Optical communications and interconnection networks having opto-electronic switches and direct optical routers
US5610744A · kind A · utility
50Cited by
11References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/02
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multiple wavelength optical network includes a plurality of nodes, each of which can receive and transmit multiple wavelengths. The nodes include at least one fixed wavelength switched optical coupler and at least one direct coupler, so that the signals of high volume and other users can pass directly through the nodes without interruption. Wavelengths can be reused, even when there is a direct connection, by saturating a series of amplifiers in a direct coupler to erase the information signal from the carrier. The carrier signal is not interrupted, and can be remodulated immediately with another information signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.