Patent ID: 7999999
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A network node for transmitting signals from an input fiber span to an output fiber span operating over a particular bandwidth Δλ with a gain slope S opt across the particular bandwidth Δλ when operating at an operating average gain level G across the particular bandwidth Δλ comprising: at least one broadband optical amplifier that includes at least a first segment of rare-earth doped fiber, an optical source of pump light and an optical coupler for coupling the pump light into the rare-earth doped fiber; at least one inline functional module coupled to an input or output of the optical amplifier in an inline manner to define an inline path, wherein said functional module includes at least one optical functional element producing optical loss within the bandwidth Δλ and at least a second rare-earth doped fiber segment, wherein the functional module is located at a midstage access point of the optical amplifier; and wherein the node is configured such that when the functional module is removed from the inline path such that the input fiber span remains optically coupled to the output fiber span, the network node achieves the gain slope S