Two fiber support with single optical amplifier

An optical amplifier node, comprising:

• a first interleaver;
• a first and second input in communication with a first interleaver;
• a first amplifier in communication with said first interleaver;
• a second interleaver in communication with said first amplifier;
• a first and second output in communication with said second interleaver;
• and
• at least one dispersion compensation module in communication with said at least one of first and second outputs.

An optical amplifier node, comprising:

• a first interleaver;
• a first and second input in communication with a first interleaver;
• a first amplifier in communication with said first interleaver;
• a second interleaver in communication with said first amplifier;
• a first and second output in communication with said second interleaver;
• and
• second amplifier in communication with an L/C splitter and an L/C combiner.

An optical amplifier node, comprising:

• a first interleaver;
• a first and second input in communication with a first interleaver;
• a first amplifier in communication with said first interleaver;
• a second interleaver in communication with said first amplifier;
• a first and second output in communication with said second interleaver;
• a multiplexor in communication with said first interleaver;
• and
• a dispersion compensation module positioned on the communication path between said multiplexor and said first interleaver.

An optical amplifier node, comprising:

• a first interleaver;
• a first and second input in communication with a first interleaver;
• a first amplifier in communication with said first interleaver;
• a second interleaver in communication with said first amplifier;
• a first and second output in communication with said second interleaver;
• a demultiplexor in communication with said second interleaver;
• and
• a dispersion compensation module positioned on the communication path between said demultiplexor and said second interleaver.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing one of said signals traveling in opposite directions, and said separate signals, through variable optical attenuators.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said separate signals through at least one dispersion compensation module.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said separate signals through at least one channel add device.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said separate signals through at least one channel drop device.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said combined signal through an L/C splitter, a second amplifier, and an L/C combiner.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said first and second signals through a first and second dispersion compensation modules respectively.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said combined signal through a dispersion compensation module.

A method of amplifying an optical signal, comprising the steps of:

• routing signals traveling in opposite directions through said first interleaver to interleaf said opposing traveling signals into a combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a first amplifier to amplify said combined signal;
• routing said combined signal through a second interleaver to separate said combined signal into separate signals;
• and
• routing said combined signal through said first amplifier includes routing said signal through a mid-stage access amplifier having a dispersion compensation module.

An optical amplifier node, comprising:

• a first and second input in communication with a first interleaver;
• a first amplifier in communication with said first interleaver;
• a second interleaver in communication with said first amplifier;
• at least two dispersion compensation modules in communication with said second interleaver;
• a third interleaver in communication with said at least two dispersion compensation modules;
• a second amplifier in communication with said third interleaver;
• a fourth interleaver in communication with said second amplifier;
• and
• a first and second output in communication with said fourth interleaver.