The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 1996
Filed:
Jul. 25, 1995
Stephen B Alexander, Millersville, MD (US);
Steve W Chaddick, Annapolis, MD (US);
Victor Mizrahi, Columbia, MD (US);
Ciena Corporation, Columbia, MD (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides wavelength division multiplexed optical communication systems configured for expansion with additional optical signal channels. In one embodiment, the WDM system comprises N source lasers for producing N optical signal channels, each channel having a unique wavelength where N is a whole number greater than or equal to 2. An optical multiplexer module having N+x inputs, where x is a whole number greater than or equal to 1, optically communicates with each of the N source lasers. The N+x input ports of the multiplexer are configured such that the N input ports are optically coupled to the N source lasers and the x input ports are supplemental ports not optically coupled to the N source lasers. An optical transmission path optically communicates with the multiplexer for carrying a multiplexed optical signal comprising the N optical signal channels. N optical channel selecting modules are provided, each selecting module including a Bragg grating configured to select a unique optical channel wavelength. An optical splitter module optically communicates with the optical transmission path and the optical channel selecting modules. The optical splitter includes N+y output ports, where y is a whole number greater than or equal to 1. The N+y output ports are configured such that each of the N output ports is optically coupled to one of the N optical channel selecting modules and the y output ports are supplemental ports not optically coupled to the N optical channel selecting modules.