Patent ID: 8538229
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A pluggable variable optical attenuator device comprising: an enclosure with at least two pluggable connectors so that the pluggable variable optical attenuator device is readily plugged into or removed from a system without interrupting operation of the system, wherein the pluggable connectors, each for an external optical fiber ferrule for optical pluggability, are for receiving a light beam and outputting an attenuated light beam; a variable optical attenuator (VOA) including a light beam blocker on an actuator which is controlled externally in reference to an attenuation level, wherein the light beam from one of the pluggable connectors is attenuated by the light beam blocker, and the attenuated light beam is coupled to the other one of the pluggable connectors; an electronic reset mechanism to cause the VOA to be in a minimum attenuation state or in a particularly high attenuation state; and an electronic control circuit designed to control the actuator with an input from an electronic interface, wherein the VOA, the optical fiber adaptor and the electronic control circuit are housed in the enclosure, the electronic control circuit takes control of the VOA through the electronic interface on the enclosure once the pluggable variable optical attenuator device is plugged into a system.