Remodulating channel selectors for WDM optical communication systems

An optical communication device, comprising:

• a plurality of photodetectors, each being configured to sense a respective one of a first plurality of optical signals and output a corresponding one of a first plurality of electrical signals in response thereto;
• a plurality of encoders being configured to receive a respective one of said plurality of electrical signals, each of said plurality of encoders being configured to encode data carried by each of said first plurality of electrical signals in accordance with a forward error correction code and output a respective one of a second plurality of electrical signals;
• and
• a plurality of optical emitters, each configured to output a respective one of a second plurality of optical signals in accordance with a respective one of said plurality of encoded data streams, each of said second plurality of optical signals being at a respective one of a plurality of wavelengths, selected ones of said plurality of wavelengths being spaced from one another by not more than 1.6 nm, each of said second plurality of optical signal carrying source information associated with a corresponding one of said second plurality of optical signals.

A communication method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a plurality of information streams;
• encoding each of said plurality of information streams in accordance with a forward error correction code;
• and
• transmitting a plurality of optical signals, each of which corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of optical channels, each of said plurality of optical signals being at a respective one of a plurality of wavelengths, selected ones of said plurality of wavelengths being spaced front one another by riot more than 1.6 mm, each of said plurality of optical signals carrying data associated with a respective one of said plurality of encoded information streams and destination information associated with a respective one of said plurality of optical channels.

An optical communication device, comprising:

• a plurality of photodetectors, each being configured to sense a respective one of a first plurality of optical signals and output a corresponding ore of a first plurality of electrical signals in response thereto;
• a plurality of encoders being configured to receive a respective one of said plurality of electrical signals, each of said plurality of encoders being configured to encode data carried by each of said first plurality of electrical signal in accordance with a forward error correction code, and output a respective one of a second plurality of electrical signals;
• and
• a plurality of optical emitters each configured to output a respective one of a second plurality of optical signals in accordance with a respective one of said plurality of encoded data streams, each of said second plurality of optical signals being at a respective one of a plurality of wavelengths, selected ones of said second plurality of wavelengths being spaced from one another by not more than 1.6 rim, each of said plurality of optical signals carrying destination information associated with a corresponding one of said second plurality of optical signals.

An optical communication device, comprising:

• a plurality of electro-optical converters configured to receive a first plurality of optical signals, and generate a plurality of electrical signals in response thereto;
• a plurality of external modulators coupled to said plurality of electro-optical converters;
• a plurality of laser sources configured to supply light to said external modulators such that a second plurality of optical signals are output from said external modulators, said second plurality of optical signals carrying information in response to said electrical signals, each of selected ones of said second plurality of optical signals having a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths, each of said plurality of wavelengths being controlled within a one angstrom bandwidth;
• an optical multiplexer being configured to receive said second plurality of optical signals, and supply said second plurality of optical signals onto an optical communication path;
• and
• an optical demultiplexer coupled to said optical communication path, and Being configured to receive said second plurality of optical signals.

An optical communication device, comprising:

• a plurality of photodetectors, each being configured to sense a respective one of a first plurality of optical signals and output a corresponding one of a first plurality of electrical signals in response thereto;
• a plurality of encoders being configured to receive a respective one of said plurality of electrical signals, each of said plurality of encoders being configured to encode data carried by each of said first plurality of electrical signals in accordance with a forward error correction code, and output a respective one of a second plurality of electrical signals;
• and
• a plurality of optical emitters, each configured to output a respective one of a second plurality of optical signals in accordance with a respective one of said plurality of encoded data streams, each of said second plurality of optical signals being at a respective one of a plurality of wavelengths, selected ones of said plurality of wavelengths being spaced from one another by not more than 1.6 nm.