Dynamic gain and channel equalizers or wavelength blocker using free space: common elements and differences

This paper discusses scaling differences in the implementation of a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE), a dynamic channel equalizer (DCE), and a wavelength blocker (WB) sharing the same free space optical architecture principle. It investigates how the respective system specifications impact the dimensioning, choice, and design of the main constitutive optical elements. It discusses not only how they result in different requirements on the chosen technology to implement the function but also how they can be merged to meet some current network needs