Application of Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers in CATV Networks.

Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers show promise for use in CATV networks. However, there are major limitations on the usefulness of these devices in this application. This paper describes the basic operation of these amplifiers and shows a typical circuit design. Equations for the performance of these amplifiers are given, with emphasis on parameters important to their use in CATV networks. It is shown that they are best suited for use as power amplifiers to enable splitting on links where CNR requirements are modest. Other factors which must be considered in using these devices are also discussed.