Optical-level control method, optical-level control apparatus and wavelength-multiplexing optical network

Abstract

An optical-level control apparatus includes a plurality of variable optical attenuators each used for attenuating an input optical signal included in a wavelength division multiplexing signal as a component having a specific wavelength by applying a variable attenuation quantity, a plurality of control units each used for executing automatic control for automatically controlling the attenuation quantity in order to adjust the optical level of an optical signal output by a corresponding one of the variable optical attenuators to a target level in an ordinary normal state of the input optical signal, and a detection unit for detecting a loss of light failure of an optical signal input to each of the variable optical attenuators and detecting disappearance of the loss of light failure. When the detection unit detects the loss of light failure, a corresponding one of the control units executes first attenuation quantity locking control to adjust the attenuation quantity to a first predetermined value and as the detection unit detects the disappearance of the loss of light, the corresponding control unit executes second attenuation quantity locking control to adjust the attenuation quantity to a second predetermined value.