Patent ID: 7471858
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: G02B,H04B

Abstract:
1. A variable dispersion compensation system having a plurality of selectable configurations, the variable dispersion compensation system comprising: a standard dispersion compensator having an internal input and an internal output; a first trimmer having a first input and a first output; a second trimmer having a second input and a second output; a third trimmer having a third input and a third output, wherein the internal output is in a first optical path with the first input, the first output is in a second optical path with the second input, the second output is in a third optical path with the third input, and the third output is in a fourth optical path with the internal input; a first optomechanical switch in the first optical path, the first optomechanical switch having a first in position and a first out position; a second optomechanical switch in the second optical path, the second optomechanical switch having a second in position and a second out position; a third optomechanical switch in the third optical path, the third optomechanical switch having a third in position and a third out position; and a fourth optomechanical switch in the fourth optical path, the fourth optomechanical switch having a fourth in position and a fourth out position, wherein the first optomechanical switch in the first out position enables optical communication between the internal output and the first input, wherein the first optomechanical in the first in position enables optical communication between the internal output and at least one of the second, third or fourth optomechanical switches, wherein the second optomechanical switch in the second out position enables optical communication between the first output and the second input and further enables optical communication between the first optomechanical switch and at least one of the third or fourth optomechanical switches, wherein the second optomechanical switch in the second in position enables optical communication from the first optomechanical switch to reach the second input and further enables optical communication between the first output and at least one of the third or fourth optomechanical switches, wherein the third optomechanical switch in the third out position enables optical communication between the second output and the third input and further enables optical communication from at least one of the first or second optomechanical switches to reach the fourth optomechanical switch, wherein the third optomechanical switch in the third in position enables optical communication from at least one of the first or second optomechanical switches to reach the third input and further enables optical communication between the second output and the fourth optomechanical switch, wherein the fourth optomechanical switch in the fourth out position enables optical communication between the third output and the internal input, and wherein the fourth optomechanical switch is in the fourth in position enables optical communication from at least one of the first, second or third optomechanical switches to reach the internal input.