System and method for calibrating and operating a semiconductor variable optical attenuator

A method for attenuating an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• providing a semiconductor-type variable optical attenuator for attenuating the optical signal;
• receiving a request for the variable optical attenuator to maintain a desired voltage level;
• sensing the temperature of the variable optical attenuator;
• and
• determining a required temperature of the variable optical attenuator to achieve a resulting attenuation value at the desired voltage level and adjusting the temperature of the variable optical attenuator to the required temperature based at least partially on the sensed temperature of the variable optical attenuator to maintain the attenuation level constant regardless of the temperature of the variable optical attenuator.

A system for emitting an optical signal, comprising:

• a temperature controllable surface;
• an optical signal source disposed on the temperature controllable surface;
• a plurality of lenses disposed in line with the optical signal source;
• a semiconductor-type variable optical attenuator disposed in line with the optical signal source on the temperature controllable surface;
• a temperature sensor disposed to sense the temperature of the variable optical attenuator;
• and
• a processor for controlling an attenuation level of the variable optical attenuator at the desired voltage level based at least partially on the sensed temperature of the variable optical attenuator, wherein the temperature of the variable optical attenuator is adjusted by the temperature controllable surface based on the sensed temperature to maintain the attenuation level constant regardless of the temperature of the variable optical attenuator.