Transfer Learning for EDFA Gain Modeling: A Semi-Supervised Approach Using Internal Amplifier Features

Abstract: The gain spectrum of an Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) has a complex dependence on channel loading, pump power, and operating mode, making accurate modeling difficult to achieve. Machine Learning (ML) based modeling methods can achieve high accuracy, but they require comprehensive data collection. We present a novel ML-based Semi-Supervised, Self-Normalizing Neural Network (SS-NN) framework to model the wavelength dependent gain of EDFAs using minimal data, which achieve a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.07/0.08 dB for booster/pre-amplifier gain prediction. We further perform Transfer Learning (TL) using a single additional measurement per target-gain setting to transfer this model among 22 EDFAs in Open Ireland and COSMOS testbeds, which achieves a MAE of less than 0.19 dB even when operated across different amplifier types. We show that the SS-NN model achieves high accuracy for gain spectrum prediction with minimal data requirement when compared with current benchmark methods.