Systems and methods for a multiple-input, multiple-output controller in a reconfigurable optical network

An optical amplifier gain and per-channel attenuation control method for separating control of a multiple-input, multiple-output reconfigurable optical node into two single-input, single output domains, comprising:

• implementing an outer control loop on a plurality of channels expressing through the node to determine a target node gain;
• and
• implementing an inner control loop on all channels utilizing the target node gain on the plurality of channels expressing through the node and a drop power target on a plurality of channels dropping at the node;
• wherein the inner control loop is configured to control optical amplifier gain and per-channel attenuation for the plurality of channels expressing through the node and the plurality of channels dropping at the node.

A multiple-input, multiple-output reconfigurable optical node comprising:

• an optical amplifier;
• means for per-channel attenuation of a plurality of channels expressing through the node and dropping at the node;
• means for per-channel power measurement of the plurality of channels expressing through the node and dropping at the node;
• and
• a node controller in communication with the optical amplifier, per-channel attenuation means, and per-channel power measurement means, wherein the node controller is configured to:
• manage the per-channel attenuation means per-channel attenuation for each of a plurality of channels in the node;
• and
• manage the optical amplifier gain responsive to the per-channel attenuation means.