ASE Analysis and Correction for EDFA Automatic Control

A theoretical model is described that can be used for calculating the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at the output of an optical amplifier. The technique can be used to determine the usable optical signal power at the output of an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) operating in the constant-output-power control mode. The model was experimentally verified by automating an EDFA to operate in the constant-signal-power control mode using an ASE correction based on our model. Calculated signal-output powers were then compared to the measured values that were obtained using an optical spectrum analyzer.