Spectral power monitors with active alignment compensation
US6504976B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2931
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a spectral power monitoring apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal along with a reference signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels and a reference spectral component having a predetermined relative alignment, impinging onto an array of optical power sensors. The optical power sensor array may be configured such that the power levels of the spectral channels impinging onto the optical power sensor array can be related to the electrical signals thus produced by a predetermined conversion matrix. The spectral power monitoring apparatus of the present invention further includes an alignment compensation unit, which monitors the real-time impinging position of the reference spectral component and ensures that the corresponding conversion matrix is used for converting the measured electrical signals to the optical power levels of interest. The spectral power monitoring apparatus of the present invention is well suited for optical networking applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.