Reconfigurable multiwavelength network elements

US6272154A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Tellium, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Krishna Bala · Kingston, US
• John Gamelin · Avon, US
• W. John Tomlinson · Princeton, US
• Charles A. Brackett · Mendham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 30, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2011/0092
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A reconfigurable multiwavelength network element includes a first demultiplexer unit for demultiplexing a first multiplexed optical signal from a first optical fiber into a first plurality of optical outputs; a second demultiplexer unit for demultiplexing a second multiplexed optical signal from a second optical fiber into a second plurality of optical outputs; a first multiplexer unit having first optical inputs for receiving signals to be multiplexed together; a second multiplexer unit having second optical inputs for receiving signals to be multiplexed together; and a cross-connect unit having first and second portions, the first portion directing signals received from at least a first one of the first plurality of optical outputs and a first one of the second plurality of optical outputs to a first one of the first optical inputs and a first one of the second optical inputs, the second portion directing signals received from at least a second one of the first plurality of optical outputs and a second one of the second plurality of optical outputs to a second one of the first optical inputs and a second one of the second optical inputs.