Method and apparatus for operating variable optical attenuator by modulating the attenuation thereof
US7072561B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04B10/07955
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an eVOA by modulating its attenuation. If an optical signal power is below a loss of signal (LOS) power threshold the eVOA attenuation is set to a maximum attenuation and then, periodically and quickly decreased and increased in steps while checking for the presence of optical signals above the LOS power threshold. The method is also used for operating a multiplicity of eVOAs while minimizing the risk of damage to optical network equipment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.