Patent ID: 6281997
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: G02B,H04J

Abstract:
An optical device, comprising:an optical splitter having an input and first and second outputs, said input for coupling to an input optical path, said input optical path carrying a plurality of optical channels, each of said plurality of optical channels having a respective wavelength, said first output being coupled to a first output optical path, and said second output being coupled to a second output optical path, said first and second output optical paths carrying said plurality of optical channels;a first plurality of optical filtering elements coupled to said first output optical path, said first plurality of optical filtering elements respectively selecting first groups of said plurality of optical channels, each of said first groups of optical channels being supplied on a corresponding one of a first plurality of common outputs, each of said first plurality of common outputs being associated with a respective one of said first plurality of optical filtering elements;a second plurality of optical filtering elements coupled to said second output optical path, said second plurality of optical filtering elements respectively selecting second groups of said plurality of optical channels, said firs- groups of optical channels being different than said second groups of optical channels, each of said second groups of optical channels being supplied on a corresponding one of a second plurality of common outputs, each of said second plurality of common outputs being associated with a respective one of said second plurality of optical filtering elements;a first plurality of sub-demultiplexers respectively coupled to each of said first plurality of common outputs associated with each of said first plurality of filtering elements, each of said first plurality of sub-demultiplexers having a plurality of outputs, each presenting a respective channel associated with a corresponding one of said first groups of said plurality of channels; anda second plurality of sub-demultiplexers respectively coupled to each of said second plurality of common outputs associated with each of said second plurality of filtering elements, each of said second plurality of sub-demultiplexers having a plurality of outputs, each presenting a respective channel associated with a corresponding one of said second groups of plurality of channels.