Channel power control in an optical link

摘要

Methods and apparatus for control of variable optical attenuators are described. A method for control of a variable optical attenuator located in an optical link comprising a plurality of optical attenuators. The method comprises determining that an initial calibration step of a variable optical attenuator has been completed, and transmitting a signal indicative of the variable optical attenuator having completed the initial calibration step for receipt by a downstream variable optical attenuator. A method of controlling a variable optical attenuator comprises receiving a signal indicative of an upstream variable optical attenuator having completed an initial calibration step, and initiating calibration of the variable optical attenuator in response to receipt of said signal.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a variable optical attenuator in a node connected to an optical network to attenuate an optical channel in order to adjust an optical output power level of the optical channel output from the node to a desired transmission power level for the optical channel, the method comprising:
receiving a signal indicative of an upstream variable optical attenuator having completed an initial calibration; and initiating a calibration of the variable optical attenuator in response to the receiving of said signal, wherein the calibration sets the variable optical attenuator to an attenuation value such that a level of an optical output power of the optical channel output from the node after the calibration is less than the desired transmission power level.