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:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 08, 1999
David O Lewis, Stratford upon Avon, GB;
Robert C Goodfellow, Northants, GB;
Marconi Communications Limited, Coventry, GB;
Abstract
A method for upgrading an-optical communications system in which the system comprises a plurality of nodes linked by one or more optical paths. Each path for the communication of traffic includes a single optical channel. Each node comprises add/drop multiplexers (ADM) for adding and dropping signals in electrical form, and conversion circuitry for converting between electrical and optical form signals output by the ADM for transmission via a first one of the optical paths, and for converting signals received via a second one of the optical paths for input to the ADM. The method comprises the steps of installing optical demultiplexers for selecting signals received via the second one of the optical paths according to wavelength for input to the ADM; installing circuitry for converting the signals output by the ADM into a first stable narrow wavelength band optical signal; and installing optical multiplexers for guiding the first signal into the first optical path to allow one or more further stable narrow wavelength band optical signals having different wavelengths from the first signal to be added and combined with the first signal into the first optical path.