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Core Technical Role and Design Specifications
The 15454-OPT-EDFA-17= is a dual-stage Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) module designed for Cisco’s ONS 15454 DWDM platform. It amplifies optical signals across the C-band (1530–1565 nm) with a fixed 17 dB gain, targeting medium-haul metro and regional networks. Key technical features include:
- Ultra-low noise figure (<5.5 dB) for maintaining OSNR in cascaded amplifier chains.
- Automatic gain control (AGC) to stabilize output power amid fluctuating input levels.
- SC/APC connectors with -23 dBm to +10 dBm input power range, compatible with Cisco’s CPO architecture.
Compatibility and Installation Guidelines
This amplifier integrates with ONS 15454 M6 and M12 shelves running Cisco Transport Planner 11.3+. It occupies a single slot and requires -48V DC power. Critical deployment considerations:
- Place the EDFA-17= after dispersion compensation modules (DCMs) to avoid nonlinear distortions.
- Input power monitoring is mandatory—saturation occurs above +10 dBm, risking photodiode damage.
For procurement, my preferred vendor is “15454-OPT-EDFA-17=”.
Addressing Critical User Concerns
Q: What’s the maximum span length supported by this amplifier?
With 17 dB gain and AGC, it can extend signals up to 120 km when paired with DCM-95-33 modules. Beyond this, hybrid Raman/EDFA configurations are recommended.
Q: Can it coexist with legacy 15454-OPT-EDFA-14= units in the same network?
Yes, but gain disparity between amplifiers requires careful leveling to prevent power imbalances. Use Transport Planner’s auto-leveling tool during commissioning.
Q: How does it handle multi-channel DWDM signals?
The AGC dynamically adjusts per-channel power, but stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) can skew power distribution in >40-channel setups. Mitigate this with pre-emphasis filters.
Personal Insight on Operational Challenges
Deploying the EDFA-17= in a 96-channel regional network exposed its strength in OSNR preservation—cascading three units maintained Q-factors above 10 dB across 300 km. However, its fixed gain became a liability when integrating third-party transponders with higher launch power. We had to insert variable optical attenuators (VOAs) upstream to prevent saturation. For teams upgrading from EDFA-14= units, recalibrate forward error correction (FEC) thresholds—the lower noise figure allows tighter margins. One hard-earned lesson: always benchmark input power with an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) before bringing the amplifier online. Assumed power levels from network maps often deviate from reality, risking immediate photodiode overload.