System and method for calibrating and operating a semiconductor variable optical attenuator

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling the attenuation level of a semiconductor VOA relative to an absolute temperature of the VOA without the use of a power monitor is provided. The method includes the step of providing a variable optical attenuator for attenuating the optical signal. The variable optical attenuator is instructed to maintain the desired attenuation level of the optical signal. The temperature of the variable optical attenuator is periodically sensed, and a required voltage level is determined to achieve the desired attenuation level based at least partially on the periodically sensed temperature of the VOA. The method can further include the step of increasing and decreasing a voltage to the VOA to achieve the required voltage level and thus the desired attenuation level.