Wavelength specific operations in optical systems

Details Wavelength specific operations in optical systems Wavelength specific operations in optical systems

1998-09-10

2001-05-29

Lee, John D. (Department: 2874)

Optical waveguides

With optical coupler

Plural

C385S016000, C385S017000, C359S199200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06240222

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for performing wavelength specific optical operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various methods and apparatus are known in the art for performing wavelength specific optical operations. For example,
FIG. 8A
shows a prior art optical apparatus
300
for providing cross connections to rearrange optical signals. The optical apparatus
300
includes a demultiplexer
302
, a rearranging means
306
, and a multiplexer
304
.
FIG. 8B
shows a prior art optical apparatus
400
for providing wavelength dependent variable attenuation. The optical apparatus
400
includes demultiplexer
402
, an array of monitors
406
, including for example monitor
406
a
, an array of variable attenuators
408
, including for example variable attenuator
408
a
, and a multiplexer
404
.
FIG. 8C
shows an optical apparatus
500
for adding and dropping of optical signals. Optical apparatus
500
includes a demultiplexer
502
, add/drop circuitry
506
, including drop line
506
a
and add line
506
b
, and multiplexer
504
. Optical apparatus
300
,
400
, and
500
all employ a demultiplexer, a separate multiplexer and various circuitry between the demultiplexer and multiplexer. There is a need for more efficient methods and apparatus for performing these functions and other functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in one embodiment provides an optical apparatus. The optical apparatus is comprised of a combination multiplexer/demultiplexer, a coupling device which is preferably a main circulator, and a transition device. The coupling device could also be a coupler. The combination multiplexer/demultiplexer is comprised of a first bidirectional main input/output port and a set of further bidirectional input/output ports. The main circulator is comprised of a first, second, and third port wherein the second port of the main circulator is connected to the first bidirectional main input/output port of the combination multiplexer/demultiplexer. The transition device takes a first output from a first further bidirectional input/output port of the combination multiplexer/demultiplexer and supplies the first output to a second further birectional input/output port of the combination multiplexer/demultiplexer. The transition device is preferably connected to both the first and second further bidirectional input/output ports of the combination multiplexer/demultiplexer.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5953470 (1999-09-01), Toyohara
patent: 6069719 (2000-05-01), Mizrahi
patent: 6148124 (2000-11-01), Aksyuk et al.
patent: 6185021 (2001-02-01), Fatehi et al.

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