Optical communication system incorporating automatic dispersion compensation modules
US6370300B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 18, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B2210/252
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In accordance with the invention, an optical communication system is provided with one or more automatic dispersion compensation modules. Each module has an adjustable dispersion element, a data integrity monitor and a feedback network whereby the monitor adjusts the dispersion element to optimize system performance. In a preferred embodiment the dispersion compensating modules comprise chirped fiber Bragg gratings in which the chirp is induced in the grating by passing a current along distributed thin film heaters deposited along the length of the fiber. The magnitude of the applied current determines the dispersion of the grating. A data integrity monitor is configured to sense the integrity of transmitted data and to provide electrical feedback for controlling the current applied to the grating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.