| 摘要 |
<p>A tunable-filter control method or apparatus tracks a central wavelength in a transmission spectrum of a tunable-filter to a wavelength of light to be received. The central wavelength in the transmission spectrum of the tunable-filter is periodically and minutely modulated. An error signal is generated for use in tracking the central wavelength to the wavelength of the light to be received, by using a tunable-filter output which exhibits the effect of the minute modulation of the central wavelength. A tracking condition, which corresponds to one of a draw-in state and a stable state, is monitored to control the modulation of the central wavelength based on a result of the monitoring, so that a modulation amplitude of the central wavelength in the minute modulation is increased at the time of the draw-in state of the tracking condition and is decreased at the time of the stable state of the tracking condition. A phase of an intensity modulation component of a transmission light transmitted through the tunable-filter may be compared with a phase of a modulation signal used for the minute modulation. In this case, the error signal is generated based on a result of the comparison. <IMAGE></p> |
