摘要 |
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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