Wavelength division multiplexing with parallel arrayed signal paths for increased channel density

A wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) assembly, comprising:

• a housing;
• a first common collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of a first multiplexed signal, the first multiplexed signal comprising a first signal component and a second signal component;
• a first common fiber optic pigtail coupled to the first common collimator and extending from the housing;
• a first channel set including:
• a first channel collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of the first signal component of the first multiplexed signal,
• a first channel fiber optic pigtail operatively coupled to the first channel collimator of the first channel set and extending from the housing;
• a second channel collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal;
• and
• a second channel fiber optic pigtail operatively coupled to the second channel collimator of the first channel set and extending from the housing;
• a second common collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of a second multiplexed signal, the second multiplexed signal comprising a first signal component and a second signal component;
• a second common fiber optic pigtail coupled to the second common collimator and extending from the housing;
• a second channel set including:
• a first channel collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of the first signal component of the second multiplexed signal,
• a first channel fiber optic pigtail operatively coupled to the first channel collimator of the second channel set and extending from the housing;
• a second channel collimator positioned within the housing and configured for optical communication of the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal;
• and
• a second channel fiber optic pigtail operatively coupled to the second channel collimator of the second channel set and extending from the housing;
• at least one first routing surface having a first passband, the at least one first routing surface being configured to:
• reflect the first signal component of the first multiplexed signal and the first signal component of the second multiplexed signal;
• and
• pass the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal and the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal;
• and
• at least one second routing surface configured to reflect the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal and the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal back through the at least one first routing surface;
• wherein the first common collimator, the at least one first routing surface, the at least one second routing surface, and the second channel collimator of the first channel set are configured to define a first optical signal path in a first signal plane;
• wherein the second common collimator, the at least one first routing surface, the at least one second routing surface, and the second channel collimator of the second channel set are configured to define a second optical signal path in a second signal plane parallel to and offset from the first signal plane;
• wherein the at least one first routing surface is positioned in the first optical signal path between the first common collimator and the at least one second routing surface, and between the at least one second routing surface and the second channel collimator of the first channel set;
• and
• wherein the at least one first routing surface Is positioned in the second optical signal path between the second common collimator and the at least one second routing surface, and between the at least one second routing surface and the second channel collimator of the second channel set.

A method of using a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) assembly, comprising:

• routing, along a first optical signal path in a first signal plane, a first multiplexed signal from a first common port to a first channel set by:
• propagating, from a first common port, the first multiplexed signal comprising a first signal component and a second signal component;
• reflecting the first signal component of the first multiplexed signal off at least one first routing surface having a first passband to a first channel port of a first channel set;
• passing the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal through the at least one first routing surface;
• reflecting, off at least one second routing surface, the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal passed through the at least one first routing surface;
• and
• passing the second signal component of the first multiplexed signal reflected from the at least one second routing surface through the at least one first routing surface to a second channel port of the first channel set;
• and
• routing, along a second optical signal path in a second signal plane parallel to and offset from the first signal plane, a second multiplexed signal from a second common port to a second channel set by:
• propagating, from a second common port, the second multiplexed signal comprising a first signal component and a second signal component;
• reflecting the first signal component of the second multiplexed signal off the at least one first routing surface having the first passband to a first channel port of a second channel set;
• passing the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal through the at least one first routing surface;
• reflecting, off the at least one second routing surface, the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal passed through the at least one first routing surface;
• and
• passing the second signal component of the second multiplexed signal reflected from the at least one second routing surface through the at least one first routing surface to a second channel port of the second channel set.