Bidirectional multiplexer and demultiplexer based on a single echelle waveguide grating

An optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer device comprising:

• an integrated substrate;
• a first port for propagating a first signal having optical signals within at least two predetermined wavelength channels;
• a plurality of third ports associated with the first port, each of which are for propagating an optical signal within one predetermined wavelength channel of the first signal;
• a second port for propagating a second signal having optical signals within at least two predetermined wavelength channels;
• a plurality of fourth ports associated with the second port, each of which are for propagating an optical signal within one predetermined wavelength channel of the second signal;
• and,
• a same echelle grating optically disposed within a first optical path between the first port and the plurality of third ports and within a second optical path between the second port and the plurality of fourth ports, the second optical path being other than the first optical path,
• wherein signals provided at each of the first and second ports propagate in a first direction along the first and the second optical path, respectively, to the same echelle grating, the echelle grating for independently dispersing the signals propagating along the first and the second optical path, respectively, in dependence upon wavelength to provide an optical signal within a separate predetermined wavelength channel to each port of the associated plurality of third ports and fourth ports,
• wherein at least two optical signals provided within separate predetermined wavelength channels at separate ports of the plurality of third ports propagate in a direction opposite the first direction along at least two associated first optical paths to the same echelle grating, the echelle grating for multiplexing the two optical signals and for providing a signal having optical signals within the at least two predetermined wavelength channels to the associated first port, and
• wherein at least two optical signals provided within the same separate predetermined wavelength channels at separate ports of the plurality of fourth ports propagate in a direction opposite the first direction along at least two associated second optical paths to the same echelle grating, the echelle grating for independently multiplexing the two optical signals and for providing a signal having optical signals within the two predetermined wavelength channels to the associated second port, and,
• wherein the first and second ports, the plurality of third and fourth ports and the same echelle grating are integrally formed within the integrated substrate, wherein
• the plurality of third ports comprises at least four ports and,
• the plurality of fourth ports comprises at least four ports.

An optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer device comprising:

• an integrated substrate;
• a first port for receiving a first signal having optical signals within at least four different predetermined wavelength channels;
• a second other port for outputting a second signal having optical signals within at least four different predetermined wavelength channels;
• a plurality of third ports associated with the first port, each of the plurality of third ports for providing an optical signal within one different predetermined wavelength channel of the optical signal received at the first port;
• a plurality of fourth ports associated with the second port, each of the plurality of fourth ports for providing an optical signal within one different predetermined wavelength channel of the optical signal output from the second port, the plurality of fourth ports being other than the plurality of third ports;
• and,
• a same dispersive element disposed within a first optical path for dispersing a light signal received from the first port in dependence upon wavelength to provide channelized optical signals to each of the third ports, and disposed within a second optical path for independently combining light signals received from the fourth ports of different predetermined wavelengths to provide a multiplexed optical signal to the second port,
• wherein the dispersive element operates independently as demultiplexer and multiplexer for optical signals traveling along the first and the second path, respectively, and,
• wherein the first and second ports, the plurality of third and fourth ports and the same dispersive element are integrally formed within the integrated substrate.