Device and method for processing an optical signal

摘要

A method of processing optical signal (TE) whose power (PE) varies in a random manner in a range of variation of power (ΔPE) around a mean power (PEφ), the processing of the optical signal (TE) generating processing noise (GELECTRONIC), characterized in that the relative variation of power (GE) of at least a temporal part at said optical signal (TE) is optically amplified.

主权项

1. Method for processing an optical signal (TE) whose power (PE) varies in a random manner and is determined by a power probability density law (LDPE) which is included in a power range ([PEMIN; PEMAX]) which defines a power variation range (ΔPE) around a mean power (PEØ), which method comprising the steps of:
measuring, electronically, the power (PE) of at least one temporal portion of the optical signal (TE), first; deriving, therefrom, a relative power variation (GE) of the optical signal (TE); comparing the relative power variation (GE), derived in that manner, with an electronic measurement noise (GELECTRONIC); amplifying, optically, in accordance with the result of said comparison, the relative power variation (GE) of at least one temporal portion of the optical signal (TE) such that the amplified relative power variation (GS) exceeds the electronic measurement noise (GELECTRONIC), wherein the optical amplification comprises the steps of:
establishing an optical transfer function (FT) whose graphical representation in as graph “input power (PE)−output power (PS)” has at least a substantially monotonic portion (A) which defines an input power threshold (PES) for which the extension (T) of the substantially monotonic portion (A) produces zero output power;arranging the substantially monotonic portion (A) and the power range ([PEMIN; PEMAX]) in such a manner that:
said substantially monotonic portion (A) includes substantially at least the portion of the power range ([PEMIN; PEMAX]) for which the power probability density (LDPE) is high andsaid power threshold (PES) is outside the power range ([PEMIN; PEMAX]) and has a deviation with respect to said mean power (PEØ) which is substantially less than said mean power (PEØ) andapplying said substantially monotonic portion (A) to at least one temporal portion of the optical signal (TE) in order to optically amplify the relative power variation (GE) of said temporal portion; and after optical amplification of the relative power variation (GE) of at least one temporal portion of the optical signal (TE), measuring, electronically, the power (PS) of said temporal portion in order to analyse the power variations of the optical signal (TE).