Secure optical network tap

Abstract

A secure optical network tap includes first and second network ports for bidirectional exchange of optical signals. The tap further includes at least one monitor port for monitoring optical signals received on the first and second network ports. The tap further includes first and second optical couplers coupled to the first and second network ports for bidirectional exchange of the monitored optical signals between the network ports and between the network ports and the monitor port. The tap further includes at least one one-way optical blocking device for preventing the flow of optical signals from the monitor port to the first and second network ports and for allowing the monitored optical signals to flow from the optical couplers to the at least one monitor port.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.