Lossless optical divider/combiner with pump diversion for scalable optical networks
US6915037B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/094003
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In this invention we present a method and apparatus of simultaneously compensating a divider power-loss and managing the pump's power budget in upgradeable and scalable passive optical network architecture. The apparatus namely called lossless splitter, is passive, bi-directional and allows modular and scalable PON architecture. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention a mean of dividing (combining) optical signals to (from) a plurality of paths in a lossless fashion is proposed. This divider (combiner) also as the property of distributing the residual optical pump power, needed for amplifier stage activation, to other dividers (combiners) in a chain. The incoming pump power may be provided by the signal transmission fiber or by a pump power transmission fiber. Applications of this lossless divider (combiner) are reviewed, alternative embodiments are proposed and system deployment/upgrade strategies are described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.