Patent ID: 6583922
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
An optical amplifier site connected to a distributed Raman amplifier fiber, said optical amplifier site comprising:(vi) a distributed Raman amplifier pump module, connected to said distributed Raman amplifier fiber, such that said Raman amplifier fiber and said pump module form a distributed Raman amplifier that provides a first signal gain level, said first gain level being greater than 10 dB; (vii) an optical amplifier located downstream from said distributed Raman amplifier, said optical amplifier being indirectly coupled to said distributed Raman amplifier, said optical amplifier including a first amplification medium, providing a second signal gain level; (viii) at least one active optical signal loss element located between said distributed Raman amplifier and said optical amplifier, said at least one loss element contributing to optical loss of said amplifier site and providing at least 0.5 dB loss; (ix) a second amplification medium located down stream from said first amplification medium; (x) at least another one active optical signal loss element, said at least another one optical signal loss element being located between said first amplification medium and said second amplification medium.