Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

Optical Amplifiers
A. Usman, A. Ahtisham, A. Muhammad, and R. Rehman

AbstractThe demand of DWDM (Dense Wavelength

Division Multiplexing) systems keeps on increasing with
the various technology developments of optical amplifiers.
The demand for long range transmission has made optical
amplifiers an important component in DWDM [1]. They
types of different amplifiers used in DWDM systems are
described in this paper. In particular, Rare-earth doped
fiber amplifiers (EDFA & PDFA) of wavelength 1530nm1560nm, Raman amplifiers of wavelength 1280nm-1650nm
and Semiconductor amplifier (SOA) of wavelength
1280nm-1650nm [2]. The characteristics and comparison
of these amplifiers is discussed in this paper. EDFA is
widely used due its different benefits.
Index Terms Dense wavelength division multiplexing,
Erbium doped fiber amplifier, Praseodymium doped
amplifier, Semiconductor amplifier.

I. INTRODUCTION
internet has increased the demand of
Tcommunications
that has strongly supported the
HE

practical use and development of DWDM systems.

Industrial analysts have said that DWDM is perfect
for the networks that are trying to meet higher
bandwidth demands. DWDM is said to be the most
important component of optical networks that
permits the transmission of video, data, e-mail,
multimedia and voice over IP carried in
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), Internet
protocol (IP) and synchronous optical network/
synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH)
respectively, over the optical layer[1].
Optical amplifier is analog device that is used to
amplify or strengthen the optical signal without
converting it into electrical signal. The typical fiber
loss is around 1.5 m is ~0.2 dB/Km and after
covering the distance of ~ 100 km signal is
attenuated by ~ 20dB. The signal need to be
amplified due to signal to noise ratio (SNR) of

signal is too low and bit rate (BER) becomes too

high. There are different types optical amplifiers
available nowadays: Rare-earth doped fiber
amplifiers (EDFA & PDFA), Raman amplifiers and
Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) etc.
Erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) uses a doped
optical fiber as a gain medium to amplify an optical
signal. The core of silica fiber is doped with
trivalent erbium ions and can be effectively pumped
with a laser at a wavelength of 980 nm or 1480 nm
and exhibits the gain in the 1550 nm regions.
Raman optical amplifiers differ from EDFAs or
conventional lasers in that they use simulated
Raman scattering to create optical gain. Initially,
SRS was considered too detrimental to high channel
count DWDM systems. The typical range of
wavelength of raman amplifier is 1280nm-1650nm.
Semiconductor optical amplifiers are also used to
amplify optical signal [3]. Its structure is made up of
nGaAsP/InP. InP stands for Indium phosphide, it is
a binary semiconductor composed of indium and
phosphorus. It has a face-centered cubic crystal
structure, identical to that of GaAs and most of the
III-V semiconductors. The basic structure consist
heterostructure pin junction.

Figure: 1 Development of optical amplifiers for

DWDM systems [4]

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

II. RARE-EARTH DOPED FIBER AMPLIFIER

A. Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA)
The erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is a
special device thats play a significant role in optical
fiber networks by keeping the responsibilities for
regenerating the signal power. Moreover as a
regenerator it is also an important source of system
noise, additionally other impairment that comes
from the EDFA is that the gain depends on
wavelength and leads towards a non-flat gain. The
dependency on the operating point of amplifier is
associated to added noise which further links to
Gain Flatness (GF) as well as on Noise Figure and
can easily be adjusted by setting the point gain of
amplifier.
In quintessence, set point gain of an Erbium Doped
Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) can automatically be
adjusted to give optima Noise Figure and Gain
Flatness [5].
Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) is
constructed by the doping of erbium ion (Er) with
silica (Si) fiber, it can be drive in a broad range
contained by the 1550 nm window at which the
attenuation of silica fiber is minimum, thats why it
is ideal for optical fiber communication systems
which operate at this wavelength range. Injection of
erbium doped fiber at 980 nm*or 1480 nm is the
most competent way [6]. By optimizing Erbium
Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) at 1550 nm we can
obtain high gain, high output power, large
bandwidth and low noise figure.

erbium ions are excited to some high energy

metastable state. Than after some time these excited
ions decay back to their ground state, by supplying
energy in the form of light. If during this decay time
any light energy already present in the fiber then
this decay process is stimulated. Thats why it is
called stimulated emission [7].
Bellow figure describe the basic flow diagram of
EDFA.

