Configurable dispersion management device

摘要

A configurable dispersion compensating device for compensating for both the dispersion and slope of an attached optical communication span comprising at least one mode transformer and an optional fixed trim fiber. Additional trim fibers are switched into the optical path as required in order to maintain a dispersion and dispersion slope target for each span and for the overall optical communication link. In one embodiment the trim fiber comprises standard single mode fiber, while in another embodiment a slope correcting trim fiber is utilized. Optionally, attenuators are switched in place of unused trim fiber to maintain a fixed insertion loss. Switches may comprise patch cords or optical switches which may be manually operated or operated from a remote network management station.