Lumped Raman amplifier for adaptive dispersion compensation
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsFabrizio Di Pasquale, Fabrizio Forghieri
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adaptive dispersion compensation system that also achieves optical amplification by inducing Raman amplification effects in dispersion compensating fiber. This amplification/chromatic dispersion compensation architecture may be applied, e.g., at the end of an all-optical link, or an intermediate points along the link. By varying the length of dispersion compensating fiber used and the pump power, one may accommodate a wide range of dispersion compensation requirements as determined in the field. This scheme also provides all of the advantages typically provided by the use of Raman amplification.
Claims14
In a WDM communication system, apparatus for compensating for chromatic dispersion in a WDM signal, said apparatus comprising:
- a first dispersion compensating fiber traversed by said WDM signal, said first dispersion compensating fiber pumped with pump energy to induce Raman amplification of said WDM signal;
- and
- a second dispersion compensating fiber in cascade with said first dispersion compensating fiber;
- and
- a first laser pump providing pump energy on a first wavelength to said first dispersion compensating fiber and said second dispersion compensating fiber;
- and
- wherein said pump energy provided by said first laser pump traverses said second dispersion compensating fiber before entering said first dispersion compensating fiber via a Bragg fiber grating that reflects optical energy at said first wavelength and transmits other optical energy.
In an optical communication system, a method for compensating for chromatic dispersion in an optical signal, said method comprising:
- passing said optical signal through a first dispersion compensating fiber and then through a second dispersion compensating fiber;
- pumping said first dispersion compensating fiber with pump energy to induce Raman amplification of said optical signal therein;
- and
- pumping said second dispersion compensating fiber with pump energy to induce Raman amplification of said optical signal therein;
- and
- employing a first laser pump providing pump energy on a first wavelength to said first dispersion compensating fiber and said second dispersion compensating fiber;
- and
- wherein said pump energy provided by said first laser pump traverses said second dispersion compensating fiber before entering said first dispersion compensating fiber via a Bragg fiber grating that reflects optical energy at said first wavelength and transmits other optical energy.
In an optical communication system, apparatus for compensating for chromatic dispersion in an optical signal, said method comprising:
- means for passing said optical signal through a first dispersion compensating fiber and then through a second dispersion compensating fiber;
- means for pumping said first dispersion compensating fiber with pump energy to induce Raman amplification of said optical signal therein;
- and
- means for pumping said second dispersion compensating fiber with pump energy to induce Raman amplification of said optical signal therein;
- and
- means for employing a first laser pump providing pump energy on a first wavelength to said first dispersion compensating fiber and said second dispersion compensating fiber;
- and
- wherein said pump energy provided by said first laser pump traverses said second dispersion compensating fiber before entering said first dispersion compensating fiber via a Bragg fiber grating that reflects optical energy at said first wavelength and transmits other optical energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.