Bi-directional tap-monitor for optical add-drop photonic chip
US9621264B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J14/0215
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A bidirectional optical tap-monitor is described for detecting an optical signal power carried by a through waveguide. The tap-monitor comprises a tap waveguide placed near the through waveguide, and a single waveguide-type photodetector for detecting a fraction of the optical signal power coupled from the tap waveguide. The tap waveguide includes two ports at opposite ends of the tap waveguide and the waveguide-type photodetector includes two ports that are connected respectively to the two ports of the tap waveguide. When light travels through the through waveguide in one direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via one of the two ports of the tap waveguide, and when light travels through the through waveguide in the opposite direction, the coupled fraction of the optical signal power is fed to the photodetector via the other one of the two ports of the tap waveguide. The bidirectional optical tap-monitor is operable in either a forward-propagating or a backward-propagating direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.