Patent · US Expired

Double-pass optical amplifiers and optical network equipment

US6577789B1 · kind B1 · utility

12Cited by
22References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 13, 2001
Grant dateJun 10, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04B2210/256
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Optical amplifiers and other optical network equipment for handling optical data signals in fiber-optic communications links are provided. Optical fiber that is pumped by laser diode pumps may be used to provide optical gain. A circulator may be used in an amplifier to direct the optical data signals through a double-pass portion of the amplifier. A reflector at the end of the double-pass portion of the amplifier may direct forward-propagating optical data signals from the circulator in the backwards direction. Optical components such as spectral filters, and attenuators, gain stages, access ports, and other components may be located in the double-pass portion. A control unit may be used to suppress gain transients in the double-pass portion.

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