Method and apparatus for adding wavelength components to and dropping wavelength components from a dense wavelength division multiplexed optical signal

An apparatus for selectively outputting at least one optical signal at a selected wavelength, the at least one optical signal propagating with a plurality of optical signals at a plurality of wavelengths, the apparatus comprising:

• an optical path for propagating the plurality of optical signals, the optical path having a first propagation direction and a second propagation direction;
• at least one optical switch positioned at a first location in the optical path, the optical switch switchable between a first state and a second state, the optical switch operating in the first state to propagate optical signals propagating in the first direction and optical signals propagating in the second direction without reflection, the optical switch operating in the second state to propagate optical signals propagating in the first direction without reflection and to reflect optical signals propagating in the second direction;
• and
• at least one wavelength selective reflector positioned at a second location in the optical path, the second location disposed in the first direction from the first location, the wavelength selective reflector operating to reflect an optical signal at a selected wavelength propagating in the first direction from the optical switch to cause the optical signal at the selected wavelength to propagate in the second direction toward the optical switch and to be reflected by the optical switch when the optical switch is operating in the second state;
• and
• an output port coupled to the optical switch to receive the optical signal reflected by the optical switch, thereby separating the optical signal at the selected wavelength from the plurality of optical signals.

A method of selectively separating a wavelength component from a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal, comprising:

• receiving a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal;
• propagating the wavelength division multiplexed signal through at least one switch in a first direction toward a wavelength selective filter;
• selecting a component of the wavelength division multiplexed signal at a selected wavelength from the wavelength selective filter and propagating said component in a second direction toward the switch;
• and
• selecting a port for receiving said component of the wavelength division multiplexed signal by setting the switch to a state to complete an optical path from said wavelength selective filter to said port.