Mehtod of controlling a dynamic gain controller

A method of controlling the optical characteristics of individual pixelated elements in a dynamic gain equalizer having an array of controllable pixelated elements, and having a processor for processing control information related to a response function of the dynamic gain equalizer, said method comprising the steps of:

• acquiring a predetermined target response function for the array of pixelated elements from a system controller;
• calculating initial attenuation settings for individual pixels of the array of pixelated elements based on stored data;
• calculating spectral attenuation that would result from the initial attenuation settings for individual pixels and determining deviations between the initial settings and settings to satisfy said target response;
• calculating input data for use by said processor to control said individual pixels if said deviations are within set limits;
• and
• sending said input data to said processor.

A computer program product for a system having an array of pixelated elements for controlling incident light thereon, and having a processor for processing control information related to response transmission characteristics of the array of pixelated elements, the computer program product comprising computer readable program code devices for controlling characteristics of the array of pixelated elements in response to input data comprising:

• (a) acquiring calibration information related to the response characteristics of the array of pixelated elements;
• (b) acquiring a target response function for the array of pixelated elements;
• (c) converting the target response function into a set of pixel amplitude field linear equations;
• and
• (d) determining a set of input data values for controlling the array of pixelated elements based on the calibration information and the pixel amplitude field linear equations.

A computer program product for controlling the optical characteristics of individual pixelated elements in a dynamic gain equalizer having an array of controllable pixelated elements, and having a processor for processing control information related to a response function of the dynamic gain equalizer, the computer program product comprising computer readable program code devices for:

• acquiring a predetermined target response function for the array of pixelated elements from a system controller;
• calculating initial attenuation settings for individual pixels of the array of pixelated elements based on stored data;
• calculating spectral attenuation that would result from the initial attenuation settings for individual pixels and determining deviations between the initial settings and settings to satisfy said target response;
• calculating input data for use by said processor to control said individual pixels if said deviations are within set limits;
• and
• sending said input data to said processor.