Tellabs Operations, Inc.

Keystone Fiberoptics Inc.

Chaoyu Yue

John C Carrick

Eric B SaintGeorges

Paul Green

A method and system provide for sensing multiple wavelengths simultaneously in a single wavelength sensing device. The system may have a plurality of laser signals and a plurality of identifiable modulation signals. A respective laser signal of the plurality of laser signals is combined with a respective identifiable modulation signal of the plurality of identifiable modulation signals so that each of the laser signals is identifiable. A combined optical signal is then formed from the modulated laser signals. A sensor has an input port that receives the combined optical signal. The sensor identifies, for each of the modulated laser signals, a respective laser signal via the identifiable modulation of the respective modulated laser signal.

Methods and apparatus for sensing multiple wavelengths simultaneously in a single wavelength sensing device

An optical communication system includes a plurality of optical channels, each of which passes a single optical wavelength signal. Each of the plurality of optical channels includes an optical amplifier which is controlled to operate at a predetermined output power level independent of channel wavelength and input power level by operating each optical amplifier in a saturation mode. Pumping power for operating each optical amplifier in the saturation mode is supplied from shared optical pumps or a plurality of one per channel optical pumps.

Per-channel optical amplification using saturation mode

A dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) filter includes an optical fiber coupling device, having at least one multiple core optical fiber fusion coupled to a second optical fiber, and a dual core fiber grating. According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, two multiple core fibers are used with each multiple core fiber having a first core with a first effective index of refraction and a first propagation constant and a second core with a second effective index of refraction and a second propagation constant. Such an arrangement ensures a close match in effective index and propagation constant between the respective second cores. The first and second multiple core fibers are aligned and fused together such that the second core of the first multiple core fiber is in sufficient proximity to the second core of the second multiple core fiber as to obtain overlapping mode fields and efficient coupling of propagating optical signals therebetween, while the first core of the first multiple core fiber is sufficiently separated from the first core of the second multiple core fiber as to obtain weak or substantially no coupling of propagating optical signals therebetween. Accordingly, any signals propagating along the first core of the first fiber experience only very low loss, on the order of 0.2 dB. The dual core fiber grating provides wavelength selectivity to accommodate either wavelength addition or wavelength subtraction, depending upon whether a multiplexing or demultiplexing functionality is desired.

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Dobbs Ferry, NY, United States of America

Chaoyu Yue