Standards Development

Scope

The proposed International Standard defines a performance specification template applicable to pump laser diode (PLD) modules used in rare earth doped fibre amplifiers and in Raman amplifiers. This template provides a framework for performance standards and product specifications defining the performance of PLD modules used in rare-earth-doped fibre amplifiers and in discrete or distributed Raman amplifiers. For the purpose of this document, it is assumed that the PLD module comprises a single laser diode chip with a fibre optic pigtail interface.

In addition to the requirements specified in this template, a particular performance product specification could include other parameters, such as ratings, operating conditions, tests, and pass/fail criteria.

For each specific application of a PLD module, product specifications could include additional specification parameters or groups of specification parameters, without removing the parameters defined in this document.

If approved, this standard will be part of the IEC 62149 series, which is dedicated to performance standards for fibre optic active components and devices.

Purpose

Specific aims and reasons for this standardization activity

The proposed standard has been prepared in response to a request from SC 86C WG 3 ("Optical amplifiers and dynamic modules") to provide manufacturers and users of optically pumped fibre optic amplifiers with a list of essential performance parameters for pump laser diode modules and related measurement procedures. It is expected to guide and assist amplifier designers in optimizing the performance of optically pumped fiber amplifiers, which strongly depends on the performance of the pump laser modules.

Main interest and timeliness of the activity

Optically pumped fibre optic amplifiers are widely used in fibre optic communication systems. Pump laser diode modules are an important component of these amplifiers but there do not exist harmonized standards for the performance parameters of these modules yet. The proposed International Standard aims to establish a minimal list of the most important performance parameters of pump laser diode modules.

Feasibility of the activity

There are no factors known (e.g. patents or prohibitive regulations from regulatory bodies), which could hinder the successful establishment or general application of the proposed standard. Moreover, WG 4 of SC 86C currently has 49 expert members from 12 countries, who represent a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the field of fibre optic active components and devices.

Benefits

Equipment vendors and users of pump laser diode modules both will benefit from this standard, which provides a standardized template for performance parameters and related measurement methods and conditions.