Point-to-multipoint distribution of 42 channel VSB-AM video signals using an erbium-doped fiber amplifier.

A 1 x 16 distribution of 42 channel VSB-AM NTSC signal was demonstrated using an erbium-doped fiber amplifier. The optical amplifier had a 31.4 dB net small signal gain and 6.1 dBm saturated power. When used as a power amplifier, it was heavily saturated with a 19.2 dB gain compression and 12.2 dBm output power. At the output of the 1 x 16 splitter, we have measured CNR of 51.7 dB, CTB of 60.1 dBc, and CSO of 59.6 dBc for channel 40. An optical power budget of 20 dB was achieved with carrier-to-noise ratio of 50 dB, the largest reported to date.