Patent ID: 6021233
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
An optical communication apparatus, comprising:a plurality of optical emitters, each supplying a corresponding one of a plurality of optical signals, each of said optical signals being at a respective one of a plurality of wavelengths, said plurality of wavelengths conforming to a channel plan whereby said plurality of wavelengths successively increase from a lowest wavelength to a highest wavelength, said plurality of wavelengths including said lowest and highest wavelengths;a first plurality of optical add/drop elements respectively coupled to corresponding ones of said plurality of optical emitters and configured to be coupled to an optical communication path, said first plurality of optical add/drop elements supplying said plurality of optical signals to said optical communication path; anda second plurality of optical add/drop elements configured to be coupled to said optical communication path, one of said second plurality of optical add/drop elements selecting a first one of said plurality of optical signals at a first one of said plurality of wavelengths, said one of said second plurality of optical add/drop elements being provided adjacent one of said first plurality of optical add/drop elements coupled to one of said plurality of optical emitters supplying a second one of said plurality of optical signals at a second one of said plurality of wavelengths, said second one of said plurality of wavelengths being spaced from said first one of said plurality of wavelengths by at least one wavelength in said channel plan.