Patent ID: 6154584
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: G02B,H04Q

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling attenuation of optical signals routed through a matrix switch capable of optically coupling a selected transmission station, of a plurality of transmission stations, to a first port and optically coupling a second port to a reception station, the apparatus comprising:a. a first variable attenuator optically coupled to the first port so that an optical path length exists between the first variable attenuator and the transmission station;b. an optical analyzer having an input port and an output port, the input port optically coupled to the variable attenuator and the output port optically coupled to the second port, the input port being in optical communication with the first port through the first variable attenuator; andc. a control unit that controls the first variable attenuator, so as to cause an optical signal passing therethrough to be attenuated by a predetermined amount based on the optical path length between the transmission station and the first variable attenuator so that the optical signal entering the input port has a signal strength within a predetermined range.