Programmable optical multiplexer/demultiplexer
US6657770B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0016
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable optical demultiplexer can independently assign every input optical channel in a WDM optical communications signal to depart from any desired output port. The demultiplexer device can also be operated in the reverse direction, and thus achieve programmable optical multiplexer functionality, by accepting different wavelengths at each of multiple input ports and efficiently combining the wavelength channels at the multiplexer output port. The programmable multiplexer/demultiplexer device has an optical arrangement for spatially dispersing the optical wavelengths, and tunable micro-mirrors for beam steering each channel independently. Controlling the beam reflection direction determines the connectivity between the input and output ports at the wavelength level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.