Calibrating a Raman amplifier by maximizing gain and minimizing intermodulation effects

A calibration system comprising:

• a processing device, and
• a memory device configured to store a computer program having instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to
• set gain of a plurality of pump lasers of a Raman amplifier to a safe level, wherein the pump lasers operate at different wavelengths, wherein the Raman amplifier is connected to a fiber span having a specific fiber-type, and wherein the safe level is a level that keeps adverse intermodulation effects below a predetermined threshold regardless of the specific fiber-type,
• increase the gain of the pump lasers while keeping the adverse intermodulation effects below the predetermined threshold, and
• one of (1) maintain the power of a spectrum within a predetermined variability range, the spectrum associated with operation of an Optical Multiplex Section (OMS) that includes at least the Raman amplifier and the fiber span, and (2) maintain an Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio (OSNR) of a spectrum above a predetermined threshold, the spectrum associated with operation of the OMS that includes at least the Raman amplifier and the fiber span.

A calibration system comprising:

• a processing device, and
• a memory device configured to store a computer program having instructions that, when executed, enable the processing device to
• set gain of a plurality of pump lasers of a Raman amplifier to a safe level, wherein the pump lasers operate at different wavelengths, wherein the Raman amplifier is connected to a fiber span having a specific fiber-type, and wherein the safe level is a level that keeps adverse intermodulation effects below a predetermined threshold regardless of the specific fiber-type,
• increase the gain of the pump lasers while keeping the adverse intermodulation effects below the predetermined threshold,
• wherein the Raman amplifier is a counter-propagating amplifier whereby the fiber span of interest includes at least an adjacent portion that provides ingress traffic to the Raman amplifier.