N-way broadcast/narrowcast optical combiner demultiplexing a multiplexed narrowcast input signal

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for an optiplex. A method includes: demultiplexing a multiplexed narrowcast input signal into a first narrowcast signal and a second narrowcast signal; conveying the first narrowcast signal to a first optical combiner; conveying the second narrowcast signal to a second optical combiner; tapping into said first narrowcast signal; monitoring a first characteristic of said first narrowcast signal; tapping into said second narrowcast signal; monitoring a second characteristic of said second narrowcast signal; combining a broadcast signal with the first narrowcast signal using the first optical combiner to give a first combined optical port output; and combining said broadcast signal with the second narrowcast signal using the second optical combiner to give a second combined optical port output. An apparatus includes: a first optical input; an optical splitter connected to said first optical input; a first optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a second optical waveguide connected to said optical splitter; a first optical combiner connected to said first optical waveguide, said first optical combiner giving a first combined optical port output; a second optical combiner connected to said second optical waveguide, said second optical combiner giving a second combined optical port output; a second optical input; an optical demulitplexer connected to said second optical input, the optical demultiplexer demultiplexing a multiplexed narrowcast input signal into a first narrowcast signal and a second narrowcast signal; a third optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a fourth optical waveguide connected to said optical demultiplexer; a first tap coupler connected to said third optical waveguide and said first optical combiner; a second tap coupler connected to said forth optical waveguide and said second optical combiner; a first optical signal sensor coupled to both said first tap coupler and a signal processing unit; and a second optical signal sensor coupled to both said second tap coupler and said signal processing unit.