Variable optical attenuator
US6374032B1 · kind B1 · utility
10Cited by
13References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3594
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A variable optical attenuator is described. A special profile blocker is rotated across a large angel (e.g., 180° to 360°) to provide a variable amount of attenuation. In one embodiment, the special profile blocker is an eccentrically driven wheel. The special profile blocker is driven by a stepper motor via a gear assembly. In one embodiment, the variable optical attenuator includes a beam splitter for the input and/or the output signal for monitoring of signal strength and/or feedback control of the attenuator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.