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:
Jul. 04, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2003
Method and apparatus for operating variable optical attenuator by modulating the attenuation thereof
Applicants:
Gordon Bruce Scarth, Ottawa, CA;
Robert Michael Bierman, Ottawa, CA;
Steve Joseph Grabner, Ottawa, CA;
Inventors:
Gordon Bruce Scarth, Ottawa, CA;
Robert Michael Bierman, Ottawa, CA;
Steve Joseph Grabner, Ottawa, CA;
Assignee:
Tropic Networks Inc., Kanata, CA;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an eVOA by modulating its attenuation. If an optical signal power is below a loss of signal (LOS) power threshold the eVOA attenuation is set to a maximum attenuation and then, periodically and quickly decreased and increased in steps while checking for the presence of optical signals above the LOS power threshold. The method is also used for operating a multiplicity of eVOAs while minimizing the risk of damage to optical network equipment.