Optical WDM coupling systems

An optical coupling system for providing wavelength-individual through-connection between a plurality of wavelength-division multiplex (WDM) optical input fibers having a WDM signal thereon and a plurality of optical output fibers given simultaneously possible wavelength conversion, the system comprising:

• a plurality of optical splitters individually associated with said plurality of input fibers respectively, said optical splitters constructed and arranged to multiply the WDM signal incoming on the associated optical input fiber to provide an increased plurality of WDM signals;
• a plurality of tunable optical filters connected to the optical splitters to receive the increased plurality of WDM signals, said tunable optical filters capable of inhibiting and providing an output signal;
• a plurality of optical combiners connected to the plurality of tunable filters to receive said output signal therefrom, said optical combiners providing a further output signal;
• a plurality of wavelength converters respectively connected to the optical combiners to receive said further output signal therefrom and to convert said further output signal to a defined wavelength output independently of the input wavelength of said further output signal;
• and
• a plurality of wavelength division multiplexers constructed and arranged to receive said defined wavelength output from said plurality of wavelength converters and to provide said defined wavelength output to a respective one of said plurality of output fibers.