Effect of saturation tone on spectral EDFA gain spectrum

Accurate characterization of spectral gain of C-band EDFAs in WDM system design is crucial; however, traditional methods often require expensive WDM equipment. This study presents a cost-effective alternative, validated through both experimental measurements and simulations, that utilizes a weak signal probe and a carefully selected saturation tone. By comparing results with a 32-channel WDM reference, we demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high accuracy. The optimal saturation tone wavelength depends on the pump wavelength (980 nm or 1480 nm) and configuration (forward or bidirectional). Nevertheless, a good fit with the reference can be obtained in all scenarios, especially at higher saturation levels. This work provides valuable insights for developing affordable and efficient EDFA gain measurement techniques.