Method for per-channel power control in a DWDM network by means of an algorithm for adjusting the power of a dummy signal and the input power of an optical amplifier via channel-average Q-factor measurement

摘要

A description is given of a method for per-channel power control in a DWDM transmission network comprising at least one optical amplifier that can be gain-controlled, comprising the steps ofa) injection of a dummy signal into the optical transmission network in addition to the communications signals, with the dummy signal being controllable with regard to its power,b) determination of a channel-average Q-factor,c) increasing the per-channel gain by means of increasing the amplifier input power or lowering the dummy signal power,d) redetermination of the channel-average Q-factor,e) comparing the two channel-average Q-factors and computing their quotient, whereuponin case of a quotient higher than 1 steps c) to e) need to be repeated, with the procedure being terminated after the maximum per-channel gain has been achieved, andin case of a quotient lower than 1 the procedure is being resumed with step f),f) lowering the per-channel gain by means of increasing the dummy signal power or lowering the amplifier input power,g) redetermination of the channel-average Q-factor,h) comparing the two channel-average Q-factors and computing their quotient, whereuponin case of a quotient higher than 1 steps f) to h) need to be repeated, with the procedure being terminated after the minimum per-channel gain has been achieved, andin case of a quotient lower than 1 the procedure is being terminated.