Gain equalization system and method

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-08-31
INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 191 LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]A power equalization system and method for use in an optical transmission system are provided. The power equalization system includes an optical line including at least one transmission channel and a management line. The transmission system further includes a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of Optical spectrum analyzers and a plurality of equalizers. The plurality of amplifiers are coupled to the optical line, spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system. As information is sent through the optical transmission system, the plurality of amplifiers boost the power of each channel of the optical signal. A plurality of Optical spectrum analyzers are also coupled to the optical lien and are spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system and are co-located with a first portion of the amplifiers coupled to the optical line. A plurality of equalizers are also coupled to the optical line and are spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system and equalize the power on each channel of the optical line. The plurality of equalizers are co-located with a second portion of the plurality of amplifiers and at least one of the plurality of Optical spectrum analyzers is not co-located with one of the plurality of equalizers. Thus, as the optical information is transmitted over the optical transmission system, the Optical spectrum analyzers provide analysis data via the management line to the non co-located equalizers for use by the equalizers in equalizing the power of the channels of the optical line at that point. The analysis data generated by the Optical spectrum analyzer identifies the analysis data at the point of the Optical spectrum analyzer which is not co-located with the equalizer.

Problems solved by technology

These communication lines are effective, but place limits on the amount of information being transmitted and the speed of the transmission.
When information is transmitted over fiber optic communication lines, impairments of the pulse of light carrying the information can occur, including pulse broadening (dispersion) and attenuation (energy loss).
However, as different wave lengths of light are used over the different channels of the fiber optic communication system, the amount of energy lost per channel is not consistent.
As the in-line amplifier boosts the energy across all channels of the optical signal transmitted over the fiber optic communication system, the power gain of any specific channel may fail to meet or exceed the desired power gain.
Further, energy loss caused by polarization dependent loss (PDL) lead to further nonuniform power gain over the multiple channels of the optical signal transmitted over the fiber optic communication system.
These gain differences can cause distortions of the optical signal shape and therefore lead to performance degradation.
Prior to the gain equalization of the channels of the optical signal, the optical signal performance beings to degrade and thus the overall performance of the fiber optic communications system is degraded.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0017]In the descriptions which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0018]In an optical transmission sytem, the optical signal is transmitted over an optical line. In certain optical transmission systems, including dense wavelength division multiplexed systems (DWDM systems), the optical signal that is transmitted includes multiple channels where each channel of the optical signal is transmitted at a different wavelength. As originally transmitted, the optical signal does not contain enough energy to complete a long haul or ultra long haul transmission therefore, the optical signal must be amplified periodically throughout the optical line. The amplifiers are used to replace energy loss due to attenuation with an equal amount of replacement energ...

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Abstract

A power equalization system and method for use in an optical transmission system are provided. The power equalization system includes an optical line including at least one transmission channel and a management line. The transmission system further includes a plurality of amplifiers, a plurality of Optical spectrum analyzers and a plurality of equalizers. The plurality of amplifiers are coupled to the optical line, spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system. As information is sent through the optical transmission system, the plurality of amplifiers boost the power of each channel of the optical signal. A plurality of optical spectrum analyzers are also coupled to the optical lien and are spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system and are co-located with a first portion of the amplifiers coupled to the optical line. A plurality of equalizers are also coupled to the optical line and are spaced periodically throughout the optical transmission system and equalize the power on each channel of the optical line. The plurality of equalizers are co-located with a second portion of the plurality of amplifiers and at least one of the plurality of Optical spectrum analyzers is not co-located with one of the plurality of equalizers. As optical information is transmitted over the optical transmission system, the Optical spectrum analyzers provide analysis data via the management line to the non co-located equalizers for use by the equalizers in equalizing the power of the channels of the optical line at that point. The analysis data generated by the Optical spectrum analyzer identifies the analysis data at the point of the Optical spectrum analyzer which is not co-located with the equalizer.

Description

CROSS--REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to an equalization system, and more particularly, to a system for use in an optical network to correct for unequal gain of power in the channels of the optical signal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]The transmission, routing and dissemination of information has occurred over computer networks for many years via standard electronic communication lines. These communication lines are effective, but place limits on the amount of information being transmitted and the speed of the transmission. With the advent of light-wave technology, a large amount of information is capable of being transmitted, routed and disseminated across great distances at a high transmission rate over fiber optic communication lines.[0005]When information is transmitted over fiber optic communication lines, impairments of t...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G02B6/28H04J14/02H04B10/077H04B10/079H04B10/2507H04B10/293
CPCH04B10/077H04B10/07955H04B10/25073H04B10/2935H04J14/0221
InventorEISELT, MICHAEL H.SHTAIF, MARK
OwnerINTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 191 LLC