Patent ID: 7224908
Filing Date: 2007-05-29
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling laser power in a communication system, the system comprising: a first node having a movable avalanche photodiode detector (APD) configured to convert an incoming communication beam in a photo current; an amplifier configured to convert the photo current into a voltage signal; a processing circuit configured to convert the voltage signal into a received signal strength indicator (RSSI); a current sense module configured to measure a receive (Rx) power signal for the movable APD; an actuator coupled to the first node and configured to move the APD; an optical attenuator coupled to the first node and configured to attenuate an energy level of the incoming communication beam; a processor configured to control the alignment of the movable APD with the incoming communication beam based on the RSSI and the Rx power signal and further configured to enable and disable the optical attenuator.