WDM channel monitoring and signal power control/equalization using integrated tunable active filters

To manage a WDM network, the signal at each wavelength channel must be constantly monitored, and the power of each channel should be individually controlled to provide a reliable, user friendly system. Although terminal devices (such as detectors) can monitor, an optical in-line device that can perform both the monitoring and controlling function would be optimal. In this paper, we present the experimental results of using an integrated tunable active filter as just such a useful device.