Patent · US Active

Extended dynamic range optical amplifier

US8873135B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
40References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2012
Grant dateOct 28, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04B2210/003
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An extended dynamic range optical amplifier, a method of operation, and a line amplifier configuration include an optical amplifier that can be optimized for high or low span loss conditions by switching an internal stage in or out of an internal light path within the amplifier. The extended dynamic range optical amplifier can include a low gain mode and a high gain mode with an internal switch to switch out a gain mid-stage in a low gain mode to extend the useful dynamic range of the amplifier. Further, the extended dynamic range optical amplifier can use residual pump power from an initial stage to pump the gain mid-stage in the high gain mode. Additionally, the extended dynamic range optical amplifier includes remapping of gain in the initial stage and the gain mid-stage to optimize the amplifier noise performance based on the maximum output power of the amplifier.

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