Broad-and inter-band multi-wavelength-reference method and apparatus for wavelength measurement or monitoring systems

A wavelength measurement or monitoring system, comprising:

• providing a tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter configured for:
• scanning a multiple wavelength range with a total scanning range that is larger than the free spectrum range of the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• and
• individually detecting separate multiple optical orders of the wavelengths scanned and filtered by the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• using at least one known tunable light source to calibrate and correlate the separate multiple optical orders of the wavelengths scanned by the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• utilizing at least one field-available wavelength reference and calibration source, that may not be in a wavelength band that is identified for measurement, to calibrate at least one wavelength band of the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter prior to measuring a light source in a wavelength band that is identified for measurement;
• transferring the wavelength reference to a wavelength band that is identified for measurement when the wavelength reference and calibration source is not in a wavelength band identified for measurement by the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter, to enable the provision of broad- and inter-band multi-wavelength references;
• scanning an unknown optical signal through the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• and
• specifying the exact wavelengths in the unknown optical signal.

A wavelength measurement or monitoring system, comprising:

• a tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• the wavelength bands scanned by the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter having the characteristics of having been calibrated and correlated by at least one known light source;
• control circuitry for utilizing at least one wavelength reference to calibrate at least one wavelength band of the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• circuitry for transferring the wavelength reference to a wavelength band that is identified for measurement when the wavelength reference is not in a wavelength band identified for measurement by the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• circuitry for controlling scanning of an unknown optical signal through the tunable Fabry-Perot optical filter;
• and
• circuitry for specifying a wavelength in the unknown optical signal.