US 5,353,145 AGranted

Optical distributor

AssigneeFrance Telecom Etablissement Autonome de Droit Public

InventorsEmile Le Coquil, Andre Hamel

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Abstract

An optical distributor which comprises M inputs (M>1) each receiving signals. M modules (MT1 to MT4) are connected to the M inputs and each simultaneously process N consecutive signals (N>1). N optical couplers (CO1 to CO4) each having M inputs and 1 output are connected to one of the N outputs. A control means (G) controls the modules and enables the distributor to scramble the signals so that a given signal reaches a given output of the distributor. Each module electronically demultiplexes the N consecutive signals, time rearranges the demultiplexed signals in accordance with the output of the distributor imposed by the control means for each of these signals, transposes the latter into optical form at N different wavelengths and switches each transposed signal to the desired output of the distributor. Such a device finds particular application in optical telecommunication system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Optical distributor, characterized in that it comprises:

M inputs (FE1, FE2, FE3, FE4), M being an integer at least equal to 1, each input receiving elementary signals,
M processing modules (MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4) respectively connected to the M inputs, each processing module having N outputs and simultaneously processing N consecutive elementary signals, N being an integer at least equal to 1,
N outputs (FS1, FS2, FS3, FS4),
N optical couplers (10;
CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4), each having M inputs respectively associated with the M processing modules (MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4) and an output connected to one of the N outputs of the distributor and
control means (6;
G;
G1;
G2), which control the processing modules (MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4) and enable the distributor to scramble the elementary signals reaching the M inputs thereof, so that a given elementary signal reaches a given output of the distributor, and in that each processing module (MT1, MT2, MT3, MT4):
electronically demultiplexes the N consecutive elementary signals and thus supplies, in electrical form, N demultiplexed elementary signals,
under the control of the control means (6;
G;
G1, G2) rearranges on a time basis said N demultiplexed signals in accordance with the output of the distributor imposed by the control means (6;
G;
G1;
G2) for each of said N demultiplexed signals and
also under the control of the control means (6;
G;
G1;
G2), transposes the N demultiplexed signals in optical form at N wavelengths (L1, L2, L3, L4) differing from one another and switches each transposed signal to the desired output of the distributor.

17 more elements

An optical distributor, comprising:

M inputs, M being an integer at least equal to 1, each input receiving elementary signals;
M processing modules respectively connected to the M inputs, each processing module having N outputs and simultaneously processing N consecutive elementary signals, N being an integer at least equal to 1;
N outputs;
N optical couplers, each having M inputs respectively associated with the M processing modules and an output connected to one of the N outputs of the distributor;
and
control means for controlling the processing modules to scramble the N consecutive elementary signals reaching the M inputs thereof, so that a given elementary signal reaches a given of the N outputs of the distributor;
wherein each processing module:
electronically demultiplexes the N consecutive elementary signals and thus supplies, in electrical form, N demultiplexed elementary signals,
rearranges on a time basis under control of the control means said N demultiplexed signals in accordance with the output of the distributor imposed by the control means for each of said N demultiplexed signals and transposes the N demultiplexed signals in optical form at N different wavelengths from one another and switches each transposed signal to a desired of the N outputs of the distributor.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.