Apparatus and method for coherent optical multiplexing 1+1 protection

An apparatus for coherent optical multiplexing 1+1 protection of optical signals on disjoint paths, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of multiplexers, each configured to multiplex and demultiplex the optical signals;
• a first optical splitter having first inputs and first outputs, each of the first inputs being connected with a respective one of the multiplexers, each the first outputs being connected with a respective one of the disjoint paths;
• an optical switch having two input interfaces and one output interface, each of the two input interfaces connected with a respective one of the disjoint paths;
• and
• a second optical splitter having a second input and second outputs, the second input connected with the output interface of the optical switch, each of the second outputs connected with a respective one of the multiplexers.

A method for coherent optical multiplexing 1+1 protection of optical signals on disjoint paths, the method comprising:

• operating in an add direction by:
• inputting, to a packaging shell of a node, first of the optical signals from each of a plurality of multiplexers;
• splitting, within the packaging shell, the first optical signals into first split signals;
• and
• outputting, from the packaging shell, each of the first split signals on a respective one of the disjoint paths;
• and
• operating in a drop direction by:
• inputting, to the packaging shell, second of the optical signals from each of the disjoint paths;
• selecting, within the packaging shell, one of the second optical signals from one of the disjoint paths;
• splitting, within the packaging shell, the selected second optical signal into second split signals;
• and
• outputting, from the packaging shell, the second split signals to each of the multiplexers.