System and method for optical channel reconfiguration

Abstract

In wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems, one optical multiplexing section (OMS) can support several channels. During a network reconfiguration, the number or channel index of the channels in the OMS may change, which may result in a change in gain for other channels in the OMS due to the channel loading dependant gain properties of many optical amplifiers. Equalization is therefore required in order to reduce power excursion for the channels in the OMS. Using a model for the channel loading dependent gain of optical amplifiers, equalization may be performed more quickly than using measurement-based equalization methods. The model predicts the change in gain for the channels in an OMS following network reconfiguration, and allows for an equalizer to quickly or pre-emptively adjust for the changes. This model may include an artificial neural network, which is trained using some of the possible channel loading conditions for the OMS.

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