Optical amplifiers that support gain clamping and optionally power loading
US10805008B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/80
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus includes an optical amplifier configured to receive an input optical signal and generate an amplified output optical signal. The optical amplifier includes multiple amplifier stages including at least a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage. The apparatus also includes a gain clamp configured to accumulate optical power from the first amplifier stage after an optical power level of the input optical signal drops and provide a first portion of the accumulated optical power to the first amplifier stage to clamp a gain applied by the first amplifier stage. The gain clamp is also configured to provide a second portion of the accumulated optical power to the second amplifier stage to adjust a gain applied by the second amplifier stage. The second amplifier stage is configured to amplify the second portion of the accumulated optical power.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.