Method and apparatus for controlling power transients in an optical communication system
AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.
InventorsRobert D. Feldman, Mahan Movassaghi, David A. Sadler, William A. Thompson
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling transients in an optical signal propagating along an optical fiber path interconnecting a plurality of network elements employs a power threshold to determine an appropriate response given a change in optical signal power.
Claims19
A method, comprising:
- adjusting a power level of an optical signal in a first network element, in response to the optical signal exhibiting power exceeding a first threshold;
- and
- transmitting a transient notification to at least one additional network element, in response to the optical signal exhibiting power exceeding the first threshold.
A network element adapted for use in an optical transmission system, the network element comprising:
- at least one gain element, for providing an optical signal to an optical transmission line;
- and
- a controller, for adjusting the output power of the at least one gain element to achieve a desired power per channel of the optical signal, and transmitting a transient notification to at least one additional network element, in response to the optical signal exhibiting power exceeding a first threshold.
In a lightwave communication system having a plurality of network elements for supplying an optical signal adapted for transmission in an optical fiber path, an apparatus for controlling power of an optical signal propagating in the optical fiber path comprising:
- means for detecting a transient that causes power of an optical signal in a first network element to exceed a first threshold;
- and
- a first transient control circuit, responsive to a detected transient, for adjusting the power of the optical signal in the first network element and transmitting a transient notification to at least one additional network element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.