Patent ID: 6556345
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: H01S,H04B

Abstract:
An optical amplifier for use in amplifying optical signals carried on a fiber-optic communications link, comprising:at least one optical gain stage that amplifies the optical signals, wherein the optical gain stage includes fiber; a plurality of pump lasers that provide light to optically pump the fiber at respective pump powers; a plurality of laser drivers, each of which drives an associated pump laser at a respective current; a plurality of digital-to-analog converters, each of which provides a corresponding analog control voltage to a respective one of the laser drivers; a parallel digital bus to which each of the digital-to-analog converters is connected to receive digital data that directs that digital-to-analog converter to produce its corresponding analog control voltage; and a control unit that provides the digital data to the digital-to-analog converters using the parallel digital bus, wherein the digital-to-analog converters share the bus using time division multiplexing.