Automatic gain control fiber optica-to-electrical transceiver
First Claim
1. An output control for a light source, the light source being responsive to an input electrical signal to increase or decrease its output depending upon whether the input electrical signal corresponds to a higher light output level than the source is currently providing or a lower light output level than the source is currently providing, respectively, the gain control comprising first means for monitoring the light output and for producing a signal related thereto, second means for establishing a maximum desired light output, third means for establishing a minimum desired light output, fourth means for comparing the first means signal to the maximum and minimum desired light outputs, means for coupling the first, second, and third means to the fourth means, fifth means for selectively generating a periodic signal, means for coupling the fourth means to the fifth means, and means for coupling the fifth means to the light source, the fifth means providing the periodic signal as the input electrical signal to the light source in response to the fourth means determining that the first means signal is not related to a light output between the maximum desired light output and the minimum desired light output.
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Abstract
A light source is responsive to an input electrical signal to increase or decrease its output depending upon whether the input electrical signal corresponds to a higher light output level than the source is currently providing or a lower light output level than the source is currently providing, respectively. The output control comprises a light detector for monitoring the light output and for producing a signal related thereto, a voltage source for establishing a maximum desired light output, a voltage source for establishing a minimum desired light output, and a window comparator for comparing the detected signal to the maximum and minimum desired light outputs. The light detector and voltage sources are coupled to the window comparator. A binary counter selectively generates a periodic signal. An OR gate couples the window comparator to the binary counter. A D/A converter and light source driver couple the binary counter to the light source. The binary counter provides the periodic signal as the input electrical signal to the light source in response to the window comparator determining that the light detector signal is not related to a light output between the maximum desired light output and the minimum desired light output.
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Citations
13 Claims
- 1. An output control for a light source, the light source being responsive to an input electrical signal to increase or decrease its output depending upon whether the input electrical signal corresponds to a higher light output level than the source is currently providing or a lower light output level than the source is currently providing, respectively, the gain control comprising first means for monitoring the light output and for producing a signal related thereto, second means for establishing a maximum desired light output, third means for establishing a minimum desired light output, fourth means for comparing the first means signal to the maximum and minimum desired light outputs, means for coupling the first, second, and third means to the fourth means, fifth means for selectively generating a periodic signal, means for coupling the fourth means to the fifth means, and means for coupling the fifth means to the light source, the fifth means providing the periodic signal as the input electrical signal to the light source in response to the fourth means determining that the first means signal is not related to a light output between the maximum desired light output and the minimum desired light output.
Specification