Optical spectral power monitors employing time-division-multiplexing detection schemes
US7177496B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/08
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for optical spectral power monitoring that employ a time-division-multiplexed detection scheme. The optical spectral power monitoring apparatus of the present invention uses a wavelength-dispersing means such as a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal into multiple spectral channels and an array of beam-manipulating elements positioned to correspond with the spectral channels. The beam-manipulating elements are individually controllable so as to direct the spectral channels into an optical detector in a time-division-multiplexed sequence. The optical spectral power monitoring apparatus may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, thereby becoming polarization insensitive. This enables the apparatus of the present invention to enhance spectral resolution, while providing improved accuracy in optical spectral power detection. Accordingly, a variety of novel optical spectral power monitors can be constructed according to the present invention, that are well suitable for WDM optical networking applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.