Wavelength division multiplexed systems with optical performance monitors
AssigneeOclaro (North America), Inc.
InventorChristopher Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification describes optical performance monitors which are simplified by coupling single tunable optical filters to multiple channels being monitored. Optical measurements for more than one channel may be made simultaneously. The optical system architecture is preferably an optical performance monitor for a WDM system. In a system designed according to the invention n channels may be monitored using n photodetectors, n optical splitters, but only n/2 tunable optical filters. Additional system simplification may be obtained using optical switching elements coupled to the optical splitters.
Claims16
Method for optically monitoring multiple channels comprising:
- a) coupling a first optical channel to the input port of a first three port optical splitter,
- b) coupling a second optical channel to the input port of a second three port optical splitter,
- b) coupling the input/output port of the first three port splitter to a first input/output port of a tunable optical filter,
- c) coupling a second input/output port of the tunable optical filter to the input/output port of the second three port optical splitter,
- d) coupling the output port of the first three port splitter to a first photodetector,
- e) coupling the output port of the second three port splitter to a second photodetector,
- f) scanning the tunable optical filter, and
- g) measuring the output of the first and second photodetectors.
Optical device comprising:
- a) a first three port optical splitter,
- b) a first optical channel coupled to the input port of the three port optical splitter,
- c) a second three port optical splitter,
- d) a second optical channel coupled to the input port of the second three port optical splitter,
- e) a tunable optical filter having first and second input/output ports,
- f) a waveguide coupling the input/output port of the first three port splitter to the first input/output port of the tunable optical filter,
- g) a waveguide coupling the second input/output port of the tunable optical filter to the input/output port of the second three port optical splitter,
- h) a waveguide coupling the output port of the first three port splitter to a first photodetector,
- j) a waveguide coupling the output port of the second three port splitter to a second photodetector.
A WDM system with multiple optical performance monitors wherein the optical performance monitors comprise:
- a) a first three port optical splitter,
- b) a first optical channel coupled to the input port of the three port optical splitter,
- c) a second three port optical splitter,
- d) a second optical channel coupled to the input port of the second three port optical splitter,
- e) a tunable optical filter having first and second input/output ports,
- f) a waveguide coupling the input/output port of the first three port splitter to the first input/output port of the tunable optical filter,
- g) a waveguide coupling the second input/output port of the tunable optical filter to the input/output port of the second three port optical splitter,
- h) a waveguide coupling the output port of the first three port splitter to a first photodetector,
- j) a waveguide coupling the output port of the second three port splitter to a second photodetector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.