Branch device for optical multiplex system

Abstract

A branch device for use in an optical multiplex system allows three stations to be interconnected by a relatively small number of optical fibers. The branch device has WDM couplers each having a port A connected to a port C through a through path and to a port D through a cross path, and a port B connected to the port C through a cross path and to the port D through a through path. A signal light having a wavelength .lambda..sub.AB in a through-path wavelength band, inputted from a cable end A, is transmitted through a through path in one of the WDM couplers to a cable end B. A signal light having a wavelength .lambda..sub.AC in a cross-path wavelength band, inputted from the cable end A, is transmitted through a cross path in the WDM coupler to the B port thereof, and then transmitted through a cross path in another WDM coupler to a cable end C. Similarly, signal lights inputted from the other cable ends B, C are divided and transmitted through paths depending on their wavelengths. Stations can be connected to the branch device by transmission cables each comprising a single pair of optical fibers for bidirectional transmission of signal lights between the stations through the branch device. A repeater on each of the transmission cables may be of a single-system configuration for upstream and downstream transmission.