An optical communication device whereby optical attenuation
characteristics are linearized to suppress optical level variations among
wavelengths attributable to the attenuation characteristics and thereby
enable long-distance transmission. Optical attenuators attenuate optical
signals of respective wavelengths in accordance with optical attenuation
data output from a control data converter. An optical multiplexer
multiplexes the optical signals, and an optical amplifier amplifies the
multiplexed signal. A control data output unit outputs optical signal
control data based on differences between a set optical level and the
optical levels of respective wavelengths input to the optical amplifier.
A data table holds data for converting the optical signal control data to
the optical attenuation data so that the optical attenuation amounts of
the attenuators may be linearized with respect to the optical signal
control data. A control data converter looks up the data table to convert
the optical signal control data to the optical attenuation data.