Patent ID: 6459516
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
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 said 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, each of said first plurality of optical filtering elements respectively selecting a corresponding one of a plurality of first groups of said plurality of optical channels and associated undesired channels; and a second plurality of optical filtering elements coupled to said second output optical path, each of said second plurality of optical filtering elements respectively selecting a corresponding one of a plurality of second groups of said plurality of optical channels and associated undesired channels, said plurality of first groups of optical channels being different than said plurality of second groups of optical channels; at least one filter coupled to an associated one of said first and second plurality of optical filtering elements for receiving one of said first and second groups of optical channels and said undesired channels associated with said one of said first and second groups of optical channels, said filter supplying said one of said first and second groups of optical channels as an express channel group while substantially rejecting said undesired channels associated with said one of said first and second groups of optical channels; and a multiplexer receiving said express channel group and at least one added channel group on associated inputs, said added channel group being different from said express channel group, said multiplexer supplying an output comprising said express channel group and said added channel group in an aggregated form on an output optical communication path.