Optical add-drop multiplexer using optical circulators and photoinduced Bragg gratings
First Claim
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1. Optical add-drop multiplexer, which serves to add to a group of optical signals, whose wavelengths belong to a group of N wavelengths (λ
- 1 . . . λ
N), where N>
1, and drop from said group of signals at least one optical signal having a given wavelength, chosen from within the wavelength group, said multiplexer being characterized in that it comprises;
a first optical circulator (C1) having an input (p1) for receiving the group of signals and an output (p2),a second optical circulator (C2) having an input (p1) for receiving the signal to be added to the group of signals and an output (p2),an optical selection means (MS) coupled, on one side, to the first circulator and, on the other side, to the second circulator and which comprises at least one photoinduced Bragg grating (R1 . . . RN) which is associated with the given wavelength and can be in a first state, where it reflects the signal having said given wavelength and where it transmits the signals having a wavelength different from the latter, or optionally in a second state, where it transmits all the signals anda means (MC) for controlling said selection means (MS) for placing the grating in the second state,the selection means cooperating with each optical circulator for adding and dropping the optical signal or signals,the output of the second circulator supplying the group of signals in which has been added or from which has been dropped the signal having the given wavelength and the output of the first circulator suplying the signal dropped from said group of signals when the grating is in the first state and conversely when the grating is in the second state.
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Abstract
This multiplexer adds to a group of optical signals, whose wavelengths belong to a group of wavelengths (λ1 . . . λN) and drop from said group of signals at least one optical signal having a given wavelength, chosen from within the wavelength group and comprises at least one optical circulator (C1, C2) having an input for receiving the group of signals and an output, an optical selection means (MS) coupled, on one side, to the circulator and which comprises at least one photoinduced Bragg grating (R1 . . . RN), said photoinduced Bragg grating being associated with the given wavelength and which can be in a first state, where it reflects the signal having said given wavelength and where it transits signals having a wavelength different from the given wavelength or optionally in a second state where it transmits all the signals, and a means (MC) for the control of said selection means (MS) for placing the grating in said second state, the selection means cooperating with each optical circulator for adding and dropping the optical signal or signals. Application to optical telecommunications.
83 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Optical add-drop multiplexer, which serves to add to a group of optical signals, whose wavelengths belong to a group of N wavelengths (λ
- 1 . . . λ
N), where N>
1, and drop from said group of signals at least one optical signal having a given wavelength, chosen from within the wavelength group, said multiplexer being characterized in that it comprises;a first optical circulator (C1) having an input (p1) for receiving the group of signals and an output (p2), a second optical circulator (C2) having an input (p1) for receiving the signal to be added to the group of signals and an output (p2), an optical selection means (MS) coupled, on one side, to the first circulator and, on the other side, to the second circulator and which comprises at least one photoinduced Bragg grating (R1 . . . RN) which is associated with the given wavelength and can be in a first state, where it reflects the signal having said given wavelength and where it transmits the signals having a wavelength different from the latter, or optionally in a second state, where it transmits all the signals and a means (MC) for controlling said selection means (MS) for placing the grating in the second state, the selection means cooperating with each optical circulator for adding and dropping the optical signal or signals, the output of the second circulator supplying the group of signals in which has been added or from which has been dropped the signal having the given wavelength and the output of the first circulator suplying the signal dropped from said group of signals when the grating is in the first state and conversely when the grating is in the second state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- 1 . . . λ
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13. Optical add-drop multiplexer, which serves to add to a group of optical signals, whose wavelengths belong to a group of N wavelengths (λ
- 1 . . . λ
N), where N>
1, and drop from said group of signals at least one optical signal having a given wavelength, chosen from within the wavelength group, said multiplexer being characterized in that it comprises;at least one optical circulator (C4) having an input (p1) for receiving the group of signals and an output (p4), an optical selection means (MS) coupled, on one side, to the circulator and which comprises at least one photoinduced Bragg grating (R1 . . . RN) which is associated with the given wavelength and can be in a first state, where it reflects the signal having said given wavelength and where it transmits the signals having a wavelength different from the latter, or optionally in a second state, where it transmits all the signals and a means (MC) for controlling said selection means (MS) for placing the grating in the second state, the selection means cooperating with each optical circulator for adding and dropping the optical signal or signals, characterized in that the circulator (C4) has four ports, the first and fourth ports repectively forming the input and output of the the circulator, the second and third ports being coupled to the optical selection means (MS), the latter having a first array of M photoinduced Bragg gratings connected in series and respectively associated with different wavelengths from the wavelength group, said first array being coupled to the second port, with 1≦
M<
N, and a second array, identical to the first array and coupled to the third port. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- 1 . . . λ
Specification
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Current AssigneeOrange S.A.
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Original AssigneeOrange S.A.
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InventorsDelevaque, Eric, Tholey, Valerie, Chawki, Mouhammad Jamil
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Primary Examiner(s)PASCAL, LESLIE C
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Application NumberUS08/604,417Time in Patent Office748 DaysField of Search359/125, 359/127, 359/129, 359/130US Class Current398/84CPC Class CodesG02B 6/02195 characterised by means for ...G02B 6/2932 comprising a directional ro...G02B 6/29322 Diffractive elements of the...G02B 6/29328 Diffractive elements operat...G02B 6/29329 Diffractive elements operat...G02B 6/29383 Adding and droppingH04J 14/0206 Express channels arrangementsH04J 14/0209 Multi-stage arrangements, e...H04J 14/021 Reconfigurable arrangements...H04J 14/0213 Groups of channels or wave ...
