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Modular multiplexing/demultiplexing units in optical transmission systems

  • US 7,130,542 B2
  • Filed: 07/16/2004
  • Issued: 10/31/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission system, comprising:

  • a first plurality of series-connect multiplexing units, each configured to receive a plurality of input channels and output a WDM signal based on the plurality of input channels, and wherein at least one of the first plurality of multiplexing units is configured to receive at least one input channel and a WDM signal from another of the first plurality of multiplexing units and is configured to output a WDM signal based on the at least one input channel and the WDM signal from the other of the first plurality of multiplexing units;

    a first plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fiber, each connected in series with a corresponding one of the first plurality of multiplexing-units, each of the first plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fiber having a length based on dispersion experienced by the input channels received by the corresponding one of the first plurality of multiplexing unit and based on succeeding multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers associated with the first plurality of multiplexing units;

    a second plurality of series-connect multiplexing units, each configured to receive a plurality of input channels and output a WDM signal based on the plurality of input channels, and wherein at least one of the second plurality of multiplexing units is configured to receive at least one input channel and a WDM signal from another of the second plurality of multiplexing units and is configured to output a WDM signal based on the at least one input channel and the WDM signal from the other of the second plurality of multiplexing units;

    a second plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers, each connected in series with a corresponding one of the second plurality of multiplexing-units, each of the second plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers having a length based on dispersion experienced by the input channels received by the corresponding one of the second plurality of multiplexing unit and based on succeeding multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers associated with the second plurality of multiplexing units, and wherein dispersion introduced by the second plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers is opposite in sign to dispersion introduced by the first plurality of multiplexing dispersion compensation fibers;

    a final multiplexing unit configured to receive a WDM signal output by the first plurality of multiplexing units, configured to receive a WDM signal output by the second plurality of multiplexing units, and configured to output a WDM signal based on the WDM signal output by the first plurality of multiplexing units and based on the WDM signal output by the second plurality of multiplexing units;

    a first plurality of series-connected demultiplexing units each configured to receive a WDM signal and output at least one single optical channel demultiplexed from the received WDM signal, wherein at least one of the first plurality of demultiplexing units is configured to output at least one single optical channel and a WDM signal based on the received WDM signal;

    a first plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fibers, each connected in series with a corresponding one of the first plurality of demultiplexing units, each of the first plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fiber having a length based on dispersion experienced by the WDM signal received by the corresponding demultiplexing unit;

    a second plurality of series-connected demultiplexing units each configured to receive a WDM signal and output at least one single optical channel demultiplexed from the received WDM signal, wherein at least one of the second plurality of demultiplexing units is configured to output at least one single optical channel and a WDM signal based on the received WDM signal;

    a second plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fibers, each connected in series with a corresponding one of the second plurality of demultiplexing units, each of the second plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fiber having a length based on dispersion experienced by the WDM signal received by the corresponding demultiplexing unit, and wherein dispersion introduced by the second plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fibers is opposite in sign to dispersion introduced by the first plurality of demultiplexing dispersion compensation fibers;

    an optical coupler configured to receive a WDM signal and output first and second WDM signals, wherein the first and second WDM signals output from the optical coupler are input to the first and second plurality of demultiplexing units, respectively; and

    a fiber connection between the final multiplexing unit and the optical coupler, whereby a WDM signal output by the final multiplexing unit is received by the optical coupler.

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