Course wavelength division multiplexed optical network

A method for optical signal communication comprising the steps of:

• demultiplexing a received multi-wavelength optical signal and outputting a plurality of single wavelength optical signals, wherein said single wavelength optical signals have separations of at least approximately 20 nm and wherein each of said single wavelength optical signals comprises an embedded time division multiplexed signal;
• splitting each of said single wavelength optical signals into a plurality of single wavelength optical signals.

An optical communication apparatus comprising:

• a first optical combiner for receiving a single wavelength optical signal from a first plurality of end users and for combining said single wavelength optical signals into a first single wavelength optical signal having embedded time division multiplexed data streams of each of said first plurality of end users;
• a second optical combiner for receiving a single wavelength optical signal from a second plurality of end users and for combining said single wavelength optical signals into a second single wavelength optical signal having embedded time division multiplexed data streams of each of said second plurality of end users;
• a course wavelength division multiplexer for receiving said first and second single wavelength optical signals and for outputting a multi-wavelength optical signal to an optical line terminal.

A method for operation of an optical line terminal comprising the steps of:

• generating a plurality of single wavelength signals having separations of at least approximately 20 nm and each comprising a plurality of embedded time division multiplexed data streams;
• and
• multiplexing said plurality of single wavelength signals to generate a multi-wavelength optical signal.