Patent ID: 6542277
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: H04B,H04J

Abstract:
An optically amplified back-up receiver system comprising:an optical splitter positioned along an optical communications path for receiving a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications signal on the optical communications path and splitting a portion of the WDM optical communications signal into a low power WDM signal onto an optical back-up path; an optical amplifier positioned on the optical back-up path for receiving the low power WDM signal and amplifying same; a tunable filter positioned on the optical back-up path for receiving the WDM signal after amplification and selecting an optical signal of desired wavelength to be backed-up from the optical communications path based upon monitored errors in data communication for a plurality of wavelengths in the wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications signal; and a receiver section positioned on the optical back-up path having a detector for receiving the optical signal of desired wavelength and converting the optical signal into an electrical communications signal.