VIAVI MAP mEDFA-C1 Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module

Overview

The VIAVI Multiple Application Platform (MAP) Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (mEDFA-C1) is a third-generation amplifier design intended for systems-lab use and optical test and measurement applications. It combines the optical performance of the VIAVI benchtop amplifiers with the modularity of the MAP series, and its simplified control removes the need to work around network management protocols during R&D, manufacturing and test automation.

The module family covers amplifier emulation, OSNR (optical signal-to-noise ratio) experiments and network compliance tests. A low-noise version with a noise figure below 3.7 dB serves automated test systems where path loss requires a test-signal power boost before the device under test while keeping OSNR impairments to a minimum. Booster versions add automatic gain and power control, which simplifies power management when a single-channel tunable source is used. DWDM gain-flattened, high-power and L-band versions are also available.

Functional description

The optics consist of an erbium-doped fiber gain stage with supporting optical components designed to achieve maximum output power at the bulkhead-mounted optical connector while maximizing input/output isolation.

Platform and control

The mEDFA-C1 belongs to the LightDirect module family within the MAP series, characterized by a simple control interface and single-function design. It is compatible with all current MAP-300 and MAP-200 chassis. The MAP platform conforms to LXI, provides Ethernet connectivity and IVI drivers for environments such as LabVIEW, Visual C++, Visual Basic and LabWindows, and its commands generally follow SCPI. The MAP-300 GUI is accessed through a web browser or remote VNC and allows setting the current-mode set point and pump laser state; legacy MAP-200 users access the GUI through remote VNC.

Models in this series

Model	Description
MEDFA-C11CB	MAP Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier MEDFA-C11CB C-Band Booster Module Single-channel C-band EDFA booster module for the VIAVI MAP platform with automatic gain and power control and input/output power monitoring.	Details →
MEDFA-C11CA	MAP mEDFA-C1 MEDFA-C11CA Low-Noise C-Band Erbium Doped Fiber Preamplifier Module Single-channel extended C-band EDFA preamplifier module for the MAP platform with noise figure down to ≤ 3.7 dB.	Details →
MEDFA-C11CF	MAP mEDFA-C1 MEDFA-C11CF DWDM Booster Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module Gain-flattened C-band DWDM booster EDFA module for the VIAVI MAP platform, with power and gain control and ≥ 21 dBm saturated power.	Details →
MEDFA-C12CA	MAP mEDFA-C1 MEDFA-C12CA Dual Preamp Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module Dual independent low-noise C-band erbium-doped fiber preamplifier module for the VIAVI MAP-300 and MAP-200 platforms.	Details →
MEDFA-C11CD	VIAVI MAP mEDFA-C1 MEDFA-C11CD Max Power C-Band Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module High-power single-channel C-band MAP EDFA module with ≥ 25 dBm saturated output power and automatic gain and power control.	Details →
MEDFA-C11LB	VIAVI MAP mEDFA-C1 MEDFA-C11LB L-Band Booster Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier Module L-band booster erbium doped fiber amplifier module for the VIAVI MAP series, with gain and power control and a 1565 nm – 1610 nm operating range.	Details →

Key Features

Variant options for low noise figure (< 3.7dB) or high power (>25dBm) requirements
Single-channel extended C-band and L-band versions
Gain-flattened DWDM multichannel extended C-band version
Automated gain and power control options
Dual-amplifier module version for higher test system density
Compatible with all current MAP-300 and MAP-200 chassis
LXI-compliant platform with SCPI commands and IVI drivers
Browser-based MAP-300 GUI and remote VNC access

Specifications

Single Channel Input Optical Specifications

Operating Wavelength Range MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA, MEDFA-C11CB	1528 nm – 1569 nm
Operating Wavelength Range MEDFA-C11LB	1565 nm – 1610 nm
Saturated Power MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA, MEDFA-C11CB, MEDFA-C11LB	≥ 20 dBm (-4 dBm input) Measured with input signal at 1550nm for C-band and 1590nm for L-band; after minimum 30 minutes warm-up at 23±3°C
Noise Figure, Pin = 0 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≤ 5.7 dB Measured at 1590nm; N/A for C-band single channel versions
Noise Figure, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	≤ 4.4 dB Measured at 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CB	≤ 4.5 dB Measured at 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≤ 5.5 dB Measured at 1590nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	≤ 4.1 dB Measured at 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CB	≤ 5.3 dB Measured at 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≤ 5.2 dB Measured at 1590nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -30 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	≤ 3.7 dB Measured at 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -30 dBm MEDFA-C11CB	≤ 5.5 dB Measured at 1550nm; N/A for MEDFA-C11LB
Gain, Pin = 0 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≥ 20 dB Measured at 1590nm; N/A for C-band single channel versions
Gain, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA, MEDFA-C11CB	≥ 24 dB Measured at 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≥ 23 dB Measured at 1590nm
Gain, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	≥ 35 dB Measured at 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CB	≥ 33 dB Measured at 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11LB	≥ 28 dB Measured at 1590nm
Gain, Pin = -30 dBm MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	≥ 37 dB Measured at 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -30 dBm MEDFA-C11CB	≥ 36 dB Measured at 1550nm; N/A for MEDFA-C11LB
Input Output Power Monitor MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA	No
Input Output Power Monitor MEDFA-C11CB, MEDFA-C11LB	Yes
PDL/PDG MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA, MEDFA-C11CB, MEDFA-C11LB	≤ 0.2dB Measured with input power of -4dBm at 1550nm for C-band and 0dBm at 1590nm for L-band
Laser Safety Class MEDFA-C11CA, MEDFA-C12CA, MEDFA-C11CB, MEDFA-C11LB	1M Classified as per standard IEC60825-1:2014 with the maximum input power +4dBm

DWDM Multichannel Input Optical Specifications

Operating Wavelength Range MEDFA-C11CF	1528 nm – 1569 nm
Saturated Power MEDFA-C11CF	≥ 21 dBm (-4 dBm input) Measured at wavelength of 1550nm; after minimum 30 minutes warm-up at 23±3°C
Noise Figure, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CF	≤ 5.5 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CF	≤ 5.2 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CF	≥ 25 dB Measured with input power of -4dBm for the wavelength range of 1528nm –1563nm
Gain, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CF	≥ 35 dB Measured for the wavelength range of 1528nm –1563nm
Input Output Power Monitor MEDFA-C11CF	Yes
Spectral Gain Flatness MEDFA-C11CF	≤ 2.0 dB Measured with input power of -4dBm for the wavelength range of 1528nm –1563nm
PDL/PDG MEDFA-C11CF	≤ 0.2 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm, -4dBm input power
Laser Safety Class MEDFA-C11CF	1M Classified as per standard IEC60825-1:2014 with the maximum input power +4dBm

High Power Single Channel Input Optical Specifications

Operating Wavelength Range MEDFA-C11CD	1528 nm – 1569 nm
Saturated Power MEDFA-C11CD	≥ 25 dBm (-4 dBm input) Measured at wavelength of 1550nm; after minimum 30 minutes warm-up at 23±3°C
Noise Figure, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CD	≤ 5.5 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Noise Figure, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CD	≤ 6.2 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -4 dBm MEDFA-C11CD	≥ 29 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Gain, Pin = -20 dBm MEDFA-C11CD	≥ 35 dB Measured at wavelength of 1550nm
Input Output Power Monitor MEDFA-C11CD	Yes
PDL/PDG MEDFA-C11CD	≤ 0.2 dB Measured with input power of -4dBm at 1550nm
Laser Safety Class MEDFA-C11CD	3B Classified as per standard IEC60825-1:2014

Common Specifications

Connector Type	FC/APC
Operating Temperature	0 - 40°C
Operating Humidity	Maximum 95% RH, 0 to 40°C noncondensing
Storage Temperature	-30 to 60°C
Dimensions (W x H x D)	4.06 cm x 13.26 cm x 37.03 cm
Weight	2.3 kg

Compliance

Compliance	CE, CSA/UL/IEC61010-1, LXI Class C; Class 3B in standard IEC 60825-1 (2014); complies with 21 CFR 1040.1 except deviations per Laser Notice No. 50, July 2001 When installed in a MAP chassis

Applications

Amplification of sensitive signals in automated test systems
Power saturation recovery testing
OSNR noise loading
Amplifier emulation
Network compliance tests
Signal splitting

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MEDFA-C11CA-M100-MFA	Standard power, Extended C-band amplifier, Low NF Single channel with FC/APC connectors — Preamp version: 1 amplifier per module, no gain and power control
MEDFA-C12CA-M100-MFA	Dual independent, Standard power, Extended C-band amplifier, Low NF Single channel with FC/APC connectors — Dual preamp version: 2 amplifiers per module for higher test system density
MEDFA-C11CB-M100-MFA	Standard power, Extended C-band amplifier, Single channel auto power and monitoring option with FC/APC connectors — Booster version with gain and power control
MEDFA-C11CF-M100-MFA	Standard power, Extended C-band amplifier DWDM Gain Flattened Auto power and monitoring option with FC/APC connectors — DWDM booster for full multichannel input applications
MEDFA-C11CD-M100-MFA	High power, Extended C-band amplifier Single channel with Auto power and monitoring option with FC/APC — Maximum power version for signal splitting or power saturated recovery testing
MEDFA-C11LB-M100-MFA	Standard power, Extended L-band amplifier, Single channel auto power and monitoring option with FC/APC connectors — L-band version of the booster amplifier
AC500	FC/PC-FC/PC Universal Connector Adapter — Replacement mating sleeve
AC501	FC/PC-SC/PC Universal Connector Adapter — Replacement mating sleeve
AC502	FC/APC-FC/APC Universal Connector Adapter — Replacement mating sleeve
AC503	FC/APC-SC/APC Universal Connector Adapter — Replacement mating sleeve
CleanBlast	CleanBlast fiber end-face cleaning system — Optional inspection and cleaning accessory, available in benchtop and portable versions
FiberChek	FiberChek probe microscope — Optional handheld fiber inspection accessory
P5000i	P5000i fiber microscope — Optional automated fiber inspection and analysis probe with PASS/FAIL capability