Figure: 3 EDFA Block Diagram [retrieved from: 2]

There are two main parameters which directly
impact on the performance of an EDFA, Noise
figure and Gain. EDFAs length also has a great
impact on noise figure and gain. Main problem
while using EDFA is the choice of the pump source
wavelength.
Index Profile of EDFA is shown in Figure 4 in
which we can see that the difference between the
refractive indexes of Fiber cable can range from
0.01-0.04. The diameter of core can be ranged from
2-4 m. Erbium concentration doping can range
from 100-1000 parts per million (ppm) [2]. The
optical mode of erbium doped fiber is 4-10 m.

Figure: 2 EDFA Process [retrieved from: 6]

The basic principal of EDFA is stimulated
Emission. EDFA is a conventional silica fiber
doped with Erbium. When erbium in cable is
stimulated with some source (laser pump) of
suitable wavelength (980 nm or 1480 nm), the

Figure: 4 Index profile of EDFA [2].

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

1) EDFA Process
Erbium Doped Fiber is generally injected by a
semi-conductor laser at 980 nm or can be injected at
1480 nm wavelengths. If we use a three level model
of EDFA then a 980 nm wavelength laser is used
while if we use a two level model for amplification
we use 1480 nm wavelength laser pump. It has also
an advantage over Semi-Conductor Optical
Amplifier (SOA) that its lifetime of metastable
energy level is higher than SOA. Its lifetime is 10
ms which is much slower as compare to other
amplifier techniques it is also slower than its signal
bit rate, so as stimulated emission has priority over
spontaneous that are why EDFA is efficient [2].

long tail extend well beyond it optimal range to

about 1605 nm. This extended tail moves into Lband of wavelengths (1565 nm to 1625 nm). But
gain spectrum of EDF is much flatter in the L band, which makes it easier to design a gainflattening filter [2].

Figure: 6 Gain of EDFA in Different Bands [2].

Figure: 5 Energy level Diagram for EDFA at

different stages. [8]

As we seen in above graph spectrum of Erbium is

not flat and different wavelengths experience
different amplifications, so thats why we have to
use gain flattering filters to produce constant gains.
Gain peak of EDFA also shifts with different glass
composition, bellow figure describe different
doping elements and their gain peaks [10].

2) Characteristics of EDFA
Erbium Doped Fiber is drawn by same techniques
as communication fiber, by fabricating a perform of
silica tube coated with core material then same
process as we use in communication fiber which is
heating, drawing and then pulling perform into a
fiber. The concentration of Rare-earth [RE2 O3] in
silicate, fluoride and phosphate host is normally
very low a few hundred parts per million [2]. In
EDF network modifiers Aluminum, phosphate and
lanthanum (Al, P, and La) are added in the core
glass to increase solubility of RE2 O3 in silica. Index
modifiers like Germanium and Aluminum are added
to the core to increase its refractive indexes.
3) Operating Wavelengths
As far as we have see EDFA operating in C- band
(1530 nm to 1565 nm) and giving its maximum
gain, EDF gain spectrum we have seen that it has a

Figure: 7 Normalized Emission of Fiber with

Different doping [11].

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

4) Parameters of EDFA
The parameters of EDFA are as follows [2]:
Property
Gain
Wavelength
Bandwidth(3dB)
Maximum Saturation (dBm)
Noise Figure (dB)
Time constant
Cost

EDFA
>40
1530-1560
30-60
22
5
10-2 s
Medium as compared to other
Amplifier

Table: 1 Basic parameters of EDFA.

5) Advantages and Disadvantages
EDFA have high pump power utilization greater
than 50 percent. They directly and simultaneously
amplify a wide wave length band of 80 nm in the
1550 nm region with relatively flat gain. Flatness
can improve by gain flatting optical filters. EDFA
are more suitable for low noise figure and long haul
applications [2].
They are large in size they cannot be integrated with
other semiconductor devices.

medium converted into the very small frequency.

Then a molecule excites up from its non resonant
level due to the a pumping photon Vp , then the
molecule which excites before quickly decays to its
lower energy level results in a signal photon comes
to process denoted by Vs. The difference created
due to this pumping photon and the signal photons
degenerate the molecular vibrations of the material
used in optical fiber. The molecular vibration
produced will decide the Raman gain curve shape
and the shift in frequency. Shapeless nature of silica
makes the Raman curve. Figure (7) shows the
Raman gain curve in three different types of error
that is single mode fiber (SMF), Dispersion shifted
fiber (DSF), Dispersion compensating fiber (DCF).
Between pump and signal photon the difference of
frequency is called Stokes Shift and is denoted by
(Vs-Vp).For Germanium (Ge) doped the peak of
this shift is 13.2 THz. With increase in the pump
powers the scattered light will increase rapidly as
result of which pump energy converts into scattered
light. This process is called as SRS (Simulated
Raman Scattering).

III. RAMAN AMPLIFIER

Raman Scattering is type of effect which is

nonlinear in nature. This nonlinear process converts
the optical fibers into broadband Raman Amplifiers.
Raman amplifiers have a great importance when we
specifically talk about the wave length division
multiplexing (WDM) [12].The main criteria
associated to these amplifiers are the pumping
schemes, powers , wavelengths all these parameters
are required to designs this type of amplifiers. In
optical fibers the amount of light in this type of
dielectric are nonlinear in nature and due to this
nonlinearity Raman scattering occurred [13]

A. Raman Scattering: [12]

We need Raman scattering for Raman
amplification in optical fibers. When Raman
scattering occur, the incident light when fall on the

Figure: 8 Raman gain curve in three different

types of fibers [12]
B. Raman Amplification:

As we discussed that the Raman scattering is

important for Raman amplification at this point it is
important to note that stimulate Raman scattering
(SRS) can take place in any type of fiber. So by this
concept of SRS we can use Raman amplifiers in
fibers. Raman pump can be produce with the help of

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

laser diodes. Transmission fiber joined with the

combination of pump and signal beams. And these
pump photons can counter
travel towards the
signal photons [14]. When the signal travel from
transmitter (Tx) to receiver (Rx). The pump photon
also propagates in same direction which we called
as Co forward pump. And those pump photons
which spread in opposite direction called as
backward pump. Figure (8) shows the Raman
amplification. If this amplifier enclosed in a box
from both the transmitter and the receiver side then
we called as discrete Raman amplifier.
Figure: 10 Frequency Shift - Raman Amplifier [14]
From this point it is clear that power can be
transferred from lower wavelength to higher that
extend the range of Raman amplification [14].
Figure (10) shows the extended range of Raman
amplification.

Figure: 9 Raman Amplification in fibers [Book]

Discrete Raman and distributed Raman amplifiers
both have the characteristic regarding to the length
of fibers. In distributed Raman amplifiers the length
is about 40 km whereas in discrete Raman amplifier
the length is about 20 km.
We can use several counter propagation pumps in
Raman fiber amplifiers its range is from one to
seven. So by increasing the pumps from one to
seven the bandwidth increases from 5.9 THz
(45.3nm) in the range of (1535 to 1584) to 12.0 THz
(97.6) in the range of (1511 to 1607). And also the
gain ripples decreases to 0.47 from 0.82 [17]. At 13
THz from the pump wavelength peak resonance
occurred. And at about the 1550 nm wavelength, the
shift of 100nm would occur [18]. Figure (9) shows
the frequency shift in Raman amplifiers at 1550nm
of wavelength.

Figure: 11 Extend range of Raman amplification

[14]
As we discussed Raman amplification can produce
with the help of Raman amplification. At the
transmitter side the laser is injected having a
wavelength of 1535 nm, having much greater
amplitude as compared to data signals. Figure (11)
shows the transmitted optical spectrum of a Raman
amplifier in case of forward pump [15].

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

D. Advantages and Disadvantages:

Figure: 12 Raman Amplifier Transmitted

Spectrum [13]
By applying stimulate Raman scattering (SRS),
result in increase in the amplitude of data signals.
Moreover the 1535nm pump laser become
redistributed in these data signals [15].Figure (12)
shows the Receive optical spectrum of Raman
amplifiers.

There are many different advantages associated with

the Raman Amplifier. With the help of this we can
amplify different wavelengths; it can easily
compatible with the Single Mode Fiber (SMF) ;
Erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) can be
extended using this amplifier; [2] It can also use to
improve the noise figure of the system; flat gain can
achieved using this amplifier [Book]. In parallel to
these advantages, many disadvantages also
associated to this amplifier like for pumping
photons we need high power; we need complicated
gain control and noise is also a problem. [2]
IV. SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER
Semiconductor optical amplifier is laser diode
without end mirrors that have fiber attached at the
both ends. SOA amplify any optical signal which
come from either of the fiber cable and send the
amplified version from the other fiber cable [15].
These amplifiers are typically small in size and
operate at 1310nm-1550nm systems. The main
advantage of semiconductor optical amplifier over
EDFA is that they are small in size and can be used
for bidirectional communication. The drawback of
semiconductor optical amplifier is that it has high
coupling loss, have higher noise figure and
polarization dependency. The basic structure of
semiconductor amplifier is shown below:

Figure: 13 Raman Amplifier--Received Spectrum

[13]
C. Specifications:
Amplification band of Raman amplifier depends
on pump wavelengths; Bandwidth of Raman
amplifier is 48nm and if we use more pumps it
increases; gain of the Raman amplifier is from 411 dB; Raman amplifier saturation power is equal
to the power of pump maximum saturation power
is about 0.75pump; wavelength is 100nm lower
than signal at peak gain; Noise figure of this
amplifier is about 5; the size of the Raman
amplifier is bulky.

Figure: 14 Design of SOA [2]

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

A. SOA process
The basic function of SOA is that when current
pass through the device it excites the electrons in
the active region and when light travel travels
through that active region these electrons makes
photons of light to lose energy in the form of more
photon that finally match the wavelength of the
initial photons. Due this phenomena when optical
signal pass through active region get amplified and
have higher gain [16].
To avoid unwanted reelection within the
semiconductors both of its edges are designed in
such a way that they have very low reflectivity. The
basic diagram of this process is shown below:

Figure: 15 Process of SOA [2]

B. Characteristics of SOA
The characteristics of semiconductor optical
amplifier are given below [2]:
1) It is small in size consist of semiconductor
chip with electrical and fiber connections.
2) Output power is significantly low.
3) They have small bandwidth, but SOA can
be made to operate at different wavelength
region.
4) They have high noise figure and have
polarization-sensitive amplification.
5) The change in gain cause change in phase
that leads to line width enhancement
factor.
6) They exhibit non-linear distortion.

C. Signal Power vs Gain

The change in input signal power cause a quick
change in amplifier gain. This change in gain cause
signal distortion, which becomes more severe
because the modulated signal bandwidth also
increases. These effects are more severe in
multichannel system that leads to inter-channel
cross talk.
SOAs also exhibit nonlinear behavior and these
nonlinearities can be used as wavelength converter
in SOAs. The graph of gain and wavelength of
semiconductor optical amplifier is shown below:

Figure: 16 Gain versus Wavelength [16]

D. SOAs Specifications
The specifications of SOAs are given below [2]:
1) They have gain about 30 dB or greater.
2) The range of wavelength is from 1280nm1650nm.
3) Their maximum saturation is about 18 dB.
4) Pump power is less than 400mA.
5) Their bandwidth is about 3 dB (60).
E. SOAs Applications
The applications of SOAs are given below [2]:
1) Power booster
2) In-line amplifier
3) Optical switching element
4) Detector preamplifier
5) Wavelength converter

Optical Amplifiers In DWDM Systems

V. COMPARISON OF OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS

We can compare the optical amplifiers by their
specification parameters as shown in following
table:
Property
Gain(dB)
Wavelength(nm)
Bandwidth(3dB)
Max, Saturation
(dBm)
Polarization
Sensitivity
Noise figure
Pump power
Time Constant
Size
Switchable
Cost Factor

EDFA
>40
15301560
30-60

Raman
>25
1280-1650

[3] P.
Spano,
"Optical
Processing
with
semiconductors" 3rd international summer
school about interaction between microwave
and optics, pp. 143-151, Autrans, France,
28/08/2000-1/09/2000.

SOA
>30
12801650
60

[4] O. Haruki, I. Seiji and K. Katsuya, "Broadband

Optical Amplifiers for DWDM Systems" Optical
Sub-systems Dept., FITEL Products Div,
6/01/2000.

18

[5] De Moura, Uiara C., Juliano RF Oliveira, Julio

Cesar RF Oliveira, and Amilcar C. Cesar.
"EDFA adaptive gain control effect analysis
over an amplifier cascade in a DWDM optical
system." In Microwave & Optoelectronic
Conference (IMOC),2013 SBMO/IEEE MTT-S
Internationl, IEEE 2013, pp. 1-5.

22

Pump
dependent
0.75*pump

No

No

Yes

5
25 dBm
10-2s
Rack
mounted
No
Medium

5
>30 dBm
10-15s
Bulk
module
No
High

8
<400mA
2*10-9
Compact
Yes
Low

VI. CONCLUSION
The demand of DWDM systems in optical fiber
has trigged the development of different optical
amplifiers. Different optical amplifiers can be used
according to the scenario. If you want to use Single
mode fiber for communication and cost is not much
of a problem then you should use Raman amplifier
for this scenario. If you want to use small size and
low cost amplifier for communication you should
use semiconductor optical amplifier. EDFA can be
used where user want high gain and less noise
figure for communication. EDFAs are preferable for
most of the scenarios due to low cost and high
quality of communication.
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