channel OSNR are currently under study.
channel OSNR, maximum channel power difference, and optical crosstalk.
Typical Test Configuration
A number of possible instrument configurations can be used to characterize
the per channel OSNR. It is possible to combine a broadband source with
a wavelength-selective receiver, or use a wavelength-selective source
Pn
Width @ 3 dB
with a broadband receiver. A tunable laser source, with its picometer
resolution, represents the ultimate in a wavelength-selective source.
Width @ 10 dB
The test setup in Figure 37 uses a tunable laser source and an optical
OSNR
spectrum analyzer to achieve the best wavelength selectivity.
Width @ 20 dB
Measurement Considerations
This basic test setup forms a stimulus and response system for the
device under test. The broadband light source is the stimulus. The
polarization controller characterizes polarization dependencies of the
n+1
DWDM component being tested.
Figure 38. Multi-channel measurements.
Broadband Light
Source
Polarization
Controller
Tunable Laser
D
U
T
Optical
Spectrum
Analyzer
Wavelength
Meter
Figure 37. Per channel OSNR test setup.
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DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
Measurement 2.4
Maximum Channel Power Difference
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as a wavelength-selective receiver.
Standard:Specified in G.692 Section 6.3.5.
of bandwidth and band edges, is achieved by calibrating the OSA with
Maximum channel power difference is defined as the maximum difference
the tunable laser and the wavelength meter.
in channel power between the largest value of channel launch power
Figure 40 shows the typical output from an optical spectrum analyzer
and the smallest value present at the same time within a given optical
when testing multi-channel input/output interfaces. This waveform is
resolution bandwidth. It is independent of the number of channels. It is
used to measure channel output power, total launched power, per
expressed in dB and can be measured with a high-accuracy optical
channel OSNR, maximum channel power difference, and optical crosstalk.
Absolute wavelength accuracy, necessary for the precise measurement
spectrum analyzer.
Typical Test Configuration
P
Pn
A number of possible instrument configurations can be used to
characterize the maximum channel power difference. It is possible to
Width @ 3 dB
combine a broadband source with a wavelength-selective receiver, or
use a wavelength-selective source with a broadband receiver. A tunable
Width @ 10 dB
laser source, with its picometer resolution, represents the ultimate in a
OSNR
wavelength-selective source.
Width @ 20 dB
The test setup in Figure 39 uses a tunable laser source and an optical
spectrum analyzer to achieve the best wavelength selectivity.
Measurement Considerations
This basic test setup forms a stimulus and response system for the
n+1
device under test. The broadband light source is the stimulus. The
polarization controller characterizes polarization dependencies of the
Figure 40. Multi-channel measurements.
DWDM component being tested.
Broadband Light
Source
Polarization
Controller
D
U
T
Tunable Laser
Figure 39. Maximum channel power difference test setup.
32 [Link]/optical
Optical
Spectrum
Analyzer
Wavelength
Meter
DWDM Performance and Conformance Testing
Primer
Measurement 2.5 Optical Crosstalk
The optical spectrum analyzer serves as a wavelength-selective receiver.
Standards: Specified in G.692 Sections 6.6.4 and 6.7.1.
Absolute wavelength accuracy, necessary for the precise measurement
Optical crosstalk is defined as the ratio of the combined total disturbing
power due to the signal power from all other channels, relative to the
of bandwidth and band edges, is achieved by calibrating the OSA with
the tunable laser and the wavelength meter.
nominal signal power level in the desired channel. It is measured at the
Figure 42 shows the typical output from an optical spectrum analyzer
transmitter and at the receiver and is expressed in dB, using an optical
when testing multi-channel input/output interfaces. This waveform is
spectrum analyzer.
used to measure channel output power, total launched power, per
channel OSNR, maximum channel power difference, and optical crosstalk.
Typical Test Configuration
A number of possible instrument configurations can be used to characterize
optical crosstalk. It is possible to combine a broadband source with a
wavelength-selective receiver, or use a wavelength-selective source
Pn
Width @ 3 dB
with a broadband receiver. A tunable laser source, with its picometer
resolution, represents the ultimate in a wavelength-selective source.
Width @ 10 dB
The test setup in Figure 41 uses a tunable laser source and an optical
OSNR
spectrum analyzer to achieve the best wavelength selectivity.
Width @ 20 dB
Measurement Considerations
This basic test setup forms a stimulus and response system for the
device under test. The broadband light source is the stimulus. The
polarization controller characterizes polarization dependencies of the
DWDM component being tested.
n+1
Figure 42. Multi-channel measurements.
Broadband Light
Source
Polarization
Controller
Tunable Laser
D
U
T
Optical
Spectrum
Analyzer
Wavelength
Meter
Figure 41. Optical crosstalk test setup.
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