Multi-band hybrid SOA-raman amplifier for CWDM
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsPatrick P. Iannone, Kenneth C. Reichmann, Xiang Zhou
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-band hybrid amplifier is disclosed for use in optical fiber systems. The amplifier uses Raman laser pumps and semiconductor optical amplifiers in series to produce a relatively level gain across the frequency range of interest. Multiple Raman pumps are multiplexed before coupling into the fiber. The Raman amplified optical signal may be demultiplexed and separately amplified by the SOAs before remultiplexing. Gain profiles of the Raman pumps and the SOAs are selected to compensate for gain tilt and to alleviate the power penalty due to cross-gain modulation in the SOAs. The disclosed hybrid amplifier is especially useful in coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) systems.
Claims15
A hybrid optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal transmitted on an optical fiber and having a frequency range, the amplifier comprising:
- at least one Raman pump coupled to the fiber, having a gain within the frequency range and creating a Raman amplified signal;
- a band demultiplexer for splitting the Raman amplified signal propagating in the fiber into a plurality of band signals having band frequency ranges;
- at least one semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), each said SOA connected for amplifying a band signal of the plurality of band signals, and having a gain within the band frequency range of the band signal;
- and
- a band multiplexer for recombining the band signals after amplification,
- wherein the optical signal comprises at least two frequency channels having a null frequency range between the channels, and wherein at least one of the Raman pumps comprises a pump laser having a frequency within the null frequency range.
A hybrid optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal transmitted on an optical fiber and having a frequency range, the amplifier comprising:
- at least one Raman pump coupled to the fiber, having a gain within the frequency range and creating a Raman amplified signal;
- a band demultiplexer for splitting the Raman amplified signal propagating in the fiber into a plurality of band signals having band frequency ranges;
- a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) connected for amplifying a first band signal of the plurality of band signals;
- a second band signal of said plurality of band signals not being amplified by an SOA;
- and
- a band multiplexer for recombining the band signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.