METHOD TO ACTIVELY ASSURE CORRECT CHANNEL SELECTION IN A WAVELENGTH STABILIZED CONTROL SYSTEM

摘要

A laser module, disposed within a wavelength stabilized control system, is provided with an integral modulator and optical amplifier. The laser module has a first output connected to an optical link and a second output connected to a controller via a signal discriminator circuit. The controller controls a channel selection process for the system. During the channel selection process, the controller adjusts a gain section, the modulator and amplifier as necessary to reduce the transmission power of the first and second outputs so that the first output can not be detected by a receiver connected to the link. The controller initiates the channel selection process by adjusting th e laser module and monitoring etalon characteristics of the second output. By tracking the etalon characteristics, the controller can determine when a wavelength of a desired channel has been obtained. Once the wavelength has been obtained it is locked and stabilized. Subsequently, the controller adjusts the gain section, modulator and amplifi er to obtain transmission power for the first and second outputs allowing the first outpu t to be detected by a receiver connected to the link. This way, a channel selection process can be performed without turning off the laser module, or its outputs, and witho ut corrupting any data on the optical link.