Patent ID: 6967769
Filing Date: 2005-11-22
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. A method for operating an optical system, comprising: powering an optical amplifier with a first pump source over a first signal wavelength bandwidth; connecting a second pump source to the optical amplifier when it is determined that the first pump source is to be removed; providing power to the optical amplifier from both the first and second pump source and replacing power supplied to the optical amplifier from the first pump source with power supplied from the second pump source; removing the first pump source after pump power supplied by the first pump source has been replaced by pump power from the second pump source; installing a replacement first pump source in place of the first pump source; providing power to the optical amplifier from both the first and second pump source and replacing power supplied to the optical amplifier from the second pump source with power supplied from the replacement first pump source; removing the second pump source after pump power supplied by the second pump source has been replaced by pump power from the first pump source; and transmitting and receiving optical signals in the optical system and amplifying the optical signals passing through the optical amplifier during the steps of connecting a second pump source, replacing power supplied from the first pump source, removing the first pump source, installing a replacement first pump source, replacing power supplied from the second pump source, and removing the second pump source.