US 7,031,617 B2 · Method and system for optical wavelength conversion and regeneration

Abstract

An on/off switchable source of a continuous optical signal at a respective wavelength (λ2) is provided to be turned off when the wavelength (λ1) of the modulated incoming signal corresponds to the respective wavelength (λ2) generated by the source while turning said source on when the wavelength (λ1) of the incoming signal differs from the source wavelength (λ2). A Michelson interferometer is provided adapted to receive the incoming signal and the continuous optical signal generated by the source to produce an output signal. The Michelson interferometer is adapted to give rise to destructive viz. constructive interference when the incoming signal has first and second logical values, respectively. When the wavelength (λ1) of the incoming signal, which is not generally known a priori, corresponds to the source wavelength (λ2), the source is switched off and the output signal is a replica of the incoming signal regenerated at the interferometer. When the wavelength (λ1) of the incoming signal differs from the source wavelength (λ2), the source is switched on and the output signal is a replica of the incoming signal regenerated at the interferometer and wavelength converted to the source wavelength (λ2).

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method for the wavelength conversion and regeneration of an optical signal at a given wavelength (λ1), said optical signal being modulated to have at least first and second logical values, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a switchable source of a further optical signal at a respective wavelength (λ2),
selectively switching said source to generate said further optical signal at said respective wavelength (λ2) when said given wavelength (λ1) differs from said respective wavelength (λ2),
providing an interferometer for producing an output signal, said interferometer being adapted to receive said modulated optical signal and said further optical signal at said respective wavelength (λ2) generated by said source, so that said further optical signal generated by said source gives rise to destructive interference when said modulated optical signal has said first logical value and constructive interference when said modulated optical signal has said second logical value, respectively, whereby:
when said given wavelength (λ1) corresponds to said respective wavelength (λ2), said output signal is a replica of said modulated optical signal regenerated at said interferometer, and
when said given wavelength (λ1) differs from said respective wavelength (λ2), said output signal is a replica of said modulated signal regenerated at said interferometer, said replica being also wavelength converted to said respective wavelength (λ2).

2 more elements

A system for the wavelength conversion and regeneration of an optical signal at a given wavelength (λ1), said optical signal being modulated to have at least first and second logical values, the system comprising:

an switchable source of a further optical signal at a respective wavelength (λ2),
a switch element for selectively switching said source to generate said further optical signal at said respective wavelength (λ2) when said given wavelength (λ1) differs from said respective wavelength (λ2),
an interferometer for producing an output signal, said interferometer being adapted to receive said modulated optical signal and said further optical signal at said respective wavelength (λ2) generated by said source, so that said further optical signal generated by said source is adapted to give rise to destructive interference when said modulated optical signal has said first logical value and to give rise to constructive interference when said modulated optical signal has said second logical value, the arrangement being such that:
when said given wavelength (λ1) corresponds to said respective wavelength (λ2), said output signal is a replica of said modulated optical signal regenerated at said interferometer, and
when said given wavelength (λ1) differs from said respective wavelength (λ2), said output signal is a replica of said modulated signal regenerated at said interferometer, said replica being also wavelength converted to said respective wavelength (λ2).

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for optical wavelength conversion and regeneration

Life of this patent

Method and system for optical wavelength conversion and regeneration

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30