Multi-channel optical transceiver

An optical data transceiver comprising:

• a first optical emitter having a first nominal spectral response;
• a second optical emitter having a second nominal spectral response which does not overlie said first nominal spectral response;
• a first optical detector having a nominal spectral response incorporating both of said first and second nominal spectral responses;
• selection means to select at least one of said first and second optical emitters;
• a transmitter assembly operable with said selected at least one of said first and second optical emitters to transmit data via optical radiation;
• and
• a receiver assembly operable to convert data transmissions received by said first optical detector to a corresponding electronic signal in a predefined electronic format.

A data transceiver employing optical radiation to transmit and receive data, comprising:

• a first optical radiation emitter having a first spectral response;
• a second optical radiation emitter having a second spectral response separate from said first spectral response;
• a first optical radiation detector having a spectral response incorporating both of said first spectral response and said second spectral response;
• selection means to select at least one of said first and second optical radiation emitters;
• a transmitter assembly operable with said selected at least one of said first and second optical radiation emitters to transmit data via optical radiation;
• and
• a receiver assembly operable to convert data transmissions received by said first optical detector to a corresponding electronic signal in a predefined electronic format.