Patent ID: 6344915
Filing Date: 2002-02-05
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
A system for shutting down a pump laser in an optical communication system, the system comprising:an upstream node and a downstream node; wherein the upstream node transmits a first optical communication signal and a first service channel signal to the downstream node via a first optical waveguide, and receives a second optical communication signal and a second service channel signal from the downstream node via a second optical waveguide; and wherein the downstream node comprises: a downstream service channel circuit receiving the first service channel signal from the upstream node; a first downstream optical amplifier receiving the first optical communication signal from the upstream node and amplifying the first optical communication signal; a second downstream optical amplifier amplifying and transmitting the second optical communication signal to the upstream node; a downstream optical energy source adapted to drive at least the second downstream optical amplifier; and a downstream node control processor communicating with the downstream service channel circuit to determine the state of the first service channel signal, determining the level of the first optical communication signal, and communicating with the downstream optical energy source to shut off the downstream optical energy source upon determining a first alarm state in the first service channel signal, and an alarm level in the first optical communication signal.