Patent · US Expired

Optical amplifier systems with transient control

US6476961B1 · kind B1 · utility

21Cited by
15References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 2001
Grant dateNov 5, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01S2301/06
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Optical amplifier equipment for operation in fiber-optic communications networks is provided. The optical amplifier equipment may include one or more gain, stages based on rare-earth-doped fiber or Raman-pumped fiber. The gain stages may be optically pumped using diode lasers. Optical monitors may be used to measure optical signals in the optical amplifier equipment. Input signals and output signals may be measured. A control unit may adjust the pump powers in the gain stages based on the measured optical signals to suppress gain transients. An optical delay line may be used to provide additional time for the control unit to process the optical signals before adjusting the pump powers. A midstage module including dispersion-compensating fiber may be installed in the optical amplifier equipment. The control unit may automatically detect the amount of optical delay associated with the installed module and may control the pump powers accordingly during transient control operations.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.