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Optical mean power controller with provisionable output levels

  • US 5,946,086 A
  • Filed: 12/10/1997
  • Issued: 08/31/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An optical signal generator comprising;

  • a light source for generating an optical signal;

    an optical power-adjusting apparatus for adjusting the optical power-level of the optical signal before it exits the generator;

    an optical power-monitoring apparatus for monitoring the actual power-level of the optical signal outputted by the optical power-adjusting apparatus and generating from said power-level a related present-level signal;

    a comparator for comparing the present-level signal to a reference signal in order to supply a control signal to the optical power-adjusting apparatus that causes the present-level signal to be set equal to the reference signal; and

    an optical power-setting apparatus for generating the reference signal for use by the comparator, such that the comparator causes the optical power-adjusting apparatus to adjust the power-level of the optical signal to equal a user-defined power-level, wherein the optical power-setting apparatus comprises;

    a digital controller for receiving user-defined power levels;

    a storage means connected to the digital controller, and containing a table that maps values specifying user-defined power levels to values specifying the reference signal needed to realize said user-defined power levels; and

    at least one digital to analogue signal converter (DAC) connected to the storage means for converting the values specifying the reference signal into reference signals.

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