Booster amplifier with spectral control for optical communications systems
AssigneeOnetta, Inc.
InventorsRene H. Monnard, Gordon C. Wilson, Jun Ye
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical amplifier for fiber-optic communications systems is provided. The optical amplifier may have variable optical attenuators for adjusting the power on each of multiple input channels. A multiplexer may be used to combine the input channels onto a single optical path. A gain stage may be used to provide optical gain for the optical signals on the optical path. A control unit may be used to control the variable optical attenuators and the gain stage to produce a desired spectrum.
Claims7
A booster amplifier that amplifies optical signals on channels at different wavelengths in a wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communications link, wherein the booster amplifier has a gain spectrum, the booster amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of variable optical attenuators, each of which receives optical signals associated with a different one of the channels;
- a multiplexer that combines the optical signals for each of the channels onto a single path;
- at least one gain stage that amplifies the optical signals on the single path and provides corresponding amplified output signals for the wavelength-division-multiplexing optical communications link, wherein the gain stage includes at least one pump for optically pumping the gain stage;
- and
- a control unit that controls the plurality of variable optical attenuators and the pump to control the gain spectrum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.