WDM system equalization with EDFA optical amplifiers
US6323994A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B2210/256
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An in-line repeater implemented within a Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) optical fiber communication system is shown that includes an attenuator. The communication system includes a WDM multiplexer that transmits a WDM signal including a series of WDM channels, via the in-line repeater, to a demultiplexer that separates the WDM channels into a series of output signals. Within the in-line repeater, the attenuator is coupled between two stages of a single amplifier in order to aid in the power equalization of the WDM channels at the demultiplexer. The addition of the attenuator results in the powers and OSNR of the individual WDM channels becoming closer in value, hence reducing the time and the dynamic range of transmitter power adjustments required for traditional methods to equalize the channels' powers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.