| Description | This object is used to set the mode of controlling the
attenuation level of a VOA at an interface.
When the mode is set to 'manual', the attenuation level is
configured manually, by setting the desired attenuation
level in the cVoaAttenuation object. The cVoaDesiredPower
object does not apply in this case.
When the mode is set to 'automatic', the attenuation level
is continuously adjusted to maintain a desired power level,
after attenuation. The desired optical power level after
attenuation is configured using the cVoaDesiredPower object.
The cVoaAttenuation object cannot be configured in this case,
but it indicates the attenuation level derived from the
desired power level.
The automatic mode of controlling attenuation should not be
used when the monitored power level includes multiple
wavelengths, since the power level monitor cannot distinguish
between a decrease in power across all wavelengths, versus a
loss of power of some but not all wavelengths. If some but not
all wavelengths go down, this would cause the attenuation level
to be automatically decreased, leading to an increase in the
power level of the remaining wavelengths. |