Reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers with servo control and dynamic spectral power management capabilities
US6879750B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/0833
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports. The WSR apparatus of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and spectral power-management capabilities, thereby maintaining the coupling efficiencies of the spectral channels into the output ports at desired values. The WSR apparatus of the present invention can be used to construct a novel class of dynamically reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (OADMs) for WDM optical networking applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.