Editing Optical power margin

{{Short description|Difference in an optical communications link}}
In an [[optical communications]] [[data link|link]], the '''optical power margin''' is the difference between the optical [[Power (physics)|power]] that is launched by a given transmitter into the fiber, less transmission losses from all causes, and the minimum optical power that is required by the receiver for a specified level of performance. An optical power margin is typically measured using a calibrated [[light source]] and an [[optical power meter]].

The optical power margin is usually expressed in [[decibel]]s (dB). At least several dB of optical power margin should be included in the [[optical power budget]]. The amount of optical power launched into a given fiber by a given transmitter depends on the nature of its active [[optical source]] ([[LED]] or [[laser diode]]) and the type of fiber, including such parameters as [[core diameter]] and [[numerical aperture]]. 

==References==
{{FS1037C}}

[[Category:Optical communications]]