EDFA Design Software

A software package for the design of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) calculates the effect of metrics such as minimum output power, maximum noise figure, maximum gain ripple, and minimum pump power on EDFA device specifications such as pump wavelength range, passive component losses, and component costs. EDFA Design supports applications such as single and multi-stage amplifiers for single-channel or WDM networks, reflective, split-band, bi-directional, and gain-clamped amplifiers, ring and linear fiber lasers, and broadband sources. Optimization algorithms automatically find the required erbium-fiber length, gain-flattening filter spectrum, or WDM channel pre-emphasis. Simulated electronic feedback loops and alarms find the required pump power for total and per signal power control.

A self-contained graphical user interface controls the optical component layout and netlist, amplifier model, and presentation graphics. An extensive library of active and passive components is provided with realistic, wavelength-dependent, insertion losses and return losses. Parameter loops allow the user to investigate how specific device specifications affect the amplifier performance. The adjustable functionality enables a variety of users, such as optical component and gain block manufacturers, WDM and CATV system designers, network operators, and researchers to accelerate their design processes.

Optiwave Corp., 16 Concourse Gate, Suite 100, Nepean, Ontario K2E 7S8 Canada.

Tel: 613-2244700; Fax: 613-224-4706.