Systems and methods for building, operating and controlling multiple amplifiers, regenerators and transceivers using shared common components

A system comprising:

• a transmission medium;
• a plurality of transceivers configured to introduce the electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission medium and retrieve the electromagnetic wave signal from the transmission medium;
• and
• one or more laser sources, wherein at least one of the one or more laser sources is configured to provide a laser beam to at least two of the plurality of transceivers without providing the laser beams through the transmission medium.

A method for storing an electromagnetic wave signal in a transmission medium, the method comprising:

• amplifying or regenerating, using a plurality of signal conditioners coupled to the transmission medium, an electromagnetic signal traveling in the transmission medium;
• providing, from one or more pump laser sources, pump laser beams to the plurality of signal conditioners, wherein at least one of the one or more pump laser sources provides a pump laser beam to at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners;
• and
• controlling, using one or more control circuits, the plurality of signal conditioners, wherein at least one of the one or more control circuits controls at least two of the plurality of signal conditioners.

A method of using a plurality of transceivers connected to a transmission medium, the method comprising:

• inputting, using the plurality of transceivers, an electromagnetic wave signal into the transmission medium;
• outputting, using the plurality of transceivers, the electromagnetic wave signal from the transmission medium;
• and
• providing, from a single laser source, a laser beam to at least two of the plurality of transceivers without providing the laser beams through the transmission medium.