Patent ID: 7554717

Claim:
An optical transmission device, comprising: a variable optical attenuator device, adapted for detachable use, that includes optical attenuation means that can attenuate an optical signal inputted from optical fiber and adjust the attenuation of the optical signal according a given electrical signal, a first optical connector for outputting an optical signal outputted from the optical attenuation means, and a first electrical connector for receiving an electrical signal input given to the optical attenuation means; and an optical transmission board that includes a second optical connector, adapted to be engaged with the first optical connector, that receives an output from the variable optical attenuator device, optical transmission means, adapted to be connected with the second optical connector, that processes an optical signal inputted through the second optical connector, control means, adapted to be connected with the second optical connector, that controls the attenuation using an optical signal inputted through the second optical connector, and a second electrical connector, adapted to be engaged with the first electrical connector, that outputs an electrical signal generated by the control means, wherein the optical transmission board receives the optical signal attenuated by the variable optical attenuator device via the first optical connector and the second optical connector, and wherein the optical transmission means is optical amplification means for amplifying an optical signal inputted through the second optical connector.