US 8,611,747 B1Granted

Method and system for multiplexing optical communication signals

AssigneeCirrex Systems, LLC

InventorMichael L. Wach

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Abstract

An optical waveguide can transmit multiple optical signals imprinted or encoded with different information, thereby increasing the waveguide's information carrying capability or bandwidth. Each optical signal can comprise multiple longitudinal modes that are energized and that are modulated substantially in unison. Thus, the photonic energy of each optical signal can be spread across a wavelength region in a substantially discrete or substantially discontinuous pattern. The respective wavelength regions of the optical signals can overlap or substantially overlay one another. Modes of one of the optical signals can be substantially interleaved, interspersed, or intermingled with modes of other optical signals. Systems at ends of the optical waveguide can feed the optical signals onto and off of the optical waveguide and discriminate the optical signals from one another. The systems can comprise ring resonators. The waveguide can support an on-chip network, such as for a multicore processor of a computer.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A system for communicating information over an optical transmission medium according to a multiplexing scheme, the system comprising:

a first node that is operative to produce light for transmission on the optical transmission medium according to a scheme;
and
a second node that is operative to receive light transmitted over the optical transmission medium according to the scheme,
wherein the scheme establishes a plurality of optical communication channels, each comprising a plurality of discrete and substantially discontinuous color bands collectively extending across a wavelength region, wherein the wavelength regions substantially overlay one another such that the color bands of each optical communication channel are substantially interspersed among the color bands of other optical communication channels,
wherein the first node comprises:
a lasing device that comprises:
a gain medium;
a cavity optically coupled to the gain medium;
and
an output port, optically coupled to the gain medium and the cavity, that is operative to emit light exhibiting a discrete and substantially discontinuous pattern of colors substantially matching the discrete and substantially discontinuous color bands of a selected one of the plurality of optical communication channels;
a modulator, coupled to the lasing device, that is operative to modulate light of the selected optical communication channel;
and
a multiplexer, optically coupled to the output port, that is operative to combine the modulated light with modulated light of another one of the plurality of optical communication channels, wherein the multiplexer comprises a first closed loop resonator providing a comb-shaped filter response, and
wherein the second node comprises:
a demultiplexer that is operative to separate light of the selected optical communication channel from light of another one of the plurality of optical communication channels, wherein the demultiplexer comprises a second closed loop resonator providing a comb-shaped filter response;
and
a detector, operably coupled to the demultiplexer, that is operative to convert the separated light of the selected optical communication channel into an information bearing electrical signal.

14 more elements

A system for communicating information over an optical transmission medium according to a multiplexing scheme, the system comprising:

a first node that is operative to produce light for transmission on the optical transmission medium according to a scheme;
and
a second node that is operative to receive light transmitted over the optical transmission medium according to the scheme;
wherein the scheme establishes a plurality of optical communication channels, each comprising a plurality of discrete and substantially discontinuous color bands collectively extending across a wavelength region, wherein the wavelength regions substantially overlay one another such that the color bands of each optical communication channel are substantially interspersed among the color bands of other optical communication channels;
wherein the first node comprises:
a lasing device that comprises:
a gain medium;
a cavity optically coupled to the gain medium;
and
an output port, optically coupled to the gain medium and the cavity, that is operative to emit light exhibiting a discrete and substantially discontinuous pattern of colors substantially matching the discrete and substantially discontinuous color bands of a selected one of the plurality of optical communication channels;
wherein a plurality of longitudinal modes of light forms the substantially discontinuous pattern of colors,
wherein each of the plurality of longitudinal modes of light is substantially energized,
wherein the plurality of longitudinal modes of light exhibit a free spectral range corresponding to a physical dimension of the cavity,
a modulator, coupled to the lasing device, that is operative to modulate light of the selected optical communication channel;
and
a multiplexer, optically coupled to the output port, that is operative to combine the modulated light with modulated light of another one of the plurality of optical communication channels, wherein the multiplexer comprises a first ring-shaped resonator, and
wherein the second node comprises:
a demultiplexer that is operative separate light of the selected optical communication channel from light of another one of the plurality of optical communication channels, wherein the demultiplexer comprises a second ring-shaped resonator;
and
a detector, operably coupled to the demultiplexer, that is operative to convert the separated light of the selected optical communication channel into an information bearing electrical signal.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.