Patent ID: 6744986
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A multiplexer for adding or dropping data from a data bit stream comprising:a wavelength division de-multiplexer for receiving a multi-wavelength data stream from a network and for separating said multi-wavelength data stream into individual wavelengths; a circulator for controlling direction of the multi-wavelength data stream; an array of Y-branch digital optical switching devices operative to receive the individual wavelengths, each switch of the array of Y-branch digital optical switching devices being selectable to pass or drop an individual component of the individual wavelengths, wherein said individual components are dropped through associated optical couplers; a multiplexer for adding optical data channels to replace those dropped individual wavelengths to form a reconstructed data bit stream; an optical transmitter connected to said multiplexer and consisting of a tunable laser which is de-multiplexed to produce individual optical signals which are applied through one of said associated optical couplers for every channel through which wavelengths are added; an optical fiber transmission line for transmitting the reconstructed data bit stream; and a computer controlling the directing of the input multi-wavelength data stream from the network to the wavelength de-multiplexer where it is demultiplexed into individual wavelengths which are applied to the array of Y-branch digital optical switching devices.