Patent ID: 6101025
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
An optical repeater for amplifying signal light transmitted on first and second optical fiber transmission lines, the optical repeater comprising:first and second optical amplifiers corresponding, respectively, to the first and second optical fiber transmission lines, each optical amplifier includinga doped fiber doped with a rare earth element, said doped fiber being inserted in the corresponding optical fiber transmission line and having first and second ends,a pumping light source for producing pumping light,a supplying optical coupler operatively connected to said second end of said doped fiber, for receiving pumping light produced by said pumping light source and supplying said pumping light to said doped fiber, andan extracting optical coupler operatively connected to said first end of said doped fiber, said extracting optical coupler having an exchange port for extracting pumping light supplied to said doped fiber by said supplying optical coupler and passed through said doped fiber; andand an exchanging means, operatively connecting said exchange port of said extracting optical coupler of said first optical amplifier to said exchange port of said extracting optical coupler of said second optical amplifier, for exchanging pumping light between said first optical amplifier and said second optical amplifier.