Patent ID: 7440164

Claim:
A Raman gain spectral control system comprising: a fiber span having a first end and a second end; a first Raman pump laser and a second Raman pump laser, each in communication with the fiber span; and a Raman gain control unit in communication with the first and second Raman pump lasers, wherein the Raman gain control unit is configured to calculate a first gain resulting from a presence of the first Raman pump laser and an absence of the second Raman pump laser, wherein the Raman gain control unit is configured to calculate a second gain resulting from an absence of the first Raman pump laser and a presence of the second Raman pump laser, wherein the Raman gain control unit is configured to calculate relative coupling losses due to at least one of the first or second Raman pump lasers based on the calculated first and second gains, and wherein the Raman gain control unit is configured to adjust at least one of the first or second Raman pump lasers in accordance with the calculated relative coupling losses to achieve a particular Raman gain spectrum.