Abstract: Known optical power equalizers receive an optical main input signal modulating between high and low input power levels. The optical power equalizers emit an equalized optical main output signal modulating between high and low output power levels, where at least one of the two sets of high and low power levels is equalized to one high or one low output power level. Such devices can comprise at least one gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier that operates about its saturation range. The optical power equalizer receives an amplifier input signal, which has one or more modulated portions, and emits a modulated amplifier output signal. According to the invention the dependence of the gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier's gain on the power of the amplifier input signal is adjusted such that the high input power levels of the amplifier input signal are equalized into the one high output power level of the amplifier output signal.

Abstract: The invention refers to an optical power equalizer. Known devices receive an optical main input signal modulating between high and low input power levels. They emit an equalized optical main output signal modulating between high and low output power levels, where at least one of the two sets of high and low power levels is equalized to one high or one low output power level. Such devices can comprise at least one gain-clamped semiconductor optical amplifier, adjusted to work about its saturation range, receiving an amplifier input signal, consisting of one or more portions of which at least one is modulated and emitting a modulated amplifier output signal. According to the invention the dependence of the GC-SOA's gain on the power of the amplifier input signal is adjusted in such a way, that the high input power levels of said amplifier input signal are directly converted into the one high output power level of said amplifier output signal.