Optical spectral power monitors employing time-division-multiplexing detection schemes
First Claim
1. An optical apparatus, comprising:
- a) an input port, providing a multi-wavelength optical signal;
b) a wavelength-disperser that separates said multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels having a predetermined relative arrangement;
c) an array of beam-manipulating elements positioned to correspond with said spectral channels; and
d) an array of optical detectors, including a plurality of optical detectors each corresponding to a unique one of said spectral channels;
wherein said beam-manipulating elements are individually controllable, so as to be capable of directing spectral channels into said array of optical detectors concurrently and capable of directing spectral channels into said array of optical detectors in a time-division-multiplexed sequence.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for optical spectral power monitoring that employ a time-division-multiplexed detection scheme. The optical spectral power monitoring apparatus of the present invention uses a wavelength-dispersing means such as a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal into multiple spectral channels and an array of beam-manipulating elements positioned to correspond with the spectral channels. The beam-manipulating elements are individually controllable so as to direct the spectral channels into an optical detector in a time-division-multiplexed sequence. The optical spectral power monitoring apparatus may further employ a polarization diversity scheme, thereby becoming polarization insensitive. This enables the apparatus of the present invention to enhance spectral resolution, while providing improved accuracy in optical spectral power detection. Accordingly, a variety of novel optical spectral power monitors can be constructed according to the present invention, that are well suitable for WDM optical networking applications.
46 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An optical apparatus, comprising:
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a) an input port, providing a multi-wavelength optical signal; b) a wavelength-disperser that separates said multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels having a predetermined relative arrangement; c) an array of beam-manipulating elements positioned to correspond with said spectral channels; and d) an array of optical detectors, including a plurality of optical detectors each corresponding to a unique one of said spectral channels; wherein said beam-manipulating elements are individually controllable, so as to be capable of directing spectral channels into said array of optical detectors concurrently and capable of directing spectral channels into said array of optical detectors in a time-division-multiplexed sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical apparatus, comprising:
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a) an input port, providing a multi-wavelength optical signal; b) a polarization-separating element that decomposes said multi-wavelength optical signal into first and second polarization components; c) a polarization-rotating element that rotates a polarization of said second polarization component by approximately 90-degrees; d) a wavelength-disperser that separates said first and second polarization components by wavelength respectively into first and second sets of optical beams; e) a beam-focuser that focuses first and second sets of optical beams into corresponding focused spots; f) an array of beam-manipulating elements positioned to correspond with said first and second sets of optical beams; and g) at least one array of optical detectors for monitoring power associated with said first and second polarization components; wherein said beam-manipulating elements are individually controllable, so as to be capable of directing some of said optical beams into said at least one array of optical detectors concurrently and capable of directing some of said optical beams into said at least one array of optical detectors in a time-division-multiplexed sequence. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of spectral power monitoring, comprising:
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a) providing a multi-wavelength optical signal; b) separating said multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels; and c) selectively directing said spectral channels into an array of optical detectors, such that some of said spectral channels are capable of being received by said optical detectors concurrently and some of said spectral channels are capable of being received by said optical detectors in a time-division-multiplexed sequence. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A method of optical spectral power monitoring, comprising:
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a) providing a multi-wavelength optical signal; b) decomposing said multi-wavelength optical signal into first and second polarization components; c) rotating a polarization of said second polarization component by approximately 90-degrees; d) separating said first and second polarization components by wavelength respectively into first and second sets of optical beams; e) focusing said first and second sets of optical beams into corresponding focused spots; f) impinging said first and second sets of optical beams onto an array of beam-manipulating elements; and g) individually controlling said beam-manipulating elements, such that some of said optical beams are capable of being directed into at least one array of optical detectors concurrently and some of said optical beams are capable of being directed into said at least one array of optical detectors in a time-division-multiplexed sequence, whereby said at least one array of optical detectors monitors power associated with said first and second polarization components.
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Specification