Optical attenuator including dual control loops

摘要

The present invention provides an optical attenuator (200) comprising an optical attenuator module (210), an optical splitter (220), a detector (240) and a control unit (250). Input radiation (Pi) is received at the attenuator module (210) which is operable to attenuate the input radiation to generate corresponding attenuated radiation (Po). The detector (240) is operable to receive a portion of the attenuated radiation (0.1Po) and generate a corresponding electrical signal T1. The signal T1 is applied by the control unit (250) via a first feedback loop (262) to regulate the attenuator module (210) so that radiation power of the attenuated radiation is maintained to a predetermined level. In a situation where an interruption of the input radiation (P;) occurs, the control unit (250) is operable to monitor temperature of the attenuator module (210) using a thermistor sensor (280) and to regulate the temperature of the module (210) using a second feedback loop (264) to a predetermined temperature during the interruption. On termination of the interruption, control of the attenuator module (210) is transferred back to the first feedback loop (262) to maintain the attenuated radiation to the predetermined level.