Channelized wavelength division multiplex equalizer using reflective attenuators
AssigneeLucent Technolgies Inc.
InventorsVladimir Anatolyevich Aksyuk, John David Bishop, Randy Clinton Giles, Rene R. Ruel
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Abstract
A channelized Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM) equalizer enables the gain of each WDM channel to be individually controlled, enabling power adjustments of each channel over the equalizer's entire dynamic range. The gain equalizer includes a demultiplexer with each of its outputs interfaced to a different microelectromechanical system (MEMS) reflective device which adjusts optical power in response to a received control signal. The equalizer can be implemented to operate in a reflective mode or in a transmission mode.
Claims11
A wavelength division multiplex (WDM) signal equalizer comprising
- a WDM signal guided-wave demultiplexer apparatus for receiving an input WDM optical signal and demultiplexing it into a plurality of optical signal channels for output at different output ports of the demultiplexer apparatus,
- a plurality of independently controllable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, each MEMS device aligned with a different optical channel output port of the demultiplexer apparatus for adjustably controlling a signal level coupled from that optical channel output port of the WDM multiplexer apparatus to an optical apparatus in response to a control signal to that MEMS device, and
- wherein said WDM demultiplexer apparatus includes a WDM demultiplexer and a plurality of optical fibers having a first end connected to the outputs of the WDM demultiplexer and a second end forming the output ports of the WDM apparatus.
A wavelength division multiplex (WDM) signal equalizer comprising
- a WDM signal guided-wave demultiplexer apparatus for receiving an input WDM optical signal and demultiplexing it into a plurality of optical signal channels for output at different output ports of the demultiplexer apparatus,
- a plurality of independently controllable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, each MEMS device aligned with a different optical channel output port of the demultiplexer apparatus for adjustably controlling a signal level coupled from that optical channel output port of the WDM multiplexer apparatus to an optical apparatus in response to a control signal to that MEMS device, and
- wherein said optical apparatus is the WDM demultiplexer apparatus which combines the reflected adjusted optical signals into an equalized WDM signal and wherein each MEMS device adjust the signal level by adjusting the reflectivity of the MEMS device under control of said control signal, and wherein each MEMS device is aligned so as to adjustably reflect an optical channel output port signal back to that optical channel output port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.