Patent · US Expired

3-port optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM)

US7184620B1 · kind B1 · utility

2Cited by
12References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 2002
Grant dateFeb 27, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/29364
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A low cost compact 3-port single-channel OADM with improved optical isolation is provided in which the I/O fibers and add/drop fiber are arranged on the same side. The 3-port OADM includes a 3-fiber pigtail and an angled reflector that together eliminate the second fiber collimator—one set of lenses and ferrules. The reflector is positioned behind and at angle to the free-space filter such that the add/drop optical signals are reflected back through the collimating lens to the appropriate fiber. In a drop filter, a signal is dropped from the optical signal on the input fiber and reflected back to the add/drop fiber. In an add filter, a signal is inserted from the add/drop fiber and reflected back to the output fiber. A 4-port OADM can be made by fiber-splicing a pair of 3-port OADMs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.