Alcatel

Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.

J Michael Dugan

Kenneth Y Maxham

David Eugene Bath

Mike R Moothart

An optical channel regulator () is provided. The optical channel regulator () includes a tapped optical coupler () receiving an optical line carrying an optical signal. The tapped optical coupler () provides substantially all of the optical signal as an output. An electrically variable optical attenuator () receives the output of the tapped optical coupler () and attenuates the optical signal responsive to a feedback control signal. A second tapped optical coupler () receives an output of the attenuator (). The second coupler () provides substantially all of the received optical signal as an output and provides a remaining portion of the optical signal as a tapped output. An optical detector () then receives the tapped output and provides an output signal representing the optical signal. A comparator () receives the output signal of the optical detector () and a reference signal. The comparator () compares the output signal and the reference signal and provides the feedback control signal to the attenuator () responsive to the comparison. As part of a multi-channel communication system, the regulator is used to adjust the levels of each channel for automatically maintaining channel balance and equalization.

Optical channel regulator and method

A system for configuring an optical amplifier in a fiber optic communications network including a safety shutdown input, includes a non-volatile memory for storing optical amplifier parameters. Circuitry is provided for inputting amplifier parameters into the memory and for changing previously stored amplifier parameters. Configuration of the optical amplifier parameters cannot be changed until a hardware control input is actuated. The system also provides for an indication of a mismatch between newly input parameters and previously stored optical amplifier parameters.

Configurable safety shutdown for an optical amplifier using non-volatile storage

An optical channel regulator (46) is provided. The optical channel regulator (46) includes a tapped optical coupler (60) receiving an optical line carrying an optical signal. The tapped optical coupler (60) provides substantially all of the optical signal as an output. An electrically variable optical attenuator (64) receives the output of the tapped optical coupler (60) and attenuates the optical signal responsive to a feedback control signal. A second tapped optical coupler (66) receives an output of the attenuator (64). The second coupler (66) provides substantially all of the received optical signal as an output and provides a remaining portion of the optical signal as a tapped output. An optical detector (68) then receives the tapped output and provides an output signal representing the optical signal. A comparator (70) receives the output signal of the optical detector (68) and a reference signal. The comparator (70) compares the output signal and the reference signal and provides the feedback control signal to the attenuator (64) responsive to the comparison. As part of a multi-channel communication system, the regulator is used to adjust the levels of each channel for automatically maintaining channel balance and equalization.

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Richardson, TX, United States of America

J Michael Dugan