Finisar Corporation

James Finn Aldridge

Steve Wang

Johnny Zhong

Frank H Levinson

Systems and methods provide for the addition of DWDM modules to CWDM systems in order to increase bandwidth over existing lines. This allows for the expansion of communications capacity without the need to replace existing CWDM systems. The DWDM modules can be transparently inserted into the CWDM systems by, in the CWDM system, reserving a channels for use by the DWDM. The DWDM system then occupies that channel with a scalable number of DWDM wavelength channels, for example four, eight, or sixteen. The DWDM systems can be used in both single and dual fiber systems as well as ring systems. Use of single fiber systems is obtained by implementing coupling devices, such as interleavers, passband filters, and circulators, that can used in pairs to couple bidirectional signals over a single fiber.

Scalable and movable DWDM usage of CWDM networks

Systems and methods use single-fiber optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMs) to enable bi-directional data transmission in WDM systems over a single fiber. By reducing the required capacity for an optical network from dual fibers to a single fiber, significant cost and bandwidth efficiencies are achieved. The systems and methods also provide redundancy protection in single-fiber bidirectional line ring systems. In the event of a downstream fiber or device failure, the OADM module receives a signal on a first wavelength from a first direction, shifts the signal from the first wavelength to a second wavelength, and sends the signal back down the fiber it originated from on the second wavelength, thus maintaining the propagation of the signal in the ring system.

Add/drop module for single fiber wavelength division multiplexing systems

Multiple dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) signals are superimposed on a single channel of a multiplexed signal in a coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) system. The DWDM signals may be superimposed on the CWDM spectrum in a metro area network that has legacy optical components that are otherwise designed for use with CWDM signals. This system increases the data transmission rates that can be achieved over an existing network that has less expensive CWDM optical components. The system also provides a scalable solution for increasing data transmission capacity in new networks.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

James Finn Aldridge