Patent ID: 6987922
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling attenuation for a variable optical attenuator (VOA) inserted in an optical path of an optical signal propagating in an optical network, the method comprising the steps of: (u) measuring power of the optical signal {Pmeas} at the VOA; (v) comparing the measured power {Pmeas) with a target power {Ptarget}; and (w) changing the attenuation of the VOA in one or more variable size intervals (VSI) so that the power of the optical signal substantially equals to the target power {Ptarget}, the size of the variable interval being a function of a pre-calibrated manufacturing default insertion loss {Δ}, commissioned network operating requirements factors {α}, the {Pmeas}, and {Ptarget}, and wherein VSI is given by one or more of the following: