Patent ID: 9369228
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: H04B,H04J

Claim Text:
1. A method of detecting an optical signal, the method comprising: demultiplexing, by at least one optical filter, a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal that comprises a plurality of multiplexed data-bearing optical signals of different wavelengths, into the plurality of data-bearing optical signals of different wavelengths; splitting, by at least one beam splitter, each of the plurality of data-bearing optical signals into respective polarization components carrying respective data and having a center wavelength; applying a lightwave from exactly one local oscillator (LO) to the respective polarization components of at least two of the plurality of data-bearing optical signals of different wavelengths to create respective mixed polarization components, wherein the LO wavelength is halfway between the center wavelengths of two of the plurality of data-bearing optical signals of different wavelengths; and detecting, by at least one photodiode, the respective mixed polarization components.