Scribd
Upload
31 views26 pages

Optical Amplifiers in WDM Systems

Optical amplifiers are an important element of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems. They provide amplification of multiple format signals across multiple wavelengths in a single device, unlike conventional repeaters which require inefficient wavelength demultiplexing, optical-electrical conversion, and recombination. Common types of optical amplifiers include semiconductor optical amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), and Raman amplifiers. EDFAs are now the most widely used due to their transparency to signal format and bit rate with no cross talk. Raman amplifiers can provide gain across any wavelength by using an appropriately tuned pump laser.

Uploaded by

JAYANTH KUMAR
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views26 pages

Optical Amplifiers in WDM Systems

Optical amplifiers are an important element of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems. They provide amplification of multiple format signals across multiple wavelengths in a single device, unlike conventional repeaters which require inefficient wavelength demultiplexing, optical-electrical conversion, and recombination. Common types of optical amplifiers include semiconductor optical amplifiers, erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), and Raman amplifiers. EDFAs are now the most widely used due to their transparency to signal format and bit rate with no cross talk. Raman amplifiers can provide gain across any wavelength by using an appropriately tuned pump laser.

Uploaded by

JAYANTH KUMAR
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Optical Amplifiers

An Important Element of
WDM Systems
Optical Amplifiers
• Conventional Repeaters in N-WDM
systems are very inefficient:
– Wavelength de-multiplexing 
– O/E conversion  electrical amplification N -
 retiming  pulse shaping  E/O times
conversion}
– wavelength multiplexing
• Optical Amplifiers: A single device that
amplify multiple format signals that are
carried by multiple wavelengths
Traditional Optical
Communication System
Optical Amplification
 Variety of optical amplifier types exist, including:

 Semiconductor optical amplifiers

 Optical fibre amplifiers (Erbium Doped Fibre Amplifiers)

 Distributed fibre amplifiers (Raman Amplifiers)

 Optical fibre amplifiers are now the most common type

 One of the most successful optical processing functions

 Also used as a building block in DWDM systems

Source: Master 7_5


Applications

Power Amp
Configurations
Nortel OPTERA System

64 wavelengths each carrying 10 Gb/s


Basic Concepts
• Most optical amplifiers use stimulated emission
• An optical amplifier is basically a laser without
feedback
• Optical gain is realized when the amplifier is pumped
optically (or electrically) to achieve population
inversion
• Gain depends on wavelength, internal light intensity
and amplifier medium
• Two types: semiconductor optical amplifiers and
fiber doped amplifiers
Generic optical amplifier

Continuous Wave
(Constant)

Energy is transferred from the pump to signal


Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers
• Similar to Laser diodes but the emission is triggered
by input optical signal
• Work in any wavelength (+)
• Have high integration, compact and low power
consumption (+)
• Gain fluctuation with signal bit rate (-)
• Cross talk between different wavelengths (-)
• External Current injection pumping method
• Two types: Fabry-Perot or Traveling Wave Amp.
Solid State Amplifier Gain versus Power
Distributed Fiber Amplifiers
• The active medium is created by lightly
doping silica fiber core by rare earth
element Ex: Erbium (Er)
• Long fiber length (10-30 m)
• Low coupling loss (+)
• Transparent to signal format and bit rate
• No cross talk
• Broad output spectrum (1530 – 1560 nm)

Works only in specific Wavelengths


Amplification Process of EDFA
N3 N3
Radiationless
Decay
980 nm N2 N2

Pump
N1 N1

Optical Pumping to Higher Energy levels Rapid Relaxation to "metastable" State

N3

~1550 nm

~1550 nm N2

Signal
N1
Output
Stimulated Emission and Amplification
Fig. 11-4: Erbium energy-level diagram
EDFA Co-Directional Pumping
configurations

Counter Directional

Dual Pumping
EDFA Power-Conversion Efficiency and
Gain
• The input and output signal powers of an EDFA

maximum output signal power depends on the ratio λp/λs. For the
pumping scheme to work, we need to have λp < λs, and, to have an
appropriate gain, it is necessary that Ps,in ≤ Pp,in. Thus, the power
conversion efficiency (PCE), defined as
EDFA

we also see that in order to achieve a specific maximum gain G, the


input signal power cannot exceed a value given by
Raman Amplifiers
• Power transferred from lower-l to higher-l channels (about
100nm)
• Eg: 1460-1480nm pump → amplification at 1550-1600nm
• Gain can be provided at ANY wavelength (all you need is an
appropriate
pump l!)
• Multiple pumps can be used
Lumped or distributed designs possible
• Used today to complement EDFAs in ultra-long-haul systems
Raman Amplifier
Raman Amplifier

You might also like