Apparatus and method for optical add/drop multiplexing
US7136588B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus operable to facilitate add/drop multiplexing of optical signals includes an input operable to receive an input optical signal and an added optical signal, the input operable to generate a first and a second copy of the input signal and a first and a second copy of the added signal. The apparatus further includes a plurality of at least substantially reflective surfaces, each operable to receive either the first signal copies or the second signal copies and to reflect the copies for ultimate combination at an output to form an output signal for transmission. At least one of the at least substantially reflective surfaces comprises a moveable mirror operable to change its position relative to the input to create a phase shift between the first and second signal copies so that either the input optical signal or the added optical signal is communicated as the output signal depending on the position of the at least one moveable mirror.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.