The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 2006
Filed:
May. 19, 2003
Robert Michael Bierman, Ottawa, CA;
Omayma Moharram, Carleton Place, CA;
Victoria Donnelly, Ottawa, CA;
Robert Michael Bierman, Ottawa, CA;
Omayma Moharram, Carleton Place, CA;
Victoria Donnelly, Ottawa, CA;
Tropic Networks Inc., Kanata, CA;
Abstract
This invention describes a method for controlling attenuation for a variable optical attenuator (VOA) inserted in an optical path of an optical signal propagating in an optical network, comprising the steps of measuring power of the optical signal at the VOA; comparing the measured power with a target power; and if the measured power differs from the target power, changing the attenuation of the VOA in one or more variable size intervals (VSI) so that the power of the optical signal substantially equals to the target power, wherein the VSI being a function of the measured power and target power. The method further comprises the step of comparing the measured power with a Loss-of-signal (LOS) power threshold, and if the measured power is less than the LOS power threshold, changing the attenuation of the VOA in one or more variable size intervals so that the power of the optical signal substantially higher than the LOS power threshold, wherein the size of the variable interval being a function of the measured power and the LOS power threshold. The method dynamically computes a VSI, updates the VOA setting by said VSI, and manages a combination of open and closed VOA control loops to maintain the target power attenuation of the VOA The corresponding apparatus for controlling the VOA is also provided.