What is the full form of EDFA?

Introduction to EDFA

Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) is the most frequently used amplifier which was invented in 1987. The EDFA is a device that is used in long-distance communication devices. The device is inebriated with the chemical Erbium (Er). It is used in boosters, pre-amplifiers, optical transmission lines, inlines etc.

• "Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier" is an optical device that is used to amplify the optical signal without converting it into an electric signal.”

• It also enhances the transmission distance of the signal. It can enhance the 1.5 𝝁m wavelength region.

• Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier was the first optical amplifier used in fibre optic networks.

Working Principle of EDFA

“Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier” work on the principle of stimulating the outflow of photons. It amplifies the optical signal without converting them into an electrical signal. It is a crucial part of long-distance data transmission. It’s working as follows;

• It contains an Erbium Doped fibre (EDF), a laser pump, and a WDM combiner.

• As the name suggests the work of a WDM combiner is to combine the signal and wavelength, and that wavelength can communicate through Erbium-doped fiber.

• The optical signal of 1550 nm enters the amplifier and combines with a 980 nm laser pump having WDM.

• This signal and laser pass through fibre having Erbium ion.

• The amplifier used these erbium fibres as medium and boost the signal strength.

• The raising of Erbium ion to a higher energy level is done by two pump states; Meta stable state and Stark Splitting.

• At a metastable state, the life span of transition is quite long as compared to the ground state.

• At the Stark Splitting state, the ground state and pump band state are closely spaced and form a multitude of strengths.

Applications of EDFA

Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers are used in high-speed communication systems to boost signal strength. Erbium ions are doped in double-clad fibres that produce tens times of watts and more.

• EDFA is used in long-distance optical communication systems.

• Using EDFA in the communication system decreases the number of stimulating repeaters hence it decreasing the value of construction.

• It is also used in community antenna television systems, which enhance the input strength of the transmitters.

• It is used in wavelength division multiplexing systems (WDM) and dense wavelength multiplexing systems for reducing the inclusion loss and effect of dispersion.

• It is used in boosting C-band (1530-1565 nm) and L-Band (1565-1605 nm) wavelength channels.

Advantages of EDFA

The EDFA is used to amplify the signal strength in the long-distance communication system. It has a few advantages:

• EDFA increase the strength by more than 50% of the strength using pump power utilization.

• You can gain up to 50 dB using EDFA.

• It is worthy of long-distance application.

• It directly and concurrently boosts the broad-range wavelength band i.e. more than 50 nm in the C-band region.

• The depression in EDFA can be improved using optical filters.

• It is more affordable than other amplifiers.

Conclusion

“Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier” is an optical Amplifier that is used in long-distance communication systems for boosting optical signals. The signal is carried out using a fibre optic communication system. EDFA consists of a fibre optic inebriate with the rare earth element Erbium ion (Er3+). The erbium ion in the system amplifies the emission coming from the pump power station and other light inserted into the fibre optic. It is used in telecommunication systems, in amplification of wavelength channels, and in generating high power output.

FAQs

Q1. What are the disadvantages of EDFA?

The first drawback of EDFA is that it is huge as compared to other amplifiers. It is difficult to join it with other semiconductors. The dropping channels can generate errors in the system.

Q2. Define types of Amplifiers.

There are three types of amplifiers; Booster Amplifiers, In-line amplifiers, and Pre- amplifier.

• Booster Amplifier − It works on the transmission side and boosts the signal leaving the transmission to the fibre optic link. It is used in DWDM links where multiplexers boost the signal path.

• In-Line Amplifier − It is placed halfway up the transmission line. The amplifier directly boosts the signal sent by the line as an alternative to the OED repeater.

• Pre-Amplifier − It is situated at the DWDM link end. It remunerates the loss of signal in the demultiplexer near the receiver.

Q3. What is the definition of an Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier?

“Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier is a device that is used to remunerate the optical signal caused by the fibre optic and other components to boost the optical transmission strength of the signal for long distance.”

It boosts the strength of the signal without a regenerator. It is more cost-effective than other amplifiers.