Expandable optical array
US6885824B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q2011/0049
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical component array allowing expansion of the occupied bandwidth on an existing optical transmission network without disrupting signal traffic. Wavelength selective filters (16, 30; 20, 34) and optical components, such as amplifiers (18, 32) are arrayed for use with a wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission system to transmit a selected portion of a transmission spectrum to an amplifier path and reflect the remainder of the spectrum. Wavelength selective filters and associated amplifiers are arranged in a cascade configuration with a bypass path (35, 37). Additional wavelength selective filters and amplifiers can be added in the bypass path without disrupting existing signal traffic, and such additions can provide for a remaining bypass path, thus allowing further expansion. This configuration provides an expandable amplifier array with a low initial cost. In a further embodiment, a center segment of the input transmission spectrum is passed through an amplifier path (60) and a red/blue splitter (62) having a transition region within the band of the center segment further splits the input spectrum into two expandable amplifier arrays paths. The two arrays allow …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.