A study of electronic interface for MEMS Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA)

A digital electronics control system design for a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA) is studied. This MEMS VOA is based on applying voltage to position a moving micro-mirror to control the optical power levels. The digital control system reported in this paper is implemented to operate the MEMS VOA. Here, by use of the proportional integral (PI) controlled system, each VOA module implements the functions as an optical power regulator or optical power equalizer. Moreover, this control system ensures the device with leading performance, stability, reliability and speed, but also fast dynamic response. A more attraction of this electronic control system is its programmability.