Method and apparatus for controlling a semiconductor optical amplifier for use in a passive optical network
US7362498B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/10015
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical amplifier including: an amplifier having an input port and an output port, which is disposed along a main signal line of the optical amplifier; a dummy laser generation circuit having an output coupled to the main signal line and operative for inputting a dummy signal into the amplifier; a first optical detector for detecting a power level of the dummy signal into the amplifier and outputting a first power level signal; a second optical detector for detecting an amplified power level of the dummy signal output by the amplifier and outputting a second power level signal; a memory device for storing calibration data regarding the gain characteristics of the amplifier; and a gain control circuit which receives inputs from the first optical detector and second optical detector, and has an output coupled to the amplifier. The gain control circuit operates to control the gain of the amplifier based on the first power level signal, the second power level signal and the calibration data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.