Patent ID: 6700696
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H01S,H04B

Abstract:
An optical amplifier system for amplifying an optical signal from a signal transmitter, the system comprising:a fiber communications link; a fiber Raman amplifier in the fiber communications link; a first Raman pump source coupled to the fiber link that provides pump light that co-propagates through the amplifier with the signal; a second Raman pump source coupled to the fiber link; and a pump controller that determines at least one of the channel loading of the optical signal from the transmitter and Raman pump level of the second Raman pump source, and controls at least one of the wavelength and signal power of the first Raman pump source in response thereto; wherein the transmitter comprises a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal transmitter coupled to provide a WDM signal propagating through the fiber Raman amplifier, the WDM signal transmitter being controlled by a transmitter controller; and wherein the first Raman pump source is coupled to the fiber to receive a control signal from the transmitter controller indicative of channel loading conditions.