Optical power managed network node for processing dense wavelength division multiplexed optical signals

A method for processing dense wavelength division multiplexed signals in an optical power managed network node, the method comprising the steps of:

• separating a first multiplexed polychromatic optical signal into a first plurality of narrowband optical signals;
• switching the first plurality of narrowband optical signals according to a predetermined signal routing scheme so as to generate a second plurality of narrowband optical signals;
• attenuating the power of at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals so as to generate a third plurality of narrowband optical signals, wherein the power of the at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals is attenuated based upon a detected power level of each of the third plurality of narrowband optical signals;
• combining the third plurality of narrowband optical signals into a second multiplexed polychromatic optical signal;
• detecting the power level of each of the third plurality of narrowband optical signals combined into the second multiplexed polychromatic optical signal;
• and
• controlling the power attenuation of the at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals based upon the detected power level of each of the third plurality of narrowband optical signals.

An optical power managed network node for processing dense wavelength division multiplexed signals comprising:

• a demultiplexing device for separating a first multiplexed polychromatic optical signal into a first plurality of narrowband optical signals;
• a switching device for switching the first plurality of narrowband optical signals and a third plurality of narrowband optical signals according to a predetermined signal routing scheme so as to generate a second plurality of narrowband optical signals;
• a plurality of attenuators for attenuating the power of at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals so as to generate a plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals, wherein the power of the at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals is attenuated based upon a power level of each of the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals;
• a dense wavelength division multiplexing device for combining the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals into a second multiplexed polychromatic optical signal;
• an adjustable power amplifier for adjustably amplifying the power of the second multiplexed polychromatic optical signal so as to generate an amplified multiplexed polychromatic optical signal containing the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals, wherein the power of the second multiplexed polychromatic optical signal is adjustably amplified based upon the power level of each of the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals;
• a wavelength-selective optical power detector for detecting the power level of each of the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals contained in the amplified multiplexed polychromatic optical signal, and for detecting the power level of each of the first plurality of narrowband optical signals contained within the first multiplexed polychromatic optical signal;
• a controller for controlling the power attenuation of the at least one of the second plurality of narrowband optical signals and the power of at least one of the third plurality of narrowband optical signals based upon the detected power level of each of the plurality of attenuated narrowband optical signals.