Optical: systems and elements – Optical amplifier – Optical fiber
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-10
2001-02-13
Hellner, Mark (Department: 3662)
Optical: systems and elements
Optical amplifier
Optical fiber
C359S199200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188510
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to an optical amplifying transmission system and an optical amplifying repeater, and more specifically, to an optical amplifying transmission system in which the transmission capacity of two optical transmission lines is alterable and an optical amplifying repeater therefor.
BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION
A main method for international communication, until quite recently, has been a telephone and the volume of communication traffic between two countries has been mutually the same in both transmission directions. Therefore, up and down lines of a transmission system are designed symmetrically, namely as the capacity of both directions becomes equivalent.
However, due to the spread of an internet, a phenomenon has been occurring in which the volume of communication traffic of both transmission directions is greatly one-sided (asymmetrical traffic). Furthermore, the volume of communication traffic or the degree of asymmetry is subject to change with the passage of time.
In that circumstances, an extremely uneconomic means has been usually employed in which a transmission system capable of realizing the estimated maximum transmission capacity of both up and down transmission lines is constructed in the first place and only part of the system is used at the beginning.
Therefore, a transmission line has been greatly expected whose transmission capacity can be set up or altered more flexibly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A purpose of this invention is to provide an optical amplifying transmission system in which the transmission capacity of two transmission lines is alterable even after completion of its construction and an optical amplifying. repeater used for the optical amplifying transmission system.
According to the invention, pumping powers can be varied flexibly, which are applied to a first amplifier disposed on a first optical amplifying transmission line and a second optical amplifier disposed on a second optical amplifying transmission line. Consequently, the transmission capacities of the first and second optical amplifying transmission lines can be set asymmetrically and, thus, there is no need to prepare an excessive transmission capacity in advance.
Preferably, the power distribution rate of each pumping power for being supplied to the first and second optical amplifiers is variable. Accordingly, the transmission capacities of the first and second optical amplifying transmission lines is easily controlled to be asymmetrical and its controlling structure is also simply realized. Furthermore, it is easy to insert the controlling structure as an optical amplifying repeater into a submarine optical cable.
By providing a divider for dividing pumping power control command light transmitted to the first optical amplifying transmission line from a first terminal and a controller for controlling the powers of pumping lights supplied to the respective first and second amplifiers by a pumping light generator according to the pumping power control command light divided by the divider, the pumping powers to be supplied to the first and second optical amplifiers or the power distribution rate can be remote-controlled.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5343320 (1994-08-01), Anderson
patent: 5801878 (1998-09-01), Bourret et al.
Akiba Shigeyuki
Edagawa Noboru
Yamamoto Shu
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Hellner Mark
KDD Corporation
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