Patent ID: 7440177

Claim:
In an optical communication system, a lumped optical amplifier for enhancing eye-protection during amplifier operation comprising: a. a gain stage for amplifying an optical WDM transmission signal within a predetermined wavelength band to create an amplified signal that exits an amplifier output port into an optical communication network span, wherein the amplified signal produces Raman amplified spontaneous scattering (ASS) directed back into the amplifier from the span; b. an out-of-band Raman ASS monitoring unit for continuously measuring an out-of band power level of the Raman ASS entering the amplifier from the span; and c. a control unit configured for real time detection of a change in the out-of band Raman ASS power level and for performing an action selected from the group consisting of reducing the power of the amplified signal and shutting down the gain stage, in response to the real time detection